Chapter 9

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Poppy began to whimper as the cage was placed on the table, she was horrified when she saw another one next to the one she and Branch were in, her friends had been caught too! This couldn't be happening, she hadn't been able to return home in almost a whole week! Her father must've been worried sick!

Biggie: Poppy, what happened earlier?!

Poppy: What do you mean?

Branch put a hand on Poppy's shoulder. From the look on his face, Poppy realized that something bad happened.

Poppy: Oh no...did it happen again?

Everyone nodded. Poppy covered her face and sat on the hard metal.

Branch: Poppy...tell them the truth.

Poppy sighed, at this point, there was no more hiding it. She put her hands over her chest feeling her slow heartbeat. But before the princess could come clean, she heard the door open and Chef walked in.

Chef: Sorry, but I can't have you leaving before tomorrow's dinner. A dinner to which you are all invited. And when I say all...I mean every Troll in Troll Village.

Those words broke Poppy's heart, it wasn't going to happen, not on her watch!

Poppy: You'll never find them! My father will see to that! You're a monster, a horrible monster! Your kind attacked me when I was a child and they showed no remorse!

At that moment, Poppy realized what she had just said and covered her mouth in shock, she turned to her friends who were staring at her as if they saw a ghost.

Smidge: Oh my guh.

Smidge: Oh my guh

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Poppy: Guys...I...

Chef: Oh, is that so, Princess?

Poppy gasped when Chef opened up her cage taking her out, everyone panicked not knowing what was about to happen. Chef took notice of the scar on her arm and examined it very closely, Poppy quickly covered it with her other arm.

Chef: I recognize that anywhere, that mark definitely came from a Bergen. And from the looks of it, they got you real good, Princess.

Poppy looked away covering her face with one hand, she did not like being this close to her kidnapper. Chef tossed Poppy roughly onto the kitchen table, slamming a knife right next to her nearly cutting her. Its blade pierced right through the table making Poppy gulp nervously.

Chef: I'll be saving you for the king tomorrow, you're in for a special treat, Princess Poppy.

Poppy didn't like the sound of that, she began to quiver intensely. Did Chef mean that she would be the first troll to get eaten? One thing she knew for sure, the king had never actually eaten a troll, and if Chef said she was in for a special treat...no, it couldn't be true, it just couldn't!

Chef: You know, Princess, there is one thing that you're right about. I couldn't find the trolls, they're almost impossible to find. But I could with someone they know. Someone they trust. Someone...like this guy.

When Chef reached into her fanny pocket, Poppy immediately went numb as to who it was she took out.

Branch had told her the truth! But, all her friends were oblivious to the truth and started cheering for his survival

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Branch had told her the truth! But, all her friends were oblivious to the truth and started cheering for his survival. Poppy and Branch felt differently however, especially Poppy.

Branch: Traitor! He's selling us out!

The other trolls gasped when they heard what Branch had just said.

Biggie: Branch, what if it isn't true?!

DJ Suki: Just give him a chance!

Creek: Thank you...I'm selling you out.

Poppy gasped, now she knew that Branch's words were confirmed. She immediately stood up and slapped him right on the cheek.

Poppy: You better explain yourself, Creek!!! Why are you doing this?!

Creek rubbed his cheek and turned to Poppy.

Creek: Well...as I was about to accept my fate...I had, what I can only describe as...a spiritual awakening.

(Flashback)

Creek leapt out of the taco the king had just ingested and grabbed onto his uvula.

Creek: I don't wanna die!

King Gristle immediately spat him out and he got onto his knees begging for mercy.

Creek: Don't eat me. Eat someone else. Anyone else. Everyone else. But not me!

Chef: But the king wants to be happy now!

Creek: Wait, there must be some other way! I'll do anything!

At that moment, Chef got an idea...this was a golden opportunity...

(Flashback ends)

Everything fell into place, now Poppy knew why Gristle was "savoring" Creek when he had so many opportunities to eat him. He was sparing him because he had offered to turn in the other trolls just so he could survive. Poppy covered her mouth in disbelief taking a few steps back, she tripped on the cutting board and fell onto her bottom. She couldn't believe Creek was capable of such a despicable act.

Poppy: Creek...I can't believe you would do this...and I actually admired you...

Creek: Believe me, I wish there was some other "me not getting eaten" way...

Chef: But there isn't.

Poppy felt the tears prickling out of her eyes, she tried her best to hold them back. The other trolls were in disbelief as well, they couldn't believe their ears.

Creek: Now I have to live with this for the rest of my life. At least you get to die with a clear conscience. So, in a way...You could say...I'm doing this for you.

Creek placed a hand under Poppy's chin smiling a little. Poppy shook her head, she was speechless. For her? He was doing it for him! He was doing it to save his own skin!

Poppy: You traitor...

Creek took Poppy's cowbell from her hair and tapped her nose lightly.

Creek: Boop!

Poppy stared at Creek in utter shock as Chef picked her up by her hair and tossed her into her fanny pack. For the young princess, it was almost like everything just went down a huge drain. First she was attacked, then she was abducted, and now? Now she was betrayed by the one troll she admired the most. There was no hope.

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