Chapter Text
I woke up with the sun's light in my face. I groan sitting up making sure to not fall off the tree, that I temporarily stayed on. I untied the rope that was tied around my ankle. I look down the tree to see around 5 'monsters' sleeping at the bottom of the trunk.
A bit of a history lesson for you, dear reader- the world was normal. Pollution, climate change and all those issues were around; apparently the world had enough. A phenomenon occurred and every type of vegetation started to rapidly increase in size to abnormal sizes. Far bigger than any house. Some of the already taller trees grew way past hotels and apartments. The ocean basically isn't a thing- it's just very muddy patches of mud nowadays.
This obviously sent humanity into a distressed state. Everyone's main focus went from getting to work or to school, to finding their family and sticking together. They thought that they could wait it out and that eventually the plants would return to normal size. After about 3 months of waiting and nothing happening, they split into two groups. The groundlings and the treelings.
Groundlings were usually filled with people who were either scared of heights, couldn't climb or people who preferred to stay on the ground.
Treelings were filled with people who chose to accept this phenomenon and decided to live within trees.
The two groups both got along rather well. Groundlings traded food for materials that could only be found higher up. It was a peaceful system that over the following year people got used to following.
Then the unbelievable happened. A mutation occurred to the wild life. Their bones stretched out, pulling, stretching and tearing at the animals skin. The animals proportions became completely wrong.
Birds went from small companions to creatures the size of a human that lost their ability to fly. Their wings completely useless and limp, with tears and bones covering their wings. Eyes blow wide, beak sharp and pointed. The skin of the creature clung to it's bones.
A similar occurred happened to every single animal.
The animals became aggressive and would attack anything on sight apart from organisms that contained the mutation.
The groundlings were hit hard. Basically 90% of groundlings died, were it was due to bleeding out or something much more gruesome like being eaten alive, or torn apart. The other 10% retreat into the trees and got rescued by Treelings which took them in with open arms.
It was discovered that these monsters couldn't climb trees so society began to thrive as best as it could off the ground. Overtime, an issue arose. Food shortages with no way to get food apart from going down onto the ground. The people decided to create roles that people would fall into; these would be based on the person's ability and what they would be till they got seriously injured, aged or died. There were 4 main roles:
Scavengers, people who would go down the trees and gather food.
Healers, people who would help the injured or sick.
Protectors, people who are strong and would fight back the monsters when going down with the scavengers.
And finally, the weak, people who didn't fit into any of the categories and are just normal people.
Being a part of 'the weak' would seem like a good choice since you didn't have to risk your life. However, it was one of the worst things that you could be placed in. You were treated as garbage and occasionally had a chance to be used as a sacrifice to lure away monsters. It was tragic.
Today, the rules are still the same, but 'the weak' are actually treated slightly better than before. I personally, keep away from any sort of society in general due to the amount of problems surrounding it.
I rolled up the rope and put it over my shoulder before standing up and climbing further up the tree towards the top. The further up I got, the more prominent the wind was. Once I got to the top I looked over the tops of the trees and could see a bunch of civilisations in the distance.
I closed my eyes and felt the breeze go through my hair. The breeze was gentle yet strong at the same time. Honestly, if I didn't have a good grip on a branch, I might have fallen off. Key word, might. A small smile creeps up onto my face as I feel the corners of my lips twitch upwards at the calming feeling.
I let out a sigh before opening my eyes, setting my sight on a close civilization and making a quick map in my head of how to get there. I'll have to be careful though, rumours being going around about how these places that were once considered safe have started to be attacked. No one knows what's causing this, or when this started, but I should be careful.
I quickly hopped down the branches onto the branch that I started out on before walking along it and making my away between the entangled branches, in the direction of where I saw the closest civilization. While making my way from one branch onto another, I hear my stomach rumble which sets an uncomfortable feeling within myself.
"Fuck I'm hungry." I thought as I set my bag down and leaned it against the trunk of the tree that I was currently on. I looked through it only to find that the only food I had left had gone bad. "Ew." I tossed the food over the side of the branch before putting my bag back on and slighting hurrying towards the place, now a bit more desperate to get there.
"I better have something decent that I can trade in for food or else I might as well kill myself." A frown was plastered on my face as the empty feeling of my stomach got worse with each passing second. I groaned before stopping and tying the rope around a stable part of the branch as I slowly made my way down it. "Fuck it. If I die, I die." I thought as I felt my feet touch the moist grass, sending a shiver down my spine.
There was a couple of bushes around but they seemed to be cleared out. "Scavengers..." I thought, making my way to a bush and looking through it too see if they missed a couple of fruit deeper down into the bush. The action was repeated for all surrounding bushes but to no avail, every last fruit was cleared out and taken. "...for fucks sake!" I say rather loudly, and kick a rock out of frustration in a random direction.
A low growl caught my attention. I turned around and quickly climbed half way up the rope and pulled it up after me as I saw one of the monsters enter the area I was just at.
The thing was magnificent. I watched it move and search for something that wasn't there anymore. Watched the way its skin stretched with each movement, threatening to tear and rip. Watched blood drip down its flesh. Watched the way I could see its bones and muscles through certain torn areas. Watched its blood thirsty gaze scan the area. Watched it feeling completely mesmerized by it.
I felt the corners of my lips twitch upwards as I watched it before a voice snapped me out of my daze and I felt myself getting lifted by the rope being pulled up.
"Kid! You shouldn't be dangling above one of those things! It's dangerous!"
I heard the voice call out as I took one final glance at the beauty of the monster before glancing back up and climbing further up the rope, back up to the branch.
Notes:
also don't expect chapters to be added regularly since I need ideas and motivation to write but if I had to say anything most updates will probably be on the weekends.
also feel free to point out any small mistakes or tell me what I could improve but if you do don't be mean about it.
Chapter 2: getting introduced
Chapter Text
I climbed up to the top of the rope to be met with the sight of a girl that was definitely older than 13 but younger than 18. She had soft tanned skin with freckles covering her cheeks and shoulders. Her eyes were one of amber and her hair had the colour of the earth. She didn't look at me instead focused on rolling up my rope as she spoke about something that I couldn't quite make out.
If I'm being honest she looked rather-
"Hey are you paying attention?"
Her voice rang out, cutting off my thought process. She looked at me seemingly frustrated about something. I just blinked at her, having no clue what she was on about.
"I asked about your name."
She chucked the now neatly rolled up rope at me and crossed her arms, slightly raising an eyebrow, awaiting my reply. The reply never came. I just slowly blinked and shifted in place on the branch. "Not much of a talker huh?"
She said looking me up and down, seeming thinking about something. "Can you talk?" I shook my head, clenching and unclenching my fists under her gaze. I felt as If she saw right through me. As if she knew everything about me. As if she was a threat-
The sound of my stomach rumbling startled me. I felt my cheeks warm up, feeling embarrassed. "Well someone's hungry." She teased as she rolled her eyes. "Come. The scavengers just got back from gathering food and my people just got a fresh batch."
'my people?' I thought. 'must be someone of power then.' before I could think anymore I felt my wrist being grabbed and dragged away by the mystery girl. I tilted my head looking at her, trying to see her expression.
"I'm Kate by the way. You?"
She suddenly said as if she knew I was looking at her. I looked ahead at where she was dragging me to. "Right- you can't speakkk..." She said slightly dragging the 'k'. She seemed uncomfortable by her tone of voice but I can't be certain. Others emotions are rather confusing. "I'll just call you fruit for now."
'fruit? That's certainly a new one.' I let out a small huff of amusement and just barely nodded my head in acknowledgement of the new name. That seemed to amuse her as I saw her lips twitch upwards into a barely noticeable smile.
Before I knew it the feeling of branches against my feet turned into Planks of smoothed down wood. I looked down and saw us standing on a platform. Kate let go of my wrist and grabbed a rope and started to pull us up. The sudden movement nearly threw me off my feet before I quickly regained my balance. 'a lift?' I looked around the surroundings, I saw children jumping around on the branches higher up. I think that they're children at least.
I felt the platform shake a bit as it came to an abrupt stop which almost caused me to loose my footing. I heard a small laugh and looked up to see Kate looking at me covering her mouth with her hand. I felt my cheeks grow red again. She started to walk off the platform to which I quickly followed behind her looking slightly down towards the floor.
She suddenly stopped and started talking to someone. I looked around my surroundings feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people looking at me. I tensed up looking back down at the ground while shuffling slightly closer to Kate. She seemed to notice my awkwardness as she quickly finished her conversation and got some food before grabbing my wrist and dragging me off somewhere. 'i need to stop being dragged around.' I thought, trying to keep up the pace with her but she was rather quick on her feet.
Kate stopped in front of a house and opened the door before entering the house dragging me in behind her. I stood still looking at her, watching her close the door. "Welcome to my house. Go sit at the table while I prepare you some food." I nodded and looked around before spotting the table and sitting down at it.
I looked around taking in the interior of the house. She had a soft white carpet which looked to be knitted out of silk. She had family photos hung up on the walls. They all looked old and there was none of her. 'must be from before.' i looked over all the photos before continuing to look around. I looked towards the kitchen where I saw her washing the fruit in a bucket. Her house was rather organised and tidy. I kept looking around with my gaze constantly snapping to the same places over and over since there wasn't a lot to see from my angle.
"Oi! Focus!"
I snap my attention to Kate who is now in front of me with her arms crossed. There also now is a couple of berries on the table. She sits down opposite me. "So... Kid." She starts speaking, "do you have a place to stay?" I shake my head and grab a couple of berries before putting them into my mouth. Her expression seemed to have softened for a second but I couldn't tell properly. It was gone before I could properly process it.
"You can stay with me for the time being then. I live alone and having company doesn't seem that bad." She said sounding slightly reluctant. I could feel her looking at me with unspoken words. "...and you are a kid. Easy prey for the creatures." She mumbles before letting out a sigh and standing up. I felt her ruffle my already messy hair. I looked up at her. She had a tiny smile on her face. "Eat up kid. You seem starved." She said before walking into a room that was out of my view.
I turned my attention back to the fruit in front of me after a bit. The fruit was a simple couple of berries. Enough to make sure you don't starve but not enough to fill you up. I slowly ate each berry one at a time. The flavour was rather sour and unappetising but it was better than nothing at all.
Once I finished the berries I picked the plate up and wandered into what seemed to be the kitchen. I placed the plate onto the counter before continuing to look around the place. There was a decent amount of small plants and flowers on windowsills that are scattered around the house. There were a majority of black dahlias but they were barely noticeable in the waves of colour near it.
"Oi, fruit, I set out a place that you can sleep for now." I turned my head to see Kate standing in the doorway to the kitchen. "You look tired and it's getting late. So, if I were you I'd go to sleep by now." She said as she avoided looking in my direction. I just nodded before walking past her and stopping and turning back to look at her with a raised eyebrow, asking a silent question. "Right- next floor, last room on the left." She quickly responded as she walked fully into the kitchen.
I headed upstairs to see what 'my room' would be. I opened the door to see two small blankets on the floor with a pillow at the top of the first one. I closed the door behind me and placed my things against the wall before getting under the first blanket and laying on the second with my head on the pillow. There was a small window closer to the ceiling which was letting light into the room. I started up at the ceiling before dozing off after a seemingly long while.
Chapter 3: a place to call my own
Notes:
TW - fires, death, swearing, gore, gruesome description, blood.
tell me if anything should be added to that because I don't know if I mentioned everything.
overall, just prepare yourself since this is a bit of a disturbing (?) chapter.
Chapter Text
By the time I woke up, it was hot. like very hot. I took off the blanket that Kate provided with the makeshift bed but it just felt hotter. I opened my eyes whilst sitting up only to be met with a small orange hue to the room and the smell of something burning.
I instantly stood up and left the room and onto the small area by the stairs, looking down into the main area of the house. I couldn't see that much apart from a stronger and brighter orange hue from where I stood.
I gripped the railing of the stairs as I rushed down them, only to slow as I saw the slight in front me.
through the window I saw a fire that spread across the whole of the area. 'what the fuck...' I thought as I came to a stop on the bottom step with my hand now practically loose on the railing. 'what the actual fuck happened overnight.' I took the final step onto the ground floor and slowly walked towards the door my hand trembling as I reached for door handle.
opening the door I was met with a horrific sight. houses being burnt, faint screaming that apparently my brain is only now registering. 'shit, Kate.' I turned back around and started to look through the house searching for her. 'did she say she was going anywhere in the morning? she would've woke me up if that was the case- no. no she wouldn't have. would've told me to sleep more most likely with how she acted last night. or maybe...? I don't know!'
I throw open the door to the final room in the house, only be met with another room without Kate. I quickly rush down the stairs and out the door following a path where the fire didn't reach. I tried ignore the screams of people as some run past me. 'where is she? where am I? why am I looking for her.' I pause in my tracks looking at nothing in particular.
'I don't even know her. she's just another stranger that took me in. I should be running like these people... so why am I still looking?' my gaze snaps as I hear a loud scream and watch a building collapse. 'oh my fucking god- I'm gonna be sick.' I cover my mouth, feeling myself, as I catch sight of arm sticking out under the house that collapsed, its skin burnt in some area with the clothes being practically melted into the skin. 'I'm fine- I'm fine-'
I tear my gaze away and start looking for Kate again- or am I? I don't know anymore. everything feels like a blur, I can hardly tell where I am or what's around me. its like I'm being burnt alive. everything's too hot but I'm still shaking. I can feel myself digging my nails into my palms. when I start that? My body's moving on its own at this point. Like the once free puppet which cut its strings got caught in a new pair of strings.
there's people all around. some running from the ever growing flames, others trying to help others, some being selfish and thinking about themselves; then again. who wouldn't? [REDACTED]'s usually selfish, and yet its walking towards the core of the fire. ironic, right? the once cruel and greedy [REDACTED] now mindlessly heading straight to its death. as entertaining as this is, it can't die yet.
I feel my body pause as I take upon the slight in front of me. 'Kate.' she's helping out everyone else. running from house to house trying to get people out. I cough into my arm the smoke in my lungs finally taking effect. I walk towards her trying to grab her wrist only to feel my hand pass through her. 'what-?' I stare at my hand and where her wrist should be in my hold, feeling my breath quicken as tons of thoughts swarm my head.
I slowly look up at her, she's still helping others and completely ignoring me. I look around at everything. 'was that there before? did it look like that before?' I pay closer attention to my surrounding the smoke that's settling into my lungs making my breaths short and shallow. everything distorted. houses looking like they don't belong there, people faces blurred, the path here being the only thing not on fire.
"...this cant be real." I mutter out with a small shaky smile forming on my face. "this has to be fake! I'm just loosing my mind!" a dry laugh escapes my throat as I slowly but surely watch Kate become more and more distorted to the point where if I looked close enough she could resemble one of those monsters. one of the animals of the forest.
I take a step back watching as everything blurs and distorts before turning around-
[REDACTED] looked at its house...? frozen in place. its parents burnt bodies standing in the doorway with welcoming smiles on their faces. [REDACTED]'s breath quickened, the side of its shirt slowly but surely having a stain of blood spreading, growing bigger as the cut on its side widened. its hand reached up to touch the side only to come back covered in blood.
its hand covered its mouth as rotten berries come out its mouth. the second the berries catch [REDACTED]'s eye, it instantly drops them and back away from everything, tripping over its feet and falling onto its ass as its eyes remain glued to the now fresh bright green berries on the floor.
its core beating hard against its rib cage. the blood from its side now slowly falling onto the ground as its parents take a couple steps towards it. the dry soil crunches under their feet which causes [REDACTED] to get up and run through the forest, pushing past the bushes and plants of the ground. panic fills it as they continue to run...
and run...
and run...
and run deeper into the forest, or closer to the edge of the forest? who am I kidding. the forest doesn't end, otherwise this wouldn't be called a Forever Forest.
blood dripped from its side, yet it didn't seem affected by it. its feet pattered against the ground as a loud growl echoed from behind them. that caused it to freeze, almost falling over again due to the sudden stop. [REDACTED] stayed frozen for a bit before slowly turning around looking up at what once would've been a squirrel but now was just a hallow shell of it.
kid.
the squirrel's once fluffy tail could now be mistaken as one of a rat's. its nails- or well what used to be its nails- was its bones, sharp and pointed. its jaw was popped out of place and hanging down from where it used to once rest. the squirrel's skin was now raw with practically no hair on it. its bones visible through the tears and rips in its skin where blood still actively poured from. it had the bones of its spine piercing the skin on its back.
kid.
the squirrel's eyes were trained on [REDACTED]. the squirrel towered over it. [REDACTED]'s eyes were filled with a strong fear and under that fear a deep sense of fascination.
kid!
the squirrel reacted to a twig snapping before-
"oi kid!"
I woke up Kate holding my shoulders looking at me with an attempt to conceal a worried expression as I slowly caught my breath after whatever that was.
Daina_dep001 on Chapter 2 Thu 04 Sep 2025 05:52PM UTC
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