Story 4:Trolls And The Haunted Castle

Chapter 8 The Argument

"Wait!" Wait!" Hold on a minute." Hazel says. "You mean to tell us, that Troy is not alive?". Joanna nods.

"So does that mean you're also...?" A ghost? 👻 Harley asked.

Joanna reveals herself.

Hazel and Harley gasped.

"Listen to me children. It's not safe. You're mother is in danger."We have to get you and You family out of here." Before they could leave the door slams.

"I'm afraid that won't happen." Everyone gasped to see Wilfred.

In another room,  Poppy opens the door to find Branch who is starting out the window 🪟.

"Hey." Poppy says. "You want to tell me what's on your mind?"

"I'm fine." Branch says not looking at her

"I'm hearing you're fine, but I'm not feeling it." Poppy says sitting on the bed. Branch sighs. Ever since we've started our vacation things haven't been going my way." Branch tells her. And then you, It's like you're not even listening to me.'' You just make me feel bad about some of the things I do.''I wished we'd just stay  at home and none of this would be happening.''

Poppy was hurt. "So you're blaming me for this?" Is that what you're saying?"

Branch felt guilty. "I didn't mean it like that.''

"Yes you did.'' You meant every word Poppy angrily says.

"You ever thought for a second, that this vacation wasn't just to reconnect with the kids but to sustain our marriage?" 

Branch was silent. "The day we said we'd be there for each other I felt like I was the only one keeping that end of the bargain.''Then when the kids were born it was the same thing.'' Poppy began to tear up.

"I'm begining to think you love work more then your family.''

"No.'' Of course not.'' Branch says. It's just-I...He looked at Poppy.

"No need to explain.'' I understand.'' Poppy then leaves.'' 

"Poppy.'' Branch calls. He then trips over his suitcase and sees a family scrap book.

Branch opens it and looks at all the pictures. The first picture shows the day Poppy and Branch got Married. Another shows Viva and Branch's brothers taking a group photo at the wedding. The third shows Poppy and Branch cutting their wedding cake.The  picture shows John Dory and Clay stuffing their faces with cake.

Branch smiles and turns the page. He sees pictures of Him and Poppy excited to be parents. The pictures show Hazel and Harley's eggs sitting in Poppy's hair. Branch smiles as he turns another page seeing himself hugging one of the eggs. He seems another picture of the day, Hazel and Harley were born. Harley is in Poppy's hair, while Branch is holding a sleeping Hazel. more pictures show with the family getting a milkshake, Branch showing Harley how to use a hammer. Poppy and Hazel are singing along with Viva. Branch turns the page with Hazel doing make up on his face much to his dismay as Poppy and Harley laugh.

Harley and Hazel are seen sneaking while getting one of the cookies out of their father's cookie jar. Branch turns another page and it shows when they  were in space (From the story Trolls Spaced out which hasn't been written yet, but will be very very soon). A picture shows Poppy Branch and the Twins with newborn baby Twig

Branch sees  something at the bottom of the scrapbook.

Thanks for all the memories.

Can't wait to make more

Love,Poppy.

Branch began to tear up and he wipes them away. He sighs. 

"I'm such an idiot.'' I've got to make it up to them."He gets up to find his family. 

Joanna stands in front of the children. "Wilfred don't do this.'' You know this is wrong.'' 

"I'm sorry Joanna but I don't have a choice.'' Wilfred says as he locks everything in the room.

Hazel and Harley both gasped. 

"Look at what he's making you do man!" Joanna points out. He's trying to hurt innocent Trolls."And for what? Someone who didn't love him then and someone who looks like Judith but is happily married."

Wilfred shakes his heads.

"Is this all worth hurting people and making them suffer because of his unhappiness?Joanna tries to reason with Wilfred.

"For the masters, yes.'' I never wanted to hurt anyone. I just was intended to scare the husband and children away.'' But when I found out That master Troy wanted to get rid of them, well....I just couldn't bare it an longer.'' Then help us stop this madness.'' Joanna says.I'm sorry.'' I can not.''Wilfred snaps his finger and ropes appear tying themselves around Hazel and Harley. Joanna gasped. 

Joanna, you have to find Twig and our parents!" Hazel says.

"I just can't leave you here!" Joanna says.

"We'll be fine.'' Just  go.'' Hazel says.

Joanna looked at Wilfred and then at the kids and nods. She disappears. 

"It doesn't matter.'' She'll be dealt with soon.'' 
"Wilfred don't do this." Hazel begged.
"I'm sorry children." Wilfred apologized. " I really am."

Branch goes to find Poppy.

"Poppy?" Poppy." He called. Poppy where are you?"

As Branch searched for his wife Jack is seen follow behind him. "Where can she be? He says as he looked some more.

"Probably upstairs somewhere."

Who said that? Branch asked as he turned around Jack is still behind him. Branch ponders as Jack scratched his head Branch continued to look for Poppy.

"I've got to find Poppy and apologize for being an idiot." She was right. I did put working before my family and now I'm going to make it right."
Jack sniffs.
"Aww what beautiful words."

Branch turns around and scream. "It's you!"

"Yup." It's me." Jack says. Wait what are we talking about?"

"Stay back!" Branch says and throws a lamp at Jack which passes through him. Jack chuckles. "You know I'm a ghost right?"

"What do you want with me?" Branch asked in fear?

"I want? I want? Jacked repeatedly asked. "Tell you the truth, I don't know " Branches eyes widen.

"Huh? So you're not going to haunt me or put a curse on me or anything?"

"What no." Jack replied.

"Oh...well then Why are you following me?" Branch asked.

Jack ponders. Why and I following you? Why why? Hmm... let me think 🤔 .

Branch sighs and rolls his eyes 👀.

"Oh yeah.'' Jack snaps his fingers. "I came to warn you about Troy.'' He's not who you think he is.'' 

He- about to seal your fate.''

Branch and Jack both looked to see Troy.

They both gulped.