Her new treehouse.Her elevated farm.Home.
She lay there for a long moment, just looking.The bedroom was cozy, and wooden walls curved naturally with the tree's growth.She was lying in a luxurious bed, larger than before, with a proper frame grown from the branches themselves.The blanket flower had provided fresh bedding, soft and warm.
Through the doorway, she could see the main living area.The kitchen with its counters and that beautiful burl wood island.The fireplace with the oven was even nicer, and the rocking chair by the window had new cushions.
Best of all, it was fifteen feet above ground level, supported by massive cypress pillars and completely safe.
She got up and padded to the window in her silk nightgown.The view took her breath away.
From up here, she could see for miles.The town in the distance, the forest beyond, the rolling landscape dotted with other farms.And below, between the cypress pillars, the ground level where monsters would flow harmlessly during the next migration.
She'd done this, built this impossible thing.
A year ago—no, just two months ago—she'd been in her old life.Ordinary.Small.Playing it safe because that's what you did.Then the AI had dropped her into this world, and everything had changed.
She'd been terrified that first night, hiding behind rocks while monsters fought.Running for her life and barely surviving.Now she stood in a fortress she'd created, looking out at a world that had tried to destroy her and failed.
She wasn't the same person anymore.
This world, this impossible, dangerous, beautiful world, had given her a chance to start fresh.To be brave and find strength and creativity she'd never known she had...and she'd taken it.
"Good morning, madam!"Walter scurried in through the window, looking remarkably pleased."I see you're admiring the view.Quite spectacular, isn't it?"
"It really is."She smiled."How was staying with your cousins?"
"Chatty.They wanted to know everything about the elevated farm.I'm quite famous in squirrel circles now."He preened slightly."The squirrel who serves the woman who built the impossible farm."
"I'm glad you're back."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world!Now then, shall we make breakfast?I believe some fresh breadfruit is in order."
They went outside together, stepping onto the platform, breathing in the morning air fifteen feet up.The breadfruit tree had been one of the first things she'd replanted, and it was already producing a bumper crop.
The dandelions were patrolling the platform's edge, golden eyes watchful.They'd adapted well to the new space, seeming to understand the elevation made their job easier.
The horse chestnut stood near the willow ramps, patient as always.Everything was in its place, safe and secure.
Wren harvested bread and went back inside to make breakfast, with proper cookware, in her expanded kitchen.Bread with butter from the buttercups.Milk from the milkweed.Tea from the tea tree.
She sat at her island counter, eating slowly, looking around at what she'd built.This was hers, this wonderful life.
And this time, nothing would take it away.
