Chapter 127

Carl pulled the car to a stop at the foot of the hill.

Stewart took Irwin's hand, and together they began their hike up the slope.

At the entrance to the cemetery, two rows of tall, lush trees-both evergreens and flowering shrubs-lined the path, their branches intertwining overhead. The shadows they cast seemed almost like silent sentinels standing guard.

In the center of a broad, solemn plaza stood a towering stone memorial, reaching up toward the sky.

Stewart paused with Irwin in front of the monument and laid a wreath at its base.

The air was thick with silence.

It was Irwin's first time here, and he looked around with wide-eyed curiosity.

Stewart held his small hand tightly as they made their way up toward the graves clustered on the hillside.

Countless unnamed heroes of the modern age lay at rest here.

"Dad, who are we visiting?" Irwin asked.

"We're here to see a great hero." Stewart glanced down at him, his eyes

shadowed by a heaviness Irwin didn't quite understand.

"Like Iron Man?" Irwin pressed, hope flickering in his voice.

quietly, his tone solemn. "But

Irwin's big eyes darted

a simple, black headstone. No

away the dust with his hand and

between them was heavy with unspoken

his father's side, glancing from the headstone to Stewart. He had a thousand questions but sensed

said, turning back and gently ruffling his son's hair. His voice was low, steady. "Kneel

"Okay!"

dropped to his knees in front of the grave, pressing his hands to the ground, and

at Stewart, his small face full of innocence

feet, his large hand enveloping Irwin's tiny one. "Come on.

does this hero have

"He does."

his neck to look up

But Stewart didn't answer.

could sense that his

the

way down—but this time he was smart enough to steer clear of

Lantern Festival!

glanced at him. "Do you

I was too mean

she doesn't

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