The Patriots

CHAPTER 23 (VERA)

COLOMBIA 2014. BEFORE THE REBELLION.

There was a big mansion, belonging to a wealthy business man, around the ghetto. It was situated closer to the capital than to the ghetto, but all the same, it became a target of the bloodthirsty rebels. The house was just two storeys, but it was huge and had a very great scenery. If you climbed to the second floor, you could see the rich vegetation and hills in Bogotà. That was why he built his house there in the first place. The man was a very wealthy business man, with a wife and a daughter. The name of his daughter was Vera. Vera Caprice.

Vera was given all the attention and love she wanted. She was pampered, but not spoilt, so she was very responsible and smart. She attended one of the best schools in Bogotà and she got good grades at the end of every semester. She also helped anyone who genuinely needed her help. And due to this, she was loved by everyone, even though some envied her.

Vera got everything she wanted, but she was never allowed to venture towards the ghetto, because it was believed to be a scary place and so it was. Vera's dream was always to become a lawyer and one day, to become the president of Colombia. She obeyed her parents and never stepped in the ghetto, but she believed that one day, she could change their condition.

One day after school, she was in the living room watching the news with her parents. They saw the news report about the attack of the rebels. Initially, they all thought the rebels were just attacking police stations, until the attacks were channelled towards the minted people.

Vera was filled with fear like everyone else. She was fifteen years old then. Vera always pleaded with her dad to talk to some of the ministers he had close contacts with, so they'd do something about the situation.

Her dad would reply, "I've spoken to them sweetheart, but they always say it's out of their area. I'll still try, just for you."

Her dad made several attempts to get the attention of the government and media when the attacks were getting more gruesome and closer to their mansion. But to no avail. His wife always pleaded for them to leave the country but he was attending to some business and he just couldn't leave the county.

"We'll leave as soon as I'm done with this project. I promise. We'll be safe," he assured them.

He even hired security guards who guarded him, Vera and his wife everywhere they went. This gave them a little sense of protection, but they still didn't feel completely safe.

Vera's mother was religious. She attended church every Sunday and supported the church with a lot of money. She started having heavy feelings in her chest. Every time she spoke about it to her husband, he told her not to worry. She planned on leaving with Vera, but she loved her husband so much, she couldn't leave him behind.

Finally, he finished with his project and they bought tickets and arranged to move to Canada. Everything was set, and they were going to leave that same evening the rebels planned to attack them.

Unfortunately, they were not fast enough to leave the house before the rebels arrived. They were left helpless in the middle of their own compound, watching their guards fight for the lives of their employers and their own lives. The guards could not hold the rebels back and soon enough, the rebels managed to break into the house.

Vera and her mother run back into the house as her dad tried to hold them back. He could shoot, so he pulled out his gun and fought back. He killed quite a number of the rebels, but they gained on him eventually, shooting his leg. They did not want him dead yet.

Vera's mother hid her in the vault where they kept their money, documents and priceless jewels. She gave Vera her necklace, as well as all the money they were leaving the country with. The vault was made of fireproof wood and big enough to hold Vera. It was also hidden under her parents bed, embedded in the floor in such a way that, no one would notice.