Little Red Leather Jacket

By Annie Brogdon

 

It was a particularly chilly evening in the magical kingdom we know as New York City.

A storm was coming quite quickly over the horizons.

It was on this night that Lucy was on a mission to the post office,

And as she scurried on the streets

She was cloaked in a little red leather jacket with a thin hoodie underneath,

Making her appear as a red blur to those around her.

 

When Lucy arrived at her destination, the storm began to wake.

As the entire city trembled with the sound of thunder.

“My goodness!” The desk clerk smiled kindly. “Sounds scary out there.”

“Oh yes,” Lucy responded as she let down her hood.

“How may I help you?” the desk clerk asked.

“I have a package to pick up, a birthday present for my boyfriend. Hunter”

 

“Hunter?” A deep voice, not unlike Hunter’s, interrupted next to her.

To Lucy’s left was a man, a very burly and brooding man,

Dressed in a black, oversized coat

With dark, and wooly hair and piercing blue eyes.

“What an unusual name nowadays. Only those of strong nature bear that name.

A leader, a protector, a provider. Is he?”

 

“Yeah, I guess so,” Lucy answered, feeling uncomfortable for some reason.

“He’s a good guy. We take care of each other..”

“Well then he’s lucky to have strong woman by his side,” the man smiled,

His smile toothy and pearl white, almost inhuman..

“Thank you,” Lucy squirmed. She knew in her gut she needed to go now.

 

“Your package is ready, Ms. Lucy” the desk clerk came up again with her package.

“Thank you,” Lucy quickly leaned over to sign her receipt,

Feeling a presence over her shoulder, watching her,.

But when she turned the man was gone.

Where did he go? She wondered. Am I imagining things?

But she dismissed it, put her hood back on and braved the storm home.

 

When she made it back to her apartment, she unlocked the door and called out,

“Hunter! I’m home!”

“In here!” His deep voice called from the bedroom.

Lucy set the package down on the floor. “Okay, I know we said no gifts...”

But behind her, the door opened once again,

And in came who she least expected...Hunter.

 

“Hey babe, I...” Hunter started to speak,

Until Lucy quickly motioned for him to stop and move back.

“What’s going on?” Hunter now looked angry.

The deep voice called again. “How was your day?”

“Who is that?” Hunter grasped Lucy’s hand.

“I don’t know.” Lucy’s breath shortened. “There’s an imposter. Follow my lead.”

 

As the shuffling in the bedroom continued,

Lucy slowly shuffled over to the cabinet, reaching for the gun,

Cocking the gun and speaking louder to cover the sound,

“I bought some cake and decorations,

but I wasn’t sure how much to put up.”

“Let’s put them up. The better to celebrate, my dear.”

 

The footsteps in the bedroom were getting louder and louder,

Almost as loud as the thunder outside.

The intruder was getting closer,  and Lucy was prepared to attack.

As the intruder walked out into the open,

he was revealed to be the man from the post office.

Lucy jumped out from behind.

 

“My my,” the man snarled,

His hair somehow even woolier.

“What a mighty gun you’ve got there.”

Lucy pointed the gun between his now ice blue eyes.

“The better to shoot you with,

My dear.”

 

The man lunged at her,

knocking the gun and her to the ground.

Lucy struggled to be free, gasping and reaching for her gun.

Hunter rushed around the corner to attack,

Pulling the man off of her as the two of them began to knock each other down,

Allowing for Lucy to grab the gun, get back on her feet, and shoot.

 

The man cried out in pain as the bullet ran through his chest.

Lucy continued to shoot until the man was down on the ground, unconscious.

Hunter slowly got back up and leaned over the man. “He’s dead.”

He immediately reached to her as they pulled each other into their arms.

“You’re safe,” Hunter sighed, tightly holding onto her.

Lucy melted into this embrace. “So are you.”

 

But when they looked to the ground again,

The man was gone, vanished into thin air.

As Lucy and Hunter looked around in confusion,

There was the sound of thunder again,

Masking the howl of a lone wolf,

Followed by a whimper.