Page 30 of In Your Light

But follow him, he did.

Fyn dumped his rucksack on the porch and headed into the trees, treading with a familiarity Hadeom envied. Fyn was at home, in a place he knew well. A place that knew him. And that was something Hadeom hadn’t had in the longest time.

Fresh rainwater clung to every fern and branch, gathering into bright beads that fell with patient little taps whenever the breeze wandered through. The earth was dark and rich beneath Hadeom’s boots, as was the smell of moss, wet bark, and mushrooms hidden beneath the leaf litter.

Fyn walked ahead without seeming to disturb any of it. He stepped over roots that Hadeom nearly tripped on, ducked beneath low branches without looking, and greeted half the forest as if it were an old collection of neighbours.

“Oh, good morning,” he said solemnly to a particularly big tree, placing his hand on the trunk as he passed it.

Hadeom stopped walking. “You talk to trees?”

Fyn turned and looked at him. “You don’t?”

“Uh, no. Can’t say I have.”

“Well, you should.”

Hadeom might have laughed, but he realised Fyn was very serious. Okay, then. Talk to the trees....

“And what would I say?”

“You could start with hello or a thank you.”

Hadeom felt his cynicism bubble with sarcasm, and he could have actually laughed. He cleared his throat instead. “What am I thanking it for?”

Fyn shook his head. “You've offended her.”

“How can I—you know what, never mind. Sorry, tree.”

“What was that?”

Hadeom tilted his head, confused. “I apologised.”

Fyn stared at him. “Well, now you’ve really offended her.”

“Her?”

“The tree.”

It was ridiculous, but still... Fyn was not joking.

“Come here,” he said, taking Hadeom’s hand and placing his palm on the trunk. “Both hands.”

Hadeom did as he was told, pressing both palms against the trunk of the tree. Fyn did the same then closed his eyes.

“Listen to her,” he murmured.

Hadeom listened... and he heard nothing. “I think the line’s dead.”

Fyn cracked one eye open and he scowled. “You’re not even trying.” He dropped his hands. “If you won’t even try, I can’t help you.”

Hadeom wasn’t sure why he felt bad. He didn’t want Fyn to be mad at him. “Sorry, I... I’m not used to talking to trees.”

Fyn huffed and turned, walking deeper into the forest. “I’m giving you homework.”

“You’re what?” Hadeom said, hurrying to follow him. “Giving me homework?”

“Yep. When it’s just you here, you need to practice talking to the trees.”