𝓞𝓹𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓼 | 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓼 |𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓱 𝔁 𝓯𝓮𝓶 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 {𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴}

𝓕𝓸𝓾𝓻. 𝓖𝓮𝓽 𝓑𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓤𝓹 𝓐𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷!

𝓙𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓹𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥:
"Juniper. Wait." A voice calls out to me from behind just as my feet step onto Branch's platform. Curiosity tugs at me, and I glance over my shoulder, watching my dad make his way toward me. For a brief second, I brace myself, thinking he's about to talk sense into me - to stop me. My mind scrambles to put together an excuse, cycling through every possible angle to slip away. Whatever it takes, I will try to save the disappeared. I have to. "Before you say anything-" But my excuse never gets spoken. "Please, be careful." He cuts me off, pulling me gently but firmly by the arms down to his level. Without a word, he wraps his arms tightly around me, locking me into an embrace that feels more like a silent plea than anything else. I can't stop the smile from sneaking onto my lips. "don't worry, dad. I can do this!" I offer reassurance. To him, yes. But mostly to myself. My arms slide around him in return, holding him like a promise. "I love you, my little Sunshine." His voice drops low, his chin brushing against my shoulder as he speaks, rough with worry. Then he pulls back, hands gripping both my shoulders like he's afraid letting go might mean losing me. I rest my palms on his elbows, my smile soft but steady, a quiet oath passed through touch alone. "I love you too, dad!" I've made the promise now. I will do this. I believe I can. "I will get Poppy safely home." I step back, just a few steps, before turning toward the exit again. My foot lands back on the platform as my fingers curl around the rusty lever with care.
"Goodbye everybody! See you soon." I wave one hand high above my head. "Good luck, Princess Juniper!" A chorus of voices shouts back, flooding the space with wishes of good luck and hope - lifting me up. All except Branch, of course. He doesn't believe I can. But I refuse to let his negativity weigh me down. Not this time. Speaking of the moon  - I spot him. His lean frame emerges from the crowd, pushing through bodies to get a clearer view. That stare he fixes on me... it's weathered, cautious, wide-eyed from what he's seen. I doubt anyone has ever stood in his home before, let alone this many guests at once. My gaze drops to my wrist, my hug-time bracelet. The glowing flower is just seconds away from blooming. "Three... two... one..." My voice lowers into a quiet whisper as I count it down, my breath catching when the petals finally unfold. A soft pink light glows to life, accompanied by the delicate sound of a chime. With no hesitation, I pull the lever. The platform rumbles beneath my feet as it slowly rises. A familiar sound rings through the room. "HUG-TIME!"
Branch's head snaps left, then right, then back again. Panic floods his face. His eyes stretch wide, big as teacups, as the crowd of hug-hungry Trolls turns to him like a pack of Zombies. His arms fly up, reaching for me like I'm his only lifeline. I make sure the platform moves slower than usual, savoring every inch of that scene. His horror-struck expression. His desperate cry for help. I drink in every detail and store it, a perfect little keepsake for the road ahead.
———
"With her friends safely hidden, Princess Juniper set off to rescue her friends and sister. Confident she'd make it to BergenTown on her... own." I read aloud from my personal, scrapbooked diary, my voice faltering with each word. "Convinced... She'd make it to BergenTown." I repeat the last sentence again, trying to make myself believe the thing I want most to be true. Slowly, I lower the diary, my eyes shifting down to the deep Bergen footprints imprinted in the dirt. The trail stretches on ahead, vanishing farther into the distance the longer I stare. "Totally sure. She'd make it to BergenTown." I whisper, one more time. Still not fully convinced. I take a sharp inhale, puffing up my chest and pushing forward, placing one foot in front of the other, following the trail leading toward the town of Bergens.
A sudden sound in the distance sends a jolt through me, a startle that launches me off the ground mid-step. I twist ninety degrees in the air, landing backwards but continuing to walk in the same direction, keeping my eyes on where the noise might've come from. I don't see anything strange. Nothing dangerous. But the sensation that something's watching me out there - that doesn't fade. Trying to shake the creeping nerves, I remember that singing usually helps me relax. I center my focus on a song, part my lips, and let the melody slip out. 🎵I really hope I can do it. 'Cause they're all depending on me! I know that I must leave the only home I've ever known, and brave the dangers of the forest. Saving them before they're eaten.🎵 I walk beneath towering sunflowers, their heads reaching up toward the sun. One stem catches my eye. Without thinking, I climb up the thick stalk, making my way to the top and stepping onto the brown middle of the giant bloom. 🎵I mean. How hard can that-🎵 Carefully, I tiptoe out onto one of the flower's bright yellow petals. But the moment my weight shifts forward, the petal snaps. 🎵Be.🎵 The next word in my song escapes more like a whisper than a note as I plum downward, falling in the same direction I came from. My heart slams against my ribs, breath hitching too wildly for me to even scream. But an idea strikes. I release my long red hair, letting the ends whip down toward the ground and root themselves into the dirt. With the strands tightened and anchored, they form makeshift steps. I descend carefully, bouncing lightly from strand to strand, still humming along, letting the music keep my panic at bay.
🎵Looking up at a sunny sky. So shiny, and blue. Oh! And there's a butterfly!🎵 My gaze drifts upward, captivated by a butterfly fluttering above. 🎵Well, isn't that a super fantastic sign?🎵 But the moment doesn't last. A thick, red tongue lashes out from the bushes, curling around the butterfly and dragging it into the mouth of a round, brown creature. In one swift movement, another creature, smaller, but nearly transparent, stretches itself around the brown one and swallows it whole. No time to blink. A flock of red birds swoops in, pecking and tearing until only a skeleton remains. Then, from the shadows of a tree trunk, a purple beast slithers out. It exhales fire, incinerating the skeleton in a flash, then sucks up the ashes like dust through a straw. And then... it notices me.
Its sharp gaze locks onto mine, its forked tongue licking around its mouth in slow circles. It's sizing me up. I freeze, arms still mid-air from my earlier performance.
🎵It's gonna be a fantastic d-day.🎵 My smile collapses into a tight, twisted grimace, upper lip curled in dread. My teeth grit, and the last few notes of my song stammer from my lips. I slowly pull my arms behind my back, retreating step by cautious step, not daring to break eye contact. Only when I'm sure it's safe, I turn and run. I bolt.
I force the horrific image out of my mind, burying it somewhere dark and unreachable.
🎵Such marvelousness It's gonna bring! Got a pocket full of songs that I'm gonna sing! And I'm ready to take on
anything!🎵 I return to my song, letting the rhythm steady me. All around me, flowers bloom and snap closed again, launching puffs of pollen into the air like little explosions. I jump into one just as it bursts, launching me into the sky. One after another - bloom, bounce, burst  - I fly from flower to flower. But one doesn't cooperate. It stays shut for just a second too long, trapping me inside.
"Hooray!" I shout when it finally explodes open, hurling me high into the air. I latch onto a dangling rope that swings me from side to side, momentum lifting my spirits again. 🎵Some super fun surprise around each corner.🎵 But my thrill is cut short when a head lowers beside mine. A snake. Realisation slams into me like a brick to the ribs.
🎵Just riding on a rainbow.🎵 I scramble upward, crawling along the length of its slithering body. The branch beneath us curves downward  - and the snake's back follows, curling perfectly. 🎵I'm gonna be okay!🎵 Without missing a beat, I cross my arms over my chest and let myself glide. 🎵Hey! I'm not giving up today! There's nothing getting in my way! And if you knock knock me over-🎵 I sing again, my voice gaining strength, coasting down the snake's back like a slide, heart pounding, breath alive.
🎵I. Will. Get back up again!🎵  I'm back on my feet, the snake right at my heel, slithering fast with its jaw snapping open and shut like scissors slicing through paper. The hissing gets louder. Closer. I don't dare look back. The path thins out. Shrinks beneath my steps. Then. It ends. No warning. Just a cliff. A sheer drop. With no time to think, I leap forward, arms flailing, legs kicking at the empty air beneath me. The wind rushes past my ears in a high-pitched scream. My breath catches in my throat as the full weight of what I've done hits me. I didn't check. I didn't plan. I just did it.
I'm free-falling. But I never hit the ground. Something flashes in the crook of my eye. A blur. A movement. A creature. It swoops in from the side  - fast and smooth, like a gust of wind with feathers. I feel the sudden lurch in my stomach as my descent is interrupted, my body jolting mid-air. My eyes snap wide, heart hammering in confusion. Turning my head to the unclear thing, only to identify it as a bird, heading directly toward me. I moved my arms and legs in a swimming motion, desperately trying to swim myself in the opposite direction of the danger. Remind you I am still in mid air. As i can't mave in a fast enough pace, I suddenly get surrounded by darkness, the bird capturing me in its beak.
Back at the nest, it laid an egg - orange in colour, with reddish spots scattered across the shell. I am trapped inside. 🎵If something goes a little wrong. Well, you can go ahead and bring it on! 'Cause if you knock knock me over.🎵 Still singing from within, I use what little space I have to kick against the fragile surface with all my strength. My left fist breaks through first, then the right. A leg follow. Finally, with one last push, the shell crack open, the top half still resting on my head like a slimy helmet. I am completely covered in goo, head to toe. 🎵I. Will. Get back up again!🎵 I quickly realise I'm not the only one in the nest. Two baby birds sit on either side, their round eyes fixed hungrily on me. They tilt their heads, chirping curiously. I can see it in their faces  - they think I am some kind of oversized, brightly-coloured worm. In a flash, they lunge, each grabbing one of my arms with their tiny beaks and pulling. I am being yanked back and forth between them, my body swinging like a rope in a tug-of-war. They pull and tug with growing frustration, until, they both loose the grip.
That is my chance. Without a second thought, I scramble to the edge of the nest and leap, not caring where I land - anywhere is better than becoming bird food.
🎵Whoa oh oh oh oh. Get back up again.🎵 I grab hold of a leaf drifting down from a tree, managing to position myself just right so I can sit in it. The leaf carries me gently with the breeze, gliding downward in slow, spiraling loops. When I finally reached the ground, I stayed on my leafy ride, using it as a sled to slide smoothly along the surface.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure the mother bird isn't chasing me. Luckily, no angry flapping wings or screeching cries in sight. But as I turn my head back to face forward, my stomach drop. 🎵Whoa oh oh oh oh.🎵 A strange forest loom ahead, filled with towering, spiralling spikes that look eerily like candy canes  - if candy canes were razor-sharp and very much not edible. And my sled is speeding straight toward one of the sharpest-looking spikes of them all. "Oh... AHHH!"
🎵I'm marching along I got confidence, I'm cooler than a pack of peppermints. And I haven't been this excited since.🎵 I tug at the red-and-white striped spikes tangled in my ponytail, wincing as I pull the last one free. Just as I let a breath go, my feet lose their grip on the ground as a gust of wind sweeps through, pushing me backward. 🎵I can't remember when!🎵 I lean forward to resist, heels scraping against the dirt. Just before I fall, my hands catch onto what looks like a mushroom. 🎵I'm off on this remarkable adventure! Just riding on a rainbow!🎵 I lower myself onto it, letting my legs relax for a moment. My thoughts start to wander. Is this journey really worth it?
🎵What if it's all a big mistake? What if it's more than I can take..🎵 That tiny moment of peace doesn't last. The mushroom shifts beneath me. Its soft surface begins curling in on itself. It isn't a mushroom at all - it's a carnivorous plant. Its petals close silently around me. Panic strikes. But I'm no bug. I press my palms against the sticky walls and push with all my strength. The mouth cracks open just enough. 🎵No! I can't think that way!🎵 I leap out and land with a grunt, covered in slime. No time to care. I wipe my hands on my pants and stomp away, clinging to my plan. But the world isn't done with me yet. 🎵'Cause I know that I'm really, really, really gonna be okay!🎵 I climb what I think is a hill - until it shifts. The ground vanishes from under me, and a massive tongue catches me midair. I balance on one foot, arms flailing. I glance down and realise the truth just as the tongue releases me.
🎵Hey! I'm not giving up today! There's nothing getting in my way!🎵 I'm falling toward a bubbling pit of green acid. And I'm falling fast. But I'm not out of tricks. I split my ponytail in two and fling the strands wide. They latch onto the creature's mouth, jerking me to a halt. Using the swing of my body, I hurl myself up and out of the beast's throat. 🎵And if you knock knock me over. I. Will. Get back up again.🎵 I crash into a bush with a leafy thud. Dizzy, I blink the spinning from my eyes - and spot a ripe, plump blue berry. My stomach rumbles. It looks edible. That's enough.
🎵Oh! If something goes a little wrong.🎵 I pop it into my mouth and swallow without thinking. 🎵Well you can go ahead and bring it on.🎵 Almost instantly, my head swims. My arms tingle. I look down - blue spots spread across my orange skin like a rash. My body swells like a balloon pumped too full. But hey - at least now I can roll. 🎵'Cause if you knock knock me over. I. Will. Get back up again.🎵 I tuck in my limbs and start rolling down a series of real hills this time, humming a tune as I go. 🎵Whoa oh oh oh oh. Get back up again! Whoa oh oh oh oh oh.🎵 The momentum builds, faster and faster. Then a cliff. I can't stop. I shoot over the edge, helpless.
Luckily, a net of spiderwebs stretches across the chasm. I crash into it, the sticky threads wrapping around my swollen form and softening my fall. "I'm okay!" I hit the ground with a muffled thud, my face the only part free.
🎵And if you knock knock me over, you knock knock me over...🎵 My tongue tingles. My voice slips into a weak whisper. 🎵I.. will... get- back-k up again!🎵 I'm not just swollen. I'm exhausted. My eyelids grow heavy. I fight to keep them open, lashes fluttering. Just a minute, I tell myself. Just a minute...
And then everything goes black.
———
𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓱'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥:
Three hug-times in, I decide I'd rather listen to Juniper say, "I told you so" than face a fourth. I sneak into my room, toss my backpack onto the sheets, and shove in whatever could be useful. Survival supplies like rope, weapons (read: sharp sticks), and two sleeping bags for us.
Yes, us.
I've pulled myself together and made the drastic decision to go to BergenTown with Juniper, an adventure that could easily end in disaster and rock-solid disappointment. A cold shiver runs down my spine at the thought, but I can't back out now. Anywhere is better than here. Never thought I'd feel that way about my survival bunker.
Within minutes, I seize my chance and slip out of the bunker. I sprint into the woods, ears sharp, eyelids refusing to close for even a moment's rest. The deeper I get, the more I rely on the shortcuts I've learned. Pushing branches aside with the back of my hand, I then emerge - only to freeze. Six giant spiders circle a creature trapped in a ball of webs. Probably some unlucky animal, I think, approaching cautiously.
Nope. Not an animal. That's definitely a Troll. That's Juniper! Oh, Princess, I think, I knew she couldn't do this alone. I snap out of my trance and whip my head toward Juniper. Wrapping my hair around her ball-like form, I pull her to me. All six spiders turn their heads, their four gleaming eyes locking on me. Their tall bodies and long legs close the distance in seconds. I let out a startled breath as they leap into action. My arm swings back, reaching blindly into my bag, grabbing something, and flinging it without thinking. It's a frying pan. It hits one spider but barely slows them down - they're closing in faster. My heart races as I scan for options, repeating over and over: What to do? What to do?!
I fling the backpack straps off my shoulders, letting it drop to the dirt. Now, I can use my hair. Whipping it like a whip, I lash at the spiders, pushing them back, herding them toward a cave. One by one, all six crawl inside. The cave's entrance closes behind them.
Whoosh. Two glowing eyes stare back at me, the cave was never really a cave.
Lucky for me, the creature inside doesn't seem bothered, hopefully satisfied with its feast. I exhale the breath I didn't realise I'd been holding. Regret creeps in for leaving my bunker, but I am terrified of hug-times.
Then it hits me: the real reason I left was to save Juniper. I snap back to reality. Juniper still lies motionless on the ground, wrapped in spiderwebs.
"Oh no! Juniper!" I shout aloud, rushing to her side and kneeling down. Pressing my ear to her chest, I strained to catch her heartbeat. And there it is, faint but steady. "Hang on!" I snapped off a stick from a nearby tree, then grab two bugs crawling on its bark. Back on my knees, I used the stick to carefully cut through the spiderweb, peeling it aside to reveal her clothed chest. Rubbing the bugs against each other - when you rub two bugs fast enough, they create electricity. Never mind the science.
With a burst of hope, I pressed the wriggling bugs onto her chest, sending little shocks through her. Then I step back.
Almost instantly, her eyes fluttered open, and relief surged through me. 🎵Get back up again-🎵 She gives a light shake of her head, coming back to reality, and her gaze then land on me standing there. "BRANCH! My man! You're right on time!"
Wait - her man? Snap out of it!
"Oh, right. Like you knew I was coming." I scoff, releasing my grip on the bugs and letting them crawl away. Swinging my backpack over my shoulder, I pull the straps snug. "Yes! I figured after the third hug-time, getting eaten by a Bergen wouldn't seem so bad. I told you so." She spoke, hands on her hips like a know-it-all. I brace myself - this is going to be a battle of words. "And I figured there was no way you could do this by yourself! Guess we were both right." Crossing my arms, proud of my comeback, she just shrug off my words, handing me the victory I craved. "All right! Let's do this! The sooner we get to BergenTown, the sooner we can rescue everybody and make it home safely!" Suddenly, she flip the mood, springing up with a little dance of triumph. She rant and twirl, then spun on her heel, heading straight toward BergenTown. "Wait, wait, wait! What's your plan?" I call after her retreating form, asking her to repeat herself, quickening my pace to keep up. I blocked her way, stepping in front and forcing her to a stop. "I just told you? To rescue everyone and make it home safely."
"Okay. That's not a plan. That's a wishlist."
"Oh? I suppose you have a plan!" She lean closer, emphasizing me - like a challenge. I cleared my throat, covering my mouth with my wrist, then raise both index fingers, ready to explain why she shouldn't doubt me. "First! We get to the edge of BergenTown without being spotted. Then, we get inside by sneaking thought the old 'escape tunnels, which will then lead us to the Troll Tree - right before we get caught and suffer a miserable death, at the hands of a horrible, bloodthirsty Bergen!"
"Hold on a second. Are you- scrapbooking my plan?" My words are cut short as Juniper is back on the ground, scrapbooking my entire plan into a picture for her collection.
"Uh huh yeah! Almost... done!" She hum, snipping the last corner of a colourful paper with her equally colourful scissors, then bounced up to proudly present the finished product. A whole 3D picture: everyone who got caught, plus me and her, all looking forward to rescuing her friends and sister. How distracting.
"We did it!" her scrapbook voice sing, showering glitter in my face. Again.
"There will be no more.." I pinch one nostril shut and snort glitter out the other. "Scrapbooking." She snickers at my sparkly face but nods in agreement. With a smile, she tuck the scrapbook back into her hair, where she usually stores it.