A choked laugh bubbled out of Jacob as he was pulled to his feet. Relief, gratitude, exhaustion—all of it flooded him at once. He let out a breathless chuckle and hugged his friend tight, the reality of his survival settling in. The nightmare was over. He had saved the forest!
In the days that followed, the forest was assessed for damage, and the site was shut down permanently. The illegal mining operation was dismantled, and Jacob’s bravery did not go unnoticed. The town council honored him with an award, a symbol of his unwavering courage and determination. His efforts proved that one voice could make a difference.