Born to Be Free (rewrite)

Chapter 21

It was the day of the test, and Branch was pacing back and forth nervously. "Branch!"
"AHHHHH! Please don't kill me!" Branch screamed, as he flinched. He looked up, seeing Poppy staring at him, confused.

"Oh... Poppy," Branch sighed with relief, as he calmed down a bit. "I thought you were Clay."
"Branch... you seem really on edge. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I have to. For Spirit."

"Blue boy."
"AHHHHH!" Branch screamed, jumping to hide behind Poppy. Tekay looked at him, confused. "Ugh... what's up with him?" she asked.
"He's just nervous about the test."
"Nervous? Try petrified!" Branch said, beginning to pace again, as he bit at his finger nails.

"Good luck, Branch."
"AHHHHH!" he screamed again, this time turning around to see Iris.
"Are you ok?"
"I think we've already established that I'm not ok!" Branch screamed at his sister. He turned away from her, putting his hands over his face.

"He's nervous about the test," Poppy whispered to Iris. Then she turned back to Branch, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"You and Spirit are going to do great today."
"I don't know, Poppy. I haven't once gotten her to swim around the lagoon. She's not ready. And if she fails this test, Clay will kill us both."
"Music Troll," a voice interrupted from behind.
"Ugh! What is it now!?" Branch turned. "AHHHHH! Clay!" he screamed, jumping behind Poppy again.

"Think you can start soon? I'm loosing my patience with you two."
"Umm... yes, sir. We'll... start right away."
"You'd better," Clay said, turning to walk away.

Branch sighed, standing up straight. "Well..." he said. "I guess it's now or never..." He walked towards Spirit, sitting on her back.

"Come on, Spirit," he whispered to her. "You have to do this. Please. Can you do this one thing for me? For you? Please." Spirit looked at him, seeing how scared he was. She had to do this... didn't she?

She nodded, and Branch smiled. "Thank you, Spirit. I know you can do it."
"Any day now!" Clay called out from behind the glass. Both Branch and Spirit glared at him.

"Ok, Spirit. We got this," Branch said, petting Spirit's head. Trolls from both tribes came to watch, gathering in front of the glass to see Branch ride Spirit.

   "You just gotta swim around the perimeter one time, and then you're free," he said, continuing to pet her. Spirit looked at him, and nodded. "I know you can do this," he whispered in her ear.

Spirit started to slowly swim around the perimeter of the lagoon, keeping Branch balanced on her back.

"See. You got this. Nothing to worry about."

She swam, but as she did, kids banged on the glass, as they watched, wanting to get the lyker's attention.

The sound echoed in the water, pounding on Spirit's ear drums. She twitched her ears, throwing her head around.

"Whoa. It's ok girl. Calm down," Branch said, gently, not knowing what was wrong with Spirit.

Spirit tried to ignore the sounds, but they were just too loud, and kept getting louder.

"Umm... guys... I think something's wrong," Poppy said, seeing Spirit thrashing around.

     Memories of the aquarium incident flashed through her mind, as she imagined her trainer sitting on her back, instead of Branch.

     She couldn't take it any more. She splashed up and down in the water, Branch trying desperately to hold onto her.

"Stop, Spirit! Stop!" he cried out, but she didn't stop. Instead, she threw him off of her back and into the water.