The Patriots

CHAPTER 6 (UNHOODED)

The funfair was held at the biggest park in Medellin. The place was decorated with balloons, see-saws, trampolines and other toys that could be seen at amusement parks - stuff that any kid would be enthralled to see. The general, Del, was dressed in a joker outfit with a painted joker face. All a part of his disguise because, the kids that were well off enough to own a television, could recognise him. The decor of the park, the outfit and the funfair itself, was all a strategy to distract the rebels.

Del was surprised by the number of kids who showed up at the park. "I wasn't expecting this many kids," he said to himself in awe. He conducted a little search before allowing the kids to enter. His other colleagues - Anna his personal assistant, Roger, Miles, Peter and other soilders were in charge of the search. The kids were a little bugged about why they had to be searched before a funfair, but they all conformed anyway.

"We all know we're in a rebellion situation. All safety measures must be taken. We'll be done before you know it and you can have all the fun you want," Anna announced with her smooth voice and sweet smile.

The soldiers were instructed to mark kids who were too small to fight with a white body stamp on their hands. Those who looked healthy and strong enough were marked with a red body stamp. Soon enough, the search was done and the kids were allowed to try whatever game and snacks they wanted until the second announcement was to be given.

Cecilia was shocked by the number of kids who showed up at the funfair. She knew their population was vast and the rebels had killed almost half of them. She wasn't expecting anything like this but she was so glad. She was given a red stamp but she did not really care to know what it was. She was not alone in this dark bloody world and she was relieved to finally be amongst her peers.

Cecilia explored and tried some of the games. Her favourite was the war game: a game which you had to shoot toy soldiers down with a toy gun full of rubber bullets in order to win a price. She did not win, so she went for some snacks, and there she noticed something, or was it someone.

Charles was at the funfair too, with a red body stamp. He didn't really indulge in the activities because he had a mission. The mission was solely for himself though, but he had to report back to his dad. He was searching for Cilia. They hadn't spoken in a year, but he knew her well. Cilia would never miss anything like this, not for all the books in the world. But he wished he could have fun like all those happy kids at the funfair.

He felt a constriction in his heart when he realised he was far from feeling the kind of freedom they felt unless his plans worked or unless a miracle happened. He saw Cilia at the popcorn shop.

"Her favorite," Charles smiled to himself. He was second-guessing if he should approach her or not. "Where is she going now?" he furrowed his brows in confusion as he closely followed behind her.

Kelvin had never been this happy in his life. He took his hood off and tried the trampoline. He laughed and cried happily as he went up and down the trampoline. It was his favourite when he was younger--when used to attend school. Doing this made him feel alive and free, like a bird. He never wanted it to end because the moment he got down the trampoline, he would be sucked back into his darkness. He couldn't stay on the trampoline forever, no matter how much he wanted to. Exhaustion set in and he had to go take some water or else he would pass out.

He put his hood back on and headed towards the water store. His gaze shifted to the figure behind the candy shop. It was Cilia, staring unblinkingly at him. He bowed his head and pushed his hood further down his head, pretending not to see her.

"Why does it always have to be her!?" he gritted his teeth. "I feel like she's spying on me," he exhaled with irritation. He realised this was no issue for him to get pissed off at, so he brushed it off and continued to where he was headed. It was probably a coincidence, dozens of kids were there anyway. He rolled his eyes at himself and took a deep breath.

After taking his water, he turned to try out some other cool game. He didn't notice how or when it happened, but when he turned he bumped into someone. It was her. Cilia. "How?" his eyes widened, then fell as he bowed his head to leave. Before he could turn in the other direction Cecilia spoke.

"¡Oye! It's me Cecilia. I was surprised to see you here. I just wanted to say hi. And we can hung out if you want. Can I know your name?" she asked coolly, as if her heart was not racing a thousand beats per second.

He ignored her and started walking. She followed him and continued nervously. "I...I've seen you a lot of times. But I haven't seen your face actually."

He still ignored her and continued walking.

"Why are you so quiet all the time? I've never seen your face...or heard your voice...or even seen you playing with other kids," she blabbered.

"It's none of your business," Kelvin finally said harshly.

"Is it because of the rumours? About your dad killing...." Cecilia knew she was going too far but she couldn't help it.

"I SAID IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!" Kelvin yelled, cutting her off, as he turned to face her, taking off his hood in the process. "Why don't you think about your own problems and stop poking your silly nose in other people's businesses!" he said straight into her face fuming with anger and then walked away.

"Oh no," Cecilia whispered. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears. She was just transfixed. "Did I just see his face? Did I just hear his voice even if it was angry and mean?" she whispered to herself blinking so many times to regain her composure.

Everything came back to her again. Her eyes widened when realisation hit her. "Shit. I shouldn't have mentioned the rumour about his dad killing his mom," she whimpered. She did not know whether to be excited that she was the first person ever to see the face of "the boy in the hood" or to hate herself for making him furious.

A small crowd had gathered when they heard Kelvin yelling. Other kids had seen his face now. They were baffled by what they saw. Every single kid who saw Kelvin's face was in awe. He didn't have those claws some used to describe him with. He was adonis, with glowing caramel skin and coffee brown eyes, and his hair was as dark as coal.

Kelvin wanted to leave and disappear but the disguised soldier at the gate wouldn't allow him to leave, especially because he also had a red stamp on his hand. He hated Cecilia now, more than he hated his dark world.

Cecilia on the other hand, was shaken when she turned to see the crowd staring at her. They saw everything, even his face. Now she realised she was in a much bigger trouble than she thought. Unwanted tears welled up in her eyes.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading!
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