Run Poppy Run

Call Me, Maybe?

Damian

I read the text that came through.

“Almost there! Be there in 10!”-Jess

I turned, dropping the towel as I made my way to my closet. I had some time; they still have to pass by my house to head out of town. I’ll just sit idly on my bike till they pass by. I grabbed a pair of ripped jeans and a white button-up shirt. I quickly threw them on, buttoning up my shirt as I slipped on my boots. I slicked my hair back as I threw on my leather jacket.

I paused by the mirror, checking to see if my neck tattoos were too visible. I don’t need her recognizing me just yet. I poked at my scar on my nose. I’ll hide it somehow. Shrugging, I opened the drawer where my keys were, there was a skull mask laying there. I grabbed it. Most of the clubs these days have prey’s faces exposed while the hunter wears the mask. I could keep a better eye on her if I blended in.

I swiftly made my way to my garage, where my bike sat. I took my helmet, throwing it on as I climbed on, starting it. I scrolled through my phone. I flicked my screen, seeing a notification from one of my workers saying I needed to check out Tanzen. I started to cough and sputter as I realized the garage was filling with exhaust. Sighing, I opened the door with my clicker and made my way out. ‘I still have to breathe, dumb ass’, I rolled my eyes as I slammed my visor down.

It’s not that I have to breathe, there are still irritants that bug my throat, causing the coughing reaction. It’s just irritating that my body still does that. I held my phone out as her dot moved closer to my house. I saw a white Toyota drive by; her dot moving with it. I put the bike in drive as I pulled out behind them.

We drove a while; I kept my distance. Her friend was a reckless driver, she swerved several times. At one point, she flung them on the shoulder of the freeway. I had to break and pull behind them. I turned my headlights off as I stayed a good distance from the car.

‘Jesus, I'd rather have my stalker kill me than have Jess chew me out’, her thought slid through my brain like a worm. I shivered as the thought of my hands around her erupted in my brain. Damn, I need to get laid. I shook my head as they pulled out.

I drove by them because I heard her thought about how I was behind them. I weaved in and out of traffic, slowing down behind a semi as her friend’s car eventually passed me. I flipped my lights back on, pulling out from the semi and making my way back behind the car.

I found myself humming along to the music playing in their car, that was playing in her head. What is with girls and liking Carly Rae Jepsen? And why the f**k am I singing along with them? I cleared my throat as they took the off ramp.

We passed a few street signs, as I heard Jess’s thought land on the club’s name. Tanzen. Hey, two birds one stone? I pulled up next to them; she didn’t notice me. Good. I sped in front of them, weaving through traffic to get there before them. I made a right as the club’s light reflection bounced off the pavement, nearly blinding me. It was a good marketing ploy. Young adults and women like shiny things. This was the shiniest thing on the block. Maybe I like shiny things.... I shook my head as I worked my way through the parking lot, looking for a good spot to park.

I sat there, straddling my bike. I reached under my helmet, scratching my chin as I heard a car pull up. It was her. ‘Please don’t park next to me, please don’t park next to me’, I found myself begging. I didn’t want my cover blown; I also didn’t want to be tempted to rip her away from her friend. She parked next to me. f**k!

She opened her door; it barely touched my wheel. Her friend cannot park to save her life. I kept my helmet on as I shrunk into my shoulders to try to hide my neck tattoos. Poppy took a step out of the vehicle, her scent wiggling its way under my helmet. I held my breath as she stood up, apologizing to me for hitting my tire.

I felt every nerve explode in my body as I saw her attire. A red, low-cut dress that accented her curves. It stopped just at her thighs. She wore black heels, her hair down, landing gracefully on her shoulders. Her beautiful green eyes stared into my visor as I stared back. She shrunk into herself as she stumbled away from the car.

‘Why is everyone so rude?’ Her thought brought me back as I gasped for air in my helmet. I ripped it off once she was out of view. I hate how my body still requires me to go through the motions of breathing. I pulled out my mask, slipping it on as I placed my helmet on my bike’s handle. I paused, then shrugged. If someone steals my helmet, that would be the least of my worries.

I made my way to the line, Poppy and Jess were already way ahead of me. I stuffed my hands into my jeans pockets as I saw two men standing by them. I ground my teeth as my mind reached out through all the other thoughts, landing on the tall, muscular man’s brain wave.

‘Jesus, this woman’s hot...’ I hissed as that thought slid its way into mine. He kept undressing her in his mind, causing me to pull my hands out. I cracked my knuckles as the women in front of me stared at me. Clearing my throat, I tilted my head in a nod at them.

“Sup,” my voice came out gruff, my accent making it sound more aggressive than friendly. She meekly waved me off and turned back around. I was attractive, but when covered up and I have to rely on my voice... it doesn’t go well. Romanian accents aren’t the sexiest, I guess.

I tapped my hands against my thighs, antsy, as I approached the bouncer. He eyed me up and down, his gaze landing on my mask. He didn’t bother to check my ID, he just let me in like he did everyone else wearing a mask.

The techno music blaring caused me to wince. How is this music? Ugh. I pushed my way through the crowd. A few women grabbing me and tried to get me to dance with them. I awkwardly shimmed away from them, causing them to raise their brows in disgust. I… don’t dance. Poppy’s thought rang out clear through the sea of murmuring.

‘Can I climb this man like a tree?’ Anger boiled in me when I heard those words. I slipped my phone out, punching in her phone number and sending her a text that read, “Don’t you dare.”

I plopped my ass down next to her friend as Poppy tried to lean forward to look at me. I leaned back, obscuring her view. The asshole next to her took her attention away from me. I don’t know how I’m going to do recon here while she’s here. All I want to do is rip this asshat’s throat out. The two went to the dance floor after her friend Jess went with the other guy.

I drummed my fingers on the counter. s**t, I’m here to see who runs this place but all I can focus on is... My eyes narrowed as that man’s thoughts went to sticking his grimy hands up her dress.

“EXCUSE ME! I NEED TO... USE THE RESTROOM!” Her voice rang clear over the sea of noise. I saw her run up to the counter, asking the bartender where the restroom was. As she turned to leave, I pulled my mask down, throwing my drink back. I turned, standing as I tried to focus on anyone’s thoughts that read like they owned the place.

‘Damn, that red head would sell for a pretty penny.’ I jerked my head towards the direction that came from. I couldn’t figure it out due to the sea of writhing bodies. I sighed as I went to the dance floor, pressing against bodies as I tried to find the culprit.

‘This thong is so tight...’ I furrowed my brows in disgust as a man grabbed at his ass. Why!? Why do these thoughts have to defile my poor brain? I made my way over to Jess, who was completely under that dude’s spell.

‘Defiantly going to fetch us enough, oh how I’m going to enjoy draining her.’ Bingo! I threw my hands up, trying to maneuver my body through everyone. My height gave me an advantage. I was taller than mostly everyone here. It was just the fact of getting through everyone. If only I could... just throw these jerks out of the way. I let out an exasperated sigh as Jess moved away from the sea of people being pulled by Poppy.

I groaned as Jess and Poppy ended up in the back of the club while those two brick walls headed towards them. I could feel the panic roll off her. She finally understood the situation she was in, huh? She yanked Jess and headed towards the front, the two dudes dipping out of the crowd heading toward her. He reached out, grabbing her and pulling her into him.

I grunted, scanning the dance floor. I needed to do something quickly and not bring too much attention to myself so I can come back here. My eyes landed on the man wearing the thong. Ugh, I can’t believe I’m about to do this...

I quickly walked behind him, reaching into his pant line and yanked... too hard... the thing ripped completely off as he spun around. I ducked as he threw a punch, hitting another dude. They all started throwing punches as I gagged, throwing the underwear to the side and making my way to Poppy. I grabbed the man by the collar, yanking him off her, then dipped back into the sea of brawling.