I Had A Brother...

Chapter 4

Velvet couldn't sleep that night.

She lay awake facing the ceiling... She could hear the low menacing growls of the Bandersnatch. Velvet didn't know if the thing was near her window, or if she was just imagining everything....

But that wasn't the only thing going through her mind...Her entire conversation with her dad replayed over and over again...

How long had it been since she heard his voice? Too long maybe. She hated that she missed it...She hated that she missed him...

Velvet turned on her side covering her head with a pillow... He sounded worried, sounded like he was looking for her... like he had been looking for them the entire time.

He's with your mother now, Vaughn had said about her brother. He had found him, he had found her brother and had been searching for her all these months. But she can't go back...she wouldn't go back. Velvet tossed and turned being unable to sleep, unable to close her eyes. One thing was for sure, she needed to run. She needed to run and get out of there...

"Is that thing still out there?" Floyd asked Branch, joining him on the edges of the Bergen wall. The brothers glanced out to see the Bandersnatch pacing back and forth just outside the Bergen walls. Guards were placed all around the perimeter around the clock.

"Yep. Still growling and prowling. The Trolls are using the under ground tunnel to come in and out. Bergens are too afraid to walk out."

"That thing is owned by someone."

"What?" Branch arched an eyebrow, what gives you that idea?"

"I noticed a collar around its neck. More like a sort of tracker."

"So.... Someone sent it? After Velvet. I don't get it." Branch turned to look at his brother, "Why go after an ex pop star? A fraud basically."

"Your guess is probably as good as mine."...

The Trolls turned to make their way back to the Bergen castle, when they noticed a shadow moving about outside one window. The moonlight illuminated her green hair, the purple beanie she had on... Velvet.

"Where is she going?" Floyd quickened his pace, Branch at his heel calling out to him, telling him to stop.

Velvet swung her bag over her shoulder. She figured in the Bandersnatch was at the far end of town, she'd sneak off the opposite direction, hoping she could sneak by without any detection. Velvet packed everything she could. Anything that would help her get a couple of days away from Bergentown. Where she was going, she wasn't sure herself, she just needed to leave. She secured her brother's beanie safely around her head as she began climbing the Bergen wall. Velvet had to hurry before guards come to patrol this side of the wall.

Securing the rope she began to climb and climb...the only exit being the front of Bergentown. When she got to the top, she could see that forest surrounding the back. Perfect. It was perfect for her to hide in if she was pursued. Quickly glancing around her she reeled up the rope and tossed over the other side to make her way back down...

"Where are you going?" She heard a voice call out. Velvet turned around to find two little Trolls standing amongst the stone of the wall.

"Beat it! I'm out of here." She murmured.

"Okay bye." Branch turned around to walk away, Floyd holding back by the arm.

"Oh no! No you don't. That thing is out there obviously trying to get you. Someone is out there trying to get you. You're staying here where it's safe." Floyd demanded.

Velvet scoffed turning to the small Troll, "Don't you think that thing is gonna figure out how to get in! Once it does, we're all in trouble. I just need to go. I can't stand it here!" She tossed the rope over the ledge securing it tightly.