Protest

I accepted the bulletproof vest, but I refused to wear the helmet, I am not a girl to be protected in such an exaggerated way and to appear with such a helmet in front of the crowd would be ridiculous.

Verónica advanced towards the crowd, a few soldiers passed me to reinforce the sector in which the protesters are advancing.

"We have to switch to riot control ammunition"

The comment gives me a terrible feeling, the cheers of the people asking that the animanos leave the capital resounds with great force, I accelerate my steps in the direction of the claims, I arrive at Erasmo Escala street when looking left and right I can see the Troops have already formed barricades on the corners of Maturana and Av. Brasil, although the noise only comes from Maturana.

The soldiers prevent people from the other locals from going out to see what is happening, I listen to the claims of some people, I could intervene to calm the situation, but dealing with the crowd is more important than with specific civilians, in addition the army seems to have things under control.

The noise of the people stopped, around the corner I can see that Veronica is standing in front of a crowd of people with ski masks on their faces.

— Hello, Carolina —that's the voice of my sister Rosa— I thought you didn't like attending these kinds of events.

— Someone had to support the father with this to govern a country —I look at the people located behind her, they are not armed, they have wooden sticks and pots— Don't you think this is too much?

— The one who has soldiers with weapons roaming the streets says it. How long are you going to deny that this is an invasion?

— We are only bringing stability to the country —Verónica clarifies— we are making sure that the people can improve their quality of life —she looks towards the rest of the people— Since we began to govern we have only focused on improving their quality of life! ! Is it so hard to believe that someone is looking to help you ?!

— This is nothing more than a camouflaged occupation! If they wanted our country to return to stability, they would let us rule it!

The crowd supports my sister's claim, the chants of expulsion are heard again, when I see the rooftops I notice that the troops are ready their weapons.

I lean closer to Veronica's ear to whisper to her, "We can't let this end in a shootout.

"That's the last thing we want to happen." After answering, he directs his attention to my sister Rosa. "What do we have to do to get them to leave this place?"

— Leave Chile, it's very simple.

Veronica nods slowly— So this negotiation is at a standstill —I am surprised that despite that, it does not look uncomfortable— Let's say that tomorrow we leave this country!

Rosa raises her hand to ask for silence, everyone repeats the gesture to indicate silence.

Once the crowd is ready to listen, she continues— If we cheer we would stop supporting this country! Who would rule them ?! Do you know of another group of people willing to give up their wealth to help you ?! Most people with money quit! Who will give up his fortune to bring this country afloat ?!

None of the hundreds of people dares to answer the question, the murmurs in the group indicate that they had not raised it.

— We do not need someone in the head —answers my sister Rosa— we are a people and united we will lead this country to prosperity.

Verónica crosses her arms and smiles to contain her laughter while the crowd shouts "The people united, will never be defeated", Rosa looks at us defiantly while the shouts behind her reinforce her confidence.

— Leave this country once, "says my sister," we do not need your charity to live well and we will not tire of reminding you until you leave.

I look at Verónica who remains calm in the face of provocations, using arms to dissolve this revolt would be simple, but the social repercussions would damage our image as a government.

Finally she takes a deep breath and exhales with resignation. "We can't deny you the right to demonstrate, but keep things quiet." After saying that, she turned around to return to my dad's event.

My sister and I stare at each other without saying a word, I look towards the rooftops, most of the flying animals leave their posts to return to watch the surroundings, the ground soldiers also retreat to their original guard posts, people celebrate Like they just won a battle, I'm the last to return

Rogelio is smoking at the entrance to the palace, Concha, when he sees me, he drops his cigar on the ground, steps on it to put it out, and approaches me.

— I did not hear any gunshots, it is a relief to know that things did not get out of control. Was your sister at the protest?

I'm not surprised you know about her. "I was leading the way." I look at the cigar on the ground. "Do you have one to give me?

- Allow me - he takes the pack out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket, a cigar sticks out so that he can take it, I place it in my mouth and he takes care of lighting it - I would accompany you, but I have already smoked enough.

— It's okay —I throw the smoke to one side— it's hard to win the favor of the people.

— It is normal for you to be so distrustful —you keep your hands in your pockets— none of you five are devotional saints, each of you has at least one relative who participated in the previous government - I notice some discomfort in your voice - also, in they are not wrong about the animanos, sooner or later this country is going to be divided by the wall and who knows what will become of the humans then.

— We will not abandon them —I make it clear— the wall is the safest way for both sides to live in peace, human intolerance will not allow us to live in harmony.

Rogelio looks at me strangely, as if he had said something that is wrong — human intolerance? You make it sound like you're not part of us.

— That? No, it's just that that's the way things are, humans are unable to deal with those who think differently, now imagine when they look different —I point to the interior of the palace— all the people look with fear at my dad, if he wasn't a politician influential I assure you they would have already shot him.

— You are exaggerating, what you say is nothing more than a biased and pessimistic opinion, we can find peace, we only have to create instances to get to know each other.

— Know each other? Do you hear their screams that ask to expel us? The wall is the best way to live in tranquility, you will soon realize it.