The Demon Inside

Chapter 6: Really You?

"Come on Branch! Where are you?" Poppy said/asked herself. She has been walking around the forest for almost an hour, with her friends, desperately trying to find Branch. After about 20 more minutes of looking, she met back up with her friends and saw that none of them had Branch with them. "Anything?" She asked them. 

"No." "Nothing." They said. 

She sighed but didn't give up. "No...we have to find him! Keep searching, just a little bit longer." Poppy turned to continue looking but Guy Diamond stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Come on, Poppy. It's late, we're all tired, it's so dark we can barely see each other. I want to find Branch as much as anyone. I would do anything to find my king and best friend again. But let's go home and get some sleep. We'll look more in the morning." Guy Diamond stared into Poppy's eyes with a pleading expression. 

She was tired. But she wanted, no... needed to find Branch. She couldn't stop trying until she found him. But she knew what Guy was saying was right. But just as she was about give in, the bushes rustled. 

"Wait...did you hear that?" She asked as she turned and slowly walked over towards the noise. "Come on Poppy, you're just hearing thi-" "No." She said sternly as she turned her head back to face him. She faced back to the bush and continued walking towards it. 

"B-Branch?" She questioned. Then she heard a soft groan. "Poppy?" She gasped. "Branch!" She ran into the bush and tried to adjust her eyes to the sudden darker lighting. Then she saw him. "Oh my goddess Branch, I'm so glad you're okay!" She exclaimed as she got down onto her knees and cradled his head. As she heard his quick deep breaths, she also heard the footsteps of her friends. 

She faced back down to Branch and smiled. "You don't have any idea how much I've missed you."

After taking Branch back to the house

Poppy was running around the house while Branch was resting in their bed and just watching her confusingly. "How do you feel?" She asked. "Too cold? Too hot? Hungry? Thirsty? Is it too dark in here? Is it-" "Poppy! I'm fine, just tired. Chill out." He chuckled. Poppy sighed. "I'm sorry." "It's okay, I understand. I've missed you too." Branch gave Poppy a reassuring smile before saying, "Let's get some sleep." 

The Next Morning

Branch woke up to Poppy already out of bed. He got up and had some water. He didn't know where Poppy was until she came through the front door. "Morning Branch." She said as she walked up to him. "Huh? Oh hey Poppy." He replied. Both of them walked into their room. Branch laid down in the bed as Poppy just sat on the edge. 

"So how are you feeling?" She asked. "Oh fine. Just a little tired. I must just stay in bed today, if that's alright." Branch answered. "Of course that's fine! You need time to recover." She said while nodding and smiling. "Well, I have to finish a few more jobs but I'll see you later." Branch nodded and watched as Poppy left. As soon as she was out the door, 

he fell.