Chapter 23 Put Me Down

There were gasps from people around me, but I ignored them and focused on the small tree, giving it the power to break through the floor. The moment the tree was able to connect with the others, an inexplicable feeling of happiness emitted from the tree.

It called to the others that were planted through the building, and I nodded.

"I will free the rest from their loneliness, don't worry," I said as I walked to the next tree.

"You can really talk to them, or is this just you talking to them like I talk to my plants?" Sofia asked curiously, and I nodded.

"Yes, I can talk to them or send my thoughts to them, and they express their thoughts as feelings. The planted trees are cut off from the rest of the trees, and they are all lonely," I said as another tree broke through the ground.

"Really?! My, now I really feel like a horrible person!" Sofia exclaimed, and I smiled.

"The trees understand, but it will be something to think about moving forward. We are going to have to change many things that we did before in order to survive. One of the things that I want to look into is connecting everyone the same way that I am to the trees. If we can understand them, I think that people will find it easier to change," I explained after touching my sixth tree.

I had touched enough now that they were spreading out and connecting with the others. The people that were filling the area were starting to create a circle around me.

The people stared in shock as I walked, but no one would speak to me. I guess that I was no longer what they would consider human, and I would guess that most would be scared after this morning.

"Dan?! Is that you! Come fight me, bookworm!" A high-pitched female voice screamed from the second-floor balcony, and I didn't even bother looking up.

I just groaned.

"Who is that? Is this the Marley that guy was talking about?" Sofia asked me curiously, and I nodded with a tired look.

"Well?! You come to my place, saying you are going to take over?! Over my dead body, shrimp!" Marley screamed down, making me furrow my brow.

Out of all the people that could be named Marley, why did it have to be this one? It hadn't even crossed my mind that they were talking about a twenty-one-year-old athletic prodigy.

The same one that was friends with the girls that I was seeing, meaning this would go over well. Just kidding.

"Who are you calling shrimp?! You are barely taller than Melody, who is safe, along with the rest of your friends. You might have been hot shit before, but I will come up there if you start acting mouthy!" I threatened, but Marley only clicked her tongue and then made a face at me.

"Fine, I don't really have time for this, but it is a long time coming. Come and fight me if you are so inclined. I will spare a few moments for your childish tendencies," I said, not looking at her while I spoke.

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"Don't think you are so tough!" Marley screamed at me as she started to stomp down the stairs.

"Give me a minute, then we will get back home," I said, and Sofia nodded as I put her down, but she had a worried look.

"You aren't going to hurt her, are you?" Sofia asked, looking unsure, and I laughed.

"No, but she might get hurt if she tries too hard. I would say she is nearly as strong as that biker guy that grabbed you, and she has beat my ass many times. She literally has been a thorn in my side since I met her, so this will be nice," I said with a grin as a ring formed.

Marley stomped into the middle of the ring, glaring at me. She was in yellow yoga pants and a blue halter top with an open winter jacket.

"I am going to make you my personal rug when this is over, and I will use you to step on!" Marley yelled at me, and I rolled my eyes.

"If you keep this attitude up, you will regret it later; I promise you that," I said with a vicious grin.

Marley attacked without a word, but I didn't try to move and took the fist straight to my face, smiling. A flurry of kicks to the side came next, and then she planted her foot on my chest to spin in the air and land another kick on my face.

Next was an attempt to grapple me, but it was like a child trying to take on a bodybuilder, and I just crossed my arms. The fury of blows intensified, but I stopped a fist headed for my nuts and then lifted Marley up to my face by her wrist.

"Too far. Looks like we need to have a talk," I said calmly and grabbed Marley around the waist, holding her at my side as she flailed.

"Put me down, you monster!" Marley screamed, but I ignored her; I had enough.

"I will be right back, Sofia," I said as I walked off to a room that I could see was open. The people around me looked on in horror and cleared a path for me.

I walked over into the room and closed the door behind myself. It was time to teach this in a lesson.

"What are you going to do to me, you pervert?! Do you think that will change your small dick?! You're such a pathetic... what are you doing?" Marley screeched but started to calm down slightly when I sat down and laid her down over my knee.

"You have quite the mouth on you for such a pretty girl, but I am done listening to it!" I said and lifted my hand in the air.