Everytime I close my eyes, I dream that you're still here...
A fierce roar rattled the trees, making me stumble as the branches beneath my feet shook violently. There was screaming and yelling all around me, the terror-stricken faces of my friends and loved-ones speeding by as they ran from the hungry beast that had ambled into our sanctuary.
The sky was grey and and overcast, the trees casting deep shadows along the forest floor. Just a moment ago, it had been so sunny, so bright, so warm. So happy. Now the air was chilled and sharp, the sun cowering behind the clouds as monsters lumbered through the homes of my people.
Catching my foot on a sudden knot, I stumbled, my momentum launching my weight forward. With a strangled shout, I frantically grabbed at the protruding bark of the tree as I slid from the branch I had been running on, skidded down the steep trunk and finally barreling into a mass of leaves at the base.
Groaning, I pushed myself up and crawled from the fallen foliage, stood and started to run. My eyes searched through the colorful screaming masses, my heart pounding violently in my chest as my lungs heaved breath after breath. I slowed down, cupped my mouth and called for my father, worry making my voice wobble. A loud, hungry growl rumbled like thunder above me and I froze. I looked up, my body trembling against my will as I took in the sight of a massive, black-bodied creature, it's blood-shot, beady eyes piercing into mine.
A Fagrin, my mind panged dully, one of the many incredibly dangerous predators roaming the forest. To have one here, in Troll Village... Even as optimistic as I was, I could feel the chances of survival for this village as well as myself dwindling. The fierce animal grinned at me, sharp, spotted, crooked yellow teeth glowing against its purpled gums. It raised its large, terrible claw and-
"Poppy!" A familiar voice shouted, it's tone thick with desperation as a solid weight collided with my trembling form. My body became weightless, for just a moment, as my vision blurred, my ears ringing. From nearby came a sickening crunch and an animalistic snarl that sounded suspiciously like laughter. I felt my body crash into the ground, leaves and twigs stinging as they scraped against my exposed skin while I rolled to a halt. My limbs trembled as I struggled to rise, to get back up again, my head lifting just enough to see a motionless troll several feet away from where I had just been standing. Cold chills shuddered down my spine as the pit in my stomach sunk low.
It was too dark to see who the troll was truly, but the onyx hair and deep grey skin, its color, or lack thereof, unmistakable despite the questionable splatter of a dark liquid against its surface. After all, there wasn't a troll in Troll village who lacked color. Except for one. My heart clenched in my chest as the large creature loomed over him, grumbling and growling while it sniffed the air before fixating its bloodthirsty gaze on the grey troll.
No…
The monster snarled irritably and raised it claw again. Time seemed to go in slow motion as it smashed its claw down and-
"Branch!" Poppy screamed as she bolted up in bed, her chest heaving as tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, her pink fists curled tightly in her fluffy moss blankets. She took a deep, shuddering breath and buried her head in her hands, struggling to control her breathing.
Just a dream. Well, that was only half true, that she knew very well. Thank God the worst of her nightmare was merely a figment of imagination born from her fears. Trembling slightly, she crawled from her bed and quickly exited her pod, snatching her coat as she slipped away into the darkness.
Her breath came in short pants as she practically sprinted down the bridges and a few shaky walkways leading to the base of the tree, leaping from the last few steps to stumble onto ground level. She slowed her frantic steps then, coming to a stop and resting her hands on her knees as she gasped for air. She glanced up, seeing the carefully hidden hospital hut just a few yards away, renewed determination making her straighten and walk briskly towards the bushes concealing the building.
She had to get there.
She had to see if he was alright.
It was her fault he was there anyway.
Poppy sniffed and rubbed away prickling tears before they could gather enough to fall. She had someplace to be after all, no more distractions.
The princess padded quietly through the dim hallways, following the familiar patterns on the floor to his room, her throat closing as she listened to the soft breaths and snores of the other current hospital residents, guilt squeezing her heart within her chest.
So many people hurt, all because she didn't listen to him and the warnings he had given. And now he was here too, because of her ignorance, as well as the rest of Troll Village, damaged and in danger because of her stupidity.
Poppy harshly bit the inside of her cheek to avert her thoughts. She shouldn't dwell on those kinds of thoughts. Not now at least. She had to focus on how to fix the problems that faced her people now! Problems that she caused… She shook her head.
But first…
The princess came to a halt before the curtain of interwoven vines separating her from the troll she'd ventured through sleepless night after sleepless night to see, even just for a moment. Pushing aside the vines, she slipped into the room, the curtain of vegetation swishing quietly back into place as she crossed the the distance between her and…
Branch.
She took a shaky breath and sat in the chair she had occupied every night for the past four days, anxiously watching the steady rise and fall of the grey troll's chest with a wide-eyed expression, her fists twisting at the folds of her dress. She could feel some of her anxiety melt away as she gazed at him, reassured that he was truly alright. Not at all what her latest nightmare alluded to. Branch continued to sleep on, blissfully unaware of her sudden presence and the turmoil that roiled within her at the very sight of him.
His expression was soft and open in his sleep, lax of the tension and displeasure that usually dominated his expression. He looked younger, she realized as she considered his features. Nicer too, she added to herself, inwardly flushing at the thought. But her eyes returned to his chest, gazing at the criss-crossing pattern of his white bandages, her sight trailing along the splash of soft reds and pinks that marked the wound he bore to save her life. A look of discomfort flitted over his face for a brief moment and she sucked in a breath. He shifted beneath his covers, his head slightly turning towards the princess with a sigh. Poppy exhaled shakily, relieved that the other troll didn't wake. Goodness, it would have been so awkward to have to explain herself…
"Poppy?"
She spoke too soon. Grimacing inwardly, the pink troll flicked her eyes to meet Branch's sleepy gaze, giving him a sheepish smile after a moment of hesitation.
"Hey." The grey troll blinked at her for a moment, clearly confused before he sat up slowly, propping his elbows up beneath him, wincing numerous times as he went.
"What are you doing here?" He strained, placing a hand on his chest. "Why aren't you in your pod?" Her gaze trailed away from him, her cheeks lightly flushing with embarrassment.
"Oh, heh, y'know…" She mumbled, shrugging a shoulder as she laughed awkwardly, panic level steadily rising, making her stomach twitch and flop anxiously. She had to get out of there. Fast. Branch raised a curious brow.
"No, I don't," he deadpanned. Poppy gulped and stood, flashing him the sweetest smile she could manage.
"Well, I gotta go."
"Poppy-"
"Good night, Branch!" And she was gone, rushing back into the quiet night as the grey troll looked on in utter bafflement.
A/N: All rights reserved. Trolls does not belong to me and I make no profit from he writing of this story. The song "My Nightmare" belongs to Get Scared.
I own only Mint the Doctor, as she is a reoccurring OC throughout several of my stories, some of which are not published, were deleted, or forgotten.
Just a precaution to any readers: I update spontaneously. Chapters may be up in two days or two weeks or not at all. Depends of how often you guilt-trip me into writing, mainly through reviewing or PMing me. A heartfelt beg usually inspires me enough to write and ideas for my story usually get me back into the story. Flames shut me down unless I'm feeling sassy when I read it, then I'll update out of spite and point out the asshole with fiery retribution in my hands.