beneath the falls (1)

The town of Alder Creek had always thrived on the gentle rhythm of its seasons.

Nestled between rugged mountains and lush forests, its charm lay in the simplicity of life: the local bakery that filled the air with the scent of fresh bread, the sound of children laughing in the park, and the deep blue of the creek that meandered through it all. But on this particular morning, the tranquility was shattered by a rumble that echoed ominously in the distance.

Tommy Hughes, the town’s unofficial historian and a former park ranger, was out for his morning walk when he noticed the vibrations beneath his feet.