Prologue
"You know, maybe the neighborhood kids are right. You are sounding kinda like a weird hippie. I'm saying this as your friend, Simon." Tyler said. Tyler had always been Simon's close friend. They grew up together. They had play dates at each other's houses. Their families had even gotten close; though as they grew up, things began to change. They were both tall, Tyler was just shy of six feet and Simon just a hint taller. Tyler was always active, which gave him a body that excelled at athletics. He could have picked any sport, but he chose soccer. His long, strong legs made it the ideal choice, and he came to love it quickly. He had a head full of rough blonde hair that was the envy of all the guys and the desire of half the girls in school.
"Weird hippie, huh? Well. I guess. I don't think I'm too weird though. I think I'm on to something." Simon looked up at Tyler, beaming. When he smiled his otherwise plain face lit up. It almost made people forget about his flat nose, big, bushy eyebrows and large ears.
"You always say that though and it's always nothing." Tyler said, "That was rude I'm sorry man I didn't mean that."
"Hey, hey" Simon said, his big grin was gone, but he couldn't hide the look of excitement. "I can handle the truth. And you're my friend aren't you? I know you're just looking after me."
Simon didn't need anyone to look out for him. Tyler was strong, but Simon was bigger and stronger. Tyler was always saying he should join the wrestling club, or maybe the basketball club, but Simon always just looked up at Tyler with his deep brown eyes and goofy smile and shook his head, I appreciate your help. But I got ambitions of my own. He'd always say, and Tyler always trusted that he did. But he hadn't been to school for three weeks now. This could ruin his future. Tyler trusted that he could pull it together, but it would be a lot harder if he had to retake the 12th grade and not be able to graduate with his friends.
Simon looked at Tyler and cocked his head, "Do you know why you always find me in these big, lush fields?" he asked. They didn't live in an very big town. Big lush fields were pretty easy to come by, and a perfect spot to relax. Was also a perfect spot for the popular kids to throw parties, so Tyler always checked up on him to make sure he hadn't gotten into any trouble. Simon and the popular kids didn't exactly get along.
Tyler shrugged, "I figured you liked being alone." Simon laughed and made a buzzer sound.
"Wrong! Double wrong. Do you really think I'm alone here? Can't you hear the birds, the trees, and the grass? Even the rocks I can hear. Everything has a voice, if you have the patience to hear it." Simon laid flat on his back and extended his arms, "This is like a paradise. But this place has been more important than school lately. I have so much to learn here, and it feels like I've opened my eyes for the first time. It's exciting. It's outstanding!"
It was all Tyler could do not to burst out laughing. After he regained his composure he began to walk away, "Alright man. Good luck."
"This time I can show you I'm not just some loser hippie who plays hooky. Do your teachers at school teach you how to do this?" Simon grabbed a nearby rock and held it in the flat of his hand. And then he squeezed. Squeezed so tight that there was no way the rock was in his hand.
"What!? What did you do? Are you okay!?" Tyler's heart was racing a mile a minute as he ran over to Simon, and grabbed his arm. But it wasn't his arm, none of this made sense. It was like he was holding an armed shape rock. And then it moved.
"I told you I discovered something big!" Simon shouted gleefully. He held up his craggy arm into the air, and showed the v for victory sign, "I told you! Nature and people, we are all one! Can you learn this in school? Can you learn fusion?"
Tyler stared at the arm, if you could still call it an arm. His mind couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. You only see this sort of thing on TV or in movies, but here it was in front of him. The last thing he remembered from that afternoon is Simon looking worried and pulling a normal looking rock out of his arm, and Simon feeling my forehead. The flesh is back he thought, relieved, as he passed out.