The Adventures of Azalea and Twig (book 5)

Chapter 29

"No!" Creek shouted, seeing the Synathin fighting against the bird. Then he looked over at Branch, who was back by Poppy.

"Branch! Look out!" Pansy shouted, still being held to the ground by the other bird. Branch turned seeing Creek charging at him with a large stick.

Quickly, he rolled out of the way, Creek slamming the stick into the ground where Branch once sat.

He stood, looking at Creek. Creek glared back at him, lifting his stick ready to swing it again.

Uueeka pecked at the bird with his beak, the bird finally flying away, defeated.

"Ahh!" he heard Branch scream. He turned to see Branch on the ground, grasping his side, as Creek stood over him, the stick in the air.

Creek swung the stick down at Branch, but he caught it, holding it away from him, as Creek pushed down on it, trying to stab it into Branch.

     "Nuun!" Uueeka yelled, running towards Branch. He noticed the Synathin coming towards him, and then looked at Poppy, who still lay lifeless on the ground..

     "No!" Branch shouted at Uueeka, causing him to stop in his tracks. "Heal Poppy!" he yelled.

     Uueeka looked at Poppy, and then back at Branch, who was struggling against Creek.

     He took another step towards Branch, wanting to help him.

     "Now, Uueeka! Heal her now!"

     The Synathin looked back and forth between Branch and Poppy. He wanted to save them both, but didn't know which one to go to.

     "Uueeka!" Branch shouted. Uueeka looked at him, Branch looking into his eyes, pleading with him to save Poppy.

"Ooshima!" Branch yelled, gesturing towards Poppy.

Slowly, Uueeka nodded, and then ran over to Poppy, placing his beak on her chest, and closing his eyes.

Branch held onto the stick, his arms shaking, as Creek pushed it down towards him.

He looked over to the side, seeing a rock on the ground, not far from him.

Quickly, he let go of the stick with one hand, grabbing the rock, and chucking it at Creek.

"Ahh!" Creek shouted, stumbling back, as the rock hit his eye. Branch grabbed the stick in both hands, standing up to his feet, glaring down at Creek.

"This isn't over..." Creek grumbled, angrily, pouncing at Branch.

Slowly, Uueeka began to glow, Poppy glowing along with him. He lifted his head, Poppy beginning to float.

She levitated for a moment before slowly lowering back down to the ground.

Suddenly, Poppy took a deep breath, beginning to cough, as she sat up.

Uueeka pushed his head into her, and she hugged him back.

"Thank you, Uueeka," she said softly. Then she looked over at Branch, her eyes widening.

"Branch!" she yelled, jumping to her feet to run to help him, but Uueeka grabbed her, knowing that Branch wouldn't want her in harms way.

She looked up at Uueeka, tears in her eyes.

"Let me go! I need to save him!"

Uueeka shook his head. He was keeping Poppy safe. He knew it's what Branch wanted.

Creek kicked Branch in the stomach, causing him to fall to the ground, as he grabbed the stick back from him.

He held the stick up, ready to swing it at Branch. Branch looked behind him, seeing he was on the edge of the cliff. He had nowhere else to run.

"Any last words?" Creek asked, smirking.

Branch looked over at Uueeka, who held Poppy. He smiled, seeing that she was ok. Then he sighed, looking back at Creek, as he struggled up to his feet.

"Actually... I do..." he responded. "Uueeka..." He paused, looking back at the Synathin. "Kath."

     Slowly, he turned his back to Creek, jumping off the cliff.