Up in the Hills 2

“That big house on the hill belongs to some very bad people, Raul. Very dangerous people.”

    “Wha–

“Listen, son, and I’ll explain everything. In the next year or two, when you’re a little older, I’ll explain it all in better detail. For now, I just want you to know that they store bad things up there that they take very seriously. They’ll kill for it, Raul. And they don’t want anyone to know it’s there. You’re lucky you weren’t killed just for going up there. I never, ever would have dreamed that you and Lobo would wander up there, or I would have stopped you in a heartbeat. It’s my fault, son. I– I should have known. I was a young boy once, too.”

    “Papà, who lives up there?”

    “A very bad man who is involved in a very bad business. Actually, well, he is the business. He is extremely wealthy, and he is extremely powerful, Raul. You have no idea. The most wanted man in the world just happens to hide near us.” said his father, slowly shaking his head.

    “Wanted for what?” asked Raul, lost in regrets.

    “For everything, son. We live in a very remote part of the country, and you know that. The world outside our village is a very dark place, and there’s a lot of evil out there you don’t know about.” He looked back towards Raul. “There’s a whole pack of them up there, but the man in the big house calls the shots. He’s in charge. So many people have been killed because of him. Any people–our people. Sometimes for no reason at all.”

    “Why don’t we tell everyone where he is?”

    “I’ve been fighting for that ever since what happened, Raul, but it’s all about money. Everything is. Money’s power in this world, and you’ll be better off when you learn that. We are a poor village whether you know it or not.” He slowly rubbed his forehead. “I can’t run and tell unless the whole village agrees, and they don’t, because the man up in the hills is the only reason we’re still around. He sends money down to help us. Our village would be long gone without him. That’s why we’ve been building so many new things after Mateo was killed.”

    “Like the new roads?” asked Raul, confused what this had to do with Lobo’s brother.

    “Exactly, son.”

    “Do you respect him, Papà? The man up in the hills?”

    “I respect his roots. He is one of our own, from humble beginnings. But 

I don’t respect what he grew to be. He only helps us to help himself. It’s a shame, son. It’s a shame.”

Any criticism and questions are welcomed.