Quote:
Flowers are blooming at an incredible place across the city and sometimes barren patches of grass can be overrun with flowers overnight. There have been heavy showers and a high pollen count but there doesn’t appear to be any other explanation. It is not uncommon to find trees with nearly double the leaves they usually have, with vines twisting up houses, flowers covering the front yard, or local fruits to have doubled in size. There doesn’t seem to be any negative effects to this; scientists are questioning climate change.
Myles was, by far, among the least educated on all things science-y. He listened with rapt attention but was quick to believe what anyone told him, especially if he trusted them or if they seemed like they were some responsible authority figure. When he'd come home from volunteering at the Star Festival last night, swinging around the pretty little keychain he'd gotten from them to add to his collection, there was grass in front of the apartment building he was in. There was a tree that looked like it had seen better days; the bark was peeling off and the leaves were sparse, but it was a rough neighborhood and nothing looked nice.
When he stepped out the next day, the grass was full of yellow and purple flowers that he supposed were weeds, but they were pretty enough that he could have been fooled if anyone had told him otherwise.
The tree was the most surprising; the thinning branches and tired looking leaves had been that way for months, if not years. It was barren in winter and every spring looked like it came back with fewer and fewer leaves.
But today?
It was covered in leaves. Not just more leaves--but bigger leaves. Brighter leaves, more colorful and vivid.
Curiosity had compelled him to investigate and he walked over to touch the leaves. They were cool and slick, full of water. Even the bark on the tree seemed healthier, like all the parts that had chipped off had grown back twice as strong.
The air smelled cleaner. As Myles walked down the sidewalk he realized it wasn't just the plants in front of his apartment--it was everywhere he looked.
He had to wonder if the city had used some new fertilizer because--if they were?--it was amazing.
But it wasn't just the little things--the park almost took his breath away.
The little local park had trees that must have shot up a few feet because he felt like a little kid again, looking up at their towering points. The shrubbery was thick and dense and made him wonder if he'd crawled into the bushes if it would leave to some mystical world.
...There were blackberries, too. Big, thick, blackberries, in a hidden patch. He'd found them a few years ago, but there was never more than a handful that seemed to grow. But now?
He wasn't thinking clearly, especially considering that he was just mulling over what super fertilizer the city must be using; he plucked one of the many blackberries peppering the bush to examine it. It was almost the size of a golf ball.
Myles looked at it for a moment.
And then he ate it, whole, with no hesitation.
It was sweet, and bitter, and perfect, and like a child he found himself reaching for more.
He must have eaten a few good handfuls of blackberries before he questioned if he should be doing it, but rationing things out wasn't his forte--and they were delicious.
...And he wanted more.
He wanted to make a pie, only he had absolutely no idea how to cook one.
...But if ever there was a time to try, it was now. He lingered for a moment, completely forgetting what he was supposed to do today, and instead hurried home to get a basket to collect them.
