Page 9

nine

Sawyer

Broken hearted or not, I came here to save the tree, and that's just what I was going to do.

I wait until everyone is gone before finding some clothes, locking up Byron's cabin, and taking his truck to get back to the protest. My hands grip the wheel so hard that my knuckles turn white.

Even with the seat pushed all the way forward, I have a hard time seeing over the dash, but I make it to the clearing without any mishaps.

When I step out of the truck, I can't believe my eyes.

The activists have set up camp. The tree is surrounded by people, and the neighboring fir trees are decorated with ribbons and banners.

The logging company workers are parked a few hundred yards away, waiting for instruction.

"Wow," I breathe as Star runs up to me.

"Sawyer!" She says. "The logging company was just here with lawyers and all that jazz. We got it all on live steam." She holds up her phone. "Girl, we are trending! More and more people are speaking out about the destruction of these old forests." Her eyes shine with excitement.

Wow, it was really happening. We were making a change.

My stomach twists into knots as the memory of seeing Byron being hauled into the Ranger's SUV comes back to me. Why was he the one getting arrested when we were all here?

"But, what about trespassing?" I ask.

"Oh, I'm sure they'll try to break us up. But every time they get close, they freak out because of all the cameras," Star explains. "No one wants bad press these days, y'know."

I nod, watching quietly as Star fills me in with all the details. Less than a day and the entire cause has been turned on its head. Hashtags, interviews, videos, and more. Even the people of Darkmore have gotten involved.

My chest is bursting with pride, and yet I still feel empty.

Then, I hear his voice.

"Sawyer."

I turn to see Byron, not handcuffed, coming towards me.

"Byron!" I gasp, immediately breaking into a run. I jump into his arms and let the tears flow. "Oh my God, Byron. I'm so sorry I let you get arrested." All of the anger I felt for him was gone. I was just happy to see him.

Vincent put his hands in his pockets and shut his SUV door with his foot. "Ok, you two, there's still work to be done, right?"

Byron let me down on my feet, his eyes shining. "Sawyer," he says. "I'm so sorry I hid things from you." I want to protest, but he puts a finger to my lips. "I should have told you about the sale, but I will make it right. You've inspired me. I'm going to buy back my family's land, piece by piece. Tree by tree if I have to. No one is going to clear cut in Darkmore ever again."

My heart swells with hope. The sounds of the logging equipment are barely a dull rumble now. They're retreating.

I look up at him, my eyes searching his face. He stands tall and confident, his jaw set in determination. "How are you going to do that?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Byron smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I have some money saved up," he said. "And with all this social media," he pauses and gestures to the protestors. "...stuff. That will help us, too. The logging company is pulling out. We've won, and once I have the deed to the land, I will protect it with my life if I have to."

I stammer. "You'd do that for me?"

"I told you that I'd take on the word for you. Saving a few trees is nothing, right?" he chuckles and then reconsiders his words. "No, not nothing. It's everything. It's the world. I want to save it with you, Sawyer. I want to be by your side, fighting for what we believe in, side by side. Together."

A warmth spreads through my chest at his words. I can't believe this is happening. Just yesterday, I was chained to a tree, ready to give up hope. Now, I have the love of my life at my side, ready to save the world with me.