As I earn more experience, whispering to the leaves becomes easier.


    It means I spend less energy. Gain more from my food.


    That is good.


    Already my siblings have begun to outgrow me.


    Not profusely. But the whisper makes it hard to miss.


    I will have to work to close that gap.


    Liquify, and my meal becomes goop on its own.


    Liquify. Liquify. Liquify.


    The pool becomes slightly bigger. And deeper.


    I dig in.


    In my dreams, I’m in an ocean.


    The waves crash harshly against the white beach. I smell salt and sunscreen in the air. My feet squish wet sand and I raise a hand to cover my eyes from the sun. There is a tree growing on the edge of the water. I walk closer and the distance narrows impossibly fast. I stand at its feet and hear the leaves trying to whisper something. I try to touch the trunk and…


    Someone tugs at my sleeve. I look down and see fistfuls of shells glittering with mesmerizing colors. I take one and hold it closer to my face. There is something strange about its shape. With a shrug, I let it fall to the ground. It flies back and forth in the air before posing slowly on a passing ant. I watch as it goes to its hill a few meters away. When I peek through the top hole I see…


    Rain patters against my head. I take shelter in a nearby cabin. While I wait water begins to seep through the ground. Soon the room is flooded and I’m drowning. I see a bright light on the surface. When I swim out of the deep I find a boat. After I climb it, I start to check the horizon and see an island in the distance. I reach the white beach and I...Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    My insides have started to adapt to the strange meals.


    I can eat more and it seems I’m getting more nutrients from it.


    It’s not enough to compensate for the last few days. But in the long term I should be fine.


    The whisper sounds eager. Insistent.


    Having survived this far by its grace, I listen.


    It guides me through branches thicker than I’m used to. Further away from my siblings than I’ve ever been.


    It is when I near one of the leaves that I realize.


    We have been paddling in the kiddy pool.


    The plants here feel different. Bigger.


    I try to take a bite and I don’t manage to make even a dent.


    Tougher too.


    The whisper chatters loudly and the idea slowly starts to take shape in my head.


    Liquify, I whisper with a growing sense of expectation.


    The leaf melts into a thick syrupy puddle.


    I devour it.


    Victory.


    Whispering to these leaves is harder, but the result is worthwhile.


    They’re nutritious. Richer.


    My growth returns to normal and, though I don’t have my siblings close by to compare to anymore, I assume that it soon surpasses theirs.


    Days pass. Dark then bright.


    My skin starts to feel tight.


    I consider what might be useful now.


    A proboscis. To simplify feeding.


    Light changes to my digestive system. To specialize in liquid.


    Taste buds and an immune system boost. Now that I can’t rely on my siblings, I need other ways to make sure my food is safe.


    Anything else will have to wait.


    I sleep and listen to the whisper.


    Follow its directions.


    Find the adequate words to shape my body.


    In the distance, my siblings eat.


    And I slumber.