Chapter 18
409words
Abandoned town ruins lay covered in moss, luminous blue-green vegetation swaying on crumbling rooftops. In the square's center stood a massive tree—its trunk a transmission tower transformed by mycelium, its canopy photovoltaic moss, and at its roots lay entangled the remains of Amy's mother.
The teddy bear clutched in the corpse's arms had sprouted, tender green shoots emerging from its cotton stuffing.
"Mom is in the tree," Amy whispered, running toward the massive structure.
Lila raised her radiation meter. "Plant radiation levels normal... but life signs?"
Kay stared at the tree's base. A faint heartbeat pulsed from beneath the soil, its vibrations spreading throughout the valley along the mycelial network.
"A symbiotic ecological core," he murmured, recalling his dismantled RV system. "It's transformed the town into a living Ark."
The tree crown suddenly shuddered, moss leaves falling like green rain. Each leaf took root upon touching soil, rapidly growing into luminous shrubs.
"It's expanding!" Lila backed away.
Amy darted into the newly sprouted thicket and plucked a berry, popping it into her mouth. "Sweet!" She grinned, offering a handful.
The berries glowed warmly in Lila's palm. After a moment's hesitation, she bit into one—sweet juice exploded in her mouth, warmth flowing through her entire body.
Kay suddenly drew his gun, aiming into the trees. "Come out!"
A man emerged from the shadows clutching a hunting rifle, its barrel entwined with glowing vines. Behind him followed a dozen gaunt survivors.
"Get away from here!" the man rasped. "The devil tree will devour us all!"
Lila held up a berry. "It's providing food!"
"At what cost?" The man yanked open his collar—glowing moss embedded beneath his collarbone, roots penetrating his blood vessels. "We've become its batteries!"
He suddenly raised his rifle! The vines instantly constricted around the trigger. BANG! The bullet struck near Kay's foot, sending ground mycelium recoiling like startled serpents.
Amy approached the man and placed her small hand on the moss covering his chest. The roots immediately withered and detached, leaving only faint red marks on his skin.
"It can heal or parasitize." Kay lowered his gun. "Depends on how you approach it."
The survivors exchanged uncertain glances. Suddenly, a woman rushed forward, falling to her knees before Amy. "Please save my daughter!"
She pulled back a bundle of rags—revealing an infant completely covered in golden fungal filaments, eye sockets black and empty.
