The neighbor's alarm clock is going off and one of my cats meows and leaps onto the back of the couch.
"Tuna?" I pick him up. The downy gray fur of my oldest cat makes me shiver. His purr rattles against my fingers, the lean body and softness only making my confusion worse.
How can I be here? Did I get sent back? If so, why? Because it was too late to save the world and I got booted?
Or . . . is this the illusion created by the curse? Another trial?
"I don't understand." There's no doubt it's my apartment.
If the story on Wattpad has been updated, I can find out what's supposed to happen next.
A heavy emotion I can't yet name is unraveling in my breast. My hands tremble with urgency and dread at the thought of discovering my adventure is over or worse - the Shadow Knight is truly dead.
Setting Tuna down, I pat the chair in front of my computer desk to make sure it, too, is solid then sit heavily. Nudging the mouse to wake up my computer, I check the date and frown. It's the morning after my drinking bout. Less than nine hours have passed.
"That's not possible," I mumble in a scratchy voice. I lean forward to touch the wall before me, not sure how it can be solid when I saw it morph into existence out of nothing.
Staring blankly at the computer screen, I notice one of my minimized apps is blinking. It's a chat app.
"Who did I message last night?" I murmur and click on it. I gasp. "LF!"
Scrolling to the top of the conversation, I lean forward and read the exchange eagerly, seeking clues as to what I'm supposed to do now.
Hey LF- Whats takin so long with the story? It's not like you have to do research. Its made up right? And why don't you have a proofreader? You know how to spell coincidenc? I can help you. I'm a librarian. I like books and I hate my life coz my bf dumped me for a diff girl but I can proofread good.
"Holy hell, Naia," I mutter, my cheeks hot. I have no idea why she responded to that drunken disaster. Although, I have to admit, for being drunk, it's not the worst message I've ever sent. Thoroughly embarrassed, I read her response.
Hello, Naia78! I'm so sorry to hear about your boyfriend. That's great that you're a librarian. Are any of my books in your library? I can send you a few, if you want! Sorry about the typos - I'll get better about those. You know I have a character in Black Moon Draw named Naia? What an awesome coincidence (spelled correctly this time, right?) LOL