A Disturbing Prospect, Chapter 14

catch up

Olivia

The sunlight slanting in through the front windows of the veterinarian’s waiting room does little to calm me as I pace the small area. Somehow, Dio survived the night. They were able to set his tiny bones and, after several imaging tests, determined that no damage was done to his internal organs. At least, none that won’t heal in time.

I just want to see him. The assistant already warned me that he’s heavily sedated so that he can get better, but I don’t care.

I didn’t sleep last night, and not because I was scared that Eli would come back. No tiny bell tinkled intermittently, letting me know Dio was prowling the apartment. It felt strange not having him there.

My phone vibrates in my bag. I tug it free and read the text from Esther: “We found tires. Waiting for the guys to put them on. Be back ASAP.”

But my shoulders only sag with partial relief. Esther was cool enough to let my rent slide for the month, that way I could afford both Dio’s care and the tires. But between that and stopping at Walmart last night to buy a new lock set for the apartment, I’m officially tapped.

Then there’s school to think about.

I resume pacing. I should be at my internship right now. For the most part, it isn’t really a big deal. I’m already behind. But eventually I have to return to campus, and I still haven’t figured out how I’m going to handle this.

The gun is a comforting weight in my purse, but it’s not like I can shoot Eli in the face in broad daylight. Nor will he try anything during the day, surrounded by hundreds of people on campus. Besides, as far as he’s concerned, right now I have no idea who’s stalking me. He’s still the nice guy from my photography class who let me borrow a camera and hangs out with me at lunch.

Which doesn’t make any of this any less disturbing.

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