The Adventures of Azalea and Twig (book 5)

Chapter 21

     "AHHHHH!" Branch screamed, flying through the vents, and slamming against walls, as he was pulled to who knows where.

     He noticed he was about to reach the end of the vents, a giant fan pulling him in, at the end of it.

     "No!" he shouted. He tried desperately to stop himself from being pulled in, but there was nothing for him to grab on to.

     "Ahhh!" he whimpered, getting closer and closer to the fan.

     Just then, he noticed a grate on the floor.

     Without hesitation he grabbed onto it, his feet just inches away from the fan blade, as it pulled, trying desperately to suck him in.

     Quickly, he reached into his hair, pulling out a rock. He threw it at the fan, hoping to jam it, but the fan was so strong, it tore the rock up into little tiny pieces.

     Branch's eyes widened, as he whimpered in fear, staring at the fan. He had to get out of there, but he had no idea how.

     His fingers began to slip, as he held onto the grate, starting to loose his grip.

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     Back in the head hunter's office, Pansy watched in horror, as the red dot was slowly pulled towards the fan, finally disappearing all together.

     "No..." she whispered, tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe it. Branch was gone...

     The head hunter smiled, looking at the map. Then he turned to Pansy.

     "Now I just need to take care of you," he said, smirking.

     He pushed another button, a trap door opening in the floor, right under Pansy.

     "AHHHHH!" she screamed as the fell into it, the trap door slowly sliding shut.

     She fell down a long slide like tunnel, finally reaching the ground. She tumbled out of the tunnel, looking up at it from where she lay on the ground.

     "No..." she whispered. "No! Let me out of here!" she yelled, as loudly as she could.
"Mom?" she suddenly heard from behind her.

     Slowly, she turned, her eyes widening, as she saw Poppy standing there.

     "Poppy!" she yelled with joy, as she ran over to hug her. Poppy hugged her back, but then began to look around.

     "Where... where's Branch?" she asked.

     Pansy looked at her, tears in her eyes, and then shook her head, looking away.

     Poppy stared at her mom, wide eyed. 'No..." she thought. 'No... this can't be true...'

     Slowly she fell down to her knees, beginning to cry, as she buried her face in her hands.

     "I know," Pansy said, softly, as she knelt down to hug her daughter. "I know."