Episode 16: Silence

A white mushroom of smoke blooms on the hill across the river. Within seconds the wind begins spreading it over the water, wrapping the trees and sky in a chalky haze. Terrastina stands at The Brew’s window watching it. There’s a fire starting, she says to Mazolli. He calls nine one one to report it, but they already know about it and have dispatched a crew to the site. Mazolli hangs up and stands beside Terrastina. It’s been so dry, he says, hope they can contain it. I dreamed about a fire, says Terrastina. It started exactly like this.