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

but her resolute stare tells me she’s dead serious. “Fine, but just a quick walk. I’m starving.”

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

favor of appeasing my

the leash onto her collar, and she darts out the door the second it’s open wide enough, nearly yanking

a welcome relief

2/6

and Secrets

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

from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead, trusting in the bond

months.

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

ignores it. “Selene. Come on. Now!” I tug harder

direction.

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

14:45.

38

Paranoia and

kinds of shenanigans. “Okay.

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

the

casting 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

companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this? This

as the

14:45 –

Paranola and Secrets

cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each breath growing

unfamiliar heat blossoms deep in my

abdomen.

is happening to

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

a wave of dizziness washes over me. The world tilts precariously, the shadows lengthening and distorting