Brittany was screaming. She had been screaming, in fact, for quite a while. It started as just trying to find the others, who she’d assumed had left her without saying anything, and then it was out of anger at them and herself, and then desperation and fear, and now it was just because she felt like she had to act out to get the awful feelings out of her… But she was starting to lose her voice, and she hadn’t seen anyone or anything the whole time. She slumped down, furious tears streaming down her face. Why did she come along?! She didn’t care about flowers or trees or any other reason people went camping in the woods! She knew it would be bad! The others knew she didn’t like it! Why had she let them convince her it would be fun?! Why did she convince herself it wouldn’t be as bad as she feared?! Now she was stuck in a dark forest, probably not even a real forest because of the weird glowing everywhere, and she was alone and had no signal or any other way of calling for help! She powered on her phone, obviously knowing there was no point trying to call anyone without a signal but hoping she could at least calm herself down a bit with the cute videos she’d saved. As she watched a cute video of a kitten, she started to feel very slightly better… And then a text notification popped up.

OrphysApifera: Hello.

She scrambled to respond before she even had time to think.

QueenB: OH MH GOD WHO ARE YOU HOW ARE YOU TEXTING ME EITHOUT SIGNAL IS THIS A VIRUS OR SOMETHING WHAT’SGOJNG ON?!

Messenger said her response was sent, despite the lack of signal… And a few seconds later, they responded.

OrphysApifera: I apologize if I scared you. Do you not wish to speak?

QueenB: NO PKEASE I’M SORRY PLEASE TALK TO ME I’MLOST I NEED HELP EVERYONE IS GONE I DON’T WATNT TO DIE OUT HERE 😭😭😭😭

OrphysApifera: Calm yourself, you will not die. I will help you.

QueenB: Okay sorry, just so scared. Who are you? How are you texting me? And thanks.

OrphysApifera: You can call me Api. I am lost within this forest as well. But somehow our phones can connect. I do not know how.

QueenB: I knew something about this forest was weird!! Look, where are you? Maybe we can… Find a way out if we put our heads together idk. Or at least not be lonely. Oh, I’m Brittany by the way.

OrphysApifera: That is a good idea, Brittany. I have noticed my navigation app seems to work somewhat within the forest. I can send you my location. [Location]. I hope you can find your way here to me.

Brittany tapped on the location link, and shockingly it loaded up in her navigation app. Instead of the usual roads and buildings, it showed winding paths and various trees and plants, and the UI had changed slightly to resemble the color of the glow around her. She could see Api's location marked as her destination, and it was about a 38 minute walk.

QueenB: Alright I got it somehow! Says I’m 40 or so minutes away! Just hang tight!

OrphysApifera: Perfect. I will stay right here. I look forward to meeting you, Brittany.

QueenB: Me too! How are you staying so calm here? Isn’t this terrifying you too?

OrphysApifera: It is terrifying, yes, but I have my music to calm me down. It is a special mix that helps keep my thoughts and emotions in control. Would you like me to send you some?

QueenB: Oh absolutely, God knows I need something to keep calm right now!!

OrphysApifera: Alright, I will upload the files. [VenusSynth1.mp3] [DewInTheSun.mp3] [PitcherOfHoney.mp3] [Waterwheels.mp3]

QueenB: Thanks! Be there soon!

Brittany downloaded the files, glad that this magical forest had good upload/download speed for whatever reason, and popped in her earbuds. The music started playing, and she immediately felt better. It was a soft, relaxing synth that melted into the background as she followed the route to Api. She quickly fell into the rhythm of walking along to the beat of the music, and it felt more relaxing than walking ever had for her. It helped that instead of being uphill and rocky like the ground had been earlier, it was soft and clear with a slight downhill tilt. It felt easy to just walk straight ahead without having to think about where to step, and thanks to the map she didn’t have to wonder which direction to go either, she could just keep following the route…

All of the worry and panic Brittany had felt earlier melted away as she walked, following the route to Api. It was an oddly winding route, often taking strange looping detours, but she knew better than to distrust the route. This was the best way to get to Api, and so she would follow it, simple as. She just had to keep her eyes on the map and move how it told her to. And it was so pleasant to look at, too. The colors were so much softer and gentler than normal  thanks to whatever strange magic the forest was doing. A few times it almost looked like there were gently flickering patterns all across the screen… Sometimes even words, flickering by too fast for her to read… But it couldn’t be anything bad… The map wouldn’t mislead her… And the music kept her happy… It lovingly flowed around her, keeping her in a calm, relaxed state… Filling her mind with gentle, soothing sound to ensure she didn’t have any more worrying thoughts… The quiet synth almost sounding like voices, whispering softly to her, telling her not to worry, not to think, to just walk, stare, and listen… And so she walked, she stared, and she listened…

As Brittany approached Api's location, she smiled. Once she reached Api, everything would be fine… She’d no longer need to worry… Api would keep her company… She could smell something sweet and soothing in the air… A gentle, flowery fragrance, one that made her mind grow even heavier than it was… She saw Api up ahead, sitting on a large flower… There were so many flowers… All so pretty… Api smiled at her and beckoned her forward, holding a phone in her other hand. Brittany stood in front of her, and the navigation app chirped happily to inform her that she had reached her destination. She looked so beautiful up close… Long, flowing hair with a gorgeous flower nestled above her ear, a flower that smelled so sweet… Deep, soulful golden eyes that made Brittany feel sleepy and heavy as she stared into them… And perfect, smooth, flawless skin that felt like silk to the touch… Perhaps if Brittany could think, she would find it odd how Api's skin was a deep green hue… Or would be concerned at how she had no legs, but appeared to be sprouting out of the flower beneath her… But the music was still playing in her ears, and so she couldn’t worry or think at all… Api reached out and cupped her cheek with a smooth, green hand… “Hello Brittany. Would you like to see something interesting on my phone?” Brittany nodded, and a pair of vines lifted her up into Api's arms. Api held up her phone, not a model that Brittany had ever seen before… It was a large flower with screens for petals, and as Brittany looked she saw spirals spinning on all of them, directing her gaze to the center, a golden light just like Api's eyes… Api held her phone up to take a selfie with Brittany. “Say ‘I Obey~!’” “…iobeeeeyyy…” There was a bright golden flash, and Brittany fell into a deep, obedient sleep… She could hardly feel as the flower under Api opened wide and she was gently deposited inside… Into a pitcher of honey…