Part 10

Dr. Leopold was an interesting fellow. Branch figured they could be good friends as soon as the black-haired troll crossed the gates. The bandana with red flames and sunglasses was a strong pointer that he wasn't any regular doctor.

"Psychotherapist, to be more precise." Dr. Leopold was marveled by the sugary goodness in Trollstopia. He was in the middle of eating his second banana sandwich with chocolate filling. The drink was a simple apple juice with some energetics he had poured himself. Apparently, he carried a canteen full of energy drinks in case he needed to stay awake. "I need sleeping pills quite regularly," he explained, "the guitar solos buzz in my brain when I lay my head on the pillow. I would hammer my eyes shut if I could."

"Thanks for coming, Doctor." Branch smiled, taking a bite of his cupcake. "I understand it was a sudden request."

"It's fine. I have been curious about Trollstopia since I met Poppy."

The environment was great next to Volcano Rock City. At first, he sneezed a lot because of the lack of dust in the air. The pollen was free to fly with the breeze and caused a severe case of rhinitis.

"So you need my validation that she's able to take her place as Queen, is that it?"

"Yes, please. A formal document to convince the inspector she's no threat to the city." Branch explained.

He hadn't discussed with Poppy about inviting Dr. Leopold to Trollstopia. It was one of those things Branch preferred to keep to himself until his plans worked out as he wished.

"Inspector?" Dr. Leopold sipped on his energy apple juice.

"It's a little complicated." The line didn't discourage the Doctor. He merely nodded and took another bite of his sandwich giving Branch his full attention. "Well, Creek is our yoga teacher, guru, meditation guide, and all that soul-reading thing…"

"Pseud-science." The doctor nodded, "I enjoy some holistic therapy myself, although that whole 'be grateful to everything' sounds fishy. Sorry, go on."

"Anyway… he is the inspector designated by Poppy's father to validate our marriage. But it also happens that he was very close to Poppy when she was a Princess." The story sounded confusing to Branch's ears. He hoped Dr. Leopold was following. "He sold us out to the Bergens - big monsters who used to eat us - but Poppy forgave him and welcomed him back."

"Ah, yes. That's something she'd do. Relentlessly upbeat, I'd say. It's quite annoying. Don't tell her I said that."

Yep, Branch liked Dr. Leopold, all right.

"I don't know if he holds a grudge against Poppy or myself, but recently I found he has been intercepting the letters I sent to Poppy."

"Letters?" Dr. Leopold nearly dropped his sandwich. "You mailed her while she was with us?"

"Weekly." Branch nodded, causing the doctor to scoff and look away. He muttered something that sounded like 'I knew it' and returned his attention to the survivalist. "He is trying to make it difficult for Poppy to resume her queenly duties so, I kindly ask you to formalize that she's mentally stable to rule."

"Well, as her therapist for eight years, I'd say I know Poppy quite well." Dr. Leopold ordered another sandwich, this time a cherry glowmato with lemon pepper. "It would be unprofessional of me to spill the beans about the secrets she confided me with, but I have to say I never saw evidence of mental instability."

Branch threw his arms in the air in relief.

"Thank you, that's what I wanted to hear."

"She did have a couple of panic attacks, but they were all anxiety related." Branch immediately frowned, "but I haven't seen memory gaps or absence seizures, or even distorted thinking due to sugar high. She's healthier than I am. Did she quit the gin, by the way?"

"It has been a while since I last saw her drinking." Branch nodded.

"Good, good."

They fell into silence for a while. Dr. Leopold spread mustang on the sandwich and kept eating with a happy expression while Branch watched him. He was Poppy's doctor for eight years. The guy saw her during her best and her worst.

"She does have a memory gap." Branch leaned forward, "the night of the fire…"

"She doesn't remember a thing about it," Dr. Leopold nodded, "I'm aware, but I've told her several times it's most likely that the gap is because of her head injury. She's quite stubborn, not accepting my opinion on the matter. When she settles her mind, there's no changing it."

Branch could have laughed, remembering he said something similar once. But the seriousness of the subject washed the humor away.

"She believes she caused the fire." The survivalist looked away, uncomfortably.

"Yeah, because you accused her." Dr. Leopold smiled, not sparing Branch, who looked horrified at the revelation, "I'm sorry, but that's true. She took your words to heart."

"I've never… I didn't…"

"Oh, buddy, I get the shock. Really." The doctor's wise smile felt a little irritating, "it's just like when parents don't intend to traumatize their kids, but they do, in a way or another."

Both males walked around the city. Branch felt guilty about the revelation and wondered how he could fix his mistake. The Doctor, on the other hand, was happily exploring the flavor of a dark-dark-dark chocolate ice cream they got at Hard Rock Hollow.

"I'll give you the report, Branch, don't worry." Dr. Leopold seemed to read minds as well. "But can I see Poppy? I miss our chats."

"Of course. She's with the kids right now."

oooooooooooooooooooooo

"And I'm the brave Queen Poppy who will fight the hungry Bergen, yaaaahhh!"

Branch and Dr. Leopold walked inside the school pod when there was a play going on. A small kid with a pink wig pretended to be Poppy, and another one had several twigs in his hair, so the survivalist thought it was a characterization of himself. Not very accurate.

A third kid played Smidge, and a glitter troll sang in autotune to pretend to be Guy Diamond.

Poppy was sitting in the front row with other teachers. They smiled and clapped happily, encouraging the kids to do their best. The black streak of hair among her pink strands had thinned out to almost disappear.

"Like a scar," Dr. Leopold said in a low voice so he wouldn't interrupt the play, "there's a study on troll's hair that tested a few strands behaving like scars. Quite fascinating. The hair would change to a dark color according to one's trauma."

"How is it related to scars?" Branch curiously asked.

"In medieval times they said a fighter would get a scar for each life they took. The scars would only fade away when the fighter had forgiven himself for killing another."

"Ahhhh! Evil Bergen, I'll destroy you!" A rogue kid with a fake sword jumped into the small improvised stage. Branch chuckled at Poppy's indignation. She tried to tell the kid Bergens were friends now, but he didn't listen to her. Other kids screamed and dodged the sword, running from one side to another.

Until the kid with the pink wing got courageous and stood in front of her friends, saying something about not running away and facing the evil kid with the sword. But she didn't finish what she intended to say. The adults gasped when the fake sword connected with the side of her head and knocked her off the stage.

"Oh my Guh, are you okay?" Smidge ran to the small girl to help her.

Gia Grooves was fast at scolding the kid with the sword for what he did.

Branch tried to find Poppy in the middle of the screaming kids and worried adults, but unlike he had expected she wasn't there helping them. His baby blue eyes quickly scanned the room, having a quick sense that something wasn't right.

"Over there." Dr. Leopold said, pointing at the wall, in the opposite direction.

Poppy was curled, holding her head like she had migraines. Her eyes were fixed on a spot on the floor and she was shaking from head to toe.

"Poppy," Branch hurried to her side, putting a hand on her shoulder. She didn't seem to realize he was there. "Hey, look at me."

"Don't force her." Dr. Leopold sat on his heels, studying Poppy.

Endless minutes passed and Branch was nearly starting to panic. The kids had calmed down and Smidge had spotted them. The overprotective vibe came strong to the survivalist. He didn't want Smidge to see her Queen unresponsive.

"Let's go." Branch scooped Poppy up, surprising Dr. Leopold. "Follow me."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Branch was kissing someone else. Her eyes filled up with tears. Shame. What did she do wrong that led him to kiss another girl?

Too pink. She was like a giant bubblegum.

Or she was too upbeat. Was he tired of her not listening to him and doing things her way?

But he had said he loved her.

Years of exercise and hair training paid off. Before she even could reason what was happening she was hopping down the tree and running wildly into the night where she could hide her tears and deceptions until she could make some sense out of it.

She loved Branch. It hurt. It was too cold outside.

A blur moved in front of her. In the dark, she wailed until she nearly lost her breath. The air wasn't enough and her lungs burned with the lack of oxygen.

The blur moved and Poppy didn't care if someone was there to help her, she just wanted to dig a hole and die.

White.

All her thoughts vanished. Blinding pain exploded behind her eyes.

Hot liquid ran down her face. Her head was heavy and she had a hard time sitting up. When did she end up on the floor?

Screams. Everyone was screaming.

She couldn't balance herself properly.

A bucket was on her side. The smell intoxicated her. It stung her nose.

What was going on?

"What is going on, Poppy? Can you hear me?" Dr. Leopold gently asked.

The queen blinked in confusion. Her doctor was talking to her. Was she in Volcano Rock City? She never returned to Trollstopia? Was she married to Rob?

A brief panic and her answers were found on the walls behind her. Brown, dusty. Shelves neatly carved to adjust books and board games.

She was inside the bunker.

She was married to Branch. It meant…

"Dr. Leopold?"

"Hey there!" His unmistakable AC/DC shirt added to the solidness that he was really there.

Poppy didn't see Branch shifting his weight uncomfortably from one leg to the other while he stood behind them waiting for the long hug to end.

"Oh, dear." Poppy stood up, realizing for the first time that she was sitting on the couch. "I spaced out, didn't I?"

"Yes. Would you like to talk about it?" He offered.

Branch sighed. He took a step towards the kitchen to give them privacy when Poppy stopped him. No mental illness, uh.

"Dear, please stay."

Poppy licked her lips. It wasn't going to be a therapy section, but she needed to consult the males she trusted the most.

"I remembered something. About the fire."

Dr. Leopold merely nodded and sat down in front of her. Branch chose a spot by her side. Fidgeting nervously, he chewed on his lip, but Poppy tried to ignore his obvious anxiety.

"I don't know if it's a memory, it's a product of my twisted mind…"

"Don't judge yourself. Go on."

"... there was someone with me. In the dark." Poppy looked down at her knees in shame. "I ran and I cried… then there was a blur and a lot of pain."

"Anything else?" The doctor leaned forward, watching the way her eyes shifted from one side to another.

"I recall flames, waves of pain, and the bucket next to me. Nothing else." Poppy finished. She quickly glanced at Branch who was now digging his fingers into his arms.

"It must be a memory." The doctor concluded. "How cool would it be if you remembered who was there with you? This troll could tell us what happened."

Poppy still had her eyes on Branch. He looked plain uncomfortable. He tapped his foot on the floor a couple of times before standing up to a halt and announcing he would prepare dinner for the three of them.

"Does he know about Rob?" Dr. Leopold asked as soon as Branch was out of hearing range.

"Yes. The essentials of it." Poppy leaned back. "I'd like for it to stay that way."

"Being in a toxic relationship is nothing to be ashamed of."

"No, it's not, but I don't want to discuss it with him."

"I've been with Branch half a day and I already admire him." He also leaned back cracking his back like he used to do in the clinic. Old and crunchy. "I'm sure he'd understand."

"I don't understand it myself." Poppy pointed out. "How Rob would behave as he did, how he ended up doing what he did on our wedding day… and I still miss him."

"It's like an addiction." The letters were arranged in two piles now. Half of them were read in a couple of weeks. "Forgiving yourself is the first step out of it."

"I have fresh coffee if you want some before dinner," Branch said from the kitchen.

"I was unfair." Poppy stood up, "Branch waited for me." The doctor didn't reply and both went to the kitchen, finishing the conversation there.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Poppy stormed into her apartment and slammed the door closed. Rob, who was laying on the couch, immediately sat up, alarmed at the state she was in.

That was why Poppy didn't want to share her apartment in the first place. She needed a safe place to hide and when Rob was there, there was no way she could hide her troubles.

"What happened?" Rob asked, looking at her worriedly.

Her head was bursting. The pain was so acute she felt dizzy. Poppy walked from side to side, wishing she could roll on the floor like her body was in flames. She had no idea how to breathe properly or even how to take the pain away.

"I can't go on like this!" Poppy sobbed. She needed water, but she couldn't stop pacing. Her head was going to explode. "I need to know the truth." Like a completely mad troll, she blurted the words out in despair. "I can't handle the dark anymore. I can't."

"Poppy…" Rob stood up and firmly held her. She fought to free herself at first, but the pain seemed to get worse. "Was it another session?"

"I asked for hypnotherapy. I need to know, Rob. I need…" The sobs only got louder. It made it impossible for her to talk.

"It's fine…" Rob hugged her tightly. He firmly held her as she convulsed with desperation. Poppy held on to him like he was the last token of reality she had.

It was maddening. Not knowing what was real, if she had an impulsive killer instinct that put her dearest friends at risk or if she had imagined it all.

"Dr. Leopold said I didn't snap." Poppy buried her nose in his neck. Rob caressed her hair, muttering soft words to calm her down. "But I can't remember… I cannot go back if I don't…"

"You don't have to rush." Rob kissed her cheek. His embrace was strong and protective. He could save her from herself if he wanted to. "I'm here as long as you need me."

With their marriage approaching, his words were at the same time relief and imprisoning.

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

"This doesn't change my mind," Creek said the letter across the table under the apprehensive stare of Hal Duluth.

Branch was expecting some resistance so he didn't even flinch. His answers were all rehearsed.

"Dr. Leopold has a Ph.D. in psychology. He's treated Poppy for years. I think his validation should be considered. What do you think, Hal?"

The young lawyer opened his mouth and closed it again, not being able to come up with a good response.

"I think we all know who is most qualified here." Branch stood up, discreetly nodding to Sky Toronto, sitting at his desk, on the other side of the office, quietly observing.

"We should come out with the truth then." Creek crossed his arms. "Hal, Mr. Toronto, Branch is hiding the truth to protect our 'queen' "

Branch stood up abruptly, knocking the chair to the ground.

"Your fabricated truth must be proven, so I suggest you think before you speak."

Both Hal and Sky were lost. The violent tension wasn't witnessed in Trolls's kingdom in ages. Creek had paled and Branch looked dangerous enough to kill him without a second thought.

"All right." Creek took a long pause. Both males stared at each other, speaking threats non-verbally and careful not to bend. "I accept validating your marriage and Poppy's rightful place as Queen."

His body tingled. His frown lines softened and his muscles relaxed to the melting point. Branch wondered if he had heard Creek right.

"I require one more section with Poppy and then she's free to go."

"I think that's a fair request." Hal adjusted his glasses, finding his voice again. "What do you think, Branch?"

"Tomorrow." Branch suggested.

"That's fine by me. We will even have time to prepare a commemoration party."

Creek's smirk didn't settle well. Branch was always over-prepared for everything, but he felt like he needed to review all his backup plans before allowing Poppy to stand in the same room as the guru.