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

her resolute stare tells me

onto a plate and shove it into the microwave, resigning myself to eating

of appeasing my

her collar, and she darts out the door the second it’s open wide enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble after her, the crystal in my pocket seeming

is a welcome relief

2/6

and Secrets (III)

earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny,

far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead, trusting in the bond we’ve forged over these past

months.

an hour later, I’m feeling extreme regret. We’ve made it to a nearby park, which is essentially a trail going through a small bit of city forest. My food is cold at home, and we have at least a half

it. “Selene. Come on. Now!” I tug harder and try to start walking in

direction.

almost yanks me off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching myself

14:45.

38

Ava: Paranoia and

not usually one for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay! I get it, you aren’t

hasn’t gone potty once. Maybe she

boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can’t

path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten my grip on

occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this? This single–minded determination to lead me deeper into the shadows

as the air seems to thicken around us,

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola and Secrets

cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each breath growing

heat blossoms deep in

abdomen.

happening to me?

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 offers no clear

as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting until they seem to reach out with gnarled tendrils, seeking to