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Another man stood, folding his arms across his chest. “How do we know these photos are real? It’s easy to doctor a photo.”
I gestured for Hayze to join me; he stepped forward silently, holding a folder thick with documents and samples. “We have lab reports corroborating the photos,” I said firmly. “We found toxins above safe levels in these water samples.”
The corporate representative smirked. “Anyone can create fake reports.”
Hayze placed a vial of water on a small projector, magnifying its contents onto the screen—a myriad of particles floated within. “This is from your site,” Hayze’s voice resonated in the room, clear and factual. “Independent labs confirmed the results.”
The room erupted into heated discussion, some voices rising in defense of West Corp out of fear or loyalty, others clamoring for justice and reparation.
A woman near the back stood up, her hands trembling slightly as she held them out for silence. “My daughter’s been sick,” she whispered when the room hushed. “Doctors couldn’t figure it out—now it makes sense.” Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with pain and betrayal.
“I know change is frightening,” I addressed them all. “But doing nothing means more sickness, dying wildlife, destroyed habitats.” I let my words sink in.
“What do you propose we do?” asked a young man near the window.
“We demand accountability from West Corp,” I replied passionately. “We take this evidence to the authorities, to the media—we make them listen.”
Hayze nodded slightly from where he stood beside me; his confidence fueled my own.
The community members exchanged glances; resolve slowly knitting together divided opinions.
The corporate rep attempted to speak again, but the calls for action from the crowd drowned him.
As people stood in solidarity, a surge of hope rippled through me like wind through leaves—a community awakening to its own power.
As the townsfolk huddled with community leaders behind closed doors, I stepped down from the platform, my hands still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of confrontation. Hayze joined me at the side of the room, his expression unreadable as always.
“They need time,” he murmured, almost to himself.
I nodded, biting my lip. “Time is a luxury we may not have,” I replied, a tinge of frustration seeping into my voice. “Every day we wait, the river suffers more, the wildlife struggles harder.”
Hayze’s gaze met mine, steady and unwavering. “You’ve ignited something tonight,” he mumbled. “That’s a start no one can take away.”
My shoulders slumping slightly as I sighed. “I just hope it’s enough.” I glanced around at the remaining attendees, who were whispering amongst themselves or staring thoughtfully at the evidence still displayed on the screen.
Hayze stepped closer, his presence comforting. “What you’ve done takes courage most people never muster,” he breathed. “You stood up to power with truth on your side.”
I shook my head, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. “Courage doesn’t guarantee change, Hayze.” I turned to look at him fully now. “You saw them—the doubt in their eyes. The fear of losing jobs, stability.”
He placed a hand gently on my shoulder. “Change is often born from such doubt and fear,” he offered. “It’s a force that disrupts but also transforms.”
A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. His faith in me—in us—was a beacon in moments like these.
“But what if it’s not enough?” I whispered, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability with him. “What if all this just makes things worse?”
Hayze’s hand squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. “Then we face that together.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “You’ve already made an impact, Arlet. You’ve brought them to this point of decision.”
I let out a long breath and leaned into his touch for just a second before straightening up again.
“You’re right,” I admitted reluctantly. The fight wasn’t over; it was just beginning.
Hayze nodded and glanced toward the closed doors, where decisions were being made that could alter our entire course.
The doors creaked open, and a hush fell over the room as everyone turned to look at the community leaders emerging with solemn faces.
Hayze stood behind me like a shield as we waited for them to speak.
Whatever they decided now would either fuel our fight or snuff it out before it truly began—but standing there with Hayze, I knew that no matter what came next, we wouldn’t face it alone.
