Teamwork cleans up a mess

After I explained everything, the first thing I had to do was clean up after my dinner. Only then would my parents talk to me.

Turns out they found the spilled food too.

As I was finishing cleaning the carpet from all the stains, I was bracing myself for any punishment or lecture that was coming my way. When there was no trace of noodle sauce left on the carpet, I went to put away all the cleaning products. Then I washed my hands, dried them, and went into the garage where my parents were waiting for me.

The first words that came out of their mouths wasn't a lecture, or punishment. Instead, the first thing Mom said was, "Xeni, why in the world would you plant a random seed you just found? Much less not tell us, especially when things started to get this bad?"

I forced myself to look at my Mom. "...Because I wanted the garden back... I wasn't thinking straight. I-I thought if I told you guys, you would take it away from me... again. And I didn't want that to happen, or put Wy- the plant in danger."

My parents looked at each other then sighed. "I understand that Xeni, but now look at what a big mess we're in right now."

"We have to tell the authorities," Dad added. "And the only way to remove this... this sapling-" he looked at the baby plant "-and all the other sprouts is to burn the plant. That's what the scientists are going to order from the plant exterminators."

My eyes widened at this. "No! Please, don't hurt the plants."

"It's not up to us to decide what will happen to the plants," Dad simply said.

"But there has to be another way. What if we hide the plants again? Like how I already did with the original one?" I tried.

Mom sighed. "Someone's bound to find the plants sooner or later. It's only a matter of time. This isn't something that can be hidden forever Xeni."

"I know, but... we can't kill the plants. They're living things!" I argued. "Is- isn't there another way we can take care of the plants?"

My parents were silent for a minute. Then, Dad asked, "What are you thinking of?"

I thought about it for a moment, then asked, "Well... what if we just let the plants grow in the wild? Like how they used to do hundreds of years ago?"

"That doesn't solve the blackouts though."

"What if we built a greenhouse where the plants can grow? That's powered by electricity? That way the plants can grow with the energy it needs, but it won't bother us?" I suggested.

Mom nodded, considering the idea. "While that is a good idea... I'm not sure if the rest of the public-"

"-or scientists for that matter," Dad cut in.

"Or the scientists," Mom added. "Will be on board with the plan. It's just that... it's been so long since a plant has been grown around the city, for the entire public's care."

"Then we'll convince them. We'll change their mind. We have to try," I said, the hope inside me growing bigger and bigger.

"Whatever you do, tell us from now on. Don't keep us in the dark. Otherwise you might make a huge mess you can't fix," Mom warned.

"Deal," I said, smiling at her.

Whatever that would happen next, whatever will happen to Wyfi and all of its saplings, is a mystery for now. How we're going to convince everyone and make a change, I'm not completely sure. As for how we're going to be getting out of the mess I created, I have no idea.

All I know is that we're going to be doing it together. As a family.

~~~

A/N:

This is the end of all the prompted chapters. Also, the end of the main story! Don't worry though, there is an Epilogue to nicely wrap things up. And it lets you know of the story's aftermath.

Originally, I planned for more chapters after chapter 12. But I started to personally loose interest in this story, and I wanted to finish the book by April 23, the UIC deadline. So I ended up shortening the story. 

Although the ending could have been better and more expanding, I'm quite happy with the way things ended up. And the Epilogue just adds to that.

Well, I should probably let you guys read the epilogue and finish up this book. See you in the next chapter~