Trick's Waterfall was the only part of Evans's property with a sordid past. Several generations ago, there were twin brothers in the family who competed against each other in everything that they did. Their names were Nolan and Ryan. They were identical twins that no one could tell apart. What may have started as friendly sibling bickering turned explosive as they got older. Minor pranks turned into long-haul plots, and each one was worse than the last. Their active hatred for each other grew and brewed into a chaotic storm that created longstanding consequences.

Their war ended with a simple coin toss before what would later be called Trick's Waterfall. The brothers loved this part of the family property so much that they staked everything on one final bout before it. The coin they flipped to end the dispute was apparently forged by the metals they found in caves near the waterfall.

The coin toss itself was more devious than it appeared, and no one truly understands what happens. Two brothers trekked into the woods, and only one came back. He claimed to be Nolan, but no one knew if he was actually Nolan. The strangest part of this tale is that three months later, Nolan waltzed back. He claimed he lost the coin toss and was transported to a peculiar, eerie world. He tried convincing everyone that he was Nolan, not the other twin.

"The brothers ended up bickering over who was actually Nolan, but by this point, the family was pretty much over the whole ordeal. They were both kicked out and never heard from again." I said, wrapping up the history lesson for Adam as we stared at the majestic falls. This tale didn't make any sense to me. It bordered as a horror story that older generations told little children to make them behave and stay away from the water. I wasn't sure who told Wendy, but she definitely believed it. Her body was more challenging to coax as I wanted to peek into the lake that pooled under the falls.

I turned to look at Adam, who was peering at the world with his serious brown eyes. Adam was in a suit again. His trip into the Unruly Forest hadn't damaged his dark green suit or polished loafers. It was incredible because even though I was dressed for the forest, I even had leaves on me. His facial expression gave away nothing as he scanned our surroundings. I turned to do the same, imagining how seeing this for the first time would feel.

Trick's Waterfall was majestic as it was loud. It was hard to estimate the height of it, but I had to strain my little head to look up at it. The waterfall was part of the mountain and likely was made up of melted snow. The water roared as it poured out of the mountainside and pooled into a mini lake that looked ice-cold.

Only some people really delved into this part of Evans's property. Part of the reason was the mountains that supposedly turned the twins into maniacs. Another was apparently because of a widow who jumped to her death after the loss of her husband. Her name was lost to time, and the creek was named Widow's Creek.

Maybe the townspeople were onto something for saying these woods drove people mad. The Unruly Forest was full of tales and woes.

"Have you found the caves they mined?" Adam said, drawing me out of my morose thoughts.

I made a face and shook my head. I did try for a bit, but not very long. It was hard to enjoy the mountains when they weren't as full of life as the forest. It was generally into the woods when I wandered, not towards the stiff, collapsible mountains.

Before I could so much as gasp, Adam strode forward toward the mountain. I dropped the picnic basket and ran after him. "Wait!"

I knew he heard me because his feet slowed, but he didn't stop.

A small smile flashed on his face, and he sounded almost excited, "Aren't you curious?" He said.

"Well, yes, but..." Also no. I didn't say that last part out loud. I don't know why this place made me so apprehensive. I only wanted to show it to Adam because it was the second prettiest part of my home.

Somehow, I found myself wandering the mountain without a fuss, attempting to find a cave or an opening. There were no such openings, and our time to play soon ran out.

"The brothers might have climbed up to get inside the mountain," Adam said. He was eyeballing it like he would use his smooth hands to make his way up. It was the most energy I've seen him exude, but it was strange. Was it because there was possible gold or metals in the mountain? He didn't look greedy, but he was a rich kid; maybe he just had a natural familial draw to fine metals.

"My apologies, Wendy. Your food must have gone bad, and we've run out of time. Can I come back next Friday to make it up?" Adam said, turning to me with regret in his dark eyes.

It was a fun day despite not finding anything, and I overcame this weird fear. I nodded enthusiastically. The more playdates and hangouts we had were worth it.

I walked Adam back to the entrance where his bodyguards and ride were left waiting. After they drove off, I headed back to my home. It was a far more eventful trip this time around, though.

Whenever I was with someone, I had to be careful or cautious of what I touched or where I stepped. It took some time to train in the forest, and so far, I only had the path I usually took under my thumb when passing. The rest would take even more time as it had earned correctly the name Unruly after all.

My eyes still burned a brilliant green when accessing my plant powers. I couldn't walk around with my eyes closed, smacking plants away around others. Luckily, it was often only me in the woods. I could feel the world around me heave a sigh of relief along with me. It was comfortable and easy with no one else around.

The plant life I had scolded and kept from touching me erupted into action. No longer held back by my imposed constraints, they grabbed, connected, and stole energy from me with each step I took. I'd come a long way from the start of this adventure. I willingly stroked, poked, and nudged back whatever prodded or touched me. Images, feelings, and more flashed before my very eyes. The more I used this ability, the more I could see and feel through the plants.

It wouldn't be long before I could become one with them and cut off from the world when the time arose. Usually, I would be more cautious in dumping so much into the path as I walked home, but my dream from last night flitted about in my mind. I felt like something was hunting me in these very woods.

It was a strange feeling but an uncomfortable one that lingered. Even in the daytime, I worried that someone was watching me, and only by taming and claiming every inch of this land could I make sure Grandpa Evans and I would be safe.

The trees were strange; they listened to and liked me, but I couldn't control them. They were older than me, and many in the Unruly Forest were hundreds of years old and could block out the sun with their girth. They weren't as greedy for my energy as other plants; if anything, they simply liked watching me. It would take time to worm my way into them, and I might have to do it individually, tree by tree.

I started with the first tree I had stumbled into when I came here. I affectionately renamed it Originis as it was the oldest and the start of an intricate plan that would take months to develop and years to fully form.

The tree in question was right ahead, and I hid my greedy thoughts to lay my face on its bark. This wild power was easy to burn through, but it was far more enjoyable to employ. Originis were cool to the touch, and I could feel affection and concern impart on my skin as I breathed into its hard flesh.

"I'm okay," I said. I actually was this time. Most of the time, when I crashed into this tree, I was a little winded and might even take a nap, but right now, I am invigorated and ready to grow.

The following week went by in a blur. My visits to Mary's place became concrete, with me going every other day except Fridays. Those became Adam's by default. William came over and took the solar panels off my hands. I knew that all of them quickly added up to over a million dollars, and since he acquired them for free, it was all profit. That is assuming he could sell them. This also meant I would get the cheapest house fix-up ever, free.

After looking at my plans, he came in, made the necessary adjustments, and got to work. Our soon-to-be rice paddy, duck pond, and fences were started right away. The greenhouse needed to be fixed, and the house would take a bit longer. People were there daily, and I could see some concern in Grandpa Evans' eyes at the noise. I fed him extra cake and cookies and spent spare time with him every day.

I managed to get the first plan going, and it was finally time for the next.

Sakura Haven was the only new addition to Green's Mountain. Since its inception, the same families over the centuries have run things and stuck around. Sakura Haven was run by Sumire Okitsu, who took over for her father after his passing. She had acres of greenhouses that grew rice inside them. A big ass orchard of Japanese cherry trees and goats, chickens, and quails.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

It was finally time to meet her and do some bartering with her.

I had to be more careful when considering how to barter with her. I had antique silk kimonos from a museum catalog. I really took everything I could when I stole from the Acquisition room. If she liked them, I hoped to get some quails, rice sprouts, goats, and knowledge.

I planned to visit once the rice paddy was done, but I needed to figure out how quickly and thoroughly William could work. The water was already in the soon-to-be rice paddy, and it was filtered and everything. Time to get the fish, freshwater shrimp, and more to get my ecosystem underway.

I was going to implement this plan on Sunday, but I had a surprise knock at the door on Friday morning. I saw a familiar grumpy suit man who worked for Adam.

"Good morning, Miss Evans. I have a message from Young Master Adam." His crisp voice sounded as ironed as his suit.

I blinked at him expectantly, but instead of saying anything, he handed me a bulky block phone.

"Hello!" I said with as much infused chipper energy into my voice as possible.

I held it to my ear, and Adam's pleasant-sounding voice was magnified. "It's a satellite phone. It's stronger than a normal cell phone. This way, the signal will work." He answered my question before I could even ask!

"I can't make it today, but I promise I will next Friday."

"How about the next five Fridays?" I shamelessly asked, and he chuckled. I wish I could see his expression when he laughed! How cruel this distance was.

"Deal. I want you to keep this phone for future use." My eyebrows knitted, and I opened my mouth to protest. "It's hard to get a hold of you. This might happen again in the future."

We needed a reliable landline...it was hard to dispute. Wouldn't this be expensive, though?

"Okay, but I get to feed you each time you visit and find other ways to pay you back."

"Deal. My bodyguard will hand you the charger. Keep it on you at all times."

"Will do. Is it possible to have him drop me off somewhere before he leaves?" While he was here, I might take advantage of him. The man in question bristled at my unabashed question.

"Where do you need to go? " Adam said.

"Sakura Haven. I'm going to barter for my rice patty and some animals. William took a little while to build and fix up the land. The house fixing won't start for two more weeks, but at least the garden and land will look nice."

"It's good that things are going as planned. Hand the phone to him for me, please." I promptly did it, and although I couldn't hear what Adam said, I knew I was getting my ride. I grinned cheerfully at the man as his face became stonier. It was over in a second since he didn't need to say anything before the phone was held out to me again.

I took it back from the glowering bodyguard and cheerfully praised and thanked Adam. He really is a good kid. I felt blessed to have such a friend. I needed to grab the bags into which I put the priceless silk and told Grandpa Evans I would head out for a bit.

We walked through the forest, and I chattered needlessly as we did so. "It's amazing that you made it through the forest alone." I glanced side-eyed at the grumpy man on my side. "How long did it take you?" I was so shocked to see him the first time I hadn't really looked him over. With the trip back to the car, I finally had the time to do so. His usually impeccable suit was covered with brambles and leaves. I had briefly only seen the man's top half, so I didn't see that before. I giggled, guessing that he must have spent hours in the forest trying to escape. "Next time, you can call me now, and I can guide you or come out to make it easier."

I got nothing back from him, but I wasn't daunted. I skipped and hummed casually through the forest while he seemed to fight every branch and leaf that came his way. It was due to his job that he was so twitchy. I wanted to tell him that shadows weren't enemies, but I wisely kept my mouth shut.

The ride was uneventful, and I was dropped off at Sakura Haven. "Thank you, grumpy bodyguard man, who didn't say his name." I waved and hopped out, returning his stony stare with a sunny smile.

I ran towards the entrance but stopped short when I saw the trees. As far as the eye could see, they were everywhere. Bright pink and fluffy like clouds. I gasped, my breath taken away by how beautiful they were. I could tell the blossoms were near their run's end, but they still retained their beauty. They looked like bright pink fluffy clouds. How would they taste? I started to drool as I imagined eating them. I had to shake my head to clear my thoughts before I followed the sign that pointed out the office.

I opened the door and sat in one of the lobby chairs. There wasn't anyone in it, and I wondered how I would get someone's attention when a woman walked in.

I gaped once more at beauty, only it was harder to shake this time. The first thing I noticed was her elegant posture when she walked in. Her hair was pulled back into a simple bun, which only served to highlight her smooth forehead and other facial features. Her almond eyes looked at me, and like Adam, I felt like I was facing someone above my status. I was drawn to her bright red lips as she opened her mouth and spoke to me. "And who might you be?" She moved behind the desk to hang up the phone I hadn't noticed in her hands before.

I swung off the chair and held out my hand, "My name is Wendy Evans. I'm looking forward to doing business with you. I went through my attic and found something my Great Grandma must have left in the family." She lifted an elegant eyebrow, clearly amused by what she perceived as childish antics. I watched dollar bills appear in her eyes when I opened my bag and pulled out the silk a few seconds later. "I know how much it's worth, but I just want to learn how to grow rice paddies and some animals. Also, can you teach me how to make traditional Japanese food?"

Her upper red lip curled into a half smile, "Anything else?"

I shook my head and handed her the bag. She touched the silk reverently, "You got yourself a deal, little girl."

I was told that she would deliver what I needed in two months. I didn't want to be responsible for animals before I was ready, so I would visit her home once a week to learn. I really need a calendar to keep everything straight.

She served some tea and reviewed the basics of caring for the animals I would receive. I had a general idea already from what I read, but it was better to have someone tell me face-to-face. The more information I received, the better. Repetition was the best way to memorize, after all. If I was going to be responsible for life, then I needed to be appropriately trained.

It was getting late, and I really needed to go so that I could walk home. Once Sumire knew that I would walk home, she stopped me. "My son has the car right now, but I can give you this mountain bike." I didn't dare say no. I hadn't thought to grab one, and it looked like it could handle the terrain. Besides, the silk I'd given her was easily worth almost 100,000. If I refused her, she might feel like she was taking advantage of me; she was, but also so was I. I thanked her profusely and haphazardly rode the bike back home.

Wendy knew how to ride one, so this body wasn't completely unfamiliar with it. But this was the first time I had ridden one. Muscle memory luckily took over pretty quickly. My short legs made quick work of it, and I was home soon.

Stopping became the next challenge as the bike took me into the forest. A scream bubbled in my chest, and I closed my eyes before I could stop myself as I crashed into a bush.

Nothing hurt, and I was able to dust myself off quickly. "Thanks," I said to the bush as I reached out to feed it some energy for its trouble. It shook as it healed the damage it took from me.

I arrived home around 4 p.m. Once I mastered the bike, I was going to be able to travel much faster than before.

I stacked the bike against the wall and entered. Grandpa Evans was watching a German talk show. "I'm home!" He grunted and looked up to meet my eyes. I kissed him, and he turned his head back to the TV. Talking, feeding, and engaging him properly made a difference. We still had a long way to go, as did our home. But I was sure we were going to get there.

For dinner, I recreated Mary's bread bowl soup recipe. I couldn't make sourdough since I had no mother, but it tasted great. I sipped soup and chatted one-sided with Grandpa Evans as usual.

Things were truly sliding into place.

After dinner, I walked around the woods. I couldn't have a day of rest; even at night, I needed to plunge ahead if I was going to win over the trees.

Noises that didn't appear during the day sounded off, and I'd be lying if I said my heart didn't give a start to every single one of them. Before this ability, I didn't realize plants had resting periods like people. It wasn't the same as people, but I could see them drowsily acknowledge my presence even now. It was a far cry from the normal needy groping of attention my very breath brought out of them.

As I trudged deeper into the woods, I played with my energy output into nearby life. I was getting good at moving mediation, as I called it. I could easily walk through the woods with my eyes closed during the day. I was guided by the trees and various forms of life, and it was becoming more accessible to memorize all facets of the forest.

I don't know why, but I strongly desired to master this at night. I'm not sure when it started either, but I found myself in the woods after dinner more times than I could count.

Tonight was the first night I felt like someone else was out here, too. I couldn't hear any voices or breath outside of my own, but I knew there was something human aside from me. This feeling only grew the deeper I went into the woods. I attempted to pinpoint this by directing my energy into nearby bushes, but their limited sight became my own. I needed to do something to fix this apparent weakness of mine.

If someone entered the forest at night, I would need to know. I bit my lip, hoping it was just ghosts of the forest haunting me. But if there were ghosts in this forest, wouldn't I see them? At my core, I'm still a witch, no matter what form I use. That thought led to more worries that I found myself foolishly falling into.

A sharp prick of my finger drew me out of my thoughts, and I looked down to see that my hands were deep in the earth. I was on my hands and knees as if I was planning to go wholly underground.

I blinked and, peering through the dark, only to realize I was in front of Originis again. I had dug deep enough to grab ahold of its superficial roots. Energy poured into it, and I could see the tree shiver in response. I gasped as images, scents, and feelings swamped my brain. I saw an owl leaving a branch to scoop up a poor mouse who thought it was safe. I saw nests of baby birds, leaves falling, and even the moon peering down at us.

Originis was connected to countless plants and forms of life, and just by holding some of its roots, so was I. There was building pressure in my forehead as things began moving too fast for me to comprehend. Originis is strong, and its energy was too forceful for my tiny brain. Even as I coached myself to let go, I could not. There was no way to stop the outpour of my strength into the network.

I didn't last long, and soon, my mind was enveloped in darkness as I blacked out.

I woke up on the cold ground outside my home, blanketed in leaves and branches for warmth. The sky was the same color as when I called it quits, but I could see the sun starting its journey instead of saying goodbye.

A scent unfamiliar to wildlife tickled my nose, and I rubbed it as I coaxed myself to sit up and take stock. I was sore, but it was a pain I was growing used to. I had overdone it, and something had dropped me off at home. Could Originis have done this? It was possible but not probable.

The only real takeaway from all this was that I found a way to master the forest. I was going to connect to the trees through their roots. Once I learned that, it would be easy peasy to take over the forest. Complete control was within my grasp, but it would take a long time to reach that level of competency. Last night proved that I had a long way to go.

Were there limits to this power? As this body grew up, maybe I would meet them, but until then, I would do whatever it took to level up.