"What!?" Branch yelled, his eyes widening in fear, as the officer grabbed hold of him. For what!?"
"Shop lifting," the officer informed.
"I didn't steal anything!"
"Oh yeah. Than how do you explain the stolen snow globe in your hands?"
Branch looked down at the snow globe, a scowl appearing on his face.
"Creek..." he grumbled angrily.
"Let's go," the officer demanded, handcuffing Branch and leading him away.
"Stop! No! I... I didn't do it!" Branch cried out, trying to escape.
——————
Off in the Forest a little ways, Poppy was skipping happily, while humming. She was on her way to see Branch at his bunker.
"Please! Let me go!" she heard. The voice sounded terrified, as it cried out in fear.
"Branch?" Poppy said softly, recognizing the cries.
"Please! I wanna go home!"
"Branch!"
She immediately took off running towards the voice, finally seeing Branch being dragged away by a police officer as he cried.
"Hey! Stop! Leave him alone!" she yelled out, running over to them.
"Poppy!" Branch cried out, seeing her approaching. "Help me! Please!"
"What are you doing!? Let my friend go!" Poppy yelled, stomping her foot in anger. It wasn't typical for her to get angry like this, but she knew she had to protect her best friend.
"I'm sorry, Princess Poppy, but I can't do that," the officer said calmly. "This thief must be punished."
Poppy gasped, her eyes widening, as she backed away a little.
"Th... thief?"
"I didn't do it!" Branch cried out. He looked at Poppy, tears in his blue eyes. "Please, Poppy. You gotta believe me..."
She looked at him for a moment, and then nodded, looking back at the officer.
"If he says he didn't do it... then he didn't do it," she stated firmly.
Branch smiled slightly, happy that she believed him. The last thing he wanted was Poppy to think he was a criminal.
"Sorry, but there's proof he did it. So I gotta take him in."
He started dragging Branch away again, Poppy watching after them in fear, not knowing what to do.
"Poppy!" Branch cried out, as he was dragged out of sight. "Help me!"
Breathing heavily, Poppy turned running towards home, as tears began to form in her eyes.
