Chapter 7: The price of survival

I came home tired, but tried not to show it. The house was quiet, I wiped my face with my sleeve and went straight to mom.

When I pushed open the door, she was lying there, her thin body almost lost in the big blanket. She smiled when she saw me, even though I could see she was in pain.

"Luis," she said softly, her voice weak. "You're home. How was your day?"

I sat down on the edge of her bed, forcing a smile. "It was okay, Ma. Just work, you know. Nothing special."

She looked at me with those eyes that seemed to see right through me. "You've been working hard, haven't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but it's nothing I can't handle." I did not want her to worry. She already had enough on her plate.

She reached out and touched my hand. Her fingers were cold, and I could feel how weak she was. "You're a good boy, Luis. Always taking care of us."

I swallowed hard, my chest feeling tight. "You don't need to worry about anything, Ma. I'll make sure you're okay. I promise."

She smiled again, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Just don't push yourself too hard, my son. You're still young. Life shouldn't be this hard for you."

I didn't know what to say to that. So I just nodded and sat with her for a while, holding her hand.

After some time, I kissed her forehead and told her to rest. "I'll check on you later, Ma. Let me go see Emilio."

Emilio was in his room, sitting at his desk with his books spread out like he was about to tackle some world changing project. 

I knocked lightly on the door and walked in, holding the pizza box like a prize.

"Guess what?" I said, grinning.

His face beamed with excitement. "No way! You got it?!"

"Of course," I said, setting it down on his desk. "You earned it, champ. An A on that math test? That's no joke."

He jumped out of his chair and hugged me. "Thanks, Luis! You're the best!"

I laughed. "Alright, alright, save the speeches. Let's eat before it gets cold."

We sat on the floor because his desk was full of books and papers. I opened the box, and the smell of melted cheese and pepperoni filled the room. 

Emilio grabbed the first slice like he hadn't eaten in days.

"This is so good," he said with his mouth full.

"Slow down," I told him, laughing. "You'll choke."

He swallowed and looked at me. "Do you think Mom will want some?"

"Definitely," I said. "We'll save her a couple of slices."

We ate in silence for a bit, just enjoying the pizza. 

I could tell how happy he was. It wasn't just the pizza, it was the whole moment.

He worked hard, and now he was celebrating.

After we had our fill, and wrapped up the leftovers.

Emilio looked at his books and sighed. "I still have homework," he said, sounding a little defeated.

"Alright, what's the problem?" I asked.

"It's science," he said, pulling out his notebook.

We spent the next hour going over his homework. It was about ecosystems. 

Emilio caught on pretty quick once I explained a few things.

Afterward, he asked me to look over his math homework, which he had already completed. It was an algebra assignment, and he actually did a great job! I only had to make a few minor corrections.

By the time we finished, he looked tired but satisfied. "Thanks, Luis," he said, packing up his stuff.

"No problem, little man," I said, ruffling his hair. "Just keep working hard, and you'll be crushing all your tests."

I helped him pack up his books, then tucked him into bed. "You are a smart kid, Smarter than me."

He yawned and smiled. "You're smart, Luis. The smartest."

I sat there for a while, watching him fall asleep. Then I went to check on Mom one more time before I went to my room.

I sat in the dark, lost in thought.

I had been desperate for money for so long. My mother is sick, she needs proper treatment.

"This is it," I whispered to myself. "This is my chance to fix everything."

But deep down, I knew this wasn't the kind of job anyone dreams about. 

I had heard stories about the drug lords.

People said they are ruthless, dangerous, and had no mercy for anyone who crossed them. 

I had never met one before, but I know that once you work for them there is no going back.

As the clock ticked closer to 12:30 .A.M, I began to talk to myself, trying to make sense of my decision.

"Okay, think, Luis," I said quietly. " If I work for Vigo I could make enough money to save Ma, pay the bills, buy food, and pay for Emilio's education. 

No more feeling useless.

This is what we need, right?"

I paused, looking at the floor. "But what if something goes wrong? What if I get caught? What if…" my voice trailed off. I did not want to think about what could happen if I failed.

I rubbed my hands over my face. "You don't have a choice, man. Nobody's going to help you. The world doesn't care about people like us. If you don't do this, Ma's going to… she is not going to make it. And Emilio? He'll grow up thinking his brother didn't even try."

I stood up and walked to the small mirror on the wall. 

I looked at myself, my tired eyes, my thin face. "You can do this," I said to my reflection. "You're not weak. 

Just do what they ask, when they ask, take the money, and don't ask questions."

But a voice in the back of my head wouldn't stop. 

What if they ask you to do something bad? Hurt someone? Or worse?

I shook my head quickly. "Don't think about that. Just try and fall asleep man.