Dr. Faris, exhausted and disheartened by a long and trying day, reclined beneath the sprawling canopy of an ancient pine tree in his yard. His hands formed a pillow beneath his head as he closed his eyes, immersed in a vigilant reverie of the ambient sounds surrounding him.
Faris had recently assumed the role of head of clinical research, and he shared a deep friendship with Agent Sarin. While they had rarely been at odds, their current disagreement was pivotal. Sarin remained skeptical of Faris's unyielding belief in the sentience of trees, and Faris was determined to prove him wrong. His conviction in the existence of intelligent greenery remained unshaken, yet he found himself without a fresh lead. It had been a considerable time since his first encounter with the giant green presence he had known since childhood, and he yearned for another conversation.
"Ah! An entire afternoon spent here, and still, not a word," Faris muttered to himself, his frustration palpable. "What more must I do to coax you into speaking with me again?"
With a sigh, he rose to his feet and leaned against the aged, gnarled trunk of the tree. "Come on! Say something!" he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.
Then, seemingly out of thin air, a solemn and contemplative voice resonated around him.
"I remember the last time we talked, you said my words are too vague. And knowing that, you expect me to bother talking once more?"
Faris's eyes widened in astonishment as he glanced upward, his gaze fixed upon the verdant expanse of branches overhead.
"Am I dreaming? Are you truly speaking to me?" he stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"Indeed, I am," the voice replied, its tone both sympathetic and measured. "But there is a compelling reason behind my decision."
The tree paused for a moment, the air heavy with suspense, before continuing its discourse. "Humanity is hurtling towards its own demise at an alarming pace, and yet, some of my fellow flora and I are not content with the annihilation of your kind. While some argue that the extinction of humanity would benefit both fauna and flora, I have learned over countless years that imbalance eventually leads to catastrophe."
Dr. Faris, still captivated by the unusual encounter, circled the tree as though seeking to uncover the source of this enigmatic communication. "It was not solely our decision," the voice from the tree continued, almost rambling. "Other beings are aligned with us, which is fortunate."
"Very well, but why have you chosen this moment to speak to me again?" Faris inquired, his curiosity piqued.
The voice emanating from the ancient pine replied, "I have already told you, the situation is dire. If we do not act swiftly, it may soon be too late. I do not wish for your generation to be humanity's last. I warned you about the ominous shadow."
Growing increasingly impatient, Faris pressed further. "What ominous shadow? What are you talking about?"
The voice from the towering pine became more distinct. "The earth trembles with discontent, the winds whisper concern, and the flames burn with fury. I have heard that only running water can quell this threat. Though you often do not heed our counsel, this time, a grave danger looms. The region you have constructed with iron and concrete, what you call a 'city,' is under siege. A horde of mutated, infected creatures has emerged from the fringes of civilization and is on a relentless march toward the forested park area, headed for your city. If you do not confront this menace promptly..."
Without hesitation, Dr. Faris sprinted through the garden's glass door and towards his home, his heart pounding with a newfound urgency.
The branches of the ancient pine swayed in the turbulence of the air, resembling the graceful hands of dancers. "In truth, I do not harbor an overwhelming concern for humanity," the voice confessed. "My desire is for you to survive."
"Please, Faris, stay alive for my sake. I want to witness you grow old beneath my shade, to see your children and grandchildren thrive. I yearn for the enduring companionship of your intelligence. Stay alive, dear Faris."
P.S.:
Hello everyone, I am a writer and manga artist currently working on this piece. In the future, I will share my artwork, piece by piece, for all to enjoy. Constructive critiques are welcome, but please be gentle.
Here is a link to the picture comic (manga) I'm creating, feel free to visit, comment, subscribe, and more:
