Captain Torres Survives A Rebel Encounter
Zhanel M., Bogota
- Will one become a killer if they kill a killer?
April 4th, 1945 in Bogota, Colombia, Captain Torres came for a shave at a local barbershop where he met Mateo Garcia, a secret rebel and the barber. Captain Torres tells him of his recent rebel-hunting excursions, and punishments and invites him to watch yet another execution. The barber kept lathering and shaving, seemingly with a feigned lack of interest.1 A few witnesses from a grocery store2 across the street spotted them and provided more insight into the story.
The power struggle is not alien to the people of Colombia, the constant flow of rebels and revolutionaries, fighting for their beliefs seemed endless. And on that day Mateo was fighting in his own battle against Hunter Torres, a significant military figure. Mateo was visibly soaked in his own sweat, and had a disoriented, hectic gaze. However questionable of a choice he made, by sparing Torres' life in his own way he won the battle by not becoming a murderer.
Camilla Gonzales, one of the witnesses, provided us with valuable information. According to her, Captain Torres was not oblivious to Mateo's identity. Hunter Torres came in, removed his weapon and closed his eyes on the barber's chair, provoking him with gruesome details of his 'accomplishments', fully aware of Mateo's rebellious character.
"Mr Garcia is a conscientious barber that sees to not let a single pore emit a drop of blood.3". - Camilla Gonzales, a witness of the scene and Mateo's acquaintance.
Witnesses have mentioned that from afar the encounter looked mundane and boring. Just a customer talking to a barber. While Ms Gonzales heard the gory details, they were events that Captain Torres sees as a routine: killings, punishments, executions, imprisonments. A normal dialogue between a customer and a good barber.
"Killing isn't easy. You can take my word for it." - Captain H. Torres4
If one rebelled against something, it does not mean that they are willing to get blood on their hands. Mateo Garcia may have made a choice that put him in a place of an honourable barber, but also someone who let go of the only chance to eliminate the cruel leader of an enemy pack. Maybe Torres would be replaced with a greater evil. That is for the reader to decide.
1 "feigned lack of interest"- Mateo, a quote from the story, pg 2
2 Information from the story- "It was the same as ever: the grocery store with two or three customers in it."- Mateo, pg 2
3 "... taking pains to see that no single pore emitted a drop of blood."- Mateo, pg 2
4 "They told me you'd kill me. I came to find out. But killing isn't easy. You can take my word for it" - Captain Torres
PLEASE NOTE: The names are mostly imaginary, as all the characters would have been great figures of interest in reports and their names would have been common knowledge for the news report reader.
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FAKE News Article on Alan Turing
RandomBased on my personal research and some use of creative writing, such as an interview with Alan Turing which actually never happened. Just a piece of work that I found great pleasure in writing and sharing!
