Curse of the Weretroll (rewrite)

Chapter 6

     Down in his bunker, Branch sat on his bed, his feet hanging over the edge as he held his head low, covering up his face with his hands in shame...

     He couldn't believe he had done that... I mean... yeah it was Creek... that purple nuisance totally deserved what he got... but still... Branch couldn't help but feel bad for his actions...

     Why? Why had he let his anger take control of him like that? It had never happened before... so what was different about today?

     The survivalist's concentration was suddenly interrupted, his train of thought souring off the rails as the sounds of loud music began blaring from the direction of the village, catching the gray troll's full attention almost instantly... music caused by the birthday party Poppy had arranged for him no doubt... was it really already almost 10:00?

     Branch turned his head to the side, looking to his clock to check the time...

     9:30pm

     "Ugh..." he couldn't help but groan, rising up from his bed to walk into his living room, his heart aching in sorrow to be locked up all alone on what was supposed to be his special day...

     Slowly, he headed to his invitation shelf, grabbing the one Poppy had just gifted to him that morning as he looked at it sadly...

     'Branch! You're invited!'

     He scanned the card in his hand, checking for the date, time, and place...

     The location was only a few minutes away from his bunker... maybe he could just drop by for a few minutes?

     No... he quickly shook the idea from his head, placing the invitation back onto the shelf before turning away from it. He had never gone to any of his own birthday parties... or any party for that matter... and he certainly wasn't going to start now... it was just too dangerous...

     'Celebrate good times come on!" the music blared loudly from off in the distance, causing Branch to turn towards it with a sorrowful expression. "It's a celebration!'

     It sure did sound fun though...

     With a sigh... Branch lowered his head, turning back towards his bedroom...

     "You can't go, Branch..." he muttered softly to himself, taking a few slow steps forwards. "You just... you can't..."

     "Let's hear it for the birthday boy!" a shout he would recognize anywhere as Poppy suddenly rang out, sounding as if she were screaming over a microphone, causing the village grump to freeze in place, his ears perking up to listen... "Come on, Branch! Come join us! Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch!"

     He sighed at the young princess' pathetic attempt to get him to come to his own party... like the others would ever actually join in her chant... they all hated him... no one wanted him around... and he didn't blame them...

     His head lowering once more, he continued on his way, heading slowly towards his room...

     That is... until the whole village suddenly began chanting along with Poppy as if somehow taunting him...

     "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch!"

     Figures... this was Poppy after all... if anyone could get the trolls to cheer for him... it was the queen of positivity...

     "Come on Branch!" Poppy shouted again. "You know you want to!"

     "Don't do it, Branch..." he told himself in a muttered whisper. "It's too dangerous... noise attracts predators... it attracts Bergens... you'll be out in the open... dead in a matter of seconds..."

     "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch!" the chanting continued, causing the gray troll to sigh in frustration before continuing forwards... "Branch! Branch! Branch!"

     "Don't turn around..." he told himself, continuing towards his room. "Don't turn around... don't turn around..."

     Slowly, he stopped walking, turning back towards the sound.

     "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch!"

     He could hear Poppy's voice above them all... man he loved her voice... he loved her...

     "Branch! Branch! Branch! Branch!"

     "Ugh!" he finally groaned out in defeat, stomping forwards with his arms crossed, heading right for his elevator...