Trolls and the Mystery Creature

Chapter 4

     Branch ran from pod to pod, passing out the invitations, getting a lot of angry looks for waking them up so early in the morning. Then he ran to the center of the village, beginning to set up the decorations, and games for the party.

     Finally, he finished, just as the guests started showing up.

     "Ok... I'm gonna..." He paused yawning, as he stretched his arms up towards the sky, before continuing. "Go get Poppy. You all stay here and hide," he said, yawning again.

     "Are you ok, Branch?" Dante asked, flying over to him. "You seem rather tired."

     Branch rubbed his eyes, yawning agin.

     "I'm fine," he yawned. "I just gotta..." He started to fall forewords, Dante using all of his strength to catch him, and push him back up to his feet.

     "Maybe you should go rest."
"No! This party is super..." He yawned again. "Important. It has to be perfect. I'm going to..." He yawned again. "Get Poppy."

     He turned, slowly walking away, as Dante watched, concerned.

     Poppy was in her pod, laying on her stomach, as she scrapbooked.

     "Scrapbook. Scrapbook. Hmm. Hmm. Hm. Hm. Hmm. Hm," she sang, softly, as she gently kicked her feet.

     "Hey, Poppy," Branch said, standing in her doorway, smiling, as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Hey, Branch," Poppy said cheerfully, looking up at him. Her smile faded, when she saw the tired look on his face.

     "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," he yawned. "Just a little tired."
"Well... I have a spare room, you can take a nap in."

     Branch shook his head.

     "No. No. I'm good. Come with me. I have something to show you."
"What?"
"A baby Puffalo is playing with a Cuddle Pup in the center of the village."

     Her face lit up, as she gasped. "Really!?" she said, excitedly. Branch nodded, yawning again. "Come with me. I'll show you."
"Yay! I can't wait!"

     She grabbed onto Branch's wrist, dragging him out of the pod.

     They ran through town, taking a shortcut through the forest.

     As they walked, Branch suddenly heard a noise. His ear twitched, as he looked around, suddenly wide awake.

     "Come on, Branch. Why'd you stop? We're gonna..." She stopped, turning around to face him. Her smile faded, as she saw the concerned look on his face.

     "What? What's wrong?"
"I thought I heard something... must of just been my imagination. Come on. We're already late."
"Late? Late for what?"
"Umm... late to see the baby Puffalo playing with the Cuddle Pup. Don't want to miss it," Branch laughed, as he smiled innocently. "Just... let's go."

     He grabbed Poppy's arm, pulling her forwards, but stopped, when the creature from the night before jumped out in front of them, growling.

     Branch quickly, got in front of Poppy, putting his arms out to protect her.

     "W... what is that thing?" Poppy said, as the two of them backed up slowly.
"I have no idea," Branch replied. "But it's not getting past me."

     Suddenly, it began to grow, Branch's ears drooping, as he looked up at it in fear. It towered above the trees, still growling at them.

     "RUN!" Branch yelled, grabbing onto Poppy's wrist, as he pulled her away.

     The creature shrank back down a little, beginning to chase the two trolls.

     "Quick! In here!" Branch yelled, as they jumped into a bush, the creature not noticing, and running right past.

     Both trolls sat in the bush, panting heavily in fear.

     "Is... is it gone," Poppy whispered.
"I... don't know," Branch panted. "I'll... check."

     Slowly, he poked his head out of the bush, looking around.

     "Ok, Poppy. I think it's go..." He turned his head, suddenly face to face with the troll like creature.

     "AHHHHH!" they both screamed. She quickly yanked out her ray, shooting it at him.

     He fell to the ground, but fought to stay awake.

     "Branch!" Poppy yelled, climbing out of the bush, to be with him.

     "Poppy..." he said, struggling to keep his eyes open. "Run."

     She looked over at the troll like creature, as she aimed her ray at her.

     Branch struggled to his feet. He wasn't in any pain, but he could barely stay awake.

     "Run, Poppy!" he yelled. Poppy turned, beginning to run, as Branch pounced at the troll like creature. She pulled the trigger again, Branch getting hit by another blast.

     This time, he instantly fell unconscious, but managed to knock the ray out of the creatures hand. It shattered, as it fell to the ground.

     "No!" the creature shouted. Poppy stopped running, turning back towards them, as the creature ran away.

     Poppy looked at Branch laying motionless on the ground, and then quickly ran over to him.

     "Branch? Branch!" she cried, dropping down next to him, as she put her ear on his chest. She sighed with relief, hearing his heart beat.

     "It's gonna be ok, Branch. You're gonna be ok. I'm gonna get you help."

     Quickly, she picked him up, starting to run towards the center of the village.