As they were told, early the next morning, the letters were already at their doorsteps. In the letter, the parents were told that their kids had won a scholarship to partake in a two year training course being organised by the private institution- stated in the letter, outside Colombia. Most of the parents agreed to send their kids without hesitation. They would rather send them out of the country than to watch them die because of the rebellion. They signed the consent letters willingly.
Other parents, like Cecilia's mother, were in doubt. Anna had to do a lot of convincing on phone when those parents called for confirmation. Cecilia's mother was still not convinced enough to let her daughter go.
Cecilia watched her the whole time as she read the letter over and over again, and as she spoke to Anna on the phone. "She's not going to let me go, but I'm going," she said to herself and locked herself up in her room. She packed all the things she would need for the trip. The things were not much, just a few of her favourite clothes, her dairy and the small music box she found a year ago when she was playing in the ghetto.
She tore a piece of paper from her diary and started writing down a letter for her mum.
"Dear mum, I know you've done a lot for me since I was a baby. You took care of me and made sure I needed nothing. I'm sorry that I have to leave this way.... I love you mum." She finished with tears in her eyes. She folded the letter and waited till night fall.
In the night, as Cecilia predicted, the letter from Anna was in the trash can. Cecilia took the letter out of the trash can and forged her mother's signature on the consent letter. She then went into her room and started her countdown to prison-break.
Kelvin also got a letter. He wondered how those military men managed to sneak into the ghetto without getting caught. "My father will not read this letter anyway," he sighed as he picked up the letter and headed into his room. He gave a little laugh after reading the letter. "People who work for the government are always tricky. I would have fallen for all this gibberish if I didn't know the real deal," he whispered as he signed the consent letter.
Kelvin contemplated on whether he should write a letter for his dad or not. He knew his dad did not care much about him, or so he thought. "I have to let him know I'm okay. I can't afford him going on a rampage just to look for his stupid son," he finally gave up. He did not have a bag, only the one his clothes were in. That bag was too big for him to take along and go unnoticed, so he sneaked into his dad's room and took his satchel which was big enough for at least, three or four cloths.
His dad still had a picture of his mum in his room. "Mum," he whispered as he went closer to examine his mum's face. He looked like her, yes. She was beautiful. Kelvin even wondered how she ended up with a man like his dad. He was angry and sad. He had tears in his eyes as he stomped out of his dad's room to his room, dropping the letter as he left.
Preparations were finished. It was dawn when Del and Roger brought the bus, along with a few cloths for the orphans who were with them in the camp.
Earlier that day, Charles came to meet Del as planned. Del had some things he had to clarify from Charles to make sure he was not a rebel spy.
"Hey kid." Del called.
"Charles, my name is Charles," he replied.
"Yeah right, I kinda forgot." Del lied just to make sure Charles was not lying. "So tell me Charles...," he continued, "what's your story? I want to know the whole truth."
"I lived with my mum and dad in the ghetto. My dad went to the capital one day for some work and he came back home very pissed off. He never spoke of what happened. He just kept saying those government officials and minted civilians were corrupt to the core. Then some years later he started this whole rebel thing. I know my dad. I'm sure he wanted to demonstrate in a more civil way. I'm sure it's those buffoons he calls his friends. They made him this way." He narrated shakingly, with all his buried fury rising.
"Calm down ki...Charles." Del said putting his hand on Charles' shoulder to calm him down and slapping himself mentally because he almost called him kid, again.
Charles took a deep breath and continued. "I didn't want to join them in the rebellion when it all started. I was in school with my friends...friend. I was happy, but one day after I came back home from school, this hell begun. He was going to kill my mum if I didn't accept to join them. He was going to do it, all under the influence of his STUPID FRIENDS!" Charles screamed as tears streamed down his face.
"It's okay Charles. I get you. Come with me." Del sympathised and led Charles into the tent to meet the others.
Vera and the other orphaned kids, as well as Anna and the other soldiers were there when Del introduced Charles.
"Hello people, meet Charles, our new member. He won't be going with us to the military base, but he will have special duties back here." Del said as he signalled Anna and the other soldiers to a private space.
"This kid...I mean, Charles here, is the son of the rebel leader. He has really gone through some hell and he wants to work with us to end this mess. I'm accepting him. He will be our eyes and ears here in Colombia while we're away. I trust he's going to do good." Del smiled and his colleagues nodded in agreement.
"So what do you say, spy?" Del asked.
"Secret Agent, I prefer secret agent." Charles answered with excitement.
"Okay," Del agreed with a little laugh.
All the kids arrived at the camp before 6 a.m the next morning. They were numbered as they boarded the bus. Del and Anna admired the kids for their courage and strong will.
The air in the bus was warm and heavy. Everyone was nervous, scared and excited. Del walked into the bus and they were set to go. He noticed Kelvin and called, "Hey, kid in the hood." Kelvin was petrified in his seat when he was called out by Del. He even thought he did something wrong, but deep down he knew why.
"Come here." Del beckoned Kelvin when he looked up at him.
Kelvin slowly stood up from his seat and walked to Del.
"What's your name?" Del asked.
"Kelvin," he replied.
"I think, Kelvin, that you no longer need to hide behind this." Del said taking the hood off Kelvin's head.
"Shit!!" Kelvin screamed mentally bowing his head the second the hood went off his head.
A/N: Thanks for reading🤗
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The Patriots
БоевикIn a ghetto located in a suburb of Colombia, there rises a rebellion which leads to war and bloodshed. Teenagers are trained from parts of Colombia to fight for their country. For if the bloodthirsty are not stopped, they would lose everything they...
