The Revolution Came

Intermission: Letters to the family

"To mi amada familia,

There isn't one day that I don't miss you... I'm sorry that I left without any reason, but I had no choice.

To mi hermanitas, I'm sorry that I caused you both great pain, yet remember that your Hermano-mayor loves you and did his best to protect you all from getting hurt...

To mi Madre, I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you since Pá passed away. I promise that when I return, I'll be there to protect our familia the same way he did.

To mi Cuñados, Protect mi hermanitas the way I should have done. I might never see your faces again, but I hope you're safe. I'll never be able to say this in person, but thank you for being there for them, for keeping them safe, and for loving the family.

To mi favorite sobrina, Maria. I know you won't remember me; it's been six years since you last saw me. Remember, always that you have nothing to prove; you're special just the way you are. Oh mi dulce sobrinita, recuerda que eres amada todos los días.

Abre los ojos, Mantente seguro mi familia,
Cody Henry Luis Rivera,"

_______________

"When are you going to send those letters, Cody?" Kyra asked, crossing her arms as she watched him stare at the unopened envelopes on his desk.

"I will... eventually," Cody muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Kyra rolled her eyes and stepped closer. "I know you miss your familia every day, but leaving these letters unsent isn't helping you or them."

Cody let out a tired sigh, nodding slightly. "I have to keep my distance. If the Guardia Civil intercepts them, they could track my family."

Kyra gave him an unimpressed look. "Cody, that was nine years ago. Are you really sure they're still hunting you?"

His jaw tightened as he turned away, unwilling to answer. Kyra sighed, her exasperation laced with concern.

"CODY HENRY LUIS RIVERA!" she suddenly shouted, making him flinch. "You have the courage to fight against the Regulars, yet you don't have the guts to send a damn letter to your family?"

Cody shot up from his chair, eyes blazing.

"NINE YEARS!" he bellowed, slamming his fist on the desk. "The Spanish Regulars didn't stop looking for me after five years- five godforsaken years of hiding just to keep my family safe! I won't risk everything now just for a letter!"

Kyra took a step back, stunned. She had seen Cody angry before, but this was different. This wasn't his usual fiery defiance. This was desperation. The weight of his past, of everything he had sacrificed, hung over him like a storm cloud.

His shoulders sagged as the anger drained from him. He sank back into his chair, rubbing his temples, already regretting the outburst. Before he could say anything, the door burst open.

Mey strode in, urgency written all over his face. "The Regulars are planning to attack the weapons and gunpowder storehouses at Cheverton!"

Cody and Kyra exchanged grim looks.

"Mey," Cody said, his voice steadying, "warn the militias at Cheverton and St. Ezekiel. Tell them the Regulars are coming. Once you've rallied the troops, Commander Richard Pratts will take command."

Reaching into his coat, he pulled out three letters and pressed them into Mey's hands. Mey hesitated for a moment, then gave a firm nod before rushing out the door.

Cody exhaled sharply, turning to Kyra. "You and James need to be ready. You're our only chance at winning independence from the Regulars." His voice dropped slightly, his expression unreadable. "And I know they're planning something. I just don't know what."

Without another word, he grabbed the last letter on his desk and walked out of the cabin, leaving Kyra standing in silence.

End of Intermission