Born to Be Free (rewrite)

Chapter 18

Poppy and Branch walked through the forest, getting closer to finding Iris.

Branch looked straight ahead, not saying a single word, as he walked. He had thought she was dead, and now he was off trying to find her? They were separated for so long. Why had she never come back to him? Did she not wanna be with him?

Poppy looked over, seeing the nervous look on his face.

     "Come on, Branch. Tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing..." he said, looking away from her. "I'm fine... really."
"Branch... you're not fine. You're clearly upset about something. I just want to help." He sighed, and then looked at Poppy.

     "It's just... Iris..." he paused, looking away again.
"We're going to find her Branch. Don't worry," she assured, trying to make him feel better. "But..." he said. "But what if she doesn't want to be found? What if she stayed away on purpose, cuz she didn't want to be around me any more?" Poppy looked at Branch, shocked.

"Don't even think that way, Branch. Your sister will be so happy to see you."

Branch looked down, tears in his eyes. He wasn't so sure Poppy was right about this. Iris had been gone for so long. She never came back to visit, or even wrote letters to at least let him know she was ok. Was it something he did? Did he do something to make her hate him?

Poppy saw that Branch still wasn't convinced. She stopped, grabbing his shoulders.

"Listen to me, Branch. It is not your fault she left. And if she coulda come back, she woulda. Cuz she's your sister. You love her, and she loves you. No matter what."

He smiled a little at that, but he still felt scared.

Suddenly, he heard a noise. His ear twitched, raising up to listen.

"What?" Poppy asked, quietly. "What did you hear."
"Shhh," Branch said, listening.

He stepped forewords, a net suddenly falling on top of him, and pinning him to the ground.

"Poppy! Run!" he shouted, trying to get the net off of him, but Poppy didn't listen. Instead she ran to him, tugging at the net. Just then an arrow shot forwards, landing at Poppy's feet.

Branch looked over, seeing a figure in a black hoodie.

"Run, Poppy!" Branch begged, but she still didn't run. Instead, she grabbed the arrow, using it to cut the net.

Soon, she had made a big enough hole for Branch to squeeze through. They ran, but another arrow was shot, landing right in front of them at their feet.

They stopped quick, turning to see the figure putting yet another arrow onto her bow.

"Poppy, go! I'll hold it off!" He ran towards the figure, Poppy watching after him for a moment, before ducking behind a tree to hide.

"RUGHHHHH!" Branch yelled out, charging at the thing. It shot another arrow, but he dodged it, tackling the creature to the ground.

They wrestled around, until the creature was on top of Branch. It pulled out a knife, stabbing it down at him. He moved his head, the knife sticking into the ground.

The creature lifted the knife back up, flinging it down at him again. Branch quickly caught it's hand, using all of his strength to keep it away from him.

He stared at the knife, as it slowly got closer, and closer to his face. His hands shook, as he struggled to hold the creature back.

"Branch!" Poppy yelled out, frightened for his life.
"Branch?" the creature repeated.

It lost its concentration, allowing Branch to push it off of him. It fell to the ground, as Branch jumped up to his feet, running over to Poppy.

"We gotta get out of here! Go!" he yelled in terror, trying to push Poppy forewords, but Poppy just stood there, starring back at the creature in amazement. "Branch... look..." She pointed at the creature, as Branch looked at it. It raised its head, revealing its face. It was Iris...

     Branch's eyes widened, as he stared at his sister.

"I... Iris?" he said, quietly, his voice shaky. Iris stood, walking slowly over the Branch. They stared at each other for a moment, Iris putting her hand on Branch's cheek.

She looked at him, tears in her eyes, and then hugged him tight. "It's really you," she cried. Branch stood there in shock, and then hugged her back, closing his eyes, as he cried with joy.

"Look at you," Iris said, pulling away from the hug to look at her brother. "You've gotten so big. And you have your colors back!"
"Yeah," he laughed quietly. "I have Poppy to thank for that." He gestured at Poppy, as she waved to her. Iris smiled.

"Princess Poppy!?" She ran over, giving her a big hug.
"Actually... it's Queen Poppy now, but you can just call me Poppy."

Iris leaned over to Branch. "Have you told her yet," she whispered.
"Iris, stop," Branch said, playfully, as he shoved her away.
"Told me what?" Poppy asked, smiling at the two of them. Branch froze, his heart sinking, as he rubbed the back of his head, awkwardly. Iris laughed, looking at Poppy.

"He had the biggest crush on you, when we were kids."
"Iris!" Branch shouted, punching his sister's arm. Poppy giggled.
"Branch? You had a crush on me?"
"Well... I... I mean..." She leaned forward, kissing Branch's cheek.
"That is so sweet," she said. Branch smiled, blushing a little.
"Well... yeah... I..." He looked away, a little embarrassed.

Poppy looked back at Iris. "So you've been living out here all these years? Alone?"
"Well... no... I've actually been at a training camp."
"Training for what," Branch asked. She looked at Branch, and sighed.

"Dad used to go here," she said. "That's why he was never around. Mount Summit's training camp is to train trolls to fight, so they can protect themselves, and their village, but you have to stay for thirty years. Because dad.... died.... before his time was up, one of his children had to take his place. They wanted to take you, Branch, but I couldn't let them."

Branch looked away in sadness, hearing Iris's story.

"I only have one more year, and then I can leave this place, and go home."
"Why... why didn't you tell me? You could've written a letter."
"Branch... I wanted to... so badly... but I couldn't. The camp is supposed to be a secret."
"I'm your brother."
"I know. And I am so sorry, I left you alone for all these years."

Branch looked at Poppy, and smiled. "I'm not alone any more..." he said. Poppy smiled back at him, holding his hand. Iris smiled at the two of them.

"Hey. Why don't you guys come see my house. I'll tell you everything that's been going on for the past eighteen years." Branch smiled at her.
"That would be great," he said. Then the three of them walked off towards the camp.

Hiding behind a tree was one of the camps scouts, watching the entire thing. He sighed, shaking his head. "The boss is not gonna like this..."