Next September

Realization

YESHHHH

   Poppy stomped around her pod furiously. Mumbling smack about Branch and ranting to the empty house. She had started walking backwards and lost her balance when she ran into her bed. The pink troll fell backwards and bumped her head on the floor.

   Her vision went blurry for a second and when it became clear again Poppy's memory became clearer as well. She clapped a hand to her mouth.

    What have I done?, she thought.

   She had put Branch through so much bullsh*t....and he said he was leaving!

   Poppy raced out of her pod towards the woods. There was still time to make things right.

•••

"Branch!" Poppy stepped off the elevator platform and into the bunker.

"Branch I'm sorry for what I did!" She called, "that was rude of me and I realize that now".

   Poppy wandered into the rooms, "Branch please talk to me!" He wasn't in his room; she started to panic.

"Branch" she rushed around the bunker. The more she ran the more the place seemed more deserted.

Let go of me!

   I have to go

Fine leave!

   Her final words echoed in her mind. He was gone...

   Poppy stopped and looked around, "Branch?" She called choking on a sob and eventually collapsing on the ground in tears.

   The elevator platform lowered once again and this time Popcorn entered the room.

"Poppy, there you are!" She exclaimed.

"Where's Branch Popcorn?" Poppy sobbed, "I've done something horrible and it's all my fault!"

   "No no, Poppy, Poppy everything's gonna be okay. Branch is just....out on his bachelor party" she lied, "Yeah the guys are going camping. It's pretty great. But don't worry, I'm hear to take care of you"

"This is all my fault" Poppy mumbled again.

"Sh, sh,sh it's OK sweetheart" Popcorn helped her up off the floor, "let's get you back home".

   Popcorn led the queen out of the survival bunker as Branch's note remained untouched...and unnoticed.