Original subtitles

The Short Frights Podcast presents Poppy's Story Written by R

.M. Lyle Stories take time to sink their teeth into us.

I could tell you now how this one ends, but it wouldn't have the same impact.

Not yet, anyway.

It's not until you see yourself in the story, until it feels real, that you

become truly invested.

Don't get too invested.

This was something Poppy had to keep in mind.

She was a hospice worker, which required a certain level of detachment to protect

herself from the pain of her patient's inevitable ends.

However, Poppy couldn't wait for Mr. Criswell to die.

his coughing fits unsettled her his delusions drove her mad and now

as she prepared to sew up a tear in his nightgown she wished more than ever for

his swift demise poppy opened a drawer to retrieve a needle and felt her

chill in the air why oh why did mr cresswell insist

on leaving the windows open

Distracted, Poppy's hand slipped.

She pricked herself with the needle and watched as a spot of blood bloomed on

Mr. Criswell's gown.

Then, from the other room, she thought she heard something.

One of Mr. Cresswell's sickly coughs.

She listened carefully.

There it was again.

Poppy didn't want to.

but she knew she should check to see if he was okay.

The floorboards creaked beneath her feet as she approached the room.

As usual, there lay Mr. Cresswell, tucked under the covers of his bed,

He was so weak, it sometimes looked as though he were dead already.

But no.

He was still very much alive.

Get up from the door, Mr. Cresswell rasped.

Something outside wants to hurt us.

Please, don't leave me.

Don't let it in.

Nowhere to run, Poppy.

Stay with me.

Poppy hid.

She could hear Mr. Cresswell pleading with her through the door.

Don't leave.

Please, Poppy, I need you.

Mr. Cresswell rose from the bed.

He was coming to find her.

Coming to stop her from leaving.

Coming to keep her.

To let her know just how badly he needed her.

To teach her that there would be consequences if she were to ever

disappoint him like this.

Mr. Cresswell was just outside the door.

He stood there, unmoving.

Our story is coming to a close.

And dear Putney, he's out of time.

The Short Frights Podcast presents Poppy's Story.

Written by R.M. Lyle.

Stories take time to sink their teeth into us.

I could tell you now how this one ends.

Don't you want to know how it ends, Poppy?

Mr. Cresswell took her delicate face and slammed it into the ground over and over

until the floorboards splintered.

He thrashed her about the room until her body was mangled and bent, until she

was nearly unrecognizable.

And so ended Poppy's Story.