Unspeakable

Chapter 69: Unicorn

Diane and Ominis snuck into the front door of the house quietly while the kids slept, Sebastian already sleeping at home in preparation for tomorrow's visit to the Ministry.

"What are you two doing here?" Danny asked in confusion, wondering why they'd traveled all the way here from Feldcroft.

"To watch the kids, of course." Diane smiled, speaking in a hushed tone. "So you and Poppy can go out."

Poppy smiled gratefully and gave Diane a soft hug, grateful she was giving this a chance. She knew exactly what Diane was up to... because it's what she had done for them a few years ago as well.

"Come on, Dan. We're going to the forbidden forest." Poppy smiled, taking his wrist and tugging him toward the door.

"Forbidden?! That doesn't sound safe!" He said in alarm as he walked after her.

Ominis chuckled softly as they left, smirking in amusement. "She'll certainly keep him on his toes."

Diane only giggled in amusement and kissed Ominis on the cheek. "Come on, let's check on the kids and make sure they're sleeping."

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"Now, there's a few rules about this place." Poppy smiled as she brought Dan down the path toward the forest in the distance.

"Okay...?" He said in concern, looking with wide eyes at a glowing bush by the pathway.

"Stay by my side at all times. Don't freak out if you see something crazy, and let me handle whatever may attack us." Poppy listed the rules off as they walked.

"Attack us? Wait, Poppy-" he suddenly took her hand and pulled back, using his weight to force her to stop. "I don't want you in any danger just for a bet between us."

"It's fine, Dan. I do this every day." She rolled her eyes. "It's not a big deal."

Dan looked uneasy, glancing over to the forest in the distance anxiously. "I don't want you in danger." He repeated in a softer voice.

"Dan..." Poppy sighed in exasperation. "My job is dangerous. It always will be. It always has been. I can handle myself."

He looked back to her, looking over her expression of fierce determination and smiled weakly. "I know you can... I just don't want you to get hurt." He said softly.

Poppy blushed a bit and looked away in embarrassment. "I'll be fine, Dan."

"Alright." He said, a soft sigh of unease still in his tone.

He stopped pulling back against her, though their hands still stayed connected. Poppy looked down at their joined hands and her blush deepened, clearing her throat before they continued walking toward the forest.

Dan was getting more and more nervous the further they traveled into this forest. It was huge, an old growth forest that felt hauntingly full of creatures.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when a bird dove overhead, making him duck cautiously as Poppy chuckled in amusement.

"So jumpy." She teased with a smirk.

"Can you blame me?! This place is creepy as hell!"

"I don't think it's creepy at all. Especially when you see some of the things that live here." Poppy smiled warmly, looking around her as if she was perfectly at home.

He let out a small laugh of disbelief that she was so used to this forest, wondering how often she was here. She'd said her job was taking care of creatures... maybe she was here every day? If so, then yeah his concern had likely sounded ridiculous. He couldn't seem to help himself, though. The thought of her hurt made him want to rage at whatever had done so.