The Adventures of Azalea and Twig (book 6)

Chapter 8

     "Azalea!? Azalea!?" everyone in Trollstopia yelled out, as they searched for Azalea, wearing their party hats.

     Poppy was at the front of the search party, looking for both Azalea and Branch. They had both been missing for hours, and there was no sign of either of them.

     "Poppy!" she suddenly heard. She turned, gasping at what she saw.

     Holly and Val where walking towards her, Branch's arms wrapped around their shoulders, as they dragged him forewords.

     His head was down, as he was still unconscious, his feet dragging on the ground, as they pulled him.

     "Branch!" Poppy yelled, running over to take Branch from them.

     She sat on the ground, placing him in her lap, as she stroked his cheek.

     "We found him in wormado valley..." Holly said, softly.

     "Branch? Sweetie? Please wake up," Poppy said, softly.

     "Ugh..." Branch groaned, slowly reaching up to rub his head.

     "Branchie... are you ok?"

     Slowly, he opened his eyes, sitting up, as he rubbed his head.

     "Ow..." he groaned. "Azalea? Azalea!"

     He jumped to his feet, looking around in a panic.

     "Branch! Calm down!" Poppy said, worried about him.

     "Where is she!? Where's Azalea!?" he yelled.

     "We haven't found her yet..." Poppy said, softly.

     "N... no... I... I had her! She was in my arms, and... and..."

     He fell to his knees, crying into his hands.

     "I let her go..." he cried. "I had her... and I let her go... it's all my fault..."

     Poppy kneeled down in front of him, hugging him tight, not fully understanding what he was talking about.

     "Branch... what happened?" she asked.
"A wormado... it sucked her in... it's my fault..." he cried, hugging her tight.