I believe it’s protection from invaders because mountains are known as natural barriers and make invasions difficult due to having to climb up the mountains
because stephanie didn't like getting injections,(and they were most likely painful), she had a negative and stress induced reaction to seeing a person dressed similarly to someone that did something unpleasant to her.
Laredo is the city located in texas and is found on the northern banks of the Rio Grande and has a population that is 95.6% Hispanic and Latino i.e Mexican in origin.
During Mexico and American war, the towns were occupied by the texas rangers and after the petition was not accepted many people living in the area for generations were moved across the river into Mexican territory.
Geographically this area is about 102.6 square miles and only 1.37% is covered by water. The area is covered by few hills and flat land with grasses, oaks.
