Chapter 11: Chapter 10

We walk through the town square. A group of people collect around the town’s gazebo, hiding a public speaker from view.

We hear shouts of anger and frustration. My stomach sinks as I feel a sudden urge to move in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, we need to pass by the mob to reach our required destination or this trip would be all for naught.

“It is clear that not enough is being done to ease the problem! We look to Spain. What does she do?” A man’s voice can be heard booming over the crowd.

People shout and shake their fists in response to the question. The speaker continues.

“I guess the best thing to do is sit and wait.” The speaker let’s his statement hang in the air for a bit. The crowd finally responds, “for what?” More people gather around joining in the fray.

“For the King to send more men. For the government to fix the issues that we have. How else do you people believe we can take care of ourselves from these savages?” The speaker smiles as he continues to spark the crowd’s rage like an unlit match.

“Shoot them!” A man in the crowd shouts out, much to the crowd’s delight.

“Ha ha! That’s an idea…I don't think we can make it happen but…” the speaker’s smug demeanor just begs for a punch to jaw. Unfortunately I’m in no condition to do it. “It is very smart of you! Very smart! Maybe I should add you to my own personal team of supporters, “ the speaker chuckles. I only know one man that can rile a crowd into a barbaric frenzy: the Commandante. He and I don’t agree on a lot of issues.

“Savages?” A lone man in the crowd questions the Commandante. People quickly move away from him like roaches from a light. “Savages? They’re people. They need the same thing you or I need to live, to survive!”

“Boooooo!” A man with heavy European features stands before the others. The Commandante looks pleased at the situation. People quickly move to his side and amplify his loathing for the natives. “If you like them so much why don't you just let them move in with you?! Give them from your rations. Don’t expect the rest of us to do the same. We work hard for what we earn. They have taken everything from us. Our jobs, our food rations, our homes. Even our women!”

The lone bystander answers back with an attempt to equal the angry man’s energy. “That’s a bunch of bull and you know it, Enrique. Now that the Commandante is out here parading himself like a peacock, you turn on your own people.”

“They are not MY people, Gustavo.” The angry man, called Enrique, clenches his fists as he shouts back.

“Yes they are. Just like you were born on this soil. Your family may have come from Spain but you were born and raised here just like the rest of us. They eat the same food you do. They toil to acquire money to pay the same taxes you do to contribute to the lives of all our neighbors.” Gustavo tries to neutralize the argument with compassion and empathy.

“Mi querido Señor,” the Commandante says in an attempt to focus attention back onto him. “The savages you speak of do not want to be like us. You are mistaken. They only want to stain, taint and pervert our way of life. They mock us.”

“How on earth do you make up such bold lies, Commandante?” The young Gustavo does not back down. I admire his courage.

“Papi? Why are they fighting? Why are they saying such bad things to each other?”

I try to answer her as calmly as possible despite the sudden twisting pain in my stomach. "It is what happens when different opinions try to cross the same path.”

“Should they not find a way to work together?”

“In an ideal world, mija.” I welcome Milagros curiosity. I just wish it was under better circumstances.

“What is going to happen?” As if in response to Milagros question, the Commandante orders his detail to apprehend the young man named Gustavo.

“I can respect your opinions and the strength of your resolve. But I cannot risk the safety of my people with your treasonous logic,” the Commandante says with a degree of spite and malice in his voice.

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“Treasonous? All I did was speak up for those whom cannot speak for themselves.” Gustavo tries to resist with his words but grows limp as soon as the soldiers encircle him.

“You talk like a rebel!” Enrique can no longer hold himself back. He charges the younger man despite the soldiers already holding him in place.

“Papi! They're fighting!” I try to shield Milagros with my body. She’s young and her innocence is being tainted with such acts of violence.

“Mija, let us get out of here before someone…”

<¡BANG!>

The two men stop their scuffle. An officer holds a pistol pointing into the air. “Thank you citizen for looking out for your fellow man. My soldiers will take this rebel and choose an appropriate punishment”.

The Commandante ends his speech with a wave of his hand and walks down the podium. The soldiers accost the young man and drag him away.

“Is there anything you can do?”

“No, Milagros. It's in God’s hands.”

“So we can only stand and watch?” Tears begin to well up in her eyes. Nonetheless I grab Milagros' hand and quickly walk away from the scene. I go as fast as my bad leg will let me.

“There is only so much that we can do, as individuals.” I begin to run out of breath. “We put ourselves and our families at risk. The Commandante and those that rally by his side are not right in their minds. They see their pain and troubles and are lead to believe that their fellow man is to blame. All this while the fat cats sit and laugh as they add to their wealth and fortune.”

“So people give up?” Milagros has an easy time keeping up with me even if I’m at a light jog.

“Giving up is not the key. What people must do is rally behind a figurehead and rebel against the Commandante and his lackeys. Alone, a person can be weak. But in likeminded groups, people can be strong.” I pause and think about the large vocabulary I use with my 6 year old. She’s almost 7 but still.

“How do we find these people?”

“I don't know amor. But hopefully soon we can leave this place fore something better…something safer.” I admit it. I changed my plan from earlier before. Things are getting dangerous, even within this small community.

Milagros begins to cry. “But I love my home. I love the people.”

“Then I guess we will just have to take the people you love in your life with us.” I am too softhearted to tell her the truth.

“That would be wonderful”

“Yes that would be great, actually.”

...

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