Discovery

Discovery

By: Jayden Ellis

In a futuristic world where daily activity is bound by AI. A group of kids go on an adventure to find and discover a rare tree. One that is placed in an unorthodox area, surrounded by technology.

Three children all within the ages of 13-14 from the slums go on a search for a holistic discovery. This world is being ruled by technological advancements where there is no trace of any plant life for miles. Very few plants still survive, only can be found in the richest of areas.

This tree is one that is unlike the others, one that grows delicious fruit. The three have heard news of it being ripe in season so they decide to pack what little they have and go on a journey.

One boy named Lucas, another named Belgium and finally a girl whose name is of natural dissent: Blossom.

They chat with each other, Lucas saying to Blossom “Hey Blos wanna go on a lil trip with me and Bell…” Using nicknames for each other; Lucas’s being Luke. Finishing his sentence with the slang they use for any tree “Were going to see wood bearing fruit”. She goes along with him and agrees yet in her mind she is uncertain if she’d like to risk leaving her single mom alone.

Lucas lives with his uncle and aunt who do not look after him very well and let him fend off for himself, while Belgium has no parents or close family, going between homes, some nights staying with Blossom and some nights with Lucas. Being best friends in a very hostile land. Blossom’s mom is co-dependent of her and doesn’t like when she leaves her side, yet she is always tagging along with her friends.

This tree is in the town over in one of the richer neighborhoods so, they will have to traverse some distance to arrive there. They will be out of place mainly because of how they dress or even speak, using weird phrases also not too proper.

They are packing some sandwiches and waters that they had stolen from one of the stores near their home. A store they frequently shop at yet this time none of them had any money from guardians or that they had made doing odd jobs around their small village.

Bell had something to say about this venture they were seemingly about to go on. Saying to his companions “Were about to go on a long vacation, Blos are you sure you’re ready?” Using the word vacation because it’s not a place they’d usually go. Blossom returns the comment with “Vacation? This is not a vacation this is horrible.” Doubt arising in her from earlier. Belgium replying with “I knew it, you don’t even want to go.” Knowing his friends who are like his family, knowing that she’s said one thing but meant another because of fear so, they usually compel her to go along with them on their trips even if she does not want too.

With this dilemma that has arose they will need to figure out a compromise for Blossom so that she continues to tag with them. Going as a group is usually how they maintain moral among their group.

Lucas usually being the head of their group breaks up their arguing and steps between the two partners like an old married couple bickering. He says to the two “Just keep a calm head so we can all decide what were going to for this trip, because we are not giving up on the pear wood.” Being a leader amongst the three, it was also his plan to go on this trip.

“Yeah, tell blossom again so that she can get her panties out of a twist” says Bell. Blossom comes back at him with “No, this is dangerous we don’t even know how long we’ll be away from home for.” Luke replies to the two “Like I said let’s keep calm heads and I do know, it’s in city Whippel it’s about a days’ worth of walking, I’ve already figured this out so stay calm”

Lucas is very lighthearted and passive yet knows how to be assertive when time comes, his parents taught him well before they passed away and gave permission to take care of him to his aunt and uncle.

“Let’s all just agree to get along and agree to see out my plan so that we can enjoy fruit, it’s not like we always get this chance to enjoy fruit” Lucas emphasizes on fruit to gain their attention.

This does catch Blos’s attention, and she does say “Well that is true we’ usually don’t ever get fruit, it’s all potatoes, turkey sandwiches and canned food.” Showing how poor they really are never actually encountering any fruit in their lifetime.

Belgium say’s “Well I say as long as Blos agrees I’m in.” “So do you Blos?” Luke asks. “Yes I’m in.” Huffing and sighing the question off. “So, it’s agreed, we go tomorrow at 8:00 in the morning and should arrive by night fall.” Lucas implies.

The next day at approximately 7:00 am the group meets in their usual location on a bench near the town square. Already packed with food, drink and cloths also bringing along sleeping bags for rest.

Being morning now Lucas speaks up “Were ready for the day packed and ready the journey ahead, to gain fruit!”

Bell goes right along with him and so does Blos. Ready for their trip to city Whippel to find fruit.

So, on their way walking through town they come across the towns bullies which are in fact antagonizing towns folk so, the three choose to avoid them yet they were spotted by the boys. One bully spot the three and approaches them casually asking where they are headed noticing the bags they are holding.

Bell tells him “That is none of his business.” which might not end well for the three amigos.

The bully calls over the other two and tells them “These three might be causing a bit of trouble for us folk.” Not knowing of any of their plans yet.

One other say’s “What should we do em for justice?” Implying that they should take care of them physically except before any of them could react Blossom kicks the one in the middle in the groins, then yelling to her friends “Runn!” So, they all take of in the opposite direction away from their original course of plan, throwing them off track.

Yet, the three bolt fast enough that the bullies had no time to react and the three make it a safe distance from them.

Knowing this town like they had maps in their brain they manage to escape the wrath of the three bullies. So, in hiding Bell yells “You go blossom! You saw the way she attacked him. Knocked him right yer off balance.” Lucas comments “Let’s just be glad that we got away in time, but now we lost time on getting out of town and now we have to avoid them again.”

Blossom is just glad she managed to get them off their back for the time being.

Now that they’ve been set backwards, they must get back on track. Heading back to where they were, they take a different course of plan taking the long way avoiding the bullies.

Once they manage to get around where they must be the clock strikes 10:00 losing an hour or two being set back now.

Pessimism has arisen in Bell and Blos after the adrenaline wore off thinking down that they’d might not get to where that had set out to go. yet Lucas is still optimistic about their venture telling his crew “We must stay focused on our goal, to gain the fruit…” Again, using the pry of fruit to gain their trust.

On their journey they make it to the boarder of their town with the villages sign to their left ran down and reading Lakeville’.

Having about a few hours of travelling to go Lucas makes the conscious decision to take an alternate route that they wouldn’t normally take. Heading north on a path that leads them across city lines crossing over another district of land pashing by another neighboring area that is a bit more advanced than their own.

Taking two hours to exit the village now being 12:30 just about. Their plan is to locate the tree and figure a way of attaining it hopefully not through force which they have no problem of doing. But hopefully managing to get it and maybe having enough time to walk back before night does come and sleep in a neighboring town if need be.

Bell begins to complain that he is tired and wants to sit down but Lucas warns him if they do that lose more precious time of walking. Now that the city is in distance only being a few miles away yet still have to traverse through this upcoming city to get to the wood.

Already taking their time not walking extremely fast it is best they continue diligently while taking the quickest passage.

Breaking out for a late lunch some of their sandwiches now taking a break on the road. All packed turkey sandwiches and some chips.

After eating the group carry’s on continuing to keep a consistent pace of speed. Having about three hours until arriving at Whippel where fruit awaits.

After walking through Whippel which is the city the three notice how advanced this city is compared to their hometown. Having huge sign reading different messages changing ever so often. Also, high grade streetlights, cell towers, massive buildings and many other sorts of tech.

Admiring all of it taking it all in observing what is foreign to anyone that’ll visit from the outside world around them. Blos noticing it all, “Its all so spiffy and new, nothing like what we have.” “Now are you glad that you came along on our small vacation.” Lucas says. “I am and this is nothing small, large everywhere.” Bell said

Luke has a map this time not knowing the layout of this city like they do their hometown. Using the map to direct them on their journey. Its about 4 miles out so if they walk fast enough it should take them an hour and a half or even less if they keep up with each other and not slowing down for anything which is difficult being in a new location where they want to stop and look at everything

If they were to bring any money, they probably still wouldn’t have enough to get even something small as a souvenir. Bringing it back to either Blossom mom or Luca’s aunt or uncle. The most that could be done is bring back fruit if it does not go bad or if there is enough.

They seem to be going in circles or at least not back tracking and seems that they are getting lost on this adventure. So, Bell questions Lucas if he is going the actual direction of this wood. But Lucas reassures him that in fact they are, yet Bell is paying very close attention to his surrounding showing he is no dummy. Passing by the same building twice already.

So, he snatches the map and looks at it for himself and noticing they went in a single circle once around a block or even two.

Getting them back on track he now points them in the direct direction. “You must not know everything I see.” said Belgium. Having conflict amongst the group Blossom speaks up asking them to cut tension and just continue instead of wasting time, not usually one to do so.

The building they passed was a grocery store and Bell was fantasizing about getting more good food for them, yet no money was available to spend. That is how he noticed they were going in a circle. Without him they’d gone around the same block again.

Except they are now ready to have their mouths water over a pear or even a fresh apple or maybe an orange. Going the entire course of their lives without trying real fruit except the old stuff they’d receive for doing chores or helping someone out in time of need. This fruit Is unique from anything they’ve had because it straight off a tree.

Not wasting any time, they bop their way on to the tree not hesitating to stop for anyone, they have received weird looks and that is another thing Bell had paid attention too.

Continuing, almost at the place of interest they come across a dilemma they don’t know how they’d access the courtyard if it is locked to the public which it is not, but they do not know that yet.

Finally, after hours of walking now 5:00 they make it to the courtyard, following directions, getting lost, encountering pest, eating food and patiently progressing ahead they arrive. Seeing the entrance and decide to now run straight towards the tree. Getting to the entrance and in awe stare at the tree the haste fully speed walk in. No people are around to stare at them or make comments. They proceed onward picking a fruit off the beautiful tree still amazed by its colors being summer, so they had no schooling this day.

Biting into the pear, juice spilling onto cheeks, eyes wide by it flavor they all sit onto a bench enjoying their first fresh, in season fruit off a tree. Blossom says, “I love it, thank you for bringing me with.” “No problem you are one of us you know this Blos, don’t ever doubt our friendship.” Bell also loving the fruit.

They’d all say the journey was worth it and worth taking an adventure.

Now that their journey has ended, and they managed to get fruit it is time for them to head home.

Sidenote: Value and cherish time with friends or family, it does not last forever and will one day only be a memory so, stay in the moment and enjoy it while you do have it…

THE END