Page 56 of My Heart to Find

Yes, downstairs is safer. Downstairs there’s no cat.

I leap onto the floor. Pain radiates from my left ankle, up to my knee, then my hip. Again, I look around for the cat.

I can’t see it.

Hallucinations? No... It can’t be. They haven’t happened for a long time.

Tears fill my eyes, and I claw at my head, as if I can claw the badness out of my brain.

It’s happening again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Jana

IRUN DOWN THE STREET, nearly tripping in my heels.Of courseI’m running late—I guess that’s just who I am. I’m late for everything, it seems. And I’m still so far away from the cinema.

I curse loudly. I wasn’t even busy earlier, thanks to being fired. I mean, Lizzy and I stayed talking to Trevor for a little while, but that was ten or fifteen minutes, maximum. And then I went to my sister’s place to watch the twins who were both little devils as usual. But Alicia’s boyfriend arrived after an hour, then I was free to go. My apartment was empty. River was at work. And I just...watchedSex and the Cityfor the eighth time on my laptop, as I texted Damien. He didn’t reply right away, and so when he did, my phone’s ping made me jump. I’d asked him to go to the cinema with me tonight and he’d replied with ‘okay.’ Not exactly as enthusiastic as I’d hoped for, but people have bad days, I know that. Then I’d phoned Cara, and that was two hours ago, and I’m not really sure where the rest of the time went. Suddenly, I realized I was late and I got dressed up for the date super quickly, nearly twisting my ankle in the process as I jammed on my favorite pair of heels.

My heels now clatter on the pavement. It’s been raining, and there are puddles everywhere, and I force myself to slow a little. Don’t want to slip. That wouldn’t be very attractive if I arrive at the cinema a crying, hurt mess.

I glance at my phone and groan. I swear time’s speeding up, trying to make me even later.

I round the corner of the street and—

A hooded figure nearly crashes into me. I jolt back and—

It’s Max. He sees me and grins. My mood darkens, and I try to step around him, but he stops me with a hand on my arm.

“Don’t touch me,” I hiss.

Max tries not to laugh as he removes his hand. I go to dart past him again, but now he holds his arms out wide, as if trying to block my way.

“Please, babe,” he says. “I need another chance.”

Annoyance fills me. “No, you don’t. You really don’t. Now, move, I’m going to be late.”

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