Is an academic life truly your destiny?
It's true that your mother always urged both you and Isaac to take an intellectual path, perhaps hoping that a life among books would keep you away from the martial daydream. But now, without a tremble in your pulse, you choose to cast that aside and return home.
Isaac, who was already halfway down the stairs, notices your detachment and turns to face you with reproach.
"What's wrong now?"
You clarify that you decided to reconsider your options.
"You're joking, right?"
You reaffirm your new intention. He shakes his head.
"You always need to draw attention."
He leaves for the university without you. You return to your designated seat. You hear the hiss of heat; it's the train yawning in relaxation, waiting for the new passengers to arrive. You pull your laptop from your luggage and take the opportunity to read a PDF novel by Jesús A. Olivo, your favorite author. You were deep into the story when you hear a voice.
"May I sit?" It's the attendant. But in a few minutes, you would come to know her as Melody. It seems that, while passing by, she recognized a couple of lines from the novel you're reading. That topic of conversation is the appetizer for a lengthy chat.
You exchange laughs, impressions, and stories. The chemistry is almost instantaneous. You talk about your town of green forests and pens with plump pigs. She tells you about life in the snowy mountains of Mérida.
"That's impressive." It isn't clear to you what she's referring to, but you enjoy hearing her speak; her accent is singsong, worthy of a high-altitude bird. "That. Getting a scholarship. You must be very smart. I didn't finish high school; I had to start working. And between making cheese and churning milk, I decided to move to the Branch of Heaven."
She looks out the window and her clear eyes lose themselves toward Petare, where the brutalism never stops growing.
"I never understood why they call Caracas that. Back in my town, I felt closer to the stars and the Almighty." Then why doesn't she go back? She sighs when you ask her, and forms fists on the hem of her skirt. "I'd like to arrive with full hands. Any achievement, first. Anything to avoid that look... The 'I told you so' refrain. We're all scared of admitting defeat, aren't we? All the decent ones, I mean."
The train is almost full. Melody leaves you to do her job. Every time she passes by your seat, you gather another pinch of courage to ask for her number. The train, now with all seats occupied, emits a harmonious chime once again and closes its doors.
The power of the atom, harvested in a mighty reactor, pushes the gleaming steel cars along the rails. Magnets eliminate friction, granting speed and imperturbable stillness throughout the journey. Until the peace is broken by the shout of...
"FATHERLAND, SOCIALISM, OR DEATH!"
You, like the rest of the passengers in the car, turn your head with terrified eyes, only to discover a man stripping off his coat to reveal a green uniform, strapped with an explosive belt.
Flee (Scene 6)
Attack (Scene 7)