Chapter 10

Poppy's POV

When I woke up, I kept my eyes closed, taking in the surroundings; I could tell that no one else was in the room, and that I was in my bed. But it was weird; my feet extended past the bed and hung limply on the edge.

I finally opened my eyes, thankful that no one was in here. The pain in my head had dulled, and the burning was gone. I looked down at my clothes, seeing that my tank and shorts had been replaced by one of Mommy's shirt and shorts. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion; her clothes were always huge on me. They were big no, but not that much bigger. Still confused I stood up, noticing that everything was smaller; my bed seemed smaller, and it was like everything was closer to the ground somehow. Dread starting to go through me as I remembered the voice's warning. I shakily walked over to the mirror, terrified by what I might see.

I got in front of it and almost screamed; in the mirror was a 10 year old girl with short, black hair and electric blue eyes. I pushed my hand forward, touching the mirror; the girl did the same. I shakily put my hand up to my cheek, and the girl did the same; this time I did scream.

Max's POV
As soon as Poppy fainted and I calmed down we all approached her; I carefully picked her up, walking to her bedroom. As I laid her down I noticed that her feet almost touched the foot-board; puzzled I put her down, walking out of the room, dragging Fang with me. I silently closed the door and sat on the couch a long with the rest of the flock.

"What was that?" I looked over at Angel but she just shook her head.

"I don't know; I looked into her mind, but all I felt was-" She hesitated and felt like screaming.

"Felt like what?!" She looked up at me, her eyes huge.

"Fear; pure terror. She was scared of something; so scared that she was willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of us." I felt Fang stiffen behind me.

"But, what happened to her? She just started screaming." Angel just shook her head again.

"I don't know that either." I thought for a moment and then looked at Angel.

"Can you come check on her with me?" Angel nodded and Fang stood up but I turned around.

"Just me and Angel." Before he could protest I started walking towards Poppy's room. When I opened the door I gasped; Poppy had grown in the past few minutes. I ran over to her, noting how different she looked.

"Angel, what happened?!" She was silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"I dunno, but what I do know is that she's aged 5 years." I felt my eyes grow huge.

"5 years?!" She nodded. My mouth fell open as I stared at her in shock, wondering what I was going to do next. Finally I left the room and grabbed some of my clothes; hers must be hurting her if they're still intact. Once I got back in I closed the door and silently put my clothes on her.

"When will she wake up?"

"Soon, because her mind no longer has pain running through it." I nodded, trying to keep myself from crying. I grabbed Angel's hand and walked out of Poppy's room, plopping down on the couch beside Fang. No sooner had I turned to him when I heard Poppy scream.

Poppy's POV

Mom came running in, her eyes darting back and forth.

"W-what happened to me?!" She just shook her head, and I could see tears in her eyes.

"I don't know sweetie; I don't know."

Don't tell anyone about me. O joy, the voice was back.

"What did you do to me?!"

You're 10 now; you can thank me later. I felt like punching a wall.

"10?! Are you freakin' kidding me?!"

Fang's still here. I swear my heart stopped beating.

"So"

So, I could do that to you again. I looked around, fearful they could somehow hear me.

"Give me some time; please." I swear I thought I heard him sigh.

Fine; you have till midnight tonight to make the flock leave.

I nodded, but just heard silence; guess I won't hear from him till tonight.

"Poppy, are you ok?"

"Yea, I'm fine." She breathed a sigh of relief and brought me into the living room.

Later

I've been avoiding everyone all day, but I can't get Fang alone to make him leave. I looked down at my watch; 11 pm. I had one hour; time to put my plan into action.

I raced down the hall using my speed, till I was right in front of mom.

"You're going to go to the store, and you're going to stay there for a little while." She nodded and yelled back into the house.

"I'm going to the store, ok? Can you guys watch Poppy?" I heard Nudge's excited answer.

"Of course Max! I'd love to! We can braid hair, make dinner, everything!" Max laughed and walked out the door. I waited till her footsteps were silent before running onto the balcony where Fang was. He looked over and kinda half smiled when he saw me.

"Hey Popp." I smiled a little.

"Popp?"

"A nickname." I smiled but then stopped, realizing I only had 30 mins. left. I quickly sat down next to him, looking at the ocean.

"Do you know the constellations Popp?" I shook my head.

"Well, that one right there, is the little dipper; see the handle?" I nodded.

"Fang, I don't think you should be here." There was a long silence.

"What?" I swallowed, suddenly wishing I didn't have to say this.

"I don't think it would be good if you were here."

There you go Poppy, now make him leave.

"Shut up voice."

"Who are you talking to?" I spun around, locking my eyes on the little telepath.

"I'm talking to Fang." She shook her head.

"No, the one you told to shut up." She took a step forward and I took a step back.

"Someone's telling her to make you leave Fang." I saw him stiffen.

"Who is she talking about Popp?"

"N-no one!"

Don't let them find out about me Poppy, or it'll happen again.

"What'll happen again?"

"Nothing!" I backed up again but my back hit the railing around the balcony; Fang started walking towards me.

"Stay back!" I suddenly caught sight of something behind them; it was like a black fog, sneaking up on them. It wrapped around their ankles and they both stiffened, their eyes shooting down.

Boy, this was about to get interesting.

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