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What Comes Up Must Come Down

When they woke up the next morning, he and Grandma devised a plan on how to get out. At first they thought they could find a window to escape, because it's the easiest option, but they quickly realized that the whole time they were here there were hardly any windows. Even if there were any, none of them open and they would have to break them, and neither one of them are strong trolls to begin with. So that plan was a no go. 

The next plan they came up with was to just jump on one of the guards to escape. A much better plan but still has its flaws. For one they won't be able to get to the troll tree without a key, ignoring the fact they have to reach the handle to get to the keyhole, and that's what's stopping them from getting out of here. They can't leave Branch by himself, who knows what will happen, he's just a kid, he shouldn't be all alone in the world.

With this fact in mind they came up with a plan to go to the kitchen, and see if the chief was there or the keys preferably. Then steal it from right under her nose, and get out of here. All they need to do is to get there.

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They walked for what feels like forever, how did he not notice how far they traveled.

“Are we there yet?” He can't help but ask. He knows they're in danger but he is tired.

“I think we're about there.” Grandma said without turning around. 

Sure enough right there in front of him was the kitchen, door wide open. He mentally slaps himself in the face. How is he not noticing these things, he's not old, he's like thirteen. 

They both entered the kitchen with weariness, not sure if there's anyone in there or not. After checking if the coast was clear, they looked around. It didn't take long to find the key. There on one of the hooks was a key labeled “Troll Tree”. 

They walked up to the key, and used their hair to get up to it, then grab it. He smiled at his Grandma holding the key, they could finally go home. All of that shatters when he hears the door slam shut.

They both turned towards the door quickly only to see the Chief, with one eye covered in bandages.

“Well, well, well….” 

She slowly approaches them with a look of anger, and a hint of smugness.

“Look what the little troll dragged in.” 

She knew they were coming! How did she know they were coming?!

They slowly backed away from the chief as she came closer. Their backs hit the wall as they see the Chief reach out her hand to grab them. As the hand got closer Floyd noticed a shoot going down. He isn't sure if it was safe but it's probably their only exit.

He quickly pointed it out to his Grandma. She nodded her head seeing it, and they both ran. They both went in separate directions trying to get to the shoot. 

The chief was surprised by this sudden action, but quickly recovered and followed them. More specifically she chased after Floyd. He didn't notice this at first, but when he did, he ran faster than he ever did when he was late for a show. 

He ran and ran getting closer to the shoot. Until he was right there ready to jump down when the chief caught him. He let out a surprised screech as the chief brought him closer to her face.

“Got you” the chief said menacingly, smiling in a twisted way. “Now let's put you back-”

“FLOYD!”

His Grandma came out of nowhere and punched the chief, with her hair, in the back of her head. Causing the chief to stumble forwards and letting me go, directly above the shoot.

He managed to reach out his hair and catch the edge, and pulled himself up. But he lost the key while he was falling. Hearing a bit of a fight happening as he did. Once he managed to get to the top, he saw his Grandma and chief fighting.

His Grandma used her hair to throw things at the chief, while the chief desperately dodged and threw things right back. It was quite a showdown that he couldn't help but watch while he dangled off the edge of the shoot. 

This went on for several minutes, until the chief got the upper hand on Grandma, and managed to grab her and throw her near the shoot. He snapped out of the trance he was in and called out.

“GRANDMA!”

She didn't respond.

The chief walked closer to her, as he tried desperately to pull himself up, but he kept slipping. He watched the Bergen reach out to grab his Grandma, but at that moment he used his hair to pull her closer to him. But unfortunately the chief was quick and grabbed his Grandma. They both pulled hard as they held onto Grandma. 

He started to lose his strength and started to slip. But he held on not wanting to lose her. 

“Floyd.” He heard softly, and looked up to see his Grandma smiling softly at him. “Let go.”

He felt tears start to well up as he continued to hold on. “No!”

She moved her hands towards his hair and started loosening them up. His eyes widening as she does this. “What are you-”

She managed to make him let go but he grabbed hold of her hand. “Grandma?”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I'm sorry.”

She pried her hand out of his hair and he started to fall down the shoot.

“GRANDMA!”