Born to Be Free (rewrite)

Chapter 1

     "Branch!?" Iris called out, looking for her little brother. "Where could he be?" she said, quietly, scratching her head. Just then she saw a little grey silhouette in the distance. That had to be Branch. After all, he was the only grey troll in the village.

     Quickly, but quietly, she snuck over to him. She knew he had really good hearing, so she had to be extra careful not to make a single sound. She ran up to a tree near him, hiding behind it. She peeked out at him, to see him collecting sticks. For such a little troll, he sure could carry a lot of sticks.

     She smiled, beginning to climb the tree.

     "Hmm," Branch said, looking at a stick he had just picked up. It had a leaf attached to it, and on the leaf was a little worm. He watched the worm, as it chomped on the leaf, happily.

     "Hello, little guy," he said, smiling just a bit. "I'm sorry, but I'm gonna need this stick." The worm looked at him, still chewing on the leaf. "Ok. Ok," he chuckled, quietly. "You can keep this one." He put the stick back on the ground, smiling at the worm one last time, before turning around.

     "Boo!" Iris screamed, hanging from a branch, by her tail.
"AHHHHH!" Branch screamed, jumping back, and falling, as he dropped all of his sticks. Iris laughed, as she jumped down from the tree.

     "Works every time," she chuckled.
"Iris!" Branch yelled, annoyed, standing up, as he dusted off his overalls. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Oh please, Branch. You're only eight years old, and you act like you're 80. I mean... why do you need so many sticks?" She picked up one of his sticks, looking at it, until Branch snatched it back.

     "It's called being prepared, Iris. You should try it sometime."
"Prepared for what, exactly?"
"Everything! The end of the world. A Bergen attack. A bird strike!" His eyes widened at the last example, as he shuddered. "I really hope that last one doesn't happen," he continued, quietly.

     "Branch! You're a kid! Live life. Have fun. Be happy!"
"I don't do happy," he said, picking back up the rest of his sticks.
"You used to. Before grandma..." she paused. Branch looked at the ground, sadly at hearing the word 'grandma'.

     "Oh, Branch... I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
"No," he interrupted. "It's fine. She's gone, and there's nothing anyone can do about it." He wiped his tears with his arm. "Branch..." Iris said, softly, walking over to hug her brother.

     "Ok. Ok. That's enough!" Branch said, pulling away. "I don't do hugs, either. Now... what is it that you're here for? Obviously you were looking for me for something."
"It's Kayla! She's gonna have her calf any day now!" Branch rolled his eyes, as he sighed. That's all he ever heard about these days. 'Kayla's calf this... and Kayla's calf that...' It was starting to get on Branch's nerves.

     "Come on! You have to see!" She grabbed Branch's arm, pulling him towards the lagoon, causing him to drop all of his sticks once again.

     They arrived at the lagoon a few minutes later, seeing Kayla laying on a rock with her mate, Kota, while they watched their son, Storm, playing in the water. Storm was about the same age as Branch, and was always full of energy. He was happy about the arrival of his new brother or sister.

     Branch and Iris looked at the family, smiling.

     "They really are beautiful. Aren't they?" Branch said. Iris put her arm around him.
"Lykers are beautiful creatures."

     Kayla spotted the two trolls, and then slid of the rock, swimming over to them.

     Lykers were like large dogs. Sea Lykers, which is what Kayla and her family were, were like Lykers, but with tails, and fins. They spent almost all their time in the water, whereas Lykers preferred dry land.

     "Hey there, Kayla," Branch said, holding out his hand, to stroke her head. Kayla excepted Branch's offer, leaning into his hand.

     Branch had known Kayla since he was born. His father had raised her, since she was a calf, and even though he died before they could ever escape Bergen Town, Kayla still fallowed Branch and Iris through the escape tunnels to freedom. Branch only wished his father could be there now, to see Kayla give birth to her second calf. He woulda been so proud.

     Iris walked up to Kayla, kneeling down beside her to check on the baby.

     "Yep," she said. "Any day now." She pet Kayla's stomach gently, Kayla turning her head to lick her face. Iris laughed, rubbing her head. "I love you too, Kayla," she chuckled, kissing her on the nose.

     A few days later, Branch came by the lagoon to check on Kayla. He froze, his eyes widening at what he saw. "Iris!" he cried out, turning around, and running off to find his sister.

     Iris was out, picking some flavor berries for a pie that she was gonna be making tonight, when she heard Branch screaming. She turned, seeing her brother running towards her.

     "Branch!? What's wrong?"

     He stopped, panting heavily, as he gasped for air.

     "Kayla... help... now!" he panted, pointing off towards the lagoon. Iris's eyes widened, as she dropped her basket of berries, fallowing Branch to the lagoon.

     They arrived at the lagoon, as fast as possible, seeing Kayla lying on the beach, Kota, and Storm, watching her in concern.

     Iris ran over to Kayla, dropping down to her knees beside her, as she stroked her head. The waves rolled up onto the sand, soaking her pants, but she didn't care. She stayed right by Kayla, comforting her.

     Branch stood off to the side, pacing a little, as he waited for Iris to tell him what was wrong.

     Finally, she got up, running over to him.

     "What is it? What's wrong? Is she gonna be ok?" Branch asked, his voice shaking with concern. "She's fine Branch. The baby is here." Branch's eyes widened.
"It's here? Now?" Iris nodded.
"It's a girl." Branch smiled, looking over at the family of Lykers. "Come on," Iris said. "Come meet her."

     They walked over, Branch laying eyes on the baby Lyker for the first time. She lay right up against her mother, her eyes slowly blinking open to look at Branch.

     "Wow," Branch said, quietly, amazed at how small she was. She was smaller than any Lyker he had ever seen, but was still bigger than him.

     "Go ahead," Iris said softly. "Go pet her."

     Branch looked up at his sister, and then back at the baby Lyker. He slowly walked towards her, reaching out his hand to stroke her head. She was so soft. Branch had pet many Lykers before, but none were as soft as the calf.

     The calf looked at Branch, her big blue eyes sparkling in the sun, as it set, off in the horizon.

     Suddenly, she jumped to her feet, tackling Branch without warning. "AHHH!" Branch screamed in shock, but he soon started laughing, as the baby Lyker pinned him to the ground, licking his face.

     "Stop!" he laughed. "Stop it! It tickles!"

     He pushed the Lyker off of him, sitting up, as he smiled. "You sure do have a lot of spirit, don't you?" he laughed, petting the Lyker's head.
"Hey!" Iris said. "Spirit. That could be her name." Branch looked at his sister, and then back at the calf.

     "Spirit," he said, smiling. "I like it."