I can see tomorrow's headlines "Animanos ravage welfare colony" "Terror in the south, military dismantles terrorist operation" "Abuse of Animanos military forces, armed assault on citizens" Knowing who the owners of the newspapers are, it is difficult for me to wait support from public opinion and the worst of all is that the day is not over yet, Samuel informed me that our meeting with some representatives of the indigenous cultures of southern Chile would be held in the town of Nahueltoro.
— What a particular place to have a meeting —Samuel says to interrupt the silence of the trip.
— Are you saying it for the jackal of Nahueltoro?
— Exactly, the man who murdered his wife and her six children.
— At least he was arrested and executed —I shrug my shoulders.
— Executed after forming him. Why educate him?, make him known about the existence of God and the sins he has committed before him?
— He had to know that his execution was an act of justice.
— Really? —My response offends him— Spending tax resources to let a murderer know that he killed?
— Would you rather they release him? I did not know that you supported the priest Eloy Parra.
— Of course not, with all respect for Father Eloy Parra —he crosses himself to show his respect for the Catholic creed— piety does not rob justice and no matter how much that murderer repented in the end, those seven lives will not return to life, the Jackal got what he deserved.
Curiously, for the first time, we fully agree on a matter, although we disagree on the way his sentence was handled.
Miguel again asks me a question— And what do you think we will have to do with the supporters of the previous government?
— Why do I have the feeling that this conversation goes hand in hand with the Jackal?
— We killed the Jackal even though he didn't know it was the right thing to do, under his gaze everything he did was right. Aren't our opponents worse than that man?
— We cannot execute the entire opposition.
— Of course we can —he answers convinced— we gave the death penalty to a farmer who did not act believing that he was doing the right thing. Why can't we do the same to those who killed knowing what they were doing?
— You cannot compare homicide with political partisanship.
— They are accomplices —Samuel insists— keeping silent about a crime makes you that.
— Their lives were at stake, you too would be afraid to speak knowing that you could die.
— Are you saying it from your own experience?
— This is not about me —I did not expect me to bring my past to the subject— it is about the future of thousands of Chileans, death cannot be the seal of our government.
— I'm beginning to believe that you would free the jackal.
— None of that —is distorting the matter— the jackal got what he deserved and died knowing that it was so, it is fair to know why you are being executed.
Samuel shows an evil smile— Then we will let each of them know that they will die from all the blood that was shed.
I can tell that we are slowing down in a place that would be difficult for me to call town— We are not done with this conversation —I tell him as I fix myself.
— It's far from over —he answers as he gets out.
Samuel looks at me to follow him towards one of the watersheds of the place, the roof is made of zinc, the wood looks damp, its paint is worn, the patio fence reaches our waist, Samuel moves the wire that It prevents the small door of this from opening, when reaching the entrance of the house it gives three strong knocks.
A man with gray hair opens the door, he wears a poncho with Mapuche symbols, with a crude expression he invites us to come in, Samuel simply enters, I thank him for receiving us, inside there are five more men and three women, the living room only has chairs in a circle, I try to look at the other rooms while I sit down, and I can see that none of them are furnished, it is certainly an abandoned house, we are in a place so far from everything that if Samuel were to liquidate them nobody He would find out what happened here until after a long time.
The Mapuche who received us says something that I cannot understand, we are both silent before his comment, the woman of about 30 years according to my calculations answers him in the same language, it seems that the person who received us said something inappropriate because he looks annoying, an Old woman with a silver headband on her head makes a gesture with her hand, if it were what I know it would be a sign that she ignores the comment, but who knows they will be speaking here.
Samuel answers them in his language, everyone focuses their eyes on him, that worries me, the Mapuche who received us says something to him while standing up, to which Samuel replied with an insolent smile while also getting up, the other members of the circle they look annoyed, they stare how those two talk to each other, I can see that some are preparing to stand up, this was a bad idea, I try to think what I should do in this situation, but time is running out when Samuel does it. He pushes, everyone gets up before I can react, and they rush against me, Samuel is grabbed by his clothes by the Mapuche he is arguing with.
— We are here to talk! —I shout as they start to hold me down— We're here to talk!
Samuel holds the man by his poncho and begins to manifest his horn, I feel like they force me to bow, I can still save the situation and I allow it.
— Peace! Unit! Friends! —I have no idea if they understand my language, but I know my tone of voice conveys the panic I feel— Friends! —I close my eyes and look at the ground in frustration at being unable to handle the situation.
Everything becomes silent. What happened? The hands that forced me to bow release me, I open my eyes and find Samuel and the man I was arguing with sitting next to each other with a smile from ear to ear, I can't believe it.
— It was a joke?
As soon as I say that, everyone starts to laugh, they help me up and invite me to sit down, my confused face makes them all the more thankful.
— You should have looked at yourself —Samuel says with a laugh.
— Friends! Friends! —The old woman repeats— nor that we were pre-Columbian Indians.
Even the girl who had bothered has a smile— Forgive us for the bad joke, but you know that the occasion makes the thief.
I have no idea what to say about it, my heart is still racing because of what just happened, I put my hand to my chest as I watch them— I guess tomorrow I can laugh at this.
—Of course, yes, man —says the Mapuche in ripped pants next to me— a joke between compatriots strengthens the bond.
— I thought you would be surprised to hear me speak Araucanian —says Samuel, more measured— but I don't blame you, the conflict would distract anyone.
— Now that the jokes are over, let's talk about why we're here —says the Mapuche woman wearing a shawl.
—Exactly —Samuel says from his post— I bring you a proposal that will make you run to join us.