Chapter 2 - Visions of Fertilizer

"That's smart, let's go," she says, seeing Emilia joining her. The other girl's presence is comforting, the task does not seem as overwhelming.

She gestures Robbie, hoping she will get people to look away, somehow.

Robbie nods at the two girls, then she looks around and approaches any nearby people. She asks everyone she comes across a variation of, "My friends and I were here to get a hot chocolate when that train crash happened and my friend lost her earring. Were you there when it happened or did you see it by any chance? Or did you see anything else at the time? Maybe someone who stood out to you and who might know something?"

As Tanya approaches the tracks area, her eyes catch an unusual sight—a patch of ground tinted in shades of orange. It's evident that some of the spilled chemical has permeated the soil, giving it an otherworldly hue. Though there's no remaining chemical to collect, her attention is drawn to an intriguing discovery. Amidst the orange-tinted earth, a small plant has sprouted. Its vibrant appearance suggests a recent growth, seemingly flourishing overnight.

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The response Robbie receives is far from warm. One of the individuals, a middle-aged man, glances at her with a skeptical look and mutters, "What are you doing here, kid? This isn't a playground." The sentiment is echoed by a few others who exchange disapproving glances, making it clear that they're not receptive to her presence.

A woman, raises an eyebrow and asks as she sees Tanya near the tracks, "Who's that? What's a kid doing over there?" The others exchange glances and some mumble disapprovingly. The atmosphere becomes tense, clearly questioning her presence in their serious and focused gathering.

'Sorry... we're just looking for my earring. We were here yesterday..I.. everything was a panic, I was startled, I think it fell out, its precious to me, we're going to be quick.' Emilia even seems to tear up a bit as she plays up being nervous and upset as she speaks up to anyone who is listening.

Tanya quickly tries to scoop up the small orange plant without touching it, by spooning it up with the cookie container Robbie gave her.

If she manages that, she will hide the strange find under her T shirt.

She plays along with Emilia, "come on, the earring doesn't seem to be here... Let's go look somewhere else..."

As Emilia's eyes well up with tears, a palpable wave of empathy sweeps through the group. The memory of the unsettling events from the previous day unites them in shared emotions. The woman who was focused on Tanya acknowledges, "Sorry, we're all just a bit on edge."

As Tanya carefully scoops up the small orange plant, a clear voice resonates in her mind, reminiscent of Prof. Hedstrom's. "Didn't you hear about the local political movement called 'The Green Vigil'? I bet they are the ones that are involved in all of this." Yet, when Tanya turns to the source of the voice, she finds no one there.

Upon regrouping with Emilia and Robbie, the residual tension from earlier seems to have dissipated, replaced by a collective understanding among the group.

"You guys did so well!" Robbie says. "Sorry I didn't manage to distract the people around. Most adults don't really listen to me. They just think I'm some dumb farm kid." She looks at the closed tupper box in Tanya's hand. "What did you get there? Is it some of the fertilizer?"

'You're not dumb..I mean it just takes a knack to deal with adults. And others. I can try and teach you sometime?'

"O-okay!" Robbie quickly agrees. She's not really sure what Emilia could try and teach her, but any excuse for them to hang out sounds like a good idea. And Emilia really is amazing. At talking to people. That's of course what Robbie meant.

More than a little unsettled by the voice she heard, she rushes back to Robbie, looking nervously around.

" I found a strange plant, maybe it's been changed by that chemical... Let's get away from here, and I'll show you..." she says in a hushed tone.