The Trees Whispers

• Alyssa Fourmile, Grade 10, Bremer State High School -
• Short Story
• 2018

Excellence Award in the 'Horizon of Dreams 2018' competition

The sounds of feet tapping the ground repeatedly, ceased. The sound was no more than just an echo in the mind, the melody dancing away with the stars. The man looked up to the trees, a glint of despair in his eyes as guilt flooded within. The man shrugged off the wails his eyes sung, emptiness weighing him down as his eyes begged to be heard as he took one final glimpse of the tree before reiterating the music formed by the rhythm of his feet. He didn’t want to be heard, he didn’t want to be seen. However, what he thought went unnoticed, only translated into louder cries, begging for sympathy. The power of nature sent a sinewy gust of wind towards the man, the trees presence driving towards and twirling around him freely.
Tears began forming in his eyes as he heard the tree speak to him. He finally heard the words he had been pleading to hear for years. Without the slightest hesitation, the man accelerated towards the tree, a smile full of relief plastered across his tear-stained face. His feet came to a stop as he faced the trees back, sighing in anxiousness as nerves took over him. Contrasting earlier, his mind was now clean and tidy as one word prominently stood out, the word he felt like he wasn’t quite ready to utter for forgiveness. He slowly paced around the tree, nerves eating away his confidence. He got down on his knees as he undid his tie, holding onto it tightly before looking up to the tree.
“You finally responded.”
Tears began flooding down the sides of his cheeks in happiness and relief as he bowed in gratitude, his voice cracking, breaking with every word spoken. He looked down at his tie, loosening his grip as he finally gathered enough courage to face his burden. His eyes aligned with the small, white cross that was pinned precisely to the tree. Flowers and photos on wreaths decorated the tree as the name of the most beloved woman was now accompanied with warmth, love and support, disparate the night the travesty took place, the night that is now responsible for his nightmares and debt. He rolled up his sleeves and pushed back his hair, showing the scars made that evening, the scars that to his distaste prompts him of that ghastly night. He extended his arms towards the cross as he carefully wrapped his tie around it, making sure nothing was moved or damaged in the process. His eyes studied the tree, mixed emotions coursing through his body, sending a rush of adrenaline through his system. Tears began streaming down his face, as if they were competing in a race as his lip quivered like jelly.
He opened his mouth, letting the words drift from his tongue freely, spilling out his agony in anguish. “After all these years, how do you still care for me, Mother?”