Chapter 1- Weird Happenings

It was a cloudy and breezy morning. The air was chilling but not to the extreme, as some Sangloseans still wore light dressing. Recurring chirpings could be heard all over as the birds flew in all directions. It was as if they were preparing for a festival in the heavens. Below their razzmatazz stood the Juantos Cartel yard. It bore several buildings and operations, serving as the main yard among other subsidiary ones littered all over Choros State. Sasha Valdez stood at quite a distance to view the mammoth compound. At twenty-two, the brunette with blue eyes had turned into a rare combination of beauty and brains. Her focus was on her father as he moved towards it. She prayed earnestly in her soul that all would go well with him as he entered the shadows of death itself. 

"Xavier Valdez?" A hoarse voice announced forcefully. 

"Yes, here I am," the jittery farmer rose as his eyes met with those of the inquirer. 

With a slight nod, he moved and beckoned for him to tag along. Xavier apprehensively moved as he was led deeper into the heart of the Juantos Cartel base. The scenery around him was nothing short of overwhelming. A superfluous parasidaic beauty characterized the place. It was a stark contrast to the brutality of the operation. He could see the colorful wildflowers and green lush hills surrounding the base. It was a picturesque valley indeed. The sun's rays filtered through the leaves of towering trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. 

"Do I still follow you, Senor?" Xavier asked in a shaky voice. 

The man who towered over him cast an intimidating glance at him and ignored him. 

He started to move into the massive building as if to follow the man. 

"Stay where you are until you are told otherwise." the giant cartel soldier barked. 

Xavier was more unsettled now. He was asked to sit under the outdoor canopy, but he opted to stand instead. Then, he resumed his observation. Despite the serene environment, the atmosphere was still charged with tension. Heavily armed and mean-looking cartel soldiers mounted guard at every turn. Their sporting tattoos depicted stories of their allegiance. Their cold and unflinching gazes bore into Xavier. Until they realized he was no threat, they did ignore him and let him be. 

Suddenly, everywhere changed. El Diablo was making his way out of his mansion. Everyone adjusted to his emergence. Xavier, too, shifted twice in his seat. His determination to see the mob boss was finally about to pay off. El Diablo, the enigmatic cartel boss, was dressed in a tailored black suit. He wasn't a tall man, barely at five feet. His seemingly short feet made brief strides as his paunchy torso followed them. He exuded an air of power. It was evident that everyone and everything around him understood this. He made his way to the outdoor sit-out with a small entourage of loyal henchmen.

Xavier's heart raced as he watched El Diablo approach. His mind was sprinting to catch up with the weight of his plea. 

"Senor El Diablo ..., no." He began a rehearsed line on how to table his matter as his lips resonated with his thoughts. "Don El Diablo, please I ...." 

He only ceased when the boss cast a briefly sustained glance at him. It was as if the lieutenant who ushered him in was mentioning him to the mob boss. 

The Juantos Mafian leader finally took his seat, flanked by his formidable henchmen. Xavier, steeling himself, approached cautiously, in response to El Diablo's beckon. 

He knew the risks, but the dream of sending Diego, his son, to school was worth it. Many have died attempting what he was doing right now, but he would go through with his plans anyway. With a trembling breath, he stepped forward one more step. He was determined to seize this critical moment to plead his case.

"What's your name and why are you here?" El Diablo's stern voice broke the steel-cold silence. 

Xavier noticed that even the noisy birds had kept mute since the boss arrived. This reality further frightened him. 

"Patrone El Diablo, my name is Xavier, Xavier Valdez. I'm just a simple farmer, but I've heard that you help people in need. My son, Diego, is quite intelligent, with great scholarly goals. He dreams of an education. Please, I need a loan to send him to school. I'll repay you from my farm's harvest, I swear."

The mafia lord looked at him calmly for a while before breaking into laughter. "You come here, to my home, asking for my help. It is not a small thing, Xavier. I can grant your request, but you must understand the gravity of what you're asking for. If you fail to repay, there will be dire consequences. You and your family will become indebted to me."

Xavier nodded with a trembling voice. "I understand, Senor. I will do everything in my power to repay you, no matter what it takes."

El Diablo leaned closer with an ominous tone. "I hope you do, Xavier, for your sake. Remember, I am not a man to cross lightly. This is not charity; it is a deal. Don't forget the price of failure." 

The scared farmer could perceive the scent of blooming flowers and hear the soft rustling of leaves. Both came with those threatening words and offered an odd juxtaposition to his inner turmoil. This memory will linger for a long, long time. 

"I won't forget, Don El Diablo. Thank you for this chance." He muttered with his face white with fright. 

"Raya here will give you what you want. You will eventually return it to him. My only business with you begins when you refuse to repay in two months as promised." The cartel leader said with finality, dismissing him with a gesture of his two fingers. 

"Don El Diablo, I'm eternally grateful. I will pay you back." A quaky but excited Xavier prostrated in gratitude and turned around to follow Ron, the man who had led him in before. 

El Diablo's stern warning echoed in Xavier's mind as he left the Juantos yard. The weight of his promise pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew that the consequences of defaulting were severe, but he was willing to risk it all for Diego's education. Sasha could see her dad approaching. The glee in his face said it all. She ran into his embrace as they both headed in the direction of their home. 

As the day of Diego's departure for school arrived, the Valdez family gathered in front of their humble farmhouse. Their emotions ran high.

Sasha said softly, with tears welling up in her eyes. "Diego, I can't believe you're leaving."

Diego offered a faint smile. "I know, Sasha. But it's for the best, right?" 

The siblings disengaged their joined hands and turned to hug themselves tightly. 

"We love you so much, Diego. You're our hope for a better future." Henrietta, their mother, caressed his head as she drew him closer.

"Son, make us proud. Study hard, and remember what we've taught you." It was Xavier, his voice being the most steady one.

By now, the tears in Sasha's eyes had found pathways downhill. She wrapped her arms around her brother. The others joined the bond. Then, the family formed a tight, tearful group hug. Their love for one another was evident in this bittersweet moment.

"I'll miss you so much, Diego." Sasha's words whispered into her brother's left ear. 

Diego loudly spoke as he lifted his bags to depart. "I'll miss you too, Sasha. Take care of Mom and Dad while I'm gone."

Xavier and Henrietta stood waving while Sasha walked down her brother to the station where he would catch a bus. 

Later that evening, the Valdez family's world shattered when they received the devastating news of Diego's tragic death in a motor accident. 

"No, no, this can't be happening! Diego, my Diego!"

Xavier was inconsolable. His voice trembled as he gazed up, "My son... my boy..."

Sasha stood in shock as tears ceaselessly streamed down her face. Then her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground. Just when her parents were about to rush to her, they realized she was still conscious. 

"Diego ...… my dear brother, my best friend...." Sasha sobbed in anguish. 

Neighbors and friends gathered at the Valdez home. They were drawn by the sounds of heart-wrenching cries and wails that echoed through the air. Besides, the sad news had begun to permeate the town. The weight of grief hung heavy in the atmosphere. The Valdez home, once filled with laughter and love, was now an abyss of sorrow. Soon, the photos of Diego adorned the walls. Each of the images captured his infectious smile and zest for life. They served as painful reminders of what they had lost.