Born to Be Free (rewrite)

Chapter 11

     That night Branch was down in his bunker, pacing back and forth. He had tried to go to bed, but he couldn't sleep. All he could think about was Spirit. He had to save her, but how?

     He looked at his clock, seeing that it was midnight. He sighed, and then headed up his elevator to go for a walk. Maybe that would ease his mind.

     Slowly he walked through the forest, kicking at a little pebble. He had to save Spirit. He just had to.

     Suddenly, he heard a noise. It was a wailing sound, but not like an animal in pain. It was more like singing. He turned, listening to the sound. It was coming from the lagoon. "Spirit?" he said, quietly. Then he began heading in that direction.

In the lagoon, Spirit was looking up at the moon, as she sang in the only way Lykers knew how. Branch walked up, smiling at her, as he listened. Slowly, he sat down, placing his feet in to water, quietly, as to not disturb her.

She finished her song, and then turned to Branch. She jumped a little, startled, since she was not expecting to see any one, but once she realized who it was, she smiled, swimming over to greet him.

"Hey there, Spirit," Branch said, as she placed her head in his lap. He pet her nose, looking into her eyes. "I liked your song." She clicked and chirped, thanking him for the compliment. Then she backed up, starting to sing again.

Branch watched, but then Spirit stopped, looking at him.

"What?" Branch said. "What's wrong?" She sang a few more notes, and then stopped again. Branch just stared at her, confused. She rolled her eyes, playfully, and then began nudging him.

"Oh," Branch said, finally realizing what she wanted. "You want me to sing with you?" Spirit nodded, singing a few more notes, before stopping once again. He shook his head.

"Sorry, Spirit, but I'm not much of a singer. I'm still getting used to this whole 'happy' thing."

Sprit made a farting noise with her mouth, nudging at Branch again. "Come on, Spirit," he chuckled, pushing her away gently. "I said no."

She sucked up some water in her mouth, and then sprayed it at Branch.

"Hey!" he laughed, putting up his hands. "Stop that!" She sucked up more water, squirting it at him again.

"Ok. Ok," he laughed, squeezing the water out of his hair. "If I sing, will you stop soaking me?" Spirit nodded, and Branch rolled his eyes, playfully, as he chuckled. "Fine. You start."

Spirit started singing again, and Branch soon joined in.

"I'll tell the world, I'll sing a song
It's a better place since you came along
Since you came along." He pet Spirits head, as he smiled.

"Your touch is sunlight through the trees
Your kisses are the ocean breeze
Everything's alright when you're with me
And I hold my favorite thing
I hold the love that you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along."

Suddenly another voice joined in singing the song with them.

Branch flinched, turning around to see Poppy.

"I see the whole world in your eyes
It's like I've known you all my life
We just feel so right
So I pour my heart into your hands
It's like you really understand
You love the way I am."

She walked over, sitting next to Branch, as she smiled at him. Branch smiled back, continuing to sing, to Poppy.

"And I hold my favorite thing," he sang, as he grabbed Poppy's hands in his. "I hold the happiness you bring
But it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
And the sun paints the skies and the wind sings our song
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along."

They started singing together, gazing into each other's eyes, as they smiled.

"Now I'm alright
Now I'm alright
Everything's alright
'Cause it feels like I've opened my eyes again
And the colors are golden and bright again
There's a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It's a better place since you came along
It's a better place since you came along."

Branch leaned forewords, kissing Poppy, but he backed up, quickly, clearing his through.

"Oh... umm.... I'm sorry... I... I was just..." Poppy placed her hand on his face, turning his head back to look at her, as she leaned forewords, kissing him back. Spirit squealed with joy, as she danced across the water. Branch looked at her smiling.

"This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" Spirit nodded, splashing the two trolls, as they laughed.

Slowly, Branch looked back at Poppy. "I love you, Poppy," he said. Poppy smiled, hugging him tight. "I love you two, Branch."