In the heart of a war-torn southern town, a man grapples with loss, guilt, and the harsh realities of survival. As the Civil War rages on, the town’s social fabric frays, leaving its inhabitants to fend for themselves in a world where violence and power rule. He finds solace in the memory of his late wife, whose garden lies neglected, a symbol of everything he has lost.
When he unexpectedly acquires two enslaved individuals at a local auction, his life takes an unexpected turn. The two, a man and a woman disguised as a man, bring with them not only the scars of their past but also a spark of hope that challenges the quiet despair he has settled into. As he struggles with the moral implications of his actions and the violent threats posed by local tyrants, he finds himself caught between the desire to protect the innocent and the urge to survive in a lawless land.
As tensions mount, he must decide whether to risk everything to stand up against the corruption that has taken root in his town or retreat into the safety of isolation. The choices he makes will determine not only his fate but also the future of those who have come to depend on him.