The entire compound was bathed in light. There were two guard towers with an armed man in each one. Soldiers were lined up in the courtyard as if they were expecting someone important. The walls, over 12 feet high, were topped with broken bottle glass and razor wire. There was a ten foot cleared area around the outer wall.
Chapman spread his men out along the ridge to watch and wait for a bit. Earlier in the afternoon, the men had been able to get a good look at the place from about half a mile away on another ridge. Everything had looked normal then, but now something had changed. The clouds had rolled in and on occasion, there was the rumble of thunder echoing across the mountains. In the compound they appeared to be waiting for something. Chapman found out why when a black limousine with an escort pulled up the far road and up to the wooden gates at the far end of the compound. The gates were opened and the car pulled in.
Both rows of troops came to attention as Parente got out of the car. He returned their salutes and made his way to the Sergeant. He was surprised at what he saw. Both of the man’s eyes were swollen and one was red with blood. With a look of concern he addressed him. “Sergeant, what has happened?”
“Nothing of importance, Señor Presidente. One of the people attacked me. It appears they cannot stand a little discipline in their lives,” he said.
“Well, you won’t have to put up with them much longer. Have you sent one up to the ceremonial grounds?” Parente asked.
“Si, Señor Presidente. I took the liberty of sending up the one who attacked me. She will regret her actions,” he said boastfully.
“A woman? That is good. Which one?”
“The woman named Hammond,” said the Sergeant as another clap of thunder sounded far away.
Parente smiled. “A very good choice. I will see that she makes the perfect sacrifice to our god,” Parente said with glee. “I leave you with one final order for the day. Once the drums start, you are free to execute the remaining hostages. Take them in the truck to a place far from here tomorrow and get rid of the bodies. Make it look like the FARC has taken out their revenge,” he said.
“Very good, Señor Presidente. I also had to imprison one of our troops. He objects to what is being done here and knows more than he needs. Should I include him in the effort?”
Parente nodded his head. It gave him an opportunity. He quickly entered the car and pulled out a sheet of paper that had some orders on it. The orders appeared to be signed by Colonel Rojas. He handed the sergeant the papers. “Dress the soldier in one of the FARC uniforms and have this placed in one of his pockets. When he is found, it will suit me well,” Parente said.
The sergeant saluted. “It will be done!” he said.
The salute was returned. “You have served well. You all have. Once this is done, I will see you all in the capitol,” Parente said as he turned and got back into the car. The limo backed out of the compound and drove back to the road, turning up the mountain instead of back down.
The sergeant rubbed his hands together. “Finally it is over and we can go home. Get the men together to form a firing squad. I will call them when the time is ready,” he said to a corporal. With some glee he turned and reentered his quarters where the air conditioning awaited.
Wei awoke from an exhausted sleep. The distant thunder had roused him and he looked over to see that the young girl was still lying beside him. Their lovemaking had consumed almost an entire day with only brief stops to refresh themselves. She had given her all, and had performed feats he could have only imagined. But unlike the others, he had responded by giving just as much as he had received. He looked as her lying next to him and couldn’t believe the feelings pouring through him. His Chief Priest had been right. By waiting for the right moment, he would experience many of the new emotions and feelings of a god. Right now, he felt as if he was more powerful than ever.
She stirred beside him and her eyes slowly opened. He smiled as she looked at him, reaching over the rub his smooth, chiseled face. He responded by kissing her lightly. She ran her hand down his shoulders and along his body, finally holding him in her hands. “You have filled me. How can I please you more?” she asked.
They were interrupted by more thunder and the sounds of voices outside. He picked up the blanket and placed it over her. “I must attend my people. When it is done, I will return to you,” Wei said gently.
“I will be waiting,” she said.
He got up and clapped his hands together twice. Several servants came in and began dressing him in his ceremonial dress. The young girl watched in awe as they sprinkled him in glittering dust which made him shimmer and shine in the light. On his head they placed the ceremonial headdress. When they had finished, he turned to face the girl. “I am Wei, god of the sun. You shall be my bride,” he said with a smile. As he left, he said to one of the servants, “Do not take her away. I want her with me forever.”
The girl moved over the bed and got down on her knees as he finally turned and left the room. It no longer mattered what they taught in her school. She was the chosen bride.
Parente watched as Wei made his way to the holding area. There was something new with the boy. When the servants told him of his desires, he smiled. This will make him much more compliant, he thought.
It seemed the secret police were everywhere. Rojas first went toward his house, but he saw several police units ahead of him going the same direction. He thought about going toward the Embassy, but thought better of it since the ambassador seemed to be involved. Instead, he made his way to the slums of the city where no one expected they would go. After an hour, roaming the narrow streets, he changed course and began making his way back toward the lacrosse fields. The lights were on and there was a fútbol game on the far field. Rojas, tired of driving and evading, pulled the car into a place between two buildings which afforded a clear view of the fields. He parked the car and turned off the lights.
The children were frightened by all the frantic driving, even though Rojas and Christina tried to reassure them. Once they had parked, Christina urged the children to lay back and try to nap. After a few minutes she turned to Rojas. “Juan, what’s the real story about this? Why are we running?” she asked.
Rojas let out a small sigh. She deserved the truth. “Have you been following the news about the American hostages?” he asked. She nodded. “We found out that Parente did this. Neither of us could live with something like that. Carl got in touch with one of the Americans and got me in touch with their embassy staff. We have been trying to end this,” he said sincerely. “It appears someone found out about our efforts and Parente is after us and the hostages. I’m afraid we are all going to pay the price because Parente craves his power.”
“But isn’t he powerful enough as President,” she asked.
Rojas chuckled. “You might think so, but this time, he is wanting even more. He is taking on the United States to prove it.”
Christina sat back and stared vacantly out the window. The whole time she had known Carl, he had always tried to be the best. He wanted to be the best pilot, best parent, best church leader, and now best citizen. Once again, when something was wrong, he stepped in to make it right. This time, he had put his whole family at risk. She was eternally proud of him. Even if it did take uprooting and going seemingly to the end of the earth, she would be there with him.