A young gray troll walked in silence alongside two trolls both refusing to even look at him. He held tightly onto a small blanket; it was all he had left to remember them by. He closed his eyes to stop any tears from falling….

-Flash-back-

Two trolls danced the night away in the moonlight, they stared lovingly into one another's eyes and it was as if nothing else seemed to matter to them. As they danced, they were completely unaware that they were being watched by someone. The young teal troll was fascinated by the way that they moved so in sync with one another, it was almost as if they were one. The older male troll stopped and looked over toward the spot where the young troll was hiding, and he smiled "Aren't you supposed to be at home in bed young man?"

The smaller troll slowly walked out of his hiding spot with his head down "I'm sorry daddy," he replied in a squeaky voice.

This caused the older troll to chuckle and shake his head "It's okay son," he said proudly as he stood aside "would you like to dance with your mom?"

The small troll's face lit up as he rushed over with his arms open wide, the female troll embraced him in a warm loving hug. "Okay Branch," she said smiling down at him "follow my lead."

The young troll started moving along following her lead then she switched and let him lead for a bit. "You take after your old man when it comes to dancing," his dad boasted from the side lines.

Branch loved dancing with his mom, he could do all night but she would never allow it.

"I think it's time for bed," his mother said stopping Branch from dancing by bending over and giving him a small kiss on his forehead, "we have a big day tomorrow."

"That's right," his dad added with a huge smile as he gently patted his son on the back "we're going to visit my sister and her family tomorrow."

Branch smiled knowing that meant that they were going to his cousin Creek's house to have fun. Creek always knew the best games and he was really looking forward to seeing his cousin again. He took each of his parent's hands as they started walking back to their pod together, once back home his mother proceeded to tucking him in for the second time that night.

"Now get some sleep my little Angel," she cooed as she gently stroked the side of his face.

"Yes Mama," he replied just as a big yawn came.

His father stood at the doorway proud of his little family "Goodnight Branch," he said.

"Night…." the small troll whispered before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

The next morning Branch was the first one awake and he quickly got dressed before rushing to see what was taking his parents so long. "Time to get up!" he exclaimed.

"Branch it's too early," his father groaned as he turned away from the small troll and covered his head up with his pillow.

His mother laughed as she sat up in bed "Why don't we let daddy rest for a little longer?" she asked "And you come help me make breakfast?"

Branch thought about it for a minute before agreeing he liked nothing more than to help his mother out in the kitchen "Okay!"

"What do you want to make?" she asked as they entered the kitchen.

"Pancakes!" Branch happily replied remembering how he had perfected the recipe just the week before.

"Pancakes it is then," she replied already gathering the ingredients to make them.

Branch loved helping his mom in the kitchen it made him feel important and she would always praise him for helping even if most of the time he made more of a mess than anything. By the time the last pancake was cooking his dad came walking in "There's my two favorite trolls," he said with a wide smile.

"I helped!" Branch said proudly and pointing to the large stack of pancakes that sat on the table waiting to be eaten.

"Good job," his dad replied giving him a thumb's up.

After breakfast they headed over to Aunt Hazel and Uncle Brier's pod which was the next village over. Branch had only been there a couple times, but he remembered it always smelled like cookies thanks to Creek's grandma. This time was no different and in fact a plate of cookies welcomed the wide-eyed troll, Branch grabbed one cookie before he rushed off to find Creek so they could start playing games. This time something went wrong with the visit and it was cut extremely short, it seemed like they had just gotten there when Branch was being pulled right back out the door.

"I thought we were going to spend the whole day there?" he asked but received no response from either of his parents. That was the last time he saw his cousin and his family for a few years.

-end of flashback-

Now he was heading back there but under different circumstances. This time he was alone, and it was all his fault. The moment they entered the village he couldn't help but to feel uncomfortable from all the stares he seemed to attract.

"I told you!" his aunt hissed as she reached down and grabbing a hold of his wrist and yanking him along.

"We have no choice we are his only family, so he has to stay with us," his uncle tried to whisper but Branch still heard what he said. At last their pod came into view as they hurried toward it. Once inside Branch was greeted warmly by Creek's grandma "I'm so glad to see you Branch again," she said giving him a gently hug.

"Hello Mrs. Rosiepuff," he replied hanging his head and looking down at his feet.

"You can call me Grandma too if you want to?" she explained.

The young gray troll smiled slightly as he slowly looked up at her "Okay, Grandma."

"Okay my Dears," Grandma Rosiepuff said standing up straight and fixing her apron "I have to get going."

"Thanks for watching Creek, Mom," Uncle Brier said giving his mother a tight hug.

"It was my pleasure," she replied heading towards the exit "see you all real soon."

"Branch, why don't you take your things to Creek's room," Brier suggest "since you two will be sharing a room."

The young gray troll did as he was told and carried his blanket toward his cousin's room. "What happened to you?" were the first words out of Creek's mouth as he watched from his spot on the bed.

"He lost his colors because of what he did," Aunt Hazel said shoving her nephew hard into her son's room. "You see that spot over in the corner?" she asked pointing at a small dark spot on the other side of the room.

"Yeah," Branch replied slowly unsure of the reason his aunt was pointing it out when Creek's room had two beds.

"That is where you are going to sleep, got it?"

"But…." Branch started to say

She shook her head "That extra bed is for Creek's friends when they sleep over not you."

"Oh," the young troll replied feeling completely unwelcomed.

"WELL!" she snapped causing him to jump slightly "Go put your junk over there."

Again, Branch did as he was told and placed his blanket neatly in the corner and sat down on the floor, he could feel his aunt glaring at him, but he was too afraid to look up for fear that he would get in trouble.

"I have to go finish making supper," she said finally leaving the two kids alone.

"You know she doesn't like you," Creek quickly blurted out once she was gone "she said it's because of you Uncle Birch isn't here anymore. Is that true?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Branch sighed looking down at his hands.

"She said you killed your parents," Creek continued saying.

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Branch snapped "Now leave me alone!"

"Fine!" Creek snapped back before mumbling "Orphan," just loud enough for Branch to hear.