[ IP ] Mother Nature

*A video camera starts rolling as the film crew arrives at a remote location. The reporter adjusts her hat to block out the sun, while the rest of the crew follow behind. All around them were men and women in dark, hooded robes. The cameraman captures them as they walk along a narrow, but well-trodden path. * 
 
 *Our intrepid reporter and her crew follow them along the path. They wore a more casual attire consisting of long-sleeved shirts and pants, along with a hat. As they walk, the reporter turns to the camera. * 
 
 Reporter: It has been six hours of non-stop walking, but we have finally arrived. Inside the Great Virgin Forest, far away from civilization, lies a village. Though the villagers are hospitable and accept visitors, they are highly isolated from the outside world. For thousands of years, the village has kept its traditions, which has stayed secret throughout that time. Until now. For the first time in over three thousand years, the villagers of the Great Virgin Village has finally offered us the opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of their annual rituals. 
 
 *They finally arrive at a clearing, in front of which was a thick cluster of trees. The village leader, clad in robes adorned with runic symbols, stop the crew. He shows the crew a bag containing a set of robes. He spoke to them in his native language which, strangely enough, the crew understood. * 
 
 Leader: Stop. Put these on. 
 
 *The crew does so. Even stranger, they never noticed that they understood him. * 
 
 Leader: We are about to enter the sanctuary of our Great Mother. I would ask for you to keep quiet. Do not say anything. Though she has agreed to allow you to witness our ritual, we are still being cautious of your presence. Rest assured everything will be explained after the ritual. If you wish to say something to your recorder, say it now, before we enter. 
 
 *The reporter gives a sign of agreement. The village leader moves to the side of the clearing, waiting for them to finish. The reporter turn to the camera again. This time, she spoke in English. * 
 
 Reporter: This is so nerve-wrecking. Never before in my entire life have I been this nervous. As you have just seen, this is an entirely new experience for them, to be documented as they proceed with their rituals. When we move to the clearing, we have to be completely silent as we watch them perform. Perhaps it's just a precaution, but I feel as if there was something more to his words. 
 
 *She finished, and the village leader gestured them forward. He spoke again in his native tongue, and again the crew did not notice. * 
 
 Leader: Remember, no talking. 
 
 *The crew stumble and trip against the tight mass of roots and vines on the ground. Of course, the village leader has little problem navigating the maze. After ten minutes of walking through the incredibly thick undergrowth, they arrive at much larger clearing. * 
 
 Cameraman: Motherf -- - 
 
 *The reporter put a hand on his mouth. The one in charge of Production, in the meantime, had trouble speaking* 
 
 *All of the villagers were standing in a circle encircling a massive tree. The tree was enormous, easily as tall as most skyscrapers. Its branches reach out into the sky, almost as if receiving them. But what was most bizarre was the shape of the trunk. It curved itself in such a way that it looked like a woman's body. Two of its larger branches connected to it, seemingly like human arms. And at the top of the body was a mass of wood that looked like a woman's face. * 
 
 *The reporter's mouth was agape, as was the rest of the crew. The village leader tapped her on the shoulder. * 
 
 Leader: Please, sit here. 
 
 *He indicated on an empty area on the far side of the clearing. The crew stood standing for a full minute, until the village leader had to drag the reporter physically to the spot. * 
 
 Leader: Stay here and keep quiet. 
 
 *He then went to his spot at the base of the tree. * 
 
 *He raised his arms into the air, the rest of the villagers following suit. The crew did not, too scared and astonished to do anything but watch. * 
 
 Villagers ( in their language ): Great Mother, we ask for your guidance! Great Mother, we ask for your blessing! 
 
 *The leader stepped forward, bowing deeply. * 
 
 Leader: Great Mother! As you have asked, we have brought the outsiders to you! 
 
 *The crew froze. Fear crawled into them, urging, begging them to run. But one of the villagers went up to them, hands on his side level with his head, signifying that he means no harm. * 
 
 Villager: Worry not, she means you no harm. 
 
 *Almost as soon as he said that, the ground began to move. As one, the crew turned towards the tree. The tree's face was looking at their direction, as was the entire village. It... no... *she*, lowered one of her arms, beckoning them to come closer. 
 
 **Great Mother: Christine Porter, Cameron Manuel, Peter Diction, come forward. Time is of the essence. ** 
 
 *The villager leader came up to them. * 
 
 Leader: Go, she wants to talk to you. 
 
 *The several villagers move out of the way as the crew went to the tree, who has now lowered both of her arms. As they came closer, she moved one to where they stood. Frear gripped them again and they closed their eyes, faces tense. * 
 
 *But the tree only touched their faces. Her touch was very soft and warm, like the hand of a loved one. * 
 
 **Great Mother: My children, how have you been? ** 
 
 Christine: J-just fine, G-great mother. 
 
 **Great Mother: I am glad. But I fear that we do not have much time. I have called you here to tell you of things to come. Terrible things. ** 
 
 Christine: What things? 
 
 *The Great Mother closed her eyes, as if in despair. * 
 
 **Great Mother: Child, I am dying. ** 
 
 *The crew heard gasps from the villagers. * 
 
 Villager: Great Mother, how is this possible?! The forest has thrived for thousands of years! 
 
 **Great Mother: My time is nearly at an end, young one. I can feel it. There is no more than a decade before I am to pass away. I am sorry. ** 
 
 *Many of the villagers cried, but one young teen made himself known. * 
 
 Young villager: And what? Is she going to replace you? Why ca n't it be someone from the village? 
 
 *Some of the villagers agreed with him, but the village leader quickly defused the situation. * 
 
 Leader: Enough! Listen, the Great Mother is going to explain. 
 
 **Great Mother: Thank you, Leader. As the young one said, you Christine, are going to replace me as the core of this forest. Your friends will become your guardians, as was planned long ago. ** 
 
 The crew: I... we... what plan? 
 
 **Great Mother: Perhaps it is time to lift the veil from your memories. ** 
 
 *She lifted a great arm over their heads, and a great wind surrounded the trio in a swarm of leaves. Christine stood confused as the leaves continued to swirl around her. Then, her eyes widened in realization as her memories returned to her. She remembered wild animals and towering forests. She remembered crying as she lay on the back of a stag as it sped out of the forest. She saw it depositing her into the door of a house, only to leave moments later. She remembered her childhood, she was heavily involved in gardening. Despite taking journalism in college, she never forgot her garden, and most of her work involved nature in one form or another. * 
 
 *Cameron remembered a great fire, but he himself was not burned. He remembered never feeling cold, and him touching live coals while cooking on his part-time job. He remembered meeting Christine, and from that day on they were inseparable. He remembered taking a course in mass media just so he can be with her, even though he never saw her romantically. * 
 
 *Peter remembered storms. He remembered working as an electrician and later a technician. When he met Christine, he remembered falling for her, but he was not in love with her. He remembered Cameron, and them bickering and Christine stopping them. * 
 
 **Great Mother: So, did you remember? ** 
 
 *The crew raised their arms, similar to the villagers. * 
 
 The crew: Great Mother, you children has returned to you. We have completed our travel to the outside world, and are stronger because of it. We are ready to take your place as the steward of the forest. 
 
 *The Great Mother laughed. * 
 
 **Great Mother: Patience my children. I still have some time left in me. Go and continue your travel to the outside, so that you will return with the wisdom and experience to lead our people to a prosperous future. ** 
 
 The crew: Yes, Great Mother. 
 
 **Great Mother: Then go, children of my womb. Go and walk the earth, and when you return, may you be wiser for it. ** 
 
 *The crew bowed to her and left. As they walked past, the villagers, all of them, bowed to them as well. * 
 
 -- - 
 
 *Later. * 
 
 Christine: So, what about the tape? 
 
 Peter: Keep it, maybe we'll find the Great Father's children and show it to them. 
 
 Cameron: Or we could show it to the boss. 
 
 *Christine punched him, saying that it was not to be shown to anyone. * 
 
 Cameron: I was only joking, jeez. 
 
 *Peter stopped Christine from punching him again. * 
 
 Peter: Guys, I know that we got our memories back, but do n't you feel that something is missing, like they did n't return all of our memories? 
 
 Christine: Now that you think about it, yeah. 
 
 *Cameron nodded too. * 
 
 -- - 
 
 *At the TV Station office. The crew's boss sneezed. * 
 
 The crew's boss: Cameron and Peter better not let any harm come to Christine. I doubt her sister will be very happy about that. 
 
 -- - 
 
 *Back at the forest. The villagers have already left the clearing. On the ground was a young woman, looking very similar to Christine. Vines were wrapped around her back and wrists, seemingly connecting her to the tree. * 
 
 **Great Mother: Man, sis is so dense. I ca n't wait till it's my turn to leave this forest. I'm so totally going on a shopping spree. ** 
 
 -- - 
 
 The end. 
 
 -- - 
 
 EDIT: Better wording. 

