The tree was easy to climb.
Too easy.
Like it allowed him to.
Each branch felt stable beneath his hands.
Each movement felt guided.
As if the tree was not resisting him at all.
That should have been his first warning.
He reached the first fruit.
Held it.
It was warm.
Pulsing slightly.
“…This is definitely not normal fruit.”
He whispered.
He bit into it.
Sweetness exploded in his mouth.
Not natural sweetness.
Not fruit sweetness.
Energy sweetness.
Something deeper.
Something that bypassed taste and went directly into his body.
He froze slightly.
“…What the—”
And then he swallowed.
Slowly at first.
Then stronger.
His muscles relaxed.
His breathing steadied.
His fatigue slightly lifted.
“…Okay…”
He blinked.
“…That felt good.”
He looked at the next fruit.
Then the next.
And something dangerous happened.
Curiosity removed hesitation.