The Protector of Plants (UIC 2023)

Chapter 11: That Explains It

Needed light is found

Finding light was harder than expected.

First of all, it was pitch dark. I could barely navigate around the house, much less be searching for stuff. Plus, I'm pretty sure we don't have any manually generated source of light in this house. No flashlights, nothing.

This was the first (technically second) time a blackout has happened in over a millenia. How are we supposed to prepare for something that hasn't happened for over a thousand years?

Not sure. Directions are unclear.

Still, I tried my best to search for any source of light. And I was using my phone to do so.

Wait... my phone? I look at it, then smack my head. I'm so dumb. How is it possible for me to be this brainless? Quickly, I navigate to the flashlight app and turn it on.

Now the room was pitch dark except for a bright spot of light coming out from my phone.

Using this new found light, I run over to find my parents. "Mom! Dad! I just remembered-" whatever I was planning to announce then faltered. "Oh. You already knew about the flashlight app. Nevermind."

"Are you sure we don't have a generator?" My Mom was asking my Dad. "Something that stores all the extra solar energy from the long summer hours?"

"Nope. You're the one who didn't think we should install a generator. We have a storage, but not a generator. Even if we had one, it would be connected to the power grid," Dad explained.

While my parents sorted that out, I snuck down into the garage. Once inside, I discreetly close the door behind me. Then I started to look for it.

It wasn't that hard. Just after glancing at the room, I was able to tell that Wyfi did indeed sprout another plant here. Right where the bags of soil were placed, there was a tiny sapling growing from there. How it managed to grow without anyone watering it was a mystery to me. But maybe that was a property of a lab-made plant.

The little sapling was glowing, just like Wyfi had when it caused a blackout. I went up to sapling-Wyfi and kneeled down, so it was eye level to me.

"Hey there little plant," I whispered to it, gently talking. "I see you've been pretty hungry."

"Food..." the little plant replied.

"Yes, but... don't you think you've had enough food for one night? How about you stop feeding on the electricity for tonight? How about tomorrow morning?" I asked.

"...Stop?" it repeated.

"Yeah. You seem pretty full from all that feasting."

The plant didn't say anything. "Okay." Soon, the glowing light of the sapling dimmed. Simultaneously, the light from the room started to brighten. Pretty soon, our house was full of power again.

A huge grin spread across my face. "Thank you little plant."

Even though the sapling didn't say anything, I could feel its pride and sense of accomplishment.

Just as I was staring at the plant, trying to observe its different features, the door immediately flew open. Standing behind it were my parents. My eyes widened and I backed up from the plant. But it was too late. They already saw it.

"Xeni... is that a plant?" Mom shrieked.

"Much less an Elezier?" Dad added.

I looked at both of them, knowing I couldn't lie anymore. The lies couldn't last forever. I let out a sigh, then met their eyes.

Looks like I have some explaining to do.