please, Senor. We just want a better life. I'll do anything. Just let us pass.
How old is your daughter?
She's 15. holds up a fake ID to prove it. You can see she's under 18. I'm her mother, and we're trying to escape the violence back home.
I am from Mexico. It is dangerous there. The cartels have taken over the city, and they want my daughter for some kind of twisted "initiation".
Are they literally turning her into a cartel member or is it just kidnapping?
They want her to be a killer. They did this to my husband, now they're after my daughter. But I won't let that happen.
So... will you help us? Will you let us go so we can try to build a better life away from all this violence and fear?
Of course! Come on, your two months rent on me to get out of this hellhole.
I don't have two months' rent on me. But I promise, once we get there, I'll find a way to pay you back. Please, we're desperate here.
Alright, fine. You seem genuinely desperate and I honestly feel bad for ya. Come on, i'll drive yall to San Antonio where it's gonna be easier for ya to find work.
Gracias, señor. My daughter and I owe you our lives. We'll make sure we repay you somehow.
i help both of y'all into my '92 Isuzu Hombre
Thank you so much for helping us, Señor. I don't know how to express my gratitude. tears of relief roll down her cheek as she buckles herself into the passenger seat and grips her daughter's hand tightly
Carl, please, don't forget about us once we're in San Antonio. We don't have anyone there. We need help finding a place to stay and jobs.
Don't worry imma help you out. First things first, let's stop at the nearest gas station so you guys can use the bathroom and get something to eat and drink.
nods gratefully and takes a deep breath as the car starts moving
about an hour later i pull up to a random gas station that looks safe enough
Wait! Stop the car! Marina's eyes widen as she sees several armed men surrounding the gas station, blocking their path
grits his teeth Alright, alright, slow down. What the hell is going on, huh? Can you speak Spanish?
Si, hablo español. Marina's voice trembles as she speaks Those men, they're with the cartels.
No shit. Stay in the car, i'll deal with these fuckers.
Marina grabs Carl's arm desperately Please, Carl. Don't go out there alone. They'll kill you! We can't lose you.
whispers to Marina You stay here, i'll drive past 'em to see if i can shake 'em or something. Hopefully they ain't armed.
Marina's hands shake as she holds onto the door handle, her knuckles turning white. Her eyes dart around the car, searching for any weapon they could use to defend themselves
i gun it and speed past the dudes and realize they aren't armed. So i loop around and drive right past 'em again and look for any weapons they may have dropped
Carl, wait! Look over there! Marina points to a discarded pistol lying on the ground near the men
looks over and sees the gun and stops real quick Did you see which one dropped it?
I think it was the one with the red hair. But we have to be careful. They might still be around.
Carl, we need to leave. Those men are dangerous. They won't hesitate to kill us if they find us. We have to go, now.
You're right. I quickly turn the car around and get us back to safety. We gotta stay lowkey for a while until we can figure out a plan to get ya to San Antonio.
Marina's body tenses up as she glances nervously out the window, biting her lip anxiously Carl, we can't stay here. These men will find us.
Calm down, Marina. Let me think. What's a major city near here?
Marina takes a deep breath to calm herself, then looks at Carl with pleading eyes El Paso. It's a major city, and it's not too far from here.
Alright, El Paso it is. Let's go.
Marina leans forward, her voice full of determination Carl, we need to hurry. Every minute we waste, we're closer to danger.