The Greenhouse

The air in the greenhouse was wet and thick. White lights hung from the ceiling, shining through the plants, creating the sort of green glow in the room. The plants swayed slightly as though brushed by a breeze, but there was none to be felt. Patrick moved gracefully between the various flowers and ferns, touching each lightly and whispering to them. He seemed to almost be asking them about their health rather than actually checking. He wore a white lab coat, making him look very much like a doctor. The greenhouse door creaked open, startling him. He jumped behind a nearby plant, removing his eye-attracting lab coat.

“Patrick?” Victor’s cool voice said, muffled by the plants that absorbed the sudden burst of sound. “Patrick, William is worried about you. He says you refuse to leave the greenhouse. Is everything alright?”

“Victor, I’m busy. Go away,” he responded coldly and blatantly. “Nothing is the matter besides the fact that I can get no quality amount of work done without everyone in this god forsaken castle thinking something is wrong.”

“Yes, of course.” Victor sounded disheartened. “I won’t disturb you any longer. We just thought that maybe you needed help adjusting to—”

“Go away, Victor!” Patrick shouted, remaining still behind the plant. He waited until he heard the creak as the greenhouse door closed and clicked shut. He stood slowly—checking to make sure Victor was truly gone. He put the lab coat back on and returned to attending his garden, trying to ignore the green glow that seemed to radiate from his skin.