Flames.
Scarlet flames engulfed the tree.
The tree with white petalled flowers, and blushed-colored buds, entirely covered by vibrant green leaves.
It burned into ash.
In the middle of it all, Eve solely stood. Sherbet-colored eyes, dulled. Platinum-colored hair, matted. Black uniform ripped. Ivory skin, pierced, stained with blood.
With a single step forward, she glared up at the ashes of the once beautiful tree.
With another step forward, she stumbled, landing face-first on the ashes.
With no will left, Eve closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift, letting the scarlet flames engulf her entire self.
She wished to become ash. To forget the pain that permeated her body. To prevent her body from being violated. To prevent her mind from further torture.
She wished to be free…
Scarlet flames razed the corridor.
.
.
.
Unfortunately, just as the tree had wilted before, it soon germinated and grew. Unfortunately, just as she had been a few steps from death before, she was saved. Unfortunately, before Eve could be free, she had one task left. A task planned by the very Devil.
In the room razed by flames, Eve stood, whether by choice or not, and looked in the distance. With dulled eyes, she could see something. She took a step, and then another, and then another, and many others, until she could see it with clarity.
Before Eve are twelve saplings, barely out of the cracked floor, with a single, yet small bud in each one of them. Her body moving without noticing, she reached out and in an instant, the saplings grew, and the buds swayed to face her.
It was almost as if they were drawn to her.
It was almost as if they were… asking her to… nurture them.
Eve reached out to the saplings, agreeing to nurture them.
.
.
.
Regretfully, her nurturing and tender care wouldn't be for long.
