The Patriots

CHAPTER 5 (THE FUNFAIR)

Using the posters worked. The government military was now working under cover as a private institution that was organising a funfair for the people. They specified the age range of those who would be allowed entry -- those between the ages of twelve and twenty-three. The general of the Colombian army took this job upon himself. They could not afford to make any mistakes again. Now real work could begin.

A lot of people saw the posters, even those in the capital. Many kids below and in the range yearned to be part of the funfair. There were a lot of activities at funfairs, activities they hadn't participated in for a long time because of the rebellion. It was strange that in times like this, a private institution would walk into a danger zone trying to organise a funfair for kids.

Many went against the will of their parents, secretly and openly just to attend the funfair. Some also didn't need to ask anybody because they were orphaned. These kids needed to go out there and have a little fun, to see their old friends and make new ones.

The rebels saw the posters too, but as much as they were confused at first, they brushed it off. "Must be a senseless fellow who has too much money and doesn't know what to use it for," they mocked.

"We should go see at least. It could be some people plotting against us," Charles said with a shrug and the place grew silent. He liked the look he saw on their faces, but he had to clear the air. This was for him, not for them.

"Pero...no need for us to send troops. I believe it's just a kids' show. I will just pass by to see if everything is in check," he added quickly when he realised his comment could generate into a serious issue.

"Okay, go and check the place out," They all agreed to let him go because they had no time to waste and they were not interested in that child's play anyway.

"Make sure to report anything unusual. ¿Ha quedado claro?" Wolf asked in his calm authoritative tone.

"Sí," Charles nodded and left before his dad could change his mind.

It was the day for the funfair. All the kids who wanted to attend, with or without permission from their parents, needed to find a safe route to the location in order not to cross paths with those rebels. On the other hand, the only rebel going was Charles, so those precautions were a total waste of time; because those who knew a shortcut to the location had to take a longer "safer" route.

Charles spoke to a few of the rebels before leaving. He did not want to look too eager and excited. So he acted normal like he always did, before leaving the ghetto. He had showered and wore a much brighter shirt. He felt so relieved since he had not worn anything apart from that rebel attire in a long time. He smiled, but it was a very little smile, because this was his first baby step to freedom.

Cecilia could not sleep the night before. She tossed and turned in bed thinking of a way to disappear from the house without her mother noticing. When morning came, she had dark circles under her eyes, even though she did finally sleep after hours of restlessness. That morning, she had already hatched her plan. The dark circles were one proof. Her act would be the rest of the proof.

She slowly went about her chores and she kept on faking sneezes and coughs. She managed to make herself look as pale as a ghost, but her mother refused to notice. When her mother served breakfast, she left the food untouched and placed her head on the table.

"¿Qué está mal?" her mother finally asked.

"I feel sick mom. I would like to stay in my room for the rest of the day. No disturbance," she said feigning a sick voice. Her mother was in doubt, so used her hand to check Cecilia's temperature.

"You're burning up. Finish your breakfast and take this medicine before you go," she said as she walked into her room and back, and placed a pill in front of Cilia.

Cecilia really wanted to gulp all the cereal down her throat, but she had to keep up her act. Finally, she was done. She took the pill but did not swallow it. Then she went up into her room and locked her door quietly, like a thief sneaking into another person's home. She almost screamed with excitement at her success. She covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled and went to the window.

"Funfair, here I come," she murmured and jumped out the window. This time she landed right, straight on her feet. "Perfecta," she smiled to herself with pride, and she quietly run into the streets.

Kelvin did not have to say anything to his drunken dad before leaving the house. He wore his hood as usual, dug his hand into his pocket and headed out. He felt uncomfortable though. He was certain that there would be a crowd out there. He normally went out to watch the kids play but he knew they would not be as much as the crowd he would meet today. He still had to go anyway.

Kelvin dropped out of school but he was very smart. He read books he found around the ghetto, dumped by minted kids just because they had a little stain, tear or wrinkle. He was smart enough to know that any human in his right mind would not organise a funfair in Medellin. That too, in the middle of the danger zone. He had to see what would actually go on there.

With everything set, Del Pine, the general of the army along with his subordinates got ready to welcome their little visitors. All the kids took different routes. All different routes leading to one destination and in no time, the park begun to fill up with kids who never thought they would live to see another day.

A/N: Thank so much you for reading!
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The fun has just begun😁💜