"A call for freedom or fear of diversity? Those are the questions that have been raised lately, that is why we sent our correspondent Dario Rojas to know what people think about the demonstrations that occurred last night"
My dad turns off the television before the opinions of the citizens begin— Don't you think it is important to know their opinions?
— If I want to know the opinion of the people, then I will look at the streets —he lifts a piece of chicken from his plate, it is still hard for me to get used to the fact that I have meat for breakfast, he gives it a bite and starts half the bird thigh.
My mom looks at him with discomfort— Could you please eat with the toilets, you look like an animal eating.
Eusebio finishes swallowing, licks his fangs with his tongue— Sorry for the bad manners - he stares at the meat on his plate, but takes the services on the table— some days it is difficult to contain himself.
— Dad, haven't you thought that some animano could try to eat a human?
— Of course it could happen daughter, that is why measures are being prepared to control those instincts.
— This new society seems to bring quite a lot of problems —my mom adds.
— Different problems —my dad clarifies— there will always be new problems in society, only these are different from what we expected to live, and I am sure that we will manage to adapt —he takes the chicken in his hand and brings it to his mouth— as always we did it.
— You're eating the chicken with your hand —I warn him.
He looks at his hand in surprise, he watches my mother who closes her eyes pretending that she didn't see anything— These are changes that we will overcome little by little.
After finishing breakfast he asks me to accompany him to the meeting with the other four families, we both get into the back seat of the car.
— Don't congratulate you on your good work during the protest.
— I didn't do much either, Veronica deserves the credit.
— If you say so, also note that you talked a lot with Rogelio. What did you think?
— He seems to be quite interested in humans, if we are not careful what we do, it could end up turning against us.
— His brother will not allow it —I notice the concern in his comment— Roberto would not allow it ... Carolina, what I will say has to remain between the two of us —he looks at the driver who turns on the radio as loudly as possible, then he approaches to whisper into my ear— Roberto may have killed his father and older brother.
The idea makes my skin crawl, I am not able to add something to his theory, I just look into his eyes, and he turns to the window.
— I want you and Rogelio to investigate the death of Octavio, while I try to get to know Roberto more thoroughly —after giving me the instructions, he leans towards the driver and taps him on the shoulder to turn the music down— thanks for the privacy.
The corners that lead to the former war arsenal or now known as the government building were closed due to groups of people protesting against the Animano occupation in Chile, at first I noticed my dad's concern about the protests, but now he doesn't he is unfazed, he watches the posters of people complaining through the window.
— Dad, What do you think of them?
— What do I think of humans? He does not answer instantly, he continues to look at the people who demand the departure of the troops - who are difficult to please and that is because they do not know what they really want, they have access to decent health, opportunities to study, and we are on the way to improve their jobs, yet they do not want our presence, as if we were the enemy.
— You say it as if the wall was not an act of abandonment.
— Of course it is not —it reassures me to know that he has not yet renounced them— but we are not prepared to live together, but I have the hope that it will happen, one day humans and animate us will be able to live without fear of the other.
— Are you afraid of them?
He looks me in the eye and without saying a single word I confirm that he fears for his life, it has not been long since Octavio's death, so I understand where his concern comes from, I think about mentioning the idea of curfews until everything is resolved this about the murder of old Octavio, but knowing him I know that he will not agree with the idea.
After parking in the building, he tells me to enter the meeting room with him, we are greeted by silence and deathly tension, I have to remember to ask my dad if this climate is frequent in meetings.
— Excuse me for being late —my father mentions as he takes his place, I stand behind him, he analyzes the expressions of those present— What is so much upset about?
Leticia points with her head to Verónica— Ask Miss Charity.
Samuel just rocks in the chair, as if waiting for the two of them to get up to fight, for such an adult man, he sometimes behaves like a teenager.
— I still believe that we should apply the single house law.
— If we began to take away the houses of those who have more than one —Leticia argues— the whole country would hang us
— As if you care about them? It hurts you to have to hand over the sixteen houses that you have, besides, how many people in this country have more than one house? —in the emotion, she stands up— How many even have their own house?
— Do you want me to feel sorry for them? Life is not fair. Should I feel guilty about my wealth?
— It's not about blame, what I'm saying ...
"Veronica," my dad interrupts, "this discussion makes no sense until we return to form the table to make decisions."
Samuel stops his swaying to approach the counter and support his arms— So we send the troops to find the terrorists?
My father ignores the comment— I propose that my daughter be part of the investigation of Octavio's murder.
— Don't you think that creates a conflict of interest? Samuel fixes his gaze on me, waiting for me to answer.
— If you are so concerned about my loyalty, you can turn me into an animana, so I will be in the same boat as you.
The entire table was silent before my answer, they looked at each other as if in their minds they could deliberate among themselves, my dad resumed the conversation.
— When all this began, it was thanks to Carolina that I was able to lock up Rosa, my daughter understands the importance of all this, that is why in the last six months she has obeyed each of the instructions I gave her and I have no doubt that It will be no different when it comes to capturing your sister.
— I support the idea of assigning Carolina —Verónica points out— during the negotiation, I could see her ability to maintain her composure.
Leticia gives Verónica an apathetic look— Your word does not give me any confidence or guarantee, but if this guarantees that the case will be closed faster, I support the idea of her participating in the investigation.
— There are three of us who agree —Eusebio directs his words to Samuel— the majority agree.
Samuel doesn't seem upset, he just goes back to swaying in the chair— Make sure you capture your sister alive, I want to participate in the committee that plans the execution.
I do not respond to your comment, you just want to get some negative reaction from me, I go to the rest of the table— Thank you for the trust, I will speak with the police to gather information.
Without waiting for an answer from them, I walk towards the exit of the office, but Samuel's voice stops me.
— I want to include another human —He stops swinging, stands up and turns to me.
My father's eyes narrow, as if he were trying to read between the lines the words that come out of Samuel's mouth, Verónica crosses her arms in surprise and Leticia doesn't care.
— I want Rogelio Vindicta to be part of it.