The morning started like any other: a hose in one hand, a few dry flower beds waiting for water, and no reason to expect anything unusual. Then a flash of bright red near the edge of the garden stopped me mid-task.
It was small, glossy, and oddly shaped, tucked among the plants in a way that made it look both out of place and impossible to ignore. For a moment, I could not tell whether I was looking at a strange plant, a discarded object, or some sign that something in the soil had gone wrong.
I turned off the water and leaned in, but not too close.
The color was the first thing that made me cautious. Gardens are full of greens, browns, and soft floral shades, so a vivid red growth immediately feels dramatic. Its surface looked smooth and unusual, and because I did not recognize it, my first instinct was to keep my hands away.