Reconciliation and wrangling trees

It was quiet. Lonely even. There wasn't anyone around to watch. They liked to watch the creatures lurking around. But no the bad ones. Not the Rift ones. They were scary and mean and they liked to chase them. They didn't like to be chased. So they hid quietly, blending among the vegetation that wasn't alive and hoping that something would happen.

And then it did. Two creatures approached, talking and beginning to fiddle with someone. In this light the Pine didn't see what it was they were doing, but the fact that someone was there to keep them company was a comfort. So they watched the two, the way the one with black patches moved delicately with a certain grace they admired. They were almost soothed, ready to fall asleep to the sounds of their voices lulling them into bliss.

Until the smell of smoke and the crackle of fire breached the tranquility. Out of instinct the being was moving; running with utter terror at the thought of being burned alive. So they ran with purpose, scrambling to avoid the once peaceful beings they trusted. Yet as they took the shorter route to avoid them, they ran into something sticky and strong. At once they were tangled, struggling and panicking and uncertain about what was happening.

Soon the Tree was completely entangled, struggling and looking at them petrified. Was this how they were going to die?

the Rift
simply explode

@Zahra