Unstoppable: Revitalized

-29-

Thursday came and went: Both Charlotte and Poppy stayed home, as the world currently believed Poppy was dead, and Charlotte was killed via Callum. I headed to school alone, got through the day with no problems, and headed back home, feeling relieved that everything was back to somewhat normal.

You know, there's a lot of things that surprise me, but enjoying a normal day at school? That wasn't on my list.

Creaking open the door, I caught Callum heading back up, some screwdriver in one hand and a fresh mug of coffee in the other. He didn't look back, simply telling me that both  beds were finished, and that he had someone come and pick up the old ones, dropping off two mattresses whilst doing so. By the time I'd gotten up there, I found everyone in my parent's old room, looking at it impressively.

"Very nice. I call top." Poppy said, Charlotte rolling her eyes. It caused me to laugh, and Callum to grin, showing he was indeed human. 

"I call bottom." I countered, now facing him, everyone laughing. Callum didn't refuse as he put his tools back in a box, slotting it into a corner as he sipped on his coffee. 

I can live with bottom bunk. Especially after everything that's happened recently.

"I'm just happy that the beds are King-sized." Poppy added, adding a blanket to her bed. 

"That reminds me. Adam, I'm taking the girls shopping in the city soon. I'll have them cover their faces. The Boss is out of town for the night, and they need clothes. So do I. Don't ask, I have the money. Do we need anything?"

We. It's our house now. I think... Yeah, I'm alright with that.

Smiling, I shook my head as Charlotte and Poppy huddled together. I caught a few makeup brands, hair styles, even clothes, before they turned back, beaming at Callum

"Soooo... How much are we talking-" Charlotte started, but Callum raised his hands, before his stone face finally cracked into an uneven, stitched smile of his own.

"Don't push your luck now." He finished, as we all laughed. The air was thick with happiness, and I allowed it to sink into me, accepting it fully.

The Fates are kind to us, Adam. Just wait and see.

The world seemed to revolve around the house we all now lived in. The afternoon consisted of Charlotte and Callum throwing friendly jabs at each other, Poppy flicking through channels, and me sprawled on the sofa, a headphone in, playing  'Let it happen' by Tame Impala, alongside a few other calmer, upbeat soundtracks. The three disappeared for a while, letting me clean the house, before they came back with bags full of odds and ends, both girls vanishing upstairs to unpack it all. Callum cooked up dinner next, something alongside lasagne and salad, before we all ended up back in the living room, laughing and gasping at game shows and murder documentaries. One by one, we fell asleep, admittedly me first, curled up like dogs. It was early morning, the Friday, when my eyes blurrily opened. Wiping the gunk from them, I reached for the remote, letting the volume turn down before glancing around me. I took a look across from me, noting Charlotte and Callum first: Charlotte had her head rested on Callum's chest, both of them seeming to breathe in unison, completely uncaring to the outside world. I let it sink in, finally realising Callum let his guard down around us, before finding Poppy next to me, curled up in a ball, fidgeting and sniffling in her sleep. I thought fast, reaching behind the sofa and pulling out a blanket, gently laying it over her. She stirred, opening both eyes, before wrapping it round her until only her face was visible. She seemed to nuzzle into the sofa more, the shakes subsiding with the tears. 

"Thank you..." She whispered, keeping herself cosy as I flicked between the trio, musing on how the two of them got comfortable that quickly.

"Do you wanna stay down here? There's a room to yourself, those two aren't going anywhere." I murmured back as she turned to face them, a quiet chuckle leaving the blanket as she fully leaned back.

"I- I think I'm fine here- Unless you want me to move." She added quickly, gripping her covers tightly.

I've seen her change into a killing machine, there's no way she's afraid of me. Or maybe she doesn't realise it's our house now.

"It's your choice, Poppy. Whatever you want to do. It's our place now, not mine. Are you okay? Do you want something to drink, or-" I stopped myself, looking at her face, illuminated in constantly changing light, catching her smile. "Am I missing something?"

"You look cute when you worry. Your eyebrows furrow." She said, watching my cheeks flush red with slight embarrassment as I shuffled nervously, trying to ignore how pretty she looked.

I'm amazed I haven't noticed it before. Well, to be fair, she did try to kill me. Three times. I guess it makes sense- Shut up.

"I'm gonna get some more rest, if you don't mind." She yawned as she spoke, laying back down. I took a cushion I was resting on and lifted her head up, sliding it under her as I headed into the kitchen, ignoring the slight giggle she gave me. My phone was still in my pocket, my headphones clinging to the top of my jumper for dear life, as two twenty three AM flashed on the screen, the time indicative of the darkness around the house.

Sleep is a no go. I can feel how awake I am now. Waking up the others? Nope. No chance. Everyone's tired after what's recently happened. I think it's best I just take some time for myself. Or, even better...

My mind thought of something, a way to get payback, revenge on someone who definitely deserved it, and to find out more about how Poppy was framed as dead. I pulled a piece of paper off the fridge, writing a note to leave to everyone.

Hey.
I'm heading into town, then straight to school. It's nothing interesting, so I thought I'd let you all sleep. (Especially the two lovebirds) Have a good day, and I'll see you all later.

Adam.

Signing off, I slipped upstairs, switching outfits into something mostly dark, before sliding some shoes on and throwing a coat over me. 

I know what I'm doing this time. No one has to die. I just need information, that's all. I can do this. I'm fine. I'll be fine. Everything's... Everything is okay.

The door would've been the last thing they heard as I closed it, locking it behind me as I disappeared, allowing the thick darkness to cocoon me in it's shield.