Skinny Tree

When the surprised voice cut through the stifling night air, I raised my head from the stupor that clouded my senses to look at the source of the sound. However, an arresting sight caught my attention before I could glance at my companion. 

Before us was a … for lack of a better word, tree. This tree was standing in front of us while crossing its … arms? I was forced to assume those branches were arms - although they were more like leafy twigs than thick branches.

The tree in question had planted itself firmly in our path and was staring us down. Or at least, it was attempting to. It didn't work very well, partly because I could barely even discern its eyes - which happened to be of a similar shade to its bark - and partly because the tree in question was kind of… skinny.

Nevertheless, we had paused quite a bit of distance away from the tree. Personally, I was just trying to process why a seemingly humanoid tree was trying to block our way. I hadn't seen it while I was walking, which suggested that it had moved in our way to block us - although perhaps it was just because I was in a daze.

Seeing my normally vocal compatriots frozen for a change, When I tentatively took a step forward, intending to communicate with the peaceful looking tree, it immediately backed away with surprising speed. 

I froze. Part of the reason was because I understood that it did not want me to approach, but most of all, my mind was struggling to process that the tree had moved. Although the tree had branches that looked like arms, and it definitely had eyes of some sort, I subconsciously still thought of it as a… tree. A tall, woody plant that notably did not move. However, I was forced to accept the fact that the tree had somehow moved by uprooting itself from the ground with the support of its roots, and then replanting itself a step away from us.

At this point, my comrades, who were now a step behind me, chose to recover from their stupor and I immediately felt a solid smack on the head. I flinched from the impact, turning to glare at my assailant, who had dropped to a knee along with the other student. They were kneeling… to the tree? 

Suddenly, something clicked in my mind. The tone of voice I had heard when one of them called the tree a 'Lesser Wood Spirit' was one of awe and reverence, though mostly surprise. Coupled with the fact that this tree was one that could move and was most likely sentient….

I turned back to the tree and dropped into a kneeling position, head bowed. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I considered the possibility that I had accidentally offended some sort of deity, and I mentally thanked the guy for slapping me on the head.

A moment later, I realized something was wrong. No deity would have the name of 'Lesser', and the name of the tree was also a Wood Spirit, which suggested that the tree might still be a tree… a weird one. Also, why was I happy that someone had slapped me on the head? I should be repaying the favor!

However, before I could consider my plan for revenge in detail, a sound interrupted my thoughts. To be more exact, it was a voice… a voice speaking in a bizarre language that I could strangely understand.