Circus

Chapter 2

As they both walked Poppy began to feel a bit scared to where they're going. Branch noticed this and reassured her "It's alright, Poppy. If any bad creatures will try to harm you just remember I'm right beside you, okay?" she smiled happily and kept close to him. After a while of walking she asked out of the blue "Where are we going anyway?" Shall he tell her? It was supposed to be a surprise but it couldn't hurt to tell her only a bit of it. "Well" he said "Have you ever seen a llama before, little Poppy?" she shook her head in denial "Why? Are we going to see one?" she hopped excitedly.

"Yes"

Branch and little Poppy arrived at what looked likely to be a circus. Jugglers, clowns and caged animals were everywhere. He knew the cruelty of people and the animals were just their very first victims to their brutality. Poppy hopped and skipped, ready to see whatever she haven't ever seen before but Branch knew the better of it. He knows he has a job to do and she doesn't need to see it.

"Poppy, I need you to close your eyes again but this time you need to cover your ears as well, is that alright?" even though she was confused by his request she did what she was told and covered her ears. Branch left her side and went inside a big tent. Inside you could hear the animals growling and roaring in anger. He looked at the source of their rage and saw the llama he was supposed to take away with him.

The people who took possession of it whipped and threatened the poor thing but the llama who didn't want to be bullied by their cruelty fought back. One of them took their knives and spears. They didn't want him anymore and they wanted to make his end their fun for the day before their show starts.

Branch couldn't do anything but watch as they made fun of the creature. Piercing its sides with their spears and whipping its shackled feet. Poppy, curious by the noise inside of the big tent went inside and saw it all. The cries and sobs of the llama as its masters treated him with cruelty. Branch quickly took out his scythe and did his job.

The trio walked side by side in the forest with Branch leading the way. Poppy saddened by the actions of the people she just witnessed walked halfheartedly. "What's the matter, Poppy?" He asked her.

"Why do they do that?" she asked him. "What they do to what?" he returned as the llama only walked and listened. Branch was thinking of another name for his list for later and he was sure he wouldn't be very kind to this one. A little girl such as her shouldn't be seeing such things, neither a llama for that matter. Poppy huffed impatiently and pointed at Cooper's scabs and deep scars from his shackles before. "Ah" Branch said understandingly "in answer to that. I can only say to you that the circus men were merely people, little Poppy. And people still do not quite understand the feelings of other creatures, most of them though anyway"

"Why didn't he got away?" she asked.

"He tried" was his answer. The trio then walked in silence. The fallen leaves under them didn't make a sound as they walked along the road. After a while it was suddenly broken by the voice of the llama "I think I was very fond of cupcakes once"

"Yes, I believe you were" Death replied. And Cooper said once more "I do think I should tell you that I would very much like a cupcake right about now"

"I like cupcakes" little Poppy quietly agreed. "Well I'm happy to tell you" said Death with a smile "that where we are going you can have all the cupcakes you wish, that you may have them forever and forever. If you like" Cooper the llama and little Poppy were pleased and Branch was pleased for them. But deep in his heart, whatever or wherever his heart might really be, he was also a little sad. It was their time... To go.