Run Poppy Run

Run

Poppy

The howling wind bashed the tree branches against my window, keeping me awake most of the night. I stood in a daze, gazing into the abyss outside.

My eyes slowly landed on the figure standing just outside on my porch. His face was hidden as the wind whipped his black hair. I dared not look away. Something inside of me told me if I did, he might be in my room when I turned around.

This has been an occurrence since I made that dreaded decision to step foot on the old manor just outside of town. My friend Jess dared me to a couple of months ago when she visited to help us move. I was freshly broken up with, so I wanted to do something to take my mind off my ex-Jake.

I sighed, finally tearing my fear-filled eyes away from my window, turning to climb into bed. I clung to my giant stuffed sloth I won last year at the carnival, hoping to ease my nerves. I needed to be up early tomorrow to help mom at her bookshop.

My mind jumped at every shadow in my room. My eyes playing tricks on me as I could have sworn I saw glowing blue eyes on the corner by my door. I closed them tightly as I shook my head, opening them just enough to see that there was nothing.

I clutched slothy, yea I know, original right? I slowly drifted off to sleep.

I was awoken to a sharp pain in my wrist, which caused me to bolt right up in my bed. I frantically looked around as fear slowly sunk into my bones.

After a while of scanning my room, I saw nothing. I turned to my clock, which read 3:00 am. I ran my fingers over my wrist, feeling something warm trickling down my arm. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a small line of blood.

My heart thumped against my chest as my brain tried to figure out how this happened. I ran my fingers over the edge of my bed, slashing my fingertip on an exposed nail head.

Of course. I never nailed that in correctly and always kept telling myself I would, eventually. I sighed as I scooted over to the side of the bed as to avoid any more unwanted accidents. I’m clumsy as is. I don’t need to tempt fate.

After a horrid night of tossing and turning, I officially rose from my half slumber as my phone went off, alerting me to my time to get up and get ready for the day.

I drug my feet, not wanting to get up. I stumbled around, looking for the light on the wall to the bathroom, smacking and flailing around for a while. I’ve only just moved into this house.

My father had a gambling problem and lost all our money. My mother left him to run this small book shop in Sequim, Washington, to escape the loan sharks he owed. I followed her, having no means to go to college due to him blowing my savings.

My mother bought a small house with a small two-story guest room I reside in. It was supposed to be for me and Jake, but he dumped me, claiming I was boring. What did I expect? We were high school sweethearts; he got bored with me and wanted to find greener pastures. That’s ok, I’m used to getting the s**t end of the stick.

I’m always unlucky. I could literally slip on a banana peel and break a bone. I got good grades, though.

My phone buzzed, causing me to snap out of my trance while I brushed my teeth.

“Happy Birthday Poppy!”

My mother’s text read. Jess’s notification popped up wishing me the same thing. Why is my birthday today? I hate that I’m turning twenty-two and everyone keeps reminding me.

It’s not that getting old bothers me; it’s the fact I have such an uneventful life. That the only thing I’ve accomplished was to move out of Seattle and to here.

I stomped down the small white staircase, making my way to the kitchen. I pulled out a loaf of bread, popping two pieces into the toaster. I pulled my white sweater down around the edges as I waited for it to be done. I caught a reflection of myself in the metal fridge, noticing a piece of my red-orange hair sticking out. Startled by my popping toaster, I tucked it back into place.

I took the jar of peanut butter that sat on the counter, pulling my drawer out and grabbing a butter knife. I quickly swiped the condiment on my slightly burnt toast, smashing the two pieces together as I grabbed my purse and phone to head out.

Stepping out into the cool air, my foot smacked into something. I glanced down, seeing it was a white box, neatly wrapped in a silver bow. I bent down, picking it up while I held my sandwich in my mouth.

Curious, I opened it. Chills ran down my spine as it had freshly cut poppies within it. I closed it, turning it over seeing who it was from. No name, no card… nothing. My mind immediately jumped to the man I saw last night standing outside my door.

I strode off my porch, heading to the trash cans on the side. I opened them and tossed the flowers inside. Maybe they were from Jake? Even so, I didn’t want anything to deal with him.

Entering through the back porch door to my mother’s house, I was hit by the chaotic sounds of her rushing, grabbing her coffee and purse.

“Oh! Morning Poppy! We’re late! Did you get my text this morning?” She sipped her coffee, burning her tongue as she cursed.

“Yes mother, thank you for reminding me how drab my life is.” I grabbed the keys off the counter, handing them to my frantic mother.

“Oh, stop that. There’s nothing wrong with your ‘drab’ life, sweetie.” She yanked the keys from my hand, gesturing for me to follow her out of the house. We headed to the car parked on the street.

“Not everyone has a father who wasted most of our money and is drowning in loan sharks.” She laughed as we approached the car. That was true. Guess my life isn’t drab. Maybe I’m just telling myself that so I could feel better about our situation.

Our small bookstore wasn’t too far from our house. Mom unlocked the door, letting me in.

“You’ll be taking care of customers; I need to do some inventory.” She stated as I walked up to the cash register, opening it and getting it set up for the day.

Our little bookstore wasn’t the top spot for a lot of residents here to see, but the few we did get were comforting. The conversations we had about their lives made me long for what they had.

I was spacing out, staring out the large storefront window when the store bell rang, bringing my attention back to reality.

“Welcome to McNair’s bookstore! Let me know if you need anything!” I said in an upbeat tone. My smile froze in place as there was a very tall man, sporting a hoodie. From what I could see, he had neck tattoos, his hood was down, showing he had pitch black hair that was neatly slicked back, shaved on the sides and he had a scar across the bridge of his nose, giving him a dangerous look. He flicked a glance at me, his eyes piercing blue as his sharp jawline tensed up, the muscle twitching. He ignored me, then quickly moved to browse on the right side.

Pfft, of course, he’d ignore me. I went back to flipping through my phone. A slight uneasiness washed over me as I couldn’t shake the feeling I’ve seen that man before.

My phone went off in my hand as a text from Jess came through.

“Happy birthday again girl! Come to a club with me pleeeaassseee!!???? I’ll pick you up!”

I really didn’t want to go to the closest club, it’d be a two-hour drive there and back and I didn’t want to put Jess out, but it’s my birthday. I can either choose to stay in and wallow about being drab or do something about it.

I took in a sharp breath as the man in the hood stepped up to the counter.