Tangled

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

I try to slip the crystal back into the drawer of my nightstand, but Selene darts forward, her body wriggling between me and the furniture like a furry battering ram. With a huff of frustration, I pull my hand back, the crystal still clutched in my fist.”

“Selene, down,” I scold, but she remains resolutely in my path, those pale blue eyes fixed on the object in my grasp.

Realizing this is a battle I won’t win, I shove the crystal into the pocket of my jeans, ignoring the uneasy weight that seems to settle in my gut at its presence. Selene’s tail wags, and she trots back toward the kitchen, pausing every few steps to glance over her shoulder, as if ensuring I follow.

The aroma of the sautéed vegetables greets me as I re–enter the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles in

anticipation. But as I move to finish plating the meal, Selene darts underfoot, nearly sending me sprawling. I sidestep her clumsily, shooting her a glare.

“What has gotten into you?” I mutter, stirring the

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22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (1)

contents of the pan with perhaps more force than

necessary.

Selene whines, her nose pointed toward the front. door, and understanding dawns.

“All right, all right.” I rush over to open the front door.

But Selene remains rooted to the spot, her gaze flickering between me and the door, an insistent whine escaping her. I frown as realization sets in–she wants

come with

resolute stare tells me she’s dead serious. “Fine,

sigh, I scrape the food onto a plate and shove it into the microwave, resigning myself to eating a

in favor of

wide enough, nearly yanking me

a welcome relief

2/6

Paranoia and Secrets

fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her path seems guided by

force holds my tongue. Instead, I

months.

going through a small bit of city forest. My food is cold at home, and we have at least a

at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene. Come

direction.

yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely

14:45.

38

Paranoia and Secrets (III)

one for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay!

once. Maybe she needs to

and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can’t help but touch the crystal in my

Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost

has always been a relatively well–behaved companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this?

bead of sweat trickles down the nape of my neck as

14:45 –

Paranola and Secrets (III)

on an almost cloying quality.

as an unfamiliar heat blossoms deep in

abdomen.

is happening

her nose twitching as she scents the air, and I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem to blur together, an endless maze of bark and branches that

the leash as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously,