Sick Branch

Barb

She walked through the crowd carrying Branch on her back.

Carol had told her that he fainted on his way to try to get to her.

So she might have panicked and jumped into the crowd, shoving trolls away to get to Branch.

But she didn't regret anything.

Not when she could feel the heat of his fever making her sweat.

She paused and bounced him higher on her back, then she quickly continued.

Carol ran up next to her, "I got in contact with Poppy, she said she would send Synth over to come and get him and so Synth could tell us what Branch was gonna say."

Barb nodded, "Thanks, Carol. Open the door for me? I don't want Branch to fall.."

Carol nodded and ran ahead, opening the door for her.

She nodded in thanks and quickly walked in, gently setting Branch down on a couch.

"Alright, buddy, let's cool you off.." she mumbled.

She was about to leave when Carol opened the door, holding a cool wash cloth and some medicine, "Here, don't leave him alone, at least not for too long. He might wake up and panic." She said.

Barb nodded thankfully and took the stuff, "Thanks, Carol. You're awesome!" She said as she walked over to Branch, laying the wash cloth on his head.

Carol smirked, "I know." She said as she left, but making sure to be nearby in case they needed anything else.

Barb sighed, "Alright, blankets..."

She gathered all the blankets in the room and layed a few of them on Branch, "There we go!"

Branch whined and woke up a bit.

Barb smiled at him, "Hello..you doing alright?"

Branch coughed and stared at her with hazy eyes, "M-...Mama...?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head, "No, no, I'm Barb, remember? I'm your sister!"

Branch whimpered and reached for her, "Mama.."

She sighed and picked him up, "I guess it's okay..just for now.."

She held him on her hip and walked towards the door, she left the room and quickly got stopped by Carol.

"What do you need? You should go lay him back down, try not to move him too much, it could make him worse." She said.

Barb sighed, "Water. I can’t put him down, Carol. He thinks I'm his mom!"

Carol raised an eyebrow, "But he never met them?"

Barb nodded and rocked Branch when he whined, "He didn't, but a while ago he told me that he'd started to hatch when they were taken and he did see them, he heard them scream for him. He was late to hatch, which concerned everyone. At least, that's what he told me, it's what he could remember.."

Carol winced and nodded, "Yeah, that's one way to traumatize an un-hatched baby.."

Barb nodded and held Branch closer, "Can you go get some water? I won't be able to put him down.."

Carol nodded and began to walk off, "Yeah, of course! Just try to stay still, Synth will be walking around with him anyway.."

Barb nodded and went back into the room, sitting on the couch with Branch on her lap.

"Alright, Branch! Just let me..." she reached up and put her hand on his forehead, quickly pulling away when it burned her.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shitting fuck! Buddy, I live around lava and volcanoes, but that burned!"

Branch huffed and cuddled up to her, "Mama..." he mumbled.

She sighed, she has to play along for now, "Yes, yes, mama's here.."

She looked up when the door opened and saw Carol and Synth.

"Thank the trolls from above."