Take You To A Better Place

Chapter 24 Mission to Bergen Town

What are you doing here it's too dangerous Clay asked that's not the reason you don't want me to come.

I can tell you're all mad at me

Johnuleus scoffed and we are no longer called John, Clay Floyd and Branch

Poppy looked shocked ok than what will I call you

Johnuleus, Clayseus, Floydseus and finally Branchilles uh...... Okay Poppy said slightly confused

I told you we didn't need any more glitter I told you that the party was getting out of hand but did you listen I'm sorry. I should have listened to you. You told me to tone down the party but I didn't. And it's my fault they were taken. And now I don't know what to do.

Why don't you try scrapbooking them to freedom? John asked sarcastically. Solid burn, John Poppy said

I'll ask you again what are you doing here? it's too dangerous Clay said again

I wanted to come with you guys Poppy said Branch pulled at his dark frosted blue hair

Poppy it's too dangerous if something happens to you King Peppy will kill us Branch said besides were survivalists Clay added

Poppy raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner

We know how to survive in these woods and all you know how to do is singing dancing hugging and scrap booking Clay stated

Okay Clay that's a little unfair she just wants to help I say we let her Branch said

Thanks Branch Poppy smiled

But for your sake princess leave the danger to us Branch said causing Poppy's smile to slip

Hmm. All right. Let's do this! Sooner we get to Bergen Town, sooner we can rescue everybody...and make it home safely Poppy said causing all four brothers to freeze and turn to face one another.

Wait, wait, wait. What's your plan? Clay asked. I just told you. To rescue everyone and make it home safely Poppy answered. Okay. That's not a plan. That's a wish list you need a plan Clay said.

Oh! I suppose you have a plan Poppy said.

First...we get to the edge of Bergen Town without being spotted. Then, we get inside by sneaking through the old escape tunnels... which will then lead us to the Troll Tree...right before we get caught, and suffer a miserable death...at the hands of a horrible, bloodthirsty Bergen! Floyd said

Hold on a second, are you scrapbooking my plan? Floyd asked pulling at his magenta hair

Uh-huh. Yeah. Almost... done!

We did it!

There will be no more...scrapbooking.

Do you have to sing? Clay asked. I always sing when I'm in a good mood Poppy replied. Do you have to be in a good mood? Floyd asked adding onto his brother's earlier question

Why wouldn't I be? By this time tomorrow, I'll be with all my friends! Oh, I wonder what they're doing right now Poppy said.

Probably being digested Branch said. They're alive, Branch. I know it! You don't know anything, Poppy. And I can't wait to see the look on your face...when you realize the world isn't all cupcakes and rainbows. 'Cause it isn't Clay said.

So grey all the time! What happened to you? Poppy asked

Shh Clay responded. A Bergen? Poppy asked afraid. Maybe Clay responded. There's no Bergen, is there? You just said that so I'd stop talking Poppy spoke looking at the messy lime green haired troll

Maybe.

No really What happened to you? Poppy said to Branch again causing his bottom lip to quiver Clay slid on his knees and pulled his brother into his arms running his hands through his brothers dark frosted blue hair.

Woah..... That's personal Poppy! Clay hissed

It was late that night that the brothers decided to stop for the night

So special. Good night, Cooper. Good night, Smidge. Good night, Fuzzbert. Good night, Satin. Good night, Chenille. Good night, Biggie. Good night, DJ. Good night, Guy Diamond. Good night, Creek. Boop.

And good night, Poppy Branch said annoyed.

Branch stayed close to his brothers lying next to Clay who was lying on his side away from Branch who was just on the ground tossing and turning it wasn't like he didn't want to sleep he just couldn't.

Hey you awake Branch asked gently kicking Clay's leg

I am now Clay said his voice laced with sleep Branch felt bad for waking his big brother

But almost immediately that sleepy look in his eyes disappeared as he saw that his little brother was close to tears. I'm sorry for waking you Branch said quietly and softly.

Hey it's okay Clay said just as softly as his little brother had apologized for waking him up. What's the matter Baby Branch

Do you think we'll be able to save Spruce Branch asked what if we're to late....... What if he's already gone?

Of course we'll save him I promise
But what if we can't? Oh Branch where's this coming from? Clay asked sliding on his knees again pulling his little brother closer I just can't help but think..... I'm scared of losing those I love..... My brothers.

We'll save him you want to know how I know ? Clay asked softly

We're brothers and you know what they sometimes say about brothers? Clay asked a his little brother shook his head. Sometimes their bond is like magic and if our love for one another is strong enough he'll be protected.

It's my fault If I didn't go chasing after you and let you all just walk away none of this would have happened

No Branch if you had just let us walk away the love we have for each other would be gone you saved us Spruce would agree

Branch Don't even think for one second that this is your fault his voice hardened slightly but it was still soft promise me you'll stop thinking this is because of you.

Branch..... Bad things happen...and there's nothing you can do about it we can only hope but I pinky promise we'll save Spruce but...... Branch interrupted. Do you trust me? Yeah Branch replied good so trust me when I tell you We'll save him we'll save Spruce. Clay said holding out his pinky finger which Branch linked with his own

As long as we're together nothing can tear and break us apart. He looked up at his little brother softly running his thumb on Branch's cheek

I love you Clay Branch said as Clay looked into his little brothers eyes which were still close to tears. I know Branch I love you too Clay said

Branch believed his brother that they would save Spruce in time but he still couldn't sleep but he knew Clay was fast asleep

Hey you awake Branch asked gently kicking Clay's leg again I am now Clay said his voice laced with sleep Branch once again felt bad for waking his big brother

I still can't sleep Clay smiled he knew what his baby brother was silently asking come here Branch! Clay said as his youngest brother crawled into his arms.

Safe and warm held in the arms of his big brother Branch slowly drifted off to sleep Clay seconds after.

The Mission to Bergen Town continued the next morning.