Stumbling into an open forest field, Chase realized that the field was completely empty. There was no one—all is but an empty bench underneath the tall oak tree, a quiet hush and the smell of flowers seeping in around. The young Herondale embraced the ambiance of the environment, letting his guard down as he sauntered towards the empty bench whilst clutching the straps of his favorite leatherbag. He sat down on the bench, opening his bag and picked up a book inside, and with care bring forth another one of his babies; Alicia. A newly sprouted cactus.
He flipped the book opened and sat comfortably, even crossing his legs. "Alicia, you can basked freely under sunlight whilst I read here." He said as if he was talking to a little child, placing them onto the ground in front of him. He smiled, satisfied that he found this open area without anyone here. They would probably find him weird talking to a cactus as if it's a baby. Soon, his ears perked up, picking up the sounds of the rush footsteps in the distance.
He closed his book, scrutinizing the environment yet found no one. He massaged his temple, momentarily closing his eyes. "I must have been paranoid—" The footsteps was once again heard but this time, it seems to be much swift. Chase stood up from the bench, turning his back and furrowed his brows, there seems to be no one but where does the sound came from? "A cactus?" Someone spoke that made Chase startled, he turned his back to face Alicia but found her plastic pot habitat was flattened.
His face turned pale. "Alicia...?" He blurted out, staring at the tiny sprout cactus beside lying beside the flattened plastic pot. He kneeled down, picking up the sprout and put it in his palms; completely neglecting the stranger in front of him who was giving him judging looks.
