Trolls and the Search for the Missing Mom

Chapter 5

     "Poppy! Poppy, wait!" Branch yelled, chasing after Poppy. She stopped running, but didn't turn to face him.

     "What happened? What did your dad say?"
"It doesn't matter. He's a liar."
"Poppy, I..." He reached for her shoulder, but she pulled away, turning to face him.

     "Just go away, Branch!" He backed away a little, blinking at her in shock. She looked away, as she started to cry. Branch hated to see Poppy sad. It broke his heart to know she was hurting.

     "I'm gonna help you," he said softly.
"No, Branch. You can't help. No one can help. Because of my dad, I will never know where my mom is."
"Poppy..."
"Please, Branch... I just need to be alone right now.

     She turned, walking away from him.

     Branch watched after her for a moment, and then sighed, looking away in sadness.

     Soon, his sadness turned to anger, as he turned, running towards Peppy's pod.

     Peppy sat at his table, his hands over his face. He was ashamed that he had lied to his daughter for so long. He had only wanted to protect her.

     "What is wrong with you!?" Peppy looked up to see Branch standing in the doorway.
"Branch?" he said, confused.
"No! Don't you 'Branch' me! Poppy is the most optimistic troll I have ever met, and now she's out there broken hearted, because of you!"

     "Branch, I..."
"No!" Branch interrupted. "You don't get to talk! I'm the one talking! You lied to your own daughter! What kind of father does that!?"
"You'd better watch your tone," Peppy said angrily.
"Your a liar!"

     Peppy stood, walking towards Branch. Branch's anger turned to fear, as he backed away a little.

     "I mean... umm... your daughter is really upset, sir. King Peppy, sir..." he said, terrified, as he shrunk away from him. "Maybe... you should just tell the truth about her mom..."
"What happened to my wife is between me and my daughter. It is none of your business."

     Branch began to get angry again, at the way Peppy was talking.

     "You mean, between you and my girlfriend? So yes... it is my business. I will protect her, no matter what!?"

     Peppy glared at him, and he shrunk away again. "Sir. King Peppy, sir..." he said, quietly. He continued glaring at him, not saying a single word.

     "Umm..." Branch said, his heart racing. He turned to look at the door, and then back at King Peppy, as he backed away, slowly.

     "I'm... just... ugh... gonna go, sir. King Peppy, sir..."
"I think that's for the best," Peppy said, angrily.

     He gulped, and then turned to run for the door, but something caught his eye. A rolled up piece of paper with the name Pansy on it.

     "Well?" Peppy said, crossing his arms, waiting for Branch to leave. Branch looked at him, and then gulped again, running out the door.

     Peppy turned, and then sighed, as he walked to another room.

     Branch was outside, leaning against the outside of the pod. He peaked inside, making sure Peppy was gone, and then snuck back in, picking up the piece of paper.

     He unrolled it, his eyes widening, as he looked at it. "No way..." he whispered.