Chapter 54 - The Morning Light
The morning light revealed a stark, terrifying contrast.
The upper mountain owned by Ironwood Logging was a blackened, completely incinerated wasteland of ash and charred timber.
But below the ancient aqueduct trench, the Silva farm and the surrounding valley remained fiercely, beautifully green. The leaves were covered in a thin layer of gray ash, but the roots were entirely safe.
Ramón sat heavily on the tailgate of the pickup truck, his face covered in soot, his breathing shallow but incredibly steady.
Mateo walked over, handing his father a canteen of fresh water.
"We held the line,"
Mateo said, his voice thick with exhaustion and profound awe.
"The land protected us,"
May you like
Ramón corrected him softly, taking a drink.
"Because we remembered its history."
