Chapter 154: Is it really nessacary? For the...well to be created?
"A well is a deep hole dug into the ground to reach underground water," Isabella said, raising her voice just enough so everyone could hear, her tone crisp and deliberate, melodic in its clarity. "The water comes from beneath the surface—clean, filtered naturally through layers of soil and stone."
She took a few steps to the side, motioning gracefully to the large stone-lined structure behind her. "This is the one we built. It doesn’t look like much now, but it’s powerful. Unlike the rivers and streams you’re used to, this pulls from a deeper, safer source."
The villagers were quiet—staring, blinking, shifting in place as if trying to make sense of it. None of them dared interrupt this strange little woman who spoke with such strange little words. But her tone, her posture—it was commanding. Even the skeptical ones stayed quiet.
"I noticed," Isabella continued, eyes scanning the crowd, "that your current water sources... well, let’s just say they’re not the best."
Her words earned a few side-eyes, a few raised brows, and one overly dramatic gasp from someone in the back, but she kept going, unbothered.
"The rivers are muddy after rain. The streams dry out when it gets too hot. The water smells off some days. Few of you make attempts to boil it—good effort—but that’s not always enough. And for those of you who don’t?" She gave a meaningful pause. "You’ve been getting sick more than you need to."
A soft wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. People were whispering to each other now, glancing at their neighbors, thinking back to moments that might prove her point.
"I built this because I care," Isabella said plainly, hands clasped in front of her. "I live here too. I see what you drink, what you give your children, and it’s not right. It’s not safe. And something had to be done."
She took a deep breath, letting the silence draw out for just a second longer before continuing.