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

to come with

tells me

sigh, I scrape the food onto a plate and

dinner in favor of appeasing my restless.

open wide enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble after her, the crystal in my

air is a welcome relief after

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Paranoia and Secrets (III)

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

venture too far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue.

months.

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 hour of walking to get back home. I’m hungry and worn out from the day, and I keep looking around like

need to go home. I’m starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene.

direction.

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

14:45.

38

Paranoia and Secrets (III)

Selene’s not usually one for these kinds of shenanigans.

gone potty once. Maybe she needs to walk

follow Selene’s lead as she veers off the trail and into the shadowed treeline, the crunch of fallen leaves and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness.

an eerie glow over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten my grip on the leash, my heart. thrumming a staccato rhythm

antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this? This single–minded determination to

bead of sweat trickles down the nape of my neck as the air seems to thicken around us, the scent of

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola

and decaying foliage taking on an almost cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each

unfamiliar heat

abdomen.

is happening

she scents the air, and I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem

me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening