Freewater

A woman named Sky, who is camouflaged and patrolling Freewater, hears men nearby marking trees that they plan to cut for a company called “DSSL.”

Sanzi awakens on Remembrance Day, which commemorates the founding of Freewater. She misses her patrolling father, David, but her mother, Mrs. Light, and older sister, Juna, are present. Mrs. Light and Juna are preparing acorns, berries, and herbs for a “memory circle” ceremony. Sanzi doesn’t want to help, instead dressing like Suleman with a bow and arrows. She had a dream in which she was a hero, and thinks it was a premonition. Juna tells her not to leave, as she needs to be present for the ceremony. Sanzi says she’ll return in time.

The Big Tree in the center of Freewater is blooming and producing acorns, which the people eat for good luck. Sanzi instead retrieves Ibra’s 14-year-old son Billy from their cabin, a boy who speaks with a stutter. Billy doesn’t want to get in trouble, but Sanzi convinces him to leave with her.