On a sunny morning, the sound of cicadas humming could be heard as the first signs of spring begin to show. Under the sun's light resides a small house, modest yet dutifully cared for. The door opens as a young man steps out. He is dressed in a T shirt, shorts and a large sun hat atop his head. He takes a deep breath, the fresh air reaching his lungs. "Nothing is better than enjoying nature at its purest. I wonder if Sam will come over to talk about his books later..." Gabe wonders to himself out loud, a smile filled with nostalgia on his face as he remembers their first meeting. Sam sure was unique with the pile of books in his bag and frazzled hair he never seemed to comb. If Gabe wasn't such a large kid back then, those bullies sure would have added Sam to a list of unfortunate students. "Well, time to go see my little buds!"
Picking up the watering can by his feet, Gabe heads on over to His garden. If there was one thing that Gabe liked to do more than hanging with Sam and Going outside, It would be tending to his plants. Squatting down, Gabe, with his ever present sunny smile, chats with his plants. "Hello there Amot, looking shiny as ever. And Gin, look how big you have grown! Now where is- oh?" Gabe pauses as his eyes land on a root he was sure did not belong in his garden. Putting on the gloves holstered to his belt, Gabe wraps his hand around the strange invader. "I do not know how you got here, but don't worry, I'll plant you somewhere else." Gabe begins to tug at the root, however, it seems he has underestimated how deep this root really went, as it was not budging.
"Hmmm. you sure are a tough one. But, that's why I have tools after all." Gave then uses his spade to soften the soil surrounding the root, careful not to damage both it and the plants nearby. "Hup! There we go!" With a grunt of effort, The root is pulled from its earthen tomb. "Oh dear..." Gabe recoils slightly from the root. The plant looks a dark shade of purple and seems to loop around itself, likely the sickliest plant has seen so far. Gabe places the plant in a pot as he says, "It seems like this one might need some more care before being planted. Though I wonder what kind of plant you are?"
After his morning routine in his garden, Gabe returns to the shack with the potted plant in hand. He sets it on his desk and grabs a book. The Botany book, a gift from Sam, Is creased from how often Gabe had to use it. The hours tick by as Gabe flips through the pages, yet none seem to match the plant in front of him. Sighing from fatigue, Gabe shuts the book and heads to his bed. He looks towards the enigmatic plant once more as he thinks to himself "I wonder what it is like to be a tree? to stand so tall in the wind, protecting the smaller plants from its wrath."
Soon enough, Gabe enters a deep sleep. The purple plant suddenly begins to twitch. A vine like root emerges from the pot, with three more following suit. The vines slowly inch towards Gabe, like pythons stalking prey. They soon cover Gabe from head to toe, his bed now a tangled mess of plant life. And like that, Gabe slept in his own bed in the safety of his world for the last time.
"Man, I slept wonderfully last night! but why is it still dark?" Gabe's first thoughts on his sleep were overshadowed by how not a single strand of sunlight seems to appear in his vision. In fact, he does not even see his cabin like abode or anything for that matter. "What's going on!? was I kidnapped!?" Fear begins to well up in Gabe at the thought of being taken from his house. It didn't help that he also felt constrained. Struggle with all his might, Gabe tries to move his arms. After some time he feels that one of his arms breaks through his confines. "YES! I can get out of here!" Elated by being so close to freedom, Gabe redoubles his efforts and sure enough his second arm breaks through. Gabe feels around for something to hold his weight, and, after getting his palms in position, begins to push.
Gabe feels that his body is slowly rising up. Sunlight hits his eyes as his head and torso erupt from his confines. "AGH! why is it so bright!?" Gabe shields his face from the sun as his vison returns to him. He freezes in shock however at what he sees. Two log like appendages appear before his vison, with branch like fingers at the end of each one. Gabe tries to lower his arms and to his surprise, the wooden arms move. Shock now beginning to fade, Gabe looks down to see that his body is also bark like. He knocks on his abdomen, getting a hollow thumping sound in response. "What is this?" Gabe paused at how hollow and wispy his voice sounded. "Well, sitting here won't get me answers. oh hey, a lake. Perfect!" Spotting the body of water north of him, Gabe tries to move towards it. He wobbles a bit, unused to how hollow his wooden feet feel. After a couple of shaky steps, he finally reaches his destination and peers over.
"GOOD LORD!"