The atmosphere in the small council hall was heavy with dread. Papers were scattered across the long wooden table, each one bearing the same cruel verdict that they needed to vacate within the next few hours.
Abigail’s father, Mr. Curtis, sat among the other council members, while his weathered hands clasped tightly together. His jaw was set, but the sadness in his eyes betrayed him.
“What choice do we have?” one of the older men asked bitterly. “They’ll bring in the demolition trucks tomorrow. We can’t fight money and power. We’ll just be dragged out like dogs.”
Another man slammed his palm against the table. “We’ve lived here all our lives! Our parents, our grandparents, this is our land. And now they want to erase it overnight?!”
Mr. Curtis closed his eyes as his chest tightened. “I
