Curse of the Weretroll (rewrite)

Chapter 77

     "The ghost followed the Troll inside her home. She turned, heart in her throat. Their eyes locked..." Biggie spoke over dramatically around the makeshift campfire (aka a simple flashlight) in Branch's living room, the snack pack all on the edge of their seats as they gasp in horror, Smidge even clinging tightly to Cooper's neck as they both trembled in fear. "This was the end... of loneliness!"

     Everyone instantly breathed out a sigh of relief, awing at the cuteness of Biggie's ghost story as it came to an adorable end...

     "The two embraced, a hug for the ages, and lived happily ever after!"

     "What a twiiiiiiiist!" Guy enthused, clapping his hands and cheering right along with the others for Biggie's tall tail.

     "The was great, Biggie!" Poppy praised in her usual perky tone, looking around her group of friends to continue the night of fun. "Who's turn is it next?"

"Ooo! Ooo! Ooo!" Copper yelled out excitedly, the long necked giraffe troll finally free from Smidge's accidental choke hold. "It's Branch's turn!"

"Oh, yeah!" DJ agreed with a smile. "He's the only one who hasn't gone yet!"

"What do you say, Branch?" Poppy asked cheerfully at the mention of his name, turning to her boyfriend with a supportive smile. "You want to give it a shot?" Pause. "Branch...?"

The Snack Pack all turned their attention to their new friend at the same moment, curious about his lack of response, only to realize that the formally gray troll was already fast asleep in his sleeping bag... his hand weakly clinging onto Poppy's in his slumber as he rested comfortably on his stomach, his cheek smooshed up firmly against his fluffy pillow...

     "He's asleep..." Smidge observed in a whisper before suddenly pulling out a feather and shaving cream from her hair with a devilish grin. "Let's prank 'em! 😈"

"No, Smidge!" Poppy whispered back urgently, gently smoothing her fingers protectively through her sleeping boyfriend's hair. "He's had enough fun for the day... just let him rest, ok...?"

     "Poppy's right," DJ agreed with a small yawn of her own, feeling a bit tired herself. "We shouldn't mess with a sleeping troll... I mean... I would probably bite any of your hands off if you were to wake me up from a nap..."

"Psh... like any of us could wake you up from a nap, Suki..." Chenille scoffed with an exasperated eye roll. "You literally sleep like you're dead..."
"Yeah..." Guy laughed in response as a particular memory flashed through his mind. "Remember the first sleep over we all had together? Biggie literally called an ambulance for you!"

     "She just collapsed out of nowhere and then wouldn't wake up!" Biggie was quick to defend himself. "What was I supposed to do!?"

     The group all laughed at the funny memory, everyone knowing just how quickly their friend could fall asleep in any situation...

     "Ok, ok... no pranks..." Smidge finally agreed as her chuckles slowly died down to silence, putting the feather and shaving cream back into her hair for safe keeping. "But what about the scary stories? It's Branch's turn..."

"It is getting pretty late..." Poppy shrugged, gently rubbing her thumb over her boyfriend's limp hand which was still resting lightly in her own. "Maybe Branch has the right idea..."

"I agree with Broppy!" DJ quickly announced without even an ounce of hesitation before flopping right down into her sleeping bag and immediately falling asleep...