An Encounter

14^th Feb, 2023

:a tired groan: Ah… it happened suddenly but not unexpectedly and now I’m sprawled here… I’m tired. I’ve felt something being wrong for a while now.

Oh, wow, it’s already dark out. Winter came quicker this year, somehow. The snow has already covered everything. Some would say ‘shrouded’ but I’m feeling simplistic tonight. I don’t want to overly complicate things.

Hmmm… The snow is starting again. There is no escaping it, but I don’t really care. I’m almost finished.

It’s very quiet. I like it. Ooooh, it feels so nice inhaling all this glacial air. … Glacial. Hah, and I though I wouldn’t be dramatic today. Hahaha, silly me. Of course I would fail. Hmmm, almost home now, just through the park.

How long have I been like this? Days, now. Maybe more. But at least I’m being noticed.

Wh… What’s that? … What is that? Can't see properly… Oh my god, it’s a monster. All twisted and black crouching in the snow. Oh my God, how did it get there? How am I going to get home? It’s right in my path!

Ah… she has caught sight of me as well. She’s afraid, I can tell. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t hurt you. I’m not a threat. I wish all of them took notice of me before I seemed like one. Before I resembled something sinister.

I can’t move. My feet won’t budge. It’s enormous and sinewy and has all those twisted limbs. Oh God, I’m so afraid… Somebody, help me.

She is positively petrified. I feel for her. But like all the others her eyes will adjust to the dark and she, too, will find her fear unfounded.

It’s not even moving. Maybe it’s dead?

:another tired groan: Ahhh… Almost done…

I want to see what it is, if it moves I’ll run as fast as my short feet can carry me.

That’s it, sweetheart. Conquer your fears. Come a little closer. I don’t bite.

Oh. … Oh, no.

Ah, yes. The realization sets in.

It’s a tree. Oh, Mr. Tree, what happened to you? Why are you on the ground in the snow? I feel like a proper fool, thinking a monster from fables and fairy-tales would suddenly appear in a park near my flat. But this tree… The base of the trunk gave in, it broke.

This young human is braver than the rest. She’s actually touching my decaying body. I can barely feel the sensation, still it is unmistakable. Hm, what’s this? She looks so...forlorn. Is that a tear? For me?

I’m sorry, Mr. Tree.

Thank you for morning my sudden and now inevitable passing. Nobody else did. Though many noticed me, you saw me.

:sobs: I wish you had more time. Goodbye, for now.

Her footsteps are getting fainter… :groans: I’m so tired.

:silence: