Chapter 8: Meeting

That night, Poppy was trying to sleep, but was tossing and turning, her mind thinking about what one of the mean girls had said about Oxana being a witch who brewed potions. While Poppy had seen Oxana brew potions, she had seen the vampire woman use the potions for various things, like when Demi got the sniffles or when Gregoria fell down and her arm got cracked.

The girl sighed. "I wish those mean girls would leave me alone," she said aloud before sighing and closing her eyes again. She and Edgar had a spelling and math test in the morning at school and she didn't want to be too tired to do the tests.

But after a bit, she got up and sighed. "Maybe I should study more," she said to herself, keeping quiet as she got out of bed and went to get her math and spelling books. But when she turned around, she gasped at seeing a person she didn't recognize in her room, but before she could scream, a hand clapped over her mouth and the person pulled her into a secure hug. She struggled, whimpering.

"Shh, shh, easy, kiddo," a voice soothed. "Settle down. I won't hurt you."

Poppy trembled, her brown eyes wide with fear. The person sighed as he picked her up, holding her as a parent would a child, but his hand was still over her mouth. "Here, turn on the light," he said gently.

She reached over and flicked on the light, seeing the person holding her had a jack-o-lantern for a head and his face moved, which surprised her, but he looked a bit worried. "Hey, it's okay," he said, going over to the bed and sitting down, setting her in his lap. "I'll take my hand away if you promise you won't scream, okay? Hear me out."

It took her a minute, but she nodded and he removed his hand, gently brushing that hand over her head. "See, it's okay," he soothed.

She swallowed. "Who are you?" She asked.

He smiled. "My name is Spooker," he said. "Don't worry, I'm a friend."

Poppy took a deep breath. "How did you get in my room?" She asked.

He smiled. "The window," he said. "Plus, I'm magical."

She blinked. "Wait, like, for real magic?" She asked.

Spooker nodded before looking worried. "Poppy, this is going to sound like an odd question, but bear with me," he said. "Has any stranger approached you outside of your school or anywhere else?"

Poppy looked confused before shaking her head. "No, why?" She asked.

He looked worried. "There's some bad men looking for you and your brother," he said. "Why they are, I and my master don't know, but your mom used to run with the group a long time ago, before you and Edgar were born."

"What?" She asked in shock before she realized something. "Mom was rather quiet about her past when we asked her about it."

"She didn't want those men to find you," he said. "My master is looking into why they are after you and Edgar, which is why she sent me to look after you guys."

"Like a guardian?" She asked.

He nodded. "Yeah," he said before looking worried. "You okay? You seem to be having a hard time sleeping."

"I can't sleep," Poppy admitted. "Probably because I'm worried about the tests tomorrow."

Spooker smiled. "I think I know what will help," he said, taking one of the round, turquoise objects from his belt around his waist. The girl looked curious as he gave it to her. "Eat this and you'll sleep well."

"What is it?" She asked curiously.

"A dream fruit," he said. "Don't worry, it's safe."

She looked at him and he smiled. "It helps you fall asleep and have good dreams," he said. "So that you can be well rested for those tests tomorrow."

Giving it some more thought, she took a small bite of the fruit. It tasted sweet and she perked up, eating it with less hesitation, making Spooker smile as she finished the fruit and looked sleepy. Spooker gently scooped her up and put her to bed, tucking the covers around her. "Sweet dreams, Poppy," he said softly before checking on the rest of the house, pausing when he saw Edgar had fallen asleep at his desk, his math book beside him, which told the being that the boy had fallen asleep while studying.

Going into the boy's room, he gently lifted him up from the computer chair and Edgar gasped as he awoke suddenly, looking around in worry. "Shh," Spooker soothed him. "It's okay, kiddo. You fell asleep studying. I'm just putting you to bed."

"Who are you?" Edgar asked warily.

"A friend," the being told him. "My master, who knew your mom, asked me to watch over you and your sister."

"Why?" The boy asked as he was tucked into his bed.

"Someone is after you and your sister," Spooker told him. "If a stranger approaches you and tries to get you to go with them, run as fast as you can. Don't go with anyone save for Oxana and Boris."

Hearing the urgency in the being's voice, the boy nodded. "What are you?" He asked curiously.

"A magical being," the pumpkin-headed person said. "Go back to sleep now, Edgar. I'll keep watch over you and your sister."

The boy nodded before he fell back asleep and Spooker headed out, checking on the rest of the family before hearing something in the street. He glanced outside and saw a familiar car go by. He ducked away from the window, peeking around the corner of it cautiously.

Just then, he felt a familiar presence come up behind him and he turned his head to see it was his master. "I saw it too," she said. "But don't worry. It was just one of the neighbors returning from a late work shift."

Spooker nodded. "I met the twins," he said.

She nodded. "I knew your meeting them was going to happen," she said, though she was smiling. "It might be best if you stay in the house now."

"Those men are getting closer?" He asked.

"No, but I'm not willing to risk anyone's safety in case they figure out where Edna took her kids," she said. "I actually found out why they're after the kids."

"Why?" Spooker asked.

"Apparently, Edna's husband stole money from the group they were in when Edna left the group and most of them went to jail, so they want the kids in hopes of getting their money back," Phantasia said.

"Hostage situation," her friend said.

"Yes," she said. "Or a clever ruse to draw someone out of hiding."

"Do they know Edna passed away?"

"Yes, and they are circling like a pack of wolves on anyone that can give them information."

Spooker looked thoughtful. "We can't put Poppy and Edgar into protective custody," he said. "It would mean taking them away from here and they're just starting to do better."

Phantasia nodded. "Which is why I personally want you to guard this family," she said.

He nodded. "Yes, Master," he said. "You can count on me."

She smiled and nodded, hugging him. "Be careful, Spooker," she said.

"I will," he promised.

With that, Phantasia left and Spooker vowed to meet with the rest of the family tomorrow to let them know the situation.

"If things get too close, we may have to move the whole family," he said to himself.

For now, he stood guard. Nothing was going to get past the doors or windows without him knowing it.


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GoldGuardian2418