It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

by Acantha

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The tree curled possessively around the entrance, creaking hugely in the oppressive silence. I shivered. In the canopy above, the leaves did the same.

You have come, the tree said. I have waited for you.

“Yes,” I replied, and added, a bit lamely, “Sorry for the delay.”

It is no matter. The tree creaked again, roots shifting minutely. The crumbling masonry protested, sending a shower of cracked stone and rotten mortar tumbling down around me.

You have made the necessary preparations?

I glanced back over my shoulder to the still-smoking altar, to the dying smudge of blood and sage and ash. The hot designs traced across my skin were already drying. The smell of it was everywhere.

“Yup.” I looked toward the tree and laid a hand on its closest root. “In case I don’t come back, you should know: I love you.”

I know.

“Do you love me?”

I do not. I cannot. I am a tree.

“True.” I looked down into the cool blackness before me. “Right. That settles that.”

I stepped forward and down into darkness.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 5 months ago

    Wow! Great story based on this picture! I think you could take this idea and run!

  2. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 5 months ago

    Oh, and congratulations on your first ficlet!

  3. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    Storykeeper of Fae's Buddy Icon Storykeeper of Fae

    Posted 5 months ago

    I ADORE THIS . One, I have a thing for trees. This one is AMAZING . And I love that you used it as a character.
    LoA

  4. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    Culture Shock w/ Mike Schwartz's Buddy Icon Culture Shock w/ Mike Schwartz

    Posted 5 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    But trees can love… didn’t you ever read “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein as a kid? Nevertheless, I like this story… very unique…

  5. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 5 months ago

    thought of the Ents with this, tree with personality very cool,well told, yo have a way with fantasy i cannot master and were of he same age.

  6. It's Too Bad Trees Can't Lie

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 5 months ago

    thought of the Ents with this, tree with personality very cool,well told, yo have a way with fantasy i cannot master and were of he same age.

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