Trolls and the Hunters

Chapter 14

     The three trolls arrived back at the grove, seeing Azalea and twig playing outside with Uueeka, while Peppy watched.

     Azalea and Twig both giggled, as Uueeka chased them around playfully.

     "We're back," Pansy announced, the Synathin turning to her with a big smile. His smiled faded however, as he saw Branch with them.

    Uueeka looked at him confused, cocking his head slightly. How had he gotten away without him noticing?

     Quickly, he ran over to Branch, picking him up again by the back of his vest.

     "Hey!" Branch shouted, not liking being lifted into the air.

     Uueeka held Branch out to show Poppy, as if he had been holding him the whole time.

     "Shookia loo eena ," he said, but it was muffled with Branch in his beak.
"Yep..." Pansy chuckled, petting Uueeka's head. "Sure you have."
"Goobie," Uueeka said nodding. "Heana leenoo."

     Poppy and Pansy laughed, as Branch crossed his arms, scowling.

     "Could you put me down, please?" he asked angrily, glaring up at the Synathin. Uueeka looked to Poppy for permission, and she nodded, still chuckling quietly.

     He lowered Branch back down to the ground, letting go of him.

     "Dumb bird," Branch grumbled quietly, as he wiped off his vest.
"Synathin," Poppy, Pansy, Peppy, Uueeka, Twig, and Azalea all corrected.
"What ever," Branch said, rolling his eyes, as he chuckled quietly.

     Uueeka lowered his head, nuzzling it into Branch's shoulder.

     "Yeah. Yeah. I forgive you," Branch chuckled, hugging Uueeka's head. "You're a good boy..."

Suddenly, Uueeka screeched out in pain, falling to the ground immediately after.

"Uueeka!" Branch yelled out in terror, dropping down to his knees. "Uueeka? What's wrong? What happened!?" Uueeka didn't answer. He just lay on the ground, his eyes closed, as he breathed slowly.

     Quickly, Pansy ran over, dropping down beside Branch, as she checked Uueeka.

"Wha... what's wrong with him?" Branch asked, tears in his eyes, as looked up at Pansy.

She checked him all over for injuries, gasping when she saw a tranquilizer dart stuck in his leg.

"Hunters..." she whispered, her eyes wide.

     "Over there!" they all heard in a shout. "They're over there!"

They all looked up, their eyes widening in horror, as they saw several hunters running towards them.

"Run!" Pansy yelled, as she jumped to her feet, running away as quickly as possible. Poppy grabbed Azalea, while Peppy grabbed Twig, all of them quickly running for their lives.

"No..." Branch whispered, panting heavily in fear, his eyes wide. He looked at the approaching hunters, and then his fleeing family. They would get away easily, but Uueeka... he was still unconscious on the ground... Branch had to help him.

     Quickly, Branch jumped to his feet, grabbing onto Uueeka.

     "Come on, buddy..." he murmured, trying to pull the Synathin away from the danger, but he was too heavy, and just wouldn't move.

     "Come on, Uueeka. You gotta get up," he cried, pushing him as hard as he could. "Please..."

     Poppy ran, carrying Azalea in her arms, but turned back, freezing in place, as she saw Branch wasn't following.

"Branch!" she yelled out in terror.
"I can't leave him!" Branch cried out to her, still trying to push Uueeka away.

     Pansy heard the commotion, turning to see what was going on.

     She gasped, seeing the hunters approaching Branch quickly. They would reach him any minute now, if he didn't get out of there.

"Go!" Pansy yelled to Poppy. "I'll get Branch!"

     Quickly, Pansy ran towards Branch, beginning to help him try to move Uueeka.

"Mommy!" Azalea cried, as she hugged Poppy in fear. Peppy still had Twig, and was running him to safety, not looking back.

"Come on, Azalea. We need to run," Poppy said, quickly running away from the hunters, carrying Azalea with her.

"Come on, Uueeka..." Pansy grumbled, still trying to help Branch move the unconscious Synathin.

     "Get them!" she heard in a shout behind them.

     She turned, seeing the hunters only a few feet away.

     "Branch!" Pansy yelled, jumping to her feet. "We need to go. Now!"
"You go," Branch said, still trying to push Uueeka. "I need to help Uueeka."

     Pansy looked back at the hunters, her heart racing in fear.

     "Their getting closer, Branch!" she yelled. "This isn't gonna..." Her words trailed off, as she suddenly fell to the ground.

"Pansy!" Branch yelled, dropping down beside her.
"Branch..." she murmured sleepily. "Run..."

     Her eyes fell shut, as she slowly lost consciousness.

     "No..." Branch whispered, not knowing what to do.

     He looked back at the hunters getting closer, and then at Uueeka. If he didn't get out of there now, the hunters would get all three of them.

     Finally, he sighed, lowering his head in sadness, knowing what needed to be done.

"I'm sorry, Uueeka," he whispered, hugging the Synathin one last time, as tears fell from his eyes.

     Quickly, he stood, picking up Pansy, before running away.