Simple. It was the lack of awareness.
Maybe this was what the earliest ancient humans felt like when they had no idea that something called oxygen existed.
It was there—vital, all around them—but they just…didn't know.
And right now, Ollie was that ancient human. Because he had gone from sunshine to soggy pudding in under ten minutes.
It wasn't a sudden crash. More like a slow-motion collapse. A withering.
Luca noticed the drop in mood after they'd marveled at the miracle crop—that one that his father hadn't managed to kill—and the trays upon trays of lettuce that would be ready for harvest soon. It was even from the aquaponics dome that his brother had worked on with his own hands. So it should've been a celebratory moment.
And yet, Ollie's steps lagged. His brightness dimmed.
Luca, understandably alarmed, turned to his brother. "Brother, are you alright? Are you feeling sick? Or perhaps...are you hungry?"
"Oh, I'm alright, brother!" Ollie said.
Then immediately sighed.
