Born to Be Free (rewrite)

Chapter 22

     "Ow," Branch cried, as they dragged him to the ambulance. They put him on a bed in the back of the truck, as he cried, hyperventilating. His whole body shook, as the doctor tried to calm him down.

     "We're gonna need to put him on an anesthetic," she said.
"Branch... your gonna be ok," Poppy cried, holding his hand, as the doctor put a mask over his face. He looked Poppy in the eyes, as he slowly fell asleep.

     She rubbed her hand through his air, as she watched him, crying.

     "You have to go," the doctor said to Poppy. "He's in critical condition." She nodded, kissed Branch's head, and then stepped out of the ambulance, Tekay and Iris immediately wrapping her in a tight hug.

     The ambulance drove off, Poppy watching it leave.

     "He's going to be ok," Tekay whispered to Poppy.

     Suddenly, they heard Spirit screeching. They all turned to see she was tangled up in nets, rivered trolls dragging her to the side of the lagoon.

     "Hey!" Poppy shouted. "Leave her alone!"

     She ran over towards the lagoon, but Clay blocked her path. "Get out of my way, you lousy piece of sugar!" Poppy yelled.
"You can't get to close. It'll kill you too."
"No she won't! I don't know why she attacked Branch, but I know she would never hurt him on purpose!"
"This is her third attack, since she's been here. She's a monster, and must be disposed of."
"No! You can't do that!"
"Tomorrow night, I will take care of this Lyker. I suggest you go take care of your boyfriend, before you loose him too." He turned, walking away from Poppy.

     Poppy looked over at Spirit, as she was dragged into a smaller part of the lagoon, and locked inside with a muzzle. She knew Branch wouldn't of wanted this to happen to Spirit. She had to do something...

     She looked over towards where the ambulance took Branch, and then sighed. She knew she needed to help Spirit, but she had to help Branch first.

     Quickly, she took off towards the hospital, running right past Iris and Tekay.

     In the hospital, Poppy sat in the waiting room, waiting to be told she could see Branch. A doctor walked out the her, and she stood, looking at him.

     "He's stable. Just got out of surgery," the doctor said.
"Can I see him?" The doctor sighed, looking away.
"You might not want to."
"He's my boyfriend. I need to see him." He looked back at Poppy, sympathetically.
"It's just... It's hard for people to see their loved ones in the state that Branch is in right now."
"Please..." Poppy said. "Let me see him." The doctor sighed, and then nodded, gesturing towards the room Branch was in.

     Poppy looked at the room door, and then took a deep breath, walking towards it.

     She opened the door, walking inside to see Branch sleeping on a bed, his tail wrapped up in a bandage.

     Tears came to her eyes, as she walked towards him. "Branch?" she said, quietly, sitting beside him. He had IV's in him, and he was hooked up to one of those machines that beeps to tell you weather your dead or alive.

     Why did this happen? Why did Spirit attack him?

     Poppy looked away, crying. The doctor was right. She couldn't stand seeing Branch like this.

     Slowly, Branch began to open his eyes, looking over at Poppy. He could see how sad she was, and he didn't like it. He hated seeing Poppy sad.

     "Are you ok, Poppy?" he asked. Poppy gasped, looking up at him in shock.
"Branch?" He tired to sit up, but Poppy quickly pushed him back down.
"No. No. No, Branch. You need to rest."

     He looked around, seeing he was in a hospital, and suddenly remembered what had happened.

     "Spirit! Where is Spirit!?" he yelled, trying to sit up again. Again, Poppy pushed him back down, giving Branch a sad look. His eyes widened.

     "No. No! He can't do this! It wasn't her fault!"
"Branch, please. You need to calm down."
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!"

     Poppy blinked, backing up a little at Branch's outburst. Branch looked at her, sadly, regretting yelling at her.

     "I... I'm sorry..." he said, looking down. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that." Poppy walked back over to him, hugging him tight. "I know, Branch. You're just worried about Spirit."
"It's all my fault," he said, breaking into tears. "She wasn't ready, and I pushed her into doing it anyways."
"Branch, no. This is not your fault."
"I shoulda just talked to Clay. Told him she needed more time."
"You know that wouldn't have made a difference. This is Clay your talking about."

Branch pulled away from Poppy, looking away from her.

"Listen, Branch. We'll find a way to save Spirit." He looked at her, tears in his eyes. "But right now... you need to rest." He nodded.
"Ok, Poppy... I will." She smiled, and then kissed his cheek.
"I'll be back in the morning to see you. I love you, Branch." Branch smiled, as he looked up at Poppy. "I love you too, Poppy."