Chapter 14
Branch: oh..um yeah...
Berry: you sounded like your father
Branch: did I really?
Berry: (nods) but anyway..continue on I'm going back to my tree, let me know if you find anything
(She walked out of sight)
Poppy: so...where do you think we should go? We didn't find anything in the tunnels
Branch: let's go further...there might be something out there
(They walked a little farther)
Poppy: I'm so glad you found your mom branch!
Branch: yeah..I am too
Poppy: what's wrong? You don't seem happy
Branch: no I am...it's just still a shock I thought she was gone all these years
Poppy: but now it's a happy thing
Branch: yeah...(In branch's mind he was happy but his heart was sad...even though he was glad his mom was alive it still didn't fix anything in their old relationship, he didn't think they'd be as close as him and his grandma, nothing could ever replace that, he knew his moms apology was genuine but he could only handle so much at a time)
Poppy: branch?
Branch: huh? What?! Yes?
Poppy: you seemed out of it
Branch: oh no I'm just lost in thought
Poppy: (sat down for a sec)
Branch: what's wrong?
Poppy: (clutches her leg) my legs still sore when I scraped it..(takes the bandage off) is it supposed to look like this?
Branch: (looks and it's infected) no..not at all poppy we got to get you back this is serious
Poppy: don't you have something in your kit? We can't stop now!
Branch: poppy I know when something infected and ok to continue on
Poppy: you might be the survival expert but I say we're gonna keep going
Branch: no poppy... I can't let you
Poppy: branch...come on you know how important this is to me
Branch: more important than your own health?
Poppy: oh I see you found your mom and now you don't want me to find mine?
Branch: what? No poppy that's not what I'm saying at all! You need to be treated!
Poppy: I'm not giving up (goes through his satchel) there must be something in here!
Branch: are you finished?
Poppy: I'm not going back...
Branch: alright then you leave me no choice (picks her up and puts her over his shoulder) I'm gonna drag you back
Poppy: no! Put me down! You're not taking me back!
Branch: oh for goodness sakes poppy! (Puts her down) ok so what do you propose to do, I don't have anything to help with an infection besides ointments and bandages, you can barley walk, and we don't know how far we're walking
Poppy: (hangs her head in disappointment) ok Branch...you're right..
Branch: I'm sorry poppy..but once you're better we can go back out and try again
Poppy: what's the point?
Branch: so you said you weren't giving up a minute ago but you're going to give up after we fix you up
Poppy: yup I guess so
Branch: poppy...
Poppy: let's just go...it's gonna take a couple days to get back
(They start walking back and poppy is silent the whole time no matter how hard Branch tries to make conversation when they stop for the night poppy still won't talk)
Branch: poppy how long are you gonna give me the silent treatment?
Poppy: (no answer)
Branch: can I at least tend to your wound so you'll be able to walk again at some point?
Poppy: (shrugs)
Branch: (applies ointment and a new bandage) you know..someone once said talking about something helps make everything better
Poppy: (silent)
Branch: what? I thought you were an open book
Poppy: (looks up at the sky but says nothing)
Branch: (sighs, why won't she answer me Branch thought) we should probably get to sleep..(puts the fire out and they both get in the tent) are you mad at me poppy?
Poppy: (shakes her head)
Branch: then what's wrong?
Poppy: nothing I'm fine let's just go to sleep
Branch: (tries to be lighthearted) what no kiss?
Poppy: (smiles a little bit and they kiss but Branch knows her hearts not totally into it) goodnight Branch
Branch: goodnight poppy...(Branch knew poppy wasn't happy about having to cut the search short but I care about her health I can't lose her...maybe she'll be ok in the morning..)
Poppy: (in her mind all she could think was "don't turn grey" "don't turn grey")