She reached into her purse and pulled out an amber prescription bottle. "Here, Hazel. The doctor gave me these for you. They'll help with your pain and... mood swings."
When I refused to take it, Derek grabbed my jaw roughly, forcing my mouth open as Tara shoved two pills onto my tongue. Derek clamped his hand over my mouth until I swallowed.
My vision blurred almost instantly. The world tilted and swayed around me as I slumped against the seat. The last thing I heard was Tara's giggle as darkness claimed me.
When I woke, my head pounded mercilessly and something itched against my skin. I looked down to find my body covered in fur—cat fur. My stomach dropped as I remembered my beloved cat, Jinx, who I'd left behind when I fled to the hospital.
"No, no, no," I whispered, staggering to my feet.
Racing upstairs, I threw open the door to my bedroom and froze at the threshold.
Jinx, my beloved cat who'd been my only comfort during years of a loveless marriage lay motionless on the blood-soaked sheets. Beside her sat Tara, scissors in hand, carefully removing strips of fur from my pet's lifeless body.