Demons

Chapter 13- The Jeweler

Amy's POV – 

The light filtered through the new window and shone down onto my face. Grumbling in discontent I rolled over to the over side of the bed but unfortunately, I had reached the edge and instead of falling back asleep as I had desired, I fell off the bed.

Hissing with contempt I got up and rubbed my bruised side. "Might as well get up anyway." I murmured to myself and started to make my bed. After changing into some appropriate clothes; the weather was a little chilly, I trotted down stairs to eat breakfast of cereal before running out the door and heading to Poppy's house. Walking along the cracked sidewalk and stepping around puddles. The rain had stopped, and the clouds had dissipated leaving the sky once again blue.

The dull throbbing ache, a withering burn, in my head had started to grow again, along with the stinging, burning, sensation under my skin. I suddenly felt too large for my own body. Or maybe too small? The pain twisted and slithered underneath my skin. I fell back onto the sidewalk and scraped my hands and elbows, but I did not seem to feel it.

People crowded around me; concern etched into their features. "Are you OK?" Some asked, they offered me a hand. I refused and with shaky hands I pushed myself up, "Yeah fine..." I wobbled as I stood up. "Yeah... I'm fine." Repeated more to convince myself.

The pain lessened, and I became more aware of the thin dribble of blood running down my wrists as well as my elbow. A deep red. A cold breeze blew by a stirred the air, a few homeless leaves swirled, and I continued my way to Poppy's place.

The sun a golden ball in the sky shone pale light down when I reached the dark oak door leading to the house in which Poppy and her family lived in. A whirlwind of bright red hair busted the door open and tugged me inside. "Amy!" A gleeful Poppy exclaimed a wide smile on her face, until she looked down at my wrists. "What happened?"

"I fell on the sidewalk. No big deal, it's just a skin abrasion." I shrugged but she grabbed both my wrists and led me the kitchen where she pulled out band-aids. "Here put these on." I thought of arguing with her but seeing the determined look on her face I just gave a sigh and stuck the band-aids on the scratches.

At that moment Cocoa waddled in and gave a cute little oink and sneezed. "That's adorable." I cooed. "I know." Poppy agreed. "Mom let me keep her on the condition that I do the dishes for three months." A frown marred her forehead and she wrinkled her nose but soon the frown smoothed out and she returned to her usually happy self. Her smile seemed a little forced or maybe that was just me.

She nudged my arm "Come let's go outside and enjoy this weather while it lasts!" Her eyes glinted with some emotion, but it was gone within a blink. Poppy had Cocoa on a cherry red leash and after we were outside in the fresh air and Poppy had locked the oak door behind her I decided to ask what was wrong,

"Nothing's wrong." She shook her head began to walk; Cocoa trailed after the red-haired girl, sniffing in the lush, emerald green grass that lined the sidewalk. Clumps of dandelions sprouted here and there along with other iridescent flowers, some where weeds; but hey even weeds where just plants just trying to make life work. "I was thinking we head to this free market in town" Poppy continued talking.

"Cut the bullshit, Poppy, something is bothering you. What is it? You can tell me!" I pleaded. "I'm your friend!"

Poppy heaved a sigh; her amber eyes downcast. "You know I've already got boyfriend... Matt."

"Lousy excuse for one if you ask me." I mumbled with an eye roll.

"Well I think I have a crush on someone else..." Poppy's voice was quiet "And they may not be exactly hu-"