Stupid Prompt

Writing Prompt: The three trees looked at each other, wondering if the man was lying or not. The prophesied camel was with him, as was the 7-sided Rubik's Cube. Uganda was headed straight into terror, and they had to do something. With what they knew at the moment in time, the trees thought themselves as responsible. What they had not yet questioned was where the prophecy had first aired. You see, in the no less than 356 765 page cricket rule book, there were contradictions that not even The Supreme Jelly were aware of. The unknown man spoke thusly:

"You know you must take my offer. There's no other way."

The first tree sighed in the wind, "We know, of course. We've read the rule book just as you-"

"Quite the achievement, that," photosynthesized the second tree.

"But you know The Supreme Jelly will not be pleased at being tricked," aged the third tree.

"Bah," scoffed the unknown man, "And what do trees know of deception?"

"Your offer is intriguing," shook the first tree, "Especially in it's-"

"But this is still a choice, and we can choose to lose everything," grew the second tree.

"Trees are patient, unknown man. Our advantage in time is worth far more than your short term threats," rotted the third tree.

The unknown man thought for a moment, considering his words carefully. Finally he decided to state the obvious, "I have the camel. And the cube has answered my orders. Do you not believe me the master of the Jelly? Are trees so ignorant that they do not notice change when it presents itself on a silver platter at their roots?"

"And yet you shake at those same roots," creaked the first tree, "What of your resolve now that-"

"You want something from us, and you have offered only threats," chirped the second tree.

"Bargain with us, unknown man. Bargain for your desires. Trees do not play games of threat, as you well know," sank the third tree.

The man's resolve wavered for only a second, before strengthening again with the cube in his hands, "I know of the prophesy, trees. I know where it was spoken. Give me your support, and I shall give you that information."

"...How very interesting," waved the first tree, "I wonder, though, how you know so-"

"But you fail to consider a key point," branched the second tree.

"Those who read the prophesy go mad," decayed the third tree.

"The rumors are true," said the unknown man at once. He was ready for this part, "I tried it on my fool of a partner. She went mad like the rest," he looked the trees head on, "But the camel and the cube were enough. I came out unscathed, trees. I am no more mad than you."

"Are you so sure?" whispered the first tree, "I seem to recall-"

"Your delusions are quite interesting," rooted the second tree.

"In polite circles, you would be considered mad already. Who else, besides the broken, would bargain with trees?" withered the third tree.

The man paused.

"They try to trick you," clucked the llama, "Do not fall for their traps."

His resolved redoubled, "The llama is right. You have insulted me, even when I hold the cube. If you apologize, I will reconsider making my offer again."

"Wasn't that a camel just moments ago?" swayed the first tree, "Perhaps you require rest, or-"

"Mad. You're so mad," laughed the second tree.

"We're loosing him! Quick! Sedate him!" said the third tree.

"No No!" screamed the man, "You will accept my bargain, as the rules say! No more tricks!"

"Grab him! Hold him down!" called the first tree, "God, damn-"

"Get him off me!" pleaded the second tree.

"Mr. Breedlove, we're just trying to help," said the third tree.

The unknown man tasted bile and blood. The tree's deception was strong, but it had a flaw. "That is not my name," he spoke with his remaining resolve, "You have no power over me!"

"Where did you find him?" said the first tree, "I mean, what was-"

"In the forest, muttering to himself," said the second tree.

"Malnourished... Jesus. Look at his face. Did he do that to himself?" said the third tree.

The forest shifted around him. The trees becoming simple living logs sticking out of the ground. The man panicked.

"Fine! The prophesy was spoken among the council of wombats! They went mad... That is why the Jelly took over... Oh please..."

Like the crashing of a wave reality returned. The camel was prodding him awake, and the cube was clutched so tightly in his grip that his palms were bleeding. They hadn't been enough. He had been a fool to challenge the trees like that.

He looked up at them. They said nothing. The forest was wild and singing with magic around him, and yet the trees remained silent. So sure he was of his survival of the prophesy, he had run to the second trial without so much as a thought to it's meaning.

The unknown man shook and trembled on his way out of the forest. His plan had failed. It was over. Maybe if he had more resolve he could have struck the bargain, but...

He looked back at the forest. He had a lot of thinking to do.