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

be serious,” I groan, but her resolute stare tells me she’s dead serious.

plate and shove it into the microwave, resigning

in favor of appeasing

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

air is a

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

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

from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let

months.

food is cold at home, and we have at least a half hour of

starving.” I tug at her leash, but she ignores it. “Selene.

direction.

off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall. “You’ve gotta be kidding

14:45.

38

and Secrets (III)

I sigh. Selene’s not usually one for these kinds of shenanigans. “Okay. Okay! I get it,

gone potty once. Maybe she needs

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

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

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

down the nape of my neck as the air seems to

14:45 –

22 Ava: Paranola

and decaying foliage taking on an almost cloying quality.

unfamiliar heat

abdomen.

is happening to

to get my bearings. But the trees

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