She scoffed, nudging another instrument with her foot. “Who do you think you are? Do you really think you deserve this? Zack only let you borrow the place for two days and you actually treat it like it’s yours?”
I frowned, ready to fire back, when the door was suddenly flung open.
Before I could speak, Xaviera hurried forward, looking pitiful and clung to Zack’s sleeve. “Zack, she told me to get out. She said this is her lab. And Sissy… my poor Sissy… I’m already heartbroken and now this woman…”
Zack’s face darkened and the next moment he roared at me, “Don’t be so difficult! How dare you bully a junior? What do you mean by ‘your lab’? Is your name written on it?”
Then he turned to Xaviera and ordered coldly, “Xaviera, use it however you want. This place is perfect for Sissy’s funeral. If she doesn’t like it, just throw her out! Who told her to? She’s the one with bad habits!”
With someone backing her, Xaviera’s expression turned smug. I hadn’t expected Zack to be so brazen and I tried to argue. “Zack, are you even being reasonable? It’s clearly—”
Before I could finish, Xaviera suddenly stepped forward holding the dead mouse. “It’s all my fault, Heidi. I apologize… on Sissy’s behalf.”
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?”