Tita's flowers have always been beautiful. They're the tropical equivalent of the tulip gardens of Keukenhof in the Netherlands. They're the kind you'd only find in postcards and magazines. They're the sight you'd only expect to find in old age when you decide to do your bucket list. They could also be the vision you'd only ever dream of. No matter how I describe them to you though, my own words can't entirely describe that which is my tita's flower garden. You just have to come see it for yourself.
Since my parents are working abroad, I get to stay with my tita and help tend to her garden. I've been living there for more than a year now, and I admit that it's fun to live with her. Besides her awesome garden, she feeds me food I'd only dream of having in restaurants. Everything she cooks either comes straight from her greenhouse or from her animal farm a few miles away. From the flowers to the food she makes, everything at her house is a treat. I'd love to have you come over and see everything for yourself.
Hey, you're that kid that lives next door. I've seen you peeking through your living room curtains, watching us in the garden. You seem pretty shy, but you don't have to be. Why not come out and hang with me? Tita won't be back for another hour anyway.
Now come with me to the garden. We can hang there, and I'll tell you more about the garden.
See, this garden has been here for as long as I can remember. Even looking through old baby pictures of me in this house shows that this garden's much older than me, and I don't think I'm much older than you. Wait, how old are you?
Four years old, you say? I'm thirteen. Tita would love to meet you. She has a thing for little kids like you, you know. I guess you could meet her later when she comes back from her errand.
You seem to like the kalachuchi over here. Nearly every kid that's been here has a thing for it. I have to admit that they haven't thrived until Tita let the other kids come here. Now look around you, they're all over the place. All these flowers have once been a little tree, but now they're like a little forest back here. Maybe these flowers are just hungry for attention.
My personal favorite are these black roses growing in this shrub. A lot of the visitors who've seen these think Tita have dyed them this way, but she's actually grown them naturally. I don't know where she's got the seeds to grow these here, but they're really pretty around here. They're a nice contrast to the white roses growing beside them. I totally dig the monochromatic thing going on, don't you?
This garden is beautiful because Tita tends to it with great care. It's been difficult at first, but as soon as she's taught me the ropes around, I've helped around a lot. This place has once been off-limits to me, but she's eventually let me in to help and tend to it when she's not around. I don't think she minds me showing you around right now since she trusts me, so you're fine here.
Don't worry about it, alright? You don't have to be scared.
I just realize now how much of these kalachuchi flowers we have growing around here. I've never thought that there would be this much, but here they are. They're a pretty incredible sight, all these many flowers. I doubt you've ever seen these many flowers. Have this one then; it's fallen down anyway. No way this one's growing any more.
"Hello, hijo? Where are you?"
"Tita, I'm out in the garden by the roses."
That's Tita calling. She doesn't usually expect visitors, but I doubt she cares at this point. She'd even love it if the visitor's a kid since she loves it. I think I've already said that earlier.
"Oh, who's your little friend here?"
"This is the kid next door, the one too shy to come say hi to us."
"Oh hey there, you're just a little cutie now, aren't you?"
You look pretty distracted. Look at yourself just admiring the view of this garden. I know that feeling the first time I've set foot here. You have that same wonderstruck look on your face now like I've once had.
"He really loves your garden, Tita. Just look at him."
"So has every other kid that's been here. You really love this garden, don't you now?"
Your smile tells us you want to be here for much longer. What if I tell you that you can be here for as long as you want, maybe help us grow the garden?
"He sure looks it. Tita, weren't you planning on planting a new bed of sweet peas? We could use his help."
"Yes, he'll do well with the compost now. We need someone this healthy for it."
I don't think you can hear what we're even talking. You've already wandered off to the kalachuchi trees again while we've been talking here. At least you won't know what we have planned.
See, there's a reason these flowers grow well. The fertilizer we put into it is mostly made up of Tita's compost, but in it's a special ingredient--the remains of kids the likes of you. We need one just like you. In fact, we need you.
You're the last ingredient.
"Hijo, you know what to do. Kill him."