Sacrifices

Chapter 6: Rescue

Well. Here's her plan! The long awaited rescue of Branch from the Chef and her evil schemes! The story will come to an end soon! Don't worry! I love all the helpful reviews! Anyways, as always, Hope you enjoy the chapter!

"Poppy" Bridget whispered. Poppy remained asleep. Bridget nudged her again. "Poppy!"

"Who? What? Where? Why? When? How?" Poppy shot up and looked at the giant. "Hey Bridget." Poppy yawned and stretched.

"It's time Poppy." Bridget motioned to the black sky outside the tiny window she had.

"Ya, it's time..." Poppy was still waking up. Suddenly it hit her. "Right! I have to save Branch!" She jumped down and started for the door. "Wish me luck!" Poppy smiled back.

"Go get him!" Bridget said which she realized sounded stupid and decided to watch from her window.

Poppy made her way through the Castle on the ground and entered one room at a time to make sure she didn't lose her element of surprise. She peeked arund a corner to see a stairwell with a guard walking down. Poppy started to panic a little. She couldn't have her cover blown! She quickly hid behind the corner again and held her breath as she heard footsteps approaching. As the noise got louder and louder, she felt herself trembling. A figure appeared and he was a lot bigger than the normal guards. He looked as sour as sour could be.

It stopped.

Right in front of her.

Poppy continued to hold her breath hoping that he wouldn't hear her although her loudly beating heart wasn't doing a very good job of doing that. The creature started to turn it's head and

"Achoo!" It sneezed. The gigantic guard continued down the hall where Poppy came from. After it was out of sight Poppy let out a sigh of relief. She started up the stairs. When she finally made it to the top she found a vent cover near the ceiling. She looked for a quick way to get up. Every second counted. She needed to get to that vent before that thing came back. She finally made it up and got into the vent.

She started to make her way through the vent. She was small enough to be able to walk easily. She had to keep her footsteps quiet to avoid being detected by anyone. The castle was completely silent which made her all the more nervous. Branch wasn't... was he? No she couldn't think like that. He's going to be ok. Poppy looked at the flowers she had in her hands and just hoped that it would be enough to keep him alive for a long time. She didn't know exactly how much he needed but assuming that he wasn't exactly big compared to the Bergens, she thought that the amount she had with her could keep him going for a while hopefully for a week at minimum. She passed the main hall and saw the empty throne. The flashback of Branch's sacrifice played in her mind.

*flashback Poppy's pov*

"No! You can't go out there! You'll die!" I pleaded for him not to go.

"Well at least I can die happy then." He gave me a comforting hug. I returned it instantly. "You not only showed me what it was like to be happy but what it was like to feel love. This is the only way I can see to protect you." I started crying into his shoulder not wanting to let him go. Hoping that he would see how much he now meant to me and not leave. But I had to let him go or else we would all die. I slowly let him go and watched as he made his way to the center of the pot in the spotlight by himself smiling all the way. A Bergen's hand swooped down and snatched him from the pot.

*Flashback ends Normal pov*

By the time she got control of her thoughts again, she was right over the kitchen where she could see the outline of the cage Branch was occupying for her. She slipped through the vent cover and latched onto the chandelier she was on earlier. She helf onto one of the metallic arms as she slowly made her way down again to the cage. She finally got to the door with the herbs in her hand and slowly opened the door. There was Branch sleeping on the floor in pain. His hair was short and his body badly bruised. Poppy was shocked at the consequences of his action. She quickly nudged him to wake up.

No response.

She moved him again.

Still nothing.

She flipped him over and put her ear to his chest and listened.

Quiet.

Poppy felt her stomach drop. There was no pulse.

To be continued...