The Cuddle Pup pack walked through the forest, Emerson leading them to their new home after the tragedy that had happened the night before.

Ambrosia was at the back of the pack, her head low, as tears of sadness filled her bright green eyes.

"Help!" she suddenly heard in a shout, followed by the sound of crying. "Someone! Please help! I'm lost!"

The Cuddle Pup Mama turned her head towards the cries for help, her ears perking up to listen.

"Please! I just wanna go home!"

Her eyes widened at the sounds of the cries. She didn't recognize the sound of the creature that was making them, but she did know that whatever it was... it needed help.

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Branch sat in his shelter, crying hard, feeling lost and alone. He didn't even know why he wanted to go home. No one there cared about him. But he didn't want to be alone either. At least at the Troll Tree, he had others to talk to, even if the conversation were a bit one sided. Here... he was just alone... vulnerable to the dangers of the forest.

"Help..." he whispered through his sobs of fear and sadness.

Suddenly, a twig snapped, not that far away from him.

His head shot up, his eyes locking on a massive Cuddle Pup Mama standing just in front of him.

He gulped, quickly jumping to his feet, as the Cuddle Pup Mama looked at him confused. What was that little blue thing?

She slowly approached, sniffing to try and see if this creature was dangerous, but the little blue troll just whimpered softly, frozen in place.

This was the creature calling for help?

Branch looked up at the Cuddle Pup Mama, gazing into her eyes. He suddenly wasn't as scared anymore. Her eyes reminded him of his grandma, and how she used to look at him. Kind and caring. This creature... whatever it was... wasn't going to hurt him.

Sniffling slightly, Branch lunged himself forewords, hugging the Cuddle Pup Mama's leg.

She looked down at the little boy, and smiled, licking his face gently.

'You're just a young pup,' she said through what sounded to Branch as a series of barks and yips. 'Don't worry, little one. I will take care of you.'

Carefully, as to not harm or scare the child, she lifted him off of the ground by the strap of his little brown overalls, carrying him back to the pack.

(Drawing by littlekitty1346)