Chapter 1
Sugar sat at the very crown of the ancient magnolia. The climb was familiar, yet arduous; her hands and knees, already bearing old scars, now felt the fresh sting of rough bark and broken twigs. Once settled, the gnarled trunk beneath her felt surprisingly cool, almost silken in places. Around her, the thick, waxy green leaves shimmered, reflecting the sunlight.
They whispered and rustled with a soft, persistent sigh as the warm air stirred, muffling the distant sounds of the world below. And the scent... It enveloped her, rich and intoxicating, as if God had mixed the sweet essence of honeysuckle and warm cinnamon rolls with a bright dash of vanilla. A delicious shiver of pure exhilaration rippled through her belly. She felt inextricably bonded to this colossal being. Every time she climbed, a sacred ritual, she would lean in close, pressing her cheek against the rough wood, and whisper her most guarded secrets into its silent, receptive heart. Here, nestled deep within its dense canopy of leaves and cradled by its impossibly strong, heavy arms of wood, she was utterly hidden. Utterly safe. The entire tree swayed with a slow, deliberate rhythm, gently rocking her, promising solace and understanding. Her mind was a wild thing, free and untamed. Sometimes, the tree came alive for her. It seemed to wipe her tears with a gentle sway, or simply sit, a silent, steadfast companion. She watched the world shift. The sky, once open blue, began to bruise with gathering clouds, dark bellies churning slowly overhead. A deep, distant growl of thunder rumbled, a low warning vibrating through the wood. And then, a faint, metallic chime of church bells floated on the changing air, a fragile sound against the growing storm. The air itself began to thicken, carrying the sharp, clean scent of approaching rain, mingled with the damp, earthy perfume of wild.
