Divided: Proyect Ares

Two sides

The bird in the window is much more interesting than the class. The down jacket does not belong to any particular species, its interest lies in the fact that it is outside that room, outside, where there is a world to discover. Since humans were dominated by those half man and half animal beings, many things have changed. His father, Arthur Chasseur, has told him that before they could travel the world and see different places, try exotic foods next to the Tower of Pisa. However, he is in there, listening to the history teacher talk about the events that occurred after the Second World War.

— Matías, since you are paying so much attention to the class, tell us: what event marked the world order after the fall of the Berlin Wall?

He gets up from his seat, considers it a nuisance to review these events every year, it seems to him that they cannot forget what happened, because they are reminded of it on television, radio and newspapers.

— The great divide, sir, the period when we ceased to be free and became a harvest

The classroom teacher looks at him annoyed— You'd better drop that harvest thing, Mr. Chasseur!" We and the animanos have a peace treaty, the wall is a symbol of freedom for both sides; they make their lives and we make ours.

 The bell rings before he can refute his teacher's argument. Students leave, rampage through the classroom entrance, and the hallways fill with bustle. Matias stands waiting for his companions to leave the room, there is no point in getting into the crowd that tries to leave the room as if there were a bomb inside; in the end nothing will change for him, he will come out among the last anyway.

Once outside, he takes a look at the school store, it's too crowded to buy anything. He sits on the benches to wait for it to be emptied; it is his last year of classes, but he has not yet defined what he will do after school. Maybe he could go to college, although he doesn't find careers very attractive; Another option is to enlist in the police like his father, only that he knows that the uniformed life is somewhat hard, it is plagued with frequent absences and visits to the hospital due to injuries, he still does not understand why his father has not requested retirement.

— Look, he's the fool who wants to stay as a crop!

Five boys stop in front of Matías, who is still looking towards the store. He prefers not to respond to Raúl's comment, considers him a second-rate bully and knows that words don't work for him.

— What's going on? Don't you want to talk to future traitors? Are we not worthy of your speaking to us? —Place his face close to the victim, wait for some response or reaction. It has been a long time since he has seen tears, the last beatings have been accompanied by silence.

Around the young, nobody dares to intervene. Although it may not seem like it, the school imitates a jungle, the strongest live in peace, while the weak survive as best they can.

Raúl and his four companions, Samir, Óscar, Camilo and Omar, begin to be bothered by the silence, they consider it an act of rebellion, something that has become frequent in each of their encounters. A couple of Raúl's henchmen stand behind the bench, while the other two sit next to Matías.

— We can do this where no one sees us or after school, you choose.

He continues to stare at the store, holding his breath as he holds the bench with all his might. He is tired of running away and being beaten up, he knows very well how to defend himself, his father taught him when he was little, after one afternoon he returned beaten; However, he does not want problems at school, he considers that fighting is not the solution, as it will only increase the conflict. He is waiting for the first blow, that one is always more painful, he does not feel the others, the multiple beatings have taught him that. He slowly stands up and accepts his fate.

— I'll be busy after school.

The four of them stand by his side in a friendly way so as not to attract attention, they want to make sure he doesn't change his mind and try to run away. The time of the persecution has passed, if they take too long, a teacher could realize that something is happening.

They walk towards the lonely area of the school, the students who haunt the place leave when they see Raúl's group, no one wants to be a witness or take action against them.

Raúl cracks his knuckles, it's his way of starting the traditional beating. They place Matias in front of a wall and the four accomplices are placed with their backs to him, while Raúl does not hide the excitement that this produces in him. The victim closes his eyes, only one thought is present in his mind: "The first blow hurts, the rest I don't feel."

That first blow does not come. When he opens his eyes, he sees Leandro, his friend and protector, holding Raúl's neck from behind.

— What would people say if they knew that the great Raúl received a stab in the butt? — He whispers in the abuser's ear. It would be an unforgettable anecdote for the yearbook. He pauses for Raúl to assimilate the situation— We continue?

He can feel something sharp on one of his buttocks, his body freezes in fear of being stabbed, an icy sweat slides down his forehead. He knows that Leandro is capable of doing it, the student spent three years in prison for robbery and murder, he is not afraid of blood; In addition, he assures that in jail they nicknamed him Red Throat, since their fights ended with razor wounds to the neck of his opponents.

— Guns are f*******n in school ... You'll get expelled. —He tries to dissuade him by hiding behind the school rules, even though a moment before she was about to break them."

— Annoying those who want to stay is also f*******n, don't tell me what can and can't be done in this place —Press the weapon without piercing the skin, its objective is to cause psychological pressure— If you call yourself the king of the school, then I am the emperor; You better learn your place once and for all. He looks at his friend and then at the four who hold him. I don't see them letting it go— he says in her ear.

Raúl looks at his companions. Without needing a word, they know the situation is wrong. They release their victim and they retreat, while Leandro lets go of his opponent and conceals the hand in which he carries the weapon.

As soon as Raúl is released, he runs at a safe distance from his attacker.

— You can't always protect him!" He strokes his neck. And you —points to Matías— today you were lucky!

The rescued boy breathes a sigh of relief, but remains concerned as they return to the bench where they were supposed to be.

— Hey, it'd be a problem if the teachers found out about your weapon.

Leandro smiles.

— Well, let them find what they want, they can't take this from me. —The hidden hand is holding a very sharp pencil.

— Let me guess, not what you have, but what they think you have? —Matías raises his eyebrows in surprise.

— Laws of survival. —Leandro sits down next to him— Speaking of survival, have you heard on the news what happened to the guy who survived a bear attack?

—Yes, something I knew; the man affirms that the animal had human hands, they even assure that it was an animano investigating the area.

Leandro reflects on that; he thinks things could get out of control.

If it were a reconnaissance mission, it would mean a war is going to start soon —Are you sure to stay here? As I understand it, they are superior to us in every aspect: intellect, physical abilities, and physical attractiveness.

— I don't agree with the last one — he make smirks.

— The physical aspect?" What with that?

— I don't see how a half-frog person can be more attractive than us, I think it's just rumors."

Leandro rolls his eyes, he doesn't seem to perceive the seriousness of the matter.

— I'm not kidding, if they attacked this side, it sure would be a s*******r just for us.

— You know very well that they cannot kill us, none of them is capable of having children, they need us to continue existing ... we are their farm, I don't care if they insist on making us believe otherwise ... but it has its bright side living here — He can't help a smile when he sees Catherine, his girlfriend; she has just arrived with her friends at the schoolyard.

— I can't compete against that. — He smiles and slaps his only friend's leg.

At the end of classes, Matías goes home with Catherine, they plan to eat a few hours later with their parents. Leaving aside the constant attacks against the boy, it could be said that his existence is the definition of the perfect life; he has a good family, health, an above-average physical condition, an excellent girl by his side. Anyone wish they had his life.

From afar, Leandro watches them. "I suppose that if that were my life, I would not want to leave this place either." He walks in the opposite direction to return home; this ends the happiest moments of his day.   

Walking through the streets of his neighborhood brings back bad memories for Leandro. The little ones play gangs, the adults stay in the entrances of their houses drinking, smoking and listening to music, as if each one competed to place their chords louder than the neighbor. Your mind is lost the first time you commit a crime, it always happens on your way home.

That night his father took him to work for the first time. They took the bus to the center of the city, little Leandro was twelve years old, he was excited because, at last, he would help his father at work. He had noticed that most of the time, the man came back injured or extremely tired. On that occasion, he explained that they would do the night shift.

They came to an alley that connected to a little-traveled street. The boy's father looked around to verify that they were not being observed.

—Listen, Leandro: I need you to get out of the alley, go up to a person outside and ask for their help. Tell her I'm sick, something that forces her to enter.

—But if nothing happens to you, that's lying. Why are we doing this? Won't you take me to your work?

— Just go and get someone —His father was trying to be patient.

— I won't lie, at school they teach us that lying is bad, I'm not going to lie. Although I didn't know what was going to happen, I had a bad feeling.

— Just obey! Now go —He closed his eyes before giving him a little shove

—That's not right, I won't!

The man knelt down before looking at him compassionately. However, the gesture was followed by a sudden slap on the cheek.

—I don't care if it's good or bad, we do what is necessary to survive. She grabbed him violently by the shirt. Now go out and get someone, or I'll leave you right here. I raised you for this, if you don't serve me, why should I give you a home or food?

— I'm your son.

—The children do what the father says, I say leave this passage and bring a person. He stopped clutching his shirt. Quick!

The little boy's eyes filled with tears. More than the pain of the slap, the words cut him deep. He left the alley without looking and tried to cross the street with his eyes closed, but a car honked its horn before coming to a stop. Leandro looked around him in horror; a second later, he collapsed on the ground, bathed in tears, but with a shocked expression on his face, terrified that he had come so close to dying.

A fifty-year-old man got out of the car visibly upset.

— What were you thinking, kid? I was able to run you over —The anger faded as he stopped at the tears in Leandro's face— Hey kid, why are you crying? Something happened? Tell me, boy, did something bad happen to you?

The driver sensed that something was wrong. He looked around and a hunch told him that the source of the boy's discomfort was in the dark passage.

—I… —He glanced in that direction, his heartbeat getting stronger and stronger— Me…

—Help! Help!

The screams of Leandro's father alerted the driver, the boy only saw his back as he quickly approached in the direction of the alley. Leandro stretched out his hand to stop him, but the words did not come from his lips, the shock and fear of his father prevented him from warning the man to move away. Too late, he heard a few shots followed by dead silence.

From the darkness the driver emerged, his eyes wide as he walked slowly in the direction of the little accomplice in the crime. Leandro saw blood on his chest, one hand hid the wound, while the other remained stretched

— An ... ambulance —he mouthed before falling to the ground with little groans of pain.

Leandro's father left his hiding place to turn the body of the victim. After examining the wounded man, he stripped him of his belongings.

— First lesson in survival, Leandro —He opened the driver's wallet and tossed the family photos beside him— The dead do not testify against you.

Leandro's father pointed at the driver's head, who began to cry. His hand seemed to beg for some mercy.

— My family ...

The bullet crossed the head before the man finished his plea. Leandro remained frozen; it was all his fault. He saw the photo stained in blood and took his head in his hands, biting his lower lip as he pressed his skull hard. His fault, he could only think that it was his fault.

— Well done, son —His father's hand brought him back to the ground. We even get a car, they will give us a good amount if we sell it in parts.

Leandro remained speechless, thinking about what had just happened. The paternal image began to distort, that man was a murderer and a thief; he was many things, less a role model.

The patriarch of the home ordered him to get into the car and put him in the passenger seat before slamming the door. The scene was repeated when he got home and, once inside, he remained silent, as silent as it continues now, eight years after his first crime.

The house is empty. He leaves his belongings on a dining room chair and accommodates the photograph of his younger brother and sister, whom he misses terribly. He must prepare lunch, but he is in no mood, so he takes refuge in his room to rest from the day. In his room he has a poster attached to the ceiling: "Fight for what you want and don't let anyone destroy your dreams." Run one of your hands over his face and remember the fourteen-year-old Leandro who put up that poster. "If I knew how things have changed ...".

Hear the front door open, followed by a voice.

— I'm home, Leandro!

He rushes out of the room to greet his father.

— Hello —he can't look him in the eye today either— I just got home from school so I haven't packed lunch.

— What have you said? —The backpack drops sharply.

—That lunch isn't ready, I just got home from school.

— If you didn't waste your time in that place, lunch would be done —He takes his son's face between his hands, the young man's heart begins to beat, he detests it to the point of not tolerating his touch— Forget about studying, you are like me, assume it at once.

The man walks away to find a beer in the fridge. For a moment, Leandro looks at the backpack and discovers fresh blood stains. He knows that it is another crime that no one will try to investigate, the area where the survival of the fittest is governed, has always been like this.

— How can you continue to lead the life that killed two of your children?

— They died because they were weak! —He points the can— The next time you don't look me in the eye when talking to me, I'll make sure you can't see me because of the swelling they'll have.

— Yes sir —He keeps his gaze fixed.

— Where are you going?! —Toss some beer on Leandro's back.

—To collect the loans ... dad.

Leave the house immediately. He hates the way of life they lead, he wants to get away from crime. His dream is to be a policeman and arrest soulless people like his father, but he knows that a policeman cannot be steeped in crime, as he is a defender of justice. For this reason, some time ago he started offering loans to people; although it is also illegal, it helps you calm your conscience, since it only charges what belongs to it, but without forgetting the respective interests.

He walks into the street and people watch him from a distance. They fear him, in prison he earned a reputation that he had already started in those neighborhoods, a reputation that he despises and does not deserve, but he knows that now it serves him to live in the dark world.

On their way, three fifteen-year-olds approach.

— Hey, Red Throat, are you going to charge? I hope this time you buy us a drink.

They're too young to drink— How about sweets? —Leandro's eyebrows are raised in front of the request.

— Whatever you want, Red Throat; if it's free, that's fine by us.

— Well, we'll talk later, don't get in trouble —The young men walk away, satisfied by the promise— By the way, don't call me using that nickname!

He arrives at the first house, where he is greeted by a seventeen-year-old adolescent, some younger than him. She doesn't dare to look at his face, she turns her eyes to the side as she strokes his arm.

— I'm sorry, we don't have the payment.

— Where is your father? They are two months late.

— He ... is not there, but —she gets very close to him— he told me to give you compensation for the delay —she caresses Leandro's lips with his fingers and approaches his ear— How about you lie down on the couch and I reward you?

He closes his eyes trying to calm himself, he is outraged by the way that father treats his daughter.

— Where is? —He responds in the girl's ear, in a soft but neutral voice.

— In ... the bar —The seductive tone has changed, replaced by an expression of fear His eyes are glassy, he clings to Leandro's arm— Promise you won't kill him.

He looks at her for a few seconds, he knows where to go to pay off the debt. She insists on his look and understands that it was a mistake to insinuate herself, so she slowly let’s go of her arm.

— He will be back.

He continues on his way, still outraged by the disgust that man produces in him, capable of offering his daughter as compensation for a late payment. The longer he lives in this place the greater rejection he feels towards him, p**********n, drugs and blood abound. He feels sorry for the people who move to that area, he knows that they start out as correct citizens, but with the passage of time they become corrupted; upon discovering that neighbors steal from each other, newcomers incur the same; in addition, every day is plagued with fights and conflicts.

Two blocks before reaching the canteen, noise reaches him from inside, he makes out laughter and a lot of commotion. He stops at the entrance of the establishment, he does not like the idea of entering through there, he considers it attractive since one of his survival rules is that the objective should never notice the presence of his stalker. For this reason, he walks around the room and knocks on the door that leads to the kitchen.

— What are you doing here? We have nothing pending, last month I finished paying my fee, you withdraw it yourself. —The bartender is surprised to see him.

— So you won't let me pass? —Leandro is deaf to his claims.

The man stops at the boy's cold gaze, he knows he shouldn't provoke him, this visit could end badly if he does.

— I ... I don't want trouble, that's all.

It bothers him that they consider his presence as a symbol of problems, although he admits that it is. He only leaves the house when requested for a business or to withdraw the charges, he knows that his appearance at the bar means one of the two.

— One of your clients is behind on the money I loaned him —He points to the tables. I promise not to cause problems on the premises.

He enters quietly, thinking that he has made two promises in one day. "One more and I beat my record," he says to himself. He walks over to one of the chairs and sits down, mingling with the crowd dancing and celebrating in the establishment. He carefully analyzes each person and listens to the conversations, careful to find his target.

— A rat came into the room —says a man at the next table.

"We haven't had a rat in a long time, How should we treat it? —This time, the murmur comes from behind Leandro.

Without lowering his guard, he continues his analysis of every corner. The word "rat" is a code for undercover policemen, so he concentrates on looking until he finds it, he's leaning against the bar with a drink in hand. Around him, the bar crowd prepare to draw knives and stab him. Ignorant of what happens, the officer has not realized that his operation failed. Leandro looks at him carefully, thinks that he is most likely a novice, perhaps a recent graduate of the police academy who has not yet understood that the hills of Valparaíso are lost and it is impossible to apply the law to them, less at the hand of a person.

Leandro plans a risky maneuver, jumps up, and runs towards the undercover officer. Once in front of him, he punches him hard on the cheek and falls to the ground. The man is puzzled, before he can answer, Leandro picks him up and approaches his ear so as not to be heard by the rest of the people.

— You're in danger, I'll get you out of here.

The officer stands guard, but looks around surreptitiously. Although discreet, he notices everyone's eyes on him and, despite the darkness, makes out the gleam of some knives. In a second he decides to trust, fixes his gaze on his attacker and nods his head.

— Damn you bastard! Did you like to touch the other's woman? Leandro takes another blow at the policeman's face and lifts him by his shirt to throw him against the door, you better not come back!

The policeman leaves the premises as quickly as possible and disappears from the sector. In the meantime, Leandro notices that his debtor is trying to escape with a group of people, assuming they are his friends. Without hesitation he pulls out his razor, it's time for him to get back to his job as a collector. The hunt begins.