I have a group assignment due tonight AND NO ONE'S REPLYING TO ME.
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Branch's mind was racing a mile a minute.
Wherever he had expected Rhonda to lead them, it wasn't here. Hole N' Fun? That made no sense. They didn't have enemies here... Or did they? This had been a mini-golf course for Bergens after all. Maybe some- upset about Gristle's very strict law- had returned after the Putt-Putt Trolls left? But no, that didn't make sense. He was sure that Poppy's kidnapper was a troll, everyone would have noticed a Bergen-
Wait.
Branch realized, startlingly, that not all the Putt-Putt Trolls had moved back to Pop Village. A good ten or so had elected to stay, despite Viva and Clay urging them otherwise. They were trolls who either didn't have a family to come back to or simply didn't trust the Bergens.
Which meant that they were a group that had more than enough motive to kidnap the queen.
He wanted to hit himself over the head. How could he have missed something so obvious? If they were convinced the Bergens were still a problem, why not remove the queen who was putting them in 'danger?' Especially if they saw her as the one who took away their leaders away.
Well, fuck that.
Branch moved to stand, but his third older brother jumped in front of him. "Get out of my way, Clay," he uttered lowly. Apparently, his brother knew exactly what conclusion he had come to which wasn't a surprise. One thing he had noticed with Clay being around was that they seemed to operate on the same wavelength more often than not. They seemed to share the same sense of paranoia and need for order.
Usually, Branch appreciated being around someone who got it (especially when it came to getting Floyd to take his damn medicine). But right now, he needed his brother to move.
But Clay didn't. "I know what you're thinking, man," he replied slowly. "But you can't go in their guns loaded, especially if you have no proof."
Viva frowned, eyebrows furrowed. "Proof for what?" she asked. "What are you thinking, Branch?"
"I'd like to know myself," chimed in John Dory, eyeing them carefully. He looked ready to jump between his two younger brothers if necessary. Floyd didn't say anything, but he wore a similar expression.
Branch clenched his jaw, trying to keep the sudden wave of anger coursing through him in check. "No one has a motive to hurt Poppy," he growled. "Except a group of Trolls who don't trust her word and still fear the Bergens. Whose leaders she took from them."
Viva's mouth popped open in shock. "You're saying a Putt Putt Troll did this?" she demanded.
He gestured around them. "Look where we are," he pointed out. Why were they even still talking about this? Poppy was here somewhere, and they were wasting time discussing it. "She's obviously got to be here. And we know she didn't just come here on her own without you and without telling anyone."
"This could be a misunderstanding," said Clay quickly, probably to appease Viva. "Maybe she got hurt somewhere and one of the Trolls brought her back to help."
Branch's fingers twitched with agitation. "We're hundreds of miles away from the village," he reminded his brother sharply. "How would Poppy have gotten all the way out here?"
"Maybe she was trying to convince the Putt Putt Trolls here to come to the village?" suggested Viva weakly.
He shook his head so fast it gave him whiplash. "Poppy hates going anywhere alone," he told her. His girlfriend was someone who needed a constant presence with her. "And she would have brought you, especially on a day you were going to meet up." And she would have dragged me with her.
Silence. No one had an argument. How could they? Everyone knew Branch was right. One- or more- of the Trolls in there had taken his Poppy. And he would be damned if he wasn't going to get her back. He pushed past Clay and went to get off Rhonda...
Only for a gentle hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Branch," Floyd spoke, firm but gentle. "I know you're worried about Poppy, we all are." He emphasized those last words like Branch needed the reminder. "But you can't rush into this, you know that. You need to calm down and let Viva and Clay take the lead here. They know this place and these Trolls, you don't."
His brother's words were like bucket of water dumped on his head. On every rational level, he knew Floyd was right. They needed to be smart about this. If they were walking into enemy territory, he couldn't storm in there and tear the place apart looking for Poppy; no matter how much he wanted to. If the kidnapper was here, that would alert them.
Branch closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He had to get himself under control, he couldn't afford to be emotional. Not when Poppy's life was at risk.
Another hand was laid on his shoulder. "I don't think you're wrong," admitted Clay grimly. "The Putt Putt Trolls are... impulsive. Controlled by fear. It's not as impossible as I or Viv would like to believe that one of them might have done this. But please, let me take charge here. We'll get Poppy back."
Branch didn't quite believe him, but what choice did he have?
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When they entered the old golf course, the remaining Putt Putt Trolls immediately flocked to their former leaders. Viva and Clay immediately responded in kind, engaging in small talk and answering questions. Viva checked in on how her former subjects were doing and Clay inquired about the safety precautions they were taking. Branch tapped his foot impatiently, this wasn't helping them find Poppy.
One troll cleared her throat, giving the two a gentle smile. "We're certainly glad that you've returned," she said. She was an older yellow Troll with wild green hair. "But I have to ask, is there a reason for this visit?"
Viva sadly smiled back. "We're looking for my sister," she revealed, eyes welling with tears. Branch tensed, but there was something in her eyes that made him stop. A certain prodding edge that threw him for a loop. "We've looked everywhere and we have no leads. We were wondering if anyone here has seen anything."
It was then that Branch realized what she was doing. They hadn't really looked 'everywhere.' If it wasn't for Rhonda leading them here, they wouldn't have even thought to look in Hole N' Fun. She was subtly trying to get information out of them without letting them know they were suspects.
Many overlooked it because of their hyper nature and blind optimism- himself included at times- but Viva and Poppy were smart. It was why they made such good leaders. The former queen, their mother, was said to have been intelligent too, which was probably where they got it from.
The woman's face softened. "Oh, you poor dear," she tutted sympathetically. "I can assure you no one here has seen the queen, but of course you're all welcome to rest here for as long as you'd like."
Viva wiped a spare tear away. "Thank you, Daisy," she replied.
The troll, Daisy, took the princess' hand. "If you need anything at all, don't be afraid to ask. We're here for you."
Branch shifted, something about her tone making him uneasy. The pretty words, the sympathy; she said everything one would want to hear. It felt uncomfortably familiar. And it was making him sick to his stomach. He didn't know if she was involved in what happened to Poppy or not, but either way he didn't trust her.
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"Who was that woman?" Branch asked his brother later on Rhonda.
Clay hummed in thought. "Daisy," he answered. "She's one of the oldest. I guess she's taken up leadership here. She's always been bossy, it used to drive Viva nuts." He chuckled, but sobered a little. "Why? Do you think she's the one who did something to Poppy?"
He grimaced. "Obviously, I don't know anything. I never met the woman before today." And yet, his instincts were screaming at him, warning him that she was a threat. "Why is she here? Does she not have family in the village?"
His brother seemed to think about it for a moment. "No," he replied. "She never mentioned anyone while she was here, and told us that when we started trying to reconnect families. Why, does she remind you of someone?"
Branch racked his brain, trying to come up with anyone he knew that even resembled Daisy. But no, nothing. He couldn't think of a single troll. "I'm gonna be looking around tonight," he announced. "If Poppy's here somewhere, I'm going to find her."
"I'll come with you!" John Dory cheerfully volunteered, somehow materializing next to him.
He jumped. "JD!" he complained. How did everyone always manage to sneak up on him? It was getting annoying.
His oldest brother laughed. "Sorry, B, sorry. But you shouldn't go off on your own. If this Daisy is behind all this and these Trolls are loyal to her, you'll need back-up."
Branch grunted. "Fine," he grumbled. "Just don't get in my way." He turned in on himself, wringing his fingers anxiously. He had to find Poppy here, he just had to.
They didn't have any other options after this.
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I can't wait for the Branch and JD content next chapter. I hope you liked it and please review!