The moment the furry body brushed against me, my scalp prickled in disgust. I screamed and shoved it away. Xaviera’s eyes instantly reddened as her precious pet was pushed aside.
“Poor Sissy. Even in death, it’s treated so cruelly. Heidi, you hate it so much… did you poison it? No wonder Sissy died just days after we moved in. You’re heartless!” Xaviera accused.
Before I could even speak, Zack’s face darkened. His voice was icy. “Heidi, I can see it clearly, it’s all your fault. Apologize. Now!”
I almost laughed at the absurdity. There was no way I could possibly listen to them.
Suddenly, Zack seized my wrist, pinning me in place. Xaviera snatched up the dead rat, pressed it against my head and hissed, “Apologize for what you did!”
The instant the stiffened body brushed my skin, I lost control and screamed. From outside, Professor Laird’s voice called sharply, “What’s going on in there? What’s with all the noise?”
Terrified of rats, I abandoned all composure and shouted, “Professor Laird, help me!”
The door swung open and Professor Laird froze, stunned by the sight before her. “What on earth are you doing?”