Leaf Whispers

Chapter 2

The next few days carried on with Liani and her family setting up the house and her parents busy with their work commitments. Her dad was working for a local mining company, mostly doing surveying work and monitoring how the work was progressing. Liani's mum got herself a job at a small grocery store in a little town that was about a 25 minute drive from the house. Meanwhile Liani was preparing herself for a return to school, both mentally and physically. It was holiday time for students, but only for a few more days. The thought of meeting new people again and finding where she fit in, or didn't was quite daunting. Though the school she'll be going to this time would be smaller than the last one, she could only hope that it might be better with others having more compassionate thoughts and actions towards her. To distract her from negative thoughts, Liani had decided she would take care of the garden. So many weeds needed seeing to and so much needed pruning.

As the day wore on, Liani had found she had got really lost in her thoughts and had achieved so much. What she saw in front of her actually looked like part of a garden instead of an alien jungle. It put her in a peaceful mood. Without much thought Liani found herself casually talking to the plants as she tended to them taking a casual stroll amongst them. She was quite pleased with the variety of plants that she discovered in this mostly forgotten garden. Plants had always brought her an untold peace. A quiet comfort.

Liani was always drawn to plants even as a small child. She grew up very quiet and contemplative. Called a dreamer, a strange child. Always a loner. People thought her fascination of plants stemmed from living in a rural community that had a fairly arid climate. Where vegetation was sparse. The largest plants were large cacti 'trees'. Even the few grasses were tough and often tufted. But the truth was that she saw more than everyone else. From how some plants 'followed' the sun, caught morning dew on their leaves or even the finer details such as fine geometric patterns or tiny 'hairs' that helped the plant survive in its harsh environment. Others just saw weird behavior of a child that just seemed to stare at plants. Something that Liani came to realise. It scared and confused her a little that others couldn't see or understand. Then there were her parents. Even though they gave her lots of love and support, she saw they were pained, mostly by the behavior of others. So she strived to hide her deep fascination and try to appear 'normal'. Which led her to books and another world. So still mostly a loner, just a little more 'normal'.

Would she find somewhere to fit in? Being alone had its perks but at times it was too much and the feeling of loneliness would always creep in. Especially as she grew older. Always quiet and reserved.

Liani went inside and cleaned herself up. Afterwards she went up to her room to look at her things for when she started school. Other than the usual things such as the bag, books, stationary, lunch box and water bottle, her parents had also bought her a new phone. She never had a need for one of these before. With all the changes it was another one. For her to contact her family if she needed them. Everything new. She wasn't sure about the phone though. Liani decided to just charge it and work it out later.

There wasn't much else she could see to do with everything else for school. Liani sat on her bed and sighed. Looked around her room, wondering what should she do next? It was still going to be hours before her folks got home. She turned and looked out her window to be greeted with a view of a blue sky, with not a cloud in sight. Getting up off of the bed she went to look out her window. Being in a second storey room meant that she could see over the garden, and see not too far in the distance what appeared to be a woodland or forest. It looked wonderful. As much as it could to Liani, being so far away. but as always she was always drawn to plants. The woodland sparked a curiosity and a yearning.

In that moment she decided that she would go for a walk and try to go and see this woodland up close. But first she needed lunch. Better not go for a walk on an empty stomach. She figured that it shouldn't take her too long to get there. She was only planning on seeing if she could get to it and just have a look. With her mind set up Liani set off downstairs.

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Every day seemed the same, to the untrained mind that is. Every day that sapling grew a little more, leaning towards the light. New leaves unfurled. Flower buds formed, flowers opened and closed. Petals or leaves dropped. Animals galore lived amongst them. From tiny mini beasts such as ants and beetles. To animals such as rabbits and foxes. Eating their fill and moving on. It was the cycle of life. A continuation. A different pace. That is what Chiara and her kind were used to. Mostly peaceful. Time seemed slow for some. They had seen so many seasons. Though there had been disturbances on the edge of the forest. It had started many cycles ago. The creature named human had started taking over. Clearing land to make more room for their food. Chiara pitied those plants that they consume. Eons of human harvest had changed them. Simplified them. Probably for the best. Yet unfortunately the humans wanted more food, meaning the forest was shrinking. More of Chiaras kin were disappearing. It was getting more noticeable. Lonelier even. Chiaras kind weren't known to worry about many things. But the continual cycle of life for their kind as well as many others was being threatened. It was up to them of greater minds to find a way to protect them. To save them.