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

1/6 Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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

me

sigh, I scrape the food onto a plate and shove it into the

in favor of appeasing my

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

evening air is a welcome relief after

2/6

Ava: Paranoia and

of the apartment, and I find myself falling into an easy rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her path seems guided by some unseen

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 few

months.

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 someone’s about to pop out of

to go home. I’m starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene. Come on. Now!” I tug harder and try to start walking

direction.

and I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall.

14:45.

38

and Secrets (III)

for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay!

hasn’t gone potty once. Maybe she needs to walk longer.

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. A shiver skitters down my

streaks, casting an eerie glow over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I

Selene has always been a relatively well–behaved companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the

down the nape of my neck as the air seems to thicken

14:45 –

Paranola and Secrets (III)

cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each breath

an unfamiliar heat blossoms

abdomen.

is happening to me?

I take the opportunity to glance around, trying to get my bearings. But the trees seem to blur together, an endless maze of

around the leash as a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting until they