Parallel Differences DRAFT

Chapter 11: The Seed That Sprouted Too Quickly

Maya Reece
School Rooftop

I concentrate on my hand. There was something I have to show Caine. He has to know something about it.

<A few days ago>

The garden bed sets up beautifully as I snap a photo from my phone.

"One point for team Maya! Zero for the dodgeball club."

I notice an unpleasant weed sticking out of the soil bed and go to locate the stem cutters.

"There you are."

As I reach down for the cutters, a shadow envelopes the whole rooftop.

Is someone behind me?

I turn around with the stem cutters as a weapon of defence.

I drop the stem cutters.

In front of me is a massive oak tree.

"How did it grow this fast?"

Is someone messing with me?

I approach the tree, trembling with fear as it might explode or something dangerous may happen if I make contact with it.

"How the hell did you grow so quickly?"

I notice someone with a cap standing behind the rooftop door. They also see me looking in their direction and take cover against the rooftop exit.

"Wait!"

I try to run over when the atmosphere around me feels still. I observe my surrounding and realise everything is frozen.

The birds in the sky were not moving and I could not feel a gust of wind.

I hear the door slam behind me and let out a shriek as I fall to the ground.

I bring my palm closer to my face and notice the blood pouring droplet from the side of my hand.

Who was up here with me?

I stand up when two students burst through the door and I let out a quiet scream from the sudden shock.

One of the students was an old friend of mine named Caine, he has black hair that is gelled back, he is fair-toned and although his eyes look threatening to others, I thought his white pupils and stiff stare are unique.

The other student is a girl I have never seen before. The student has blonde hair with pink ombre that was fading out. The girl is light-toned and she almost has a chalky red-eye colour.

Caine mentions how that my request for a garden bed was only approved yesterday and he was baffled how quickly I manage to pull out an oak tree.

I end up nodding the whole time and did not say much. I also held my hand behind my back, as the blood drips gradually.

I can't let Caine see the blood, otherwise, he might revoke my approval.

About a few minutes of chatter the girl - who I found out was named Addeline - and Caine exit the rooftop and I slump to the floor onto my knees.

No time to rest Maya! I have to get a bandage!

I slowly open the rooftop door and quietly peek to see if Caine and Addeline were still there. Luckily they were in a rush to leave.

I hold onto my left-hand tightly and make my way to the sickbay.

During the check-up, the nurse told me the cut is not as deep and since this was my writing hand, I was allowed to have a day-off.