Ren ignored the vibrant, man-eating flowers snapping at her ankles and focused on the greens. Her knowledge of botany and culinary herbs kicked into high gear, but in this alien world, trial and error was the only true science.
"Okay, gumbo needs earthiness," she muttered, scanning the foliage. "I need deep flavors. No pressure, just the lives of everyone I know hanging in the balance."
She spotted a cluster of broad, lush leaves that looked remarkably like spinach. They were glistening with morning dew and looked delicious.
"Hello, beautiful," Ren whispered.
She crouched down and ripped a leaf off. She took a tentative nibble.
"Ack!"
Ren spat it out violently, scraping her tongue with her teeth.
"Soap! Why does it taste like soap?!" she gagged, wiping her mouth. "That is not spinach. That is a garnish for a laundromat."
She moved on, shaking her head. She spotted a purple, bulbous root poking out of the mud. It looked like a beet.
