Chasing ashes...(On Hold)

*Chapter two*

America was my dream land since i was a kid. Mexicó is my home, but the U.S has always fascinated me, and i would take it anytime no matter what. I have planned to continue my art studies there, even start my carrier as an artist and open a gallery for my works. But that was much before what happened, now it's quite fictional and anyone would call me delusional for not letting that dream go.

_America ? How are you even gon-"

_Alonso." Mom stated with a tiny smile, interrupting Eliza.

_Oh good God, Carlos ?" She exclaimed with wide eyes.

_Yeah...well." Mom cleared her throat. "He called me yesterday. He knew about...Alejandro somehow."

The mention of my father's name still feels like a deep knife stab in my chest, repetitive one actually.

_Wh-what did he say ?" Eliza frowned.

_He wants us to move out. I mean, to Los Angeles. He said there's no way he can protect us unless we're near him, and that it's something he owes to Alejandro."

Who's this guy anyway ?

_Typical Carl..." Eliza mumbled and my mother nodded.

_I refused at first but when i didn't get the job this morning, i thought we'd give it a shot." Mom sealed her lips in a tight line, internally hoping this isn't a bad decision. I hoped for that too.

_Who's this man now ?" I asked out of worry.

_Well.." Mom started and Eliza chuckled lightly. "He's your father's best friend, actually, me and Eliza's best friend too. He was in our group of friends from high-school."

_And he wants to help because ?"

_I just said he's a family friend now didn't I ?"

_Mom, we literally begged everyone we know for help. Everyone refused, why didn't he ?"

Not a single police officer from my dad's friends accepted to keep us in his house. We only needed protection from the gang that was still after us for some reason, but for that same reason, everyone was afraid to offer us help.

_First, I didn't ask for his help, he offered it. Second, i guess he feels as if it's his job to protect us after Alejandro left." Mom explained.

_Protect us ? He knows ?"

_Surprisingly, yes. I have no clue but he seems to know more than any of us about this mess." Mom sighed.

_This is weird." I pointed out and David nodded.

_Carlos is a very mysterious guy, but he has an angel's heart." Eliza smiled.

_He does, and that's why Sandra fell head over heals for him. I really miss her." Mom continued and Eliza's expression turned into a scowl.

A few minutes passed in silence before i had to break it.

_Are you sure about this ?" I asked, not taking my gaze off the pancake plate to look at her.

_No, but there's nothing else we can do Tinita." Mom replied. "You know they're after us.." She whispered as she brought herself closer so that only I could hear.

_I could still get a job." David shrugged, taking a huge bite off another cupcake.

How pathetic is it for a 7 year old to think of getting a job just to feed his family ?

_David, I said i didn't want to hear you say that again." Mom scolded him.

_There's nothing bad about it mamà, I wanna help." He frowned, and all mom did was sigh and bury her face in her hands. She gets so sensitive when any of us says things like that, she wants to afford a new life for us where we wouldn't feel any change, but that just can't be.