Separated by Cardboard//a fanfiction

The Big Busy Tree

"You know that, Julian?"
Julian snapped out of his trance, "Huh?"
"I said you're lucky, you know, getting to go off to the Big Busy Tree and all," responded Craig, one of the younger almonds who would get to go to the Big Busy Tree next spring.

In truth, the Big Busy Tree isn't a tree at all, it's a supermarket. Walmart to be specific. Only the almonds who were old and mature enough knew the truth about what Father Tree called "the Big Busy Tree." How it wasn't actually a tree, what would happen once they arrived there, and that they would be purchased by the Hungry Humans. Of course they weren't allowed to say any of the truth around the younger almonds, for they were too young to understand and it would ruin their heavenly mental image of the "tree."

Julian was shocked when he learned the truth about the "tree," as were the other almonds who were being taken there. He had a few days until he would be plucked off the tree, packed into a truck with a bunch of others, and taken to the horror house.
Julian faked a smile, "Yeah, i guess i am."
"Hey, what's wrong?" Craig asked, worried.
"Oh, nothing. Just nervous, is all."
"Don't be nervous, the Big Busy Tree is an amazing place."
"Yeah, i guess you're right. Thanks, Craig. Well, i guess i better get some shut eye. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Julian." Craig said, then closed his eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

Julian looked around at all the almonds getting picked from the tree. The humans would pick him eventually. What will it be like in the big, loud, metal cocoon? What will the Big Busy Tree be like? He'll have to wait until he got there.

"Ah, there's one. Cheeky little bugger." One of the humans said as he grabbed Julian from one of the branches.
Julian's heart jumped in his chest (what chest lol).
This is it. No more waiting for the day, for today is the day. He was going to be brought to the Big Busy Tree, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.
"Maybe it won't turn out as bad as some say." Julian kept telling himself, even though he knew it wasn't true. He was going to be bought and eaten, just like all the others. This is what he was born to do, destined to do. This is what the big almond in the sky had planned for him. There might not be anything he can do to stop the humans from taking him, but he was going to make the best of what little time he had left.