Splitting Roads

“Angie, despiértate amor. We gotta go soon.” Angie’s mom called out to her. It was Thursday, the day she had been dreading for some time now. Today was the day that Angie would begin her journey from her home land of El Salvador to The United States. It was a journey that would take up to a week and came included with dangerous possibilities. It was four in the morning when Angie left the house with her mom, Isabel and dad, Marco. They picked up their bags which held three outfits, and some snacks and took the bus to the out skirts of her town, Santa Ana, and met up with the group which they would be travelling in the city of Apopa. The man who would take them to the United States was named Andreas, he was a short and chubby man who was dressed in regular clothes and wore a cowboy hat.

“Buenos dias. My name is Andreas. It will be a six to seven day trip and will be very rigorous. I want everyone to listen to what I tell you and to be careful. The faster and safer we move, the quicker we will get there.”

Andreas escorted the group of about forty onto the bus. Angie sat with her mother while her father sat behind them.

“The ride to the border of Guatemala will be about a day, so you can rest. Be sure to get your rest now because once we are in Guatemala, the hard part begins.” Andreas made sure everyone was sitting down and began to drive out. It was a chilly morning and the bus windows had began to fog up. Angie and her mom took two seats near the middle while her dad took the seat behind them.

“Mami, what is it gonna be like in the United States?”

“No se amor, but we will have more opportunities, and your father really wanted us to take this chance. Don’t worry baby, it will al be okay.”

“I don’t know mom, I’m just scared, that’s all.”

“I know you are baby. Just rest, it will all be done with it before you know it.” With those last words of comfort Angie laid her head down on her mothers shoulder and slept a graceful sleep as the bus creaked its way down the bumpy gravel road.

By the time Angie woke up they had already reached the border of Guatemala.

“Okay, I need for all of you to just sit down and act normal while we cross the border. Anything suspicious and we could be pulled over.” Andreas shouted to the passengers but most of its passengers were sleeping. It was around eight in the morning that Friday when Angie crossed over into Guatemala. Guatemala was a lot like her home country. It was lined with mountains and the occasional volcano. When Angie’s dad woke up he asked where they were.

“ En Guatemala daddy!”

“Looks a lot like home doesn’t it? I’m really gonna miss it, but you know what. This is for the better.”

Angie could see that her father had a gloomy look upon his face but she decided not to say anything.

“Isabel, despiertate you are missing the beautiful view.” Marco shook his wife until she woke. The three of them gawked and talked over the scenery until the bus made a stop to get some gas.

“Do you guys want anything?” Marco asked

“Agua and something to snack on please.” Replied Isabel

“Me too dad, thanks.” Added Angie

That was the first of numerous stops they would encounter on their trip.

That night Angie was the last to fall asleep. She laid awake thinking of what it would be like in the United States and whether it would ever be a home to her like El Salvador. She dreamed of what her life would be like now that she is far from home. The sounds of the bus rocked her to sleep as she dreamed off into a world she would soon know. That morning she woke up to Andreas yelling at everyone to get up.

“Despierten!! Wake Up!! Come on, if you don’t wake up right now you will be deported!”

At the sound of the word “deported” everyone woke up. Andreas told them that they had reached the border of Guatemala and Mexico. To make sure they would not get into trouble the passengers had to board off the bus and cross a river while Andreas crossed the border with the van and waited for them. Andreas appointed Marco as the leader of the group.

“You, make sure they all get across and up the hill. I will be waiting. Be careful not to let anyone fall into the current and DON’T GET CAUGHT.”

Marco was nervous in taking care of such a large group but he didn’t let his fear show in front of his wife and daughter.

“You heard him, I’m the leader. Now let’s go, I want to get to Los Estados Unidos!!” Marco said in hopes to get people more motivated and awake.

They climbed down a hill and saw a river. The current of the river wasn’t too quick and most passed quickly with no problem. Marco only had to help a few of the elder passengers pass through. Once everyone had passed the river they climbed the hill to find Andreas waiting for them. They quickly boarded the bus and sat down.

“Good job papi. You were a great leader.” Angie said patting her dad’s back.

“Gracias amor. I wanna get there as soon and as quickly as possible.” Marco replied. It was 12 p.m when they had finally crossed over to Mexico and arrived in the state of Chiapas.

Andreas made a stop at a gas station soon after crossing the border. Angie stepped out to take in the scenery. Chiapas was a beautiful place. It was a city lined with mountain ranges and had a scent of fresh air. Just as quickly as she took in the area, the break was over and she had to enter the bus again. They spent the day riding through the mountain ranges passing a pueblo, a city, here and there.

“Mami, will we ever come back home?”

“Ay Angie, I don’t know amor. Maybe.”

“Angie, look. I love El Salvador. I truly do, but this is for the better. You will have a better, productive life here. Sometimes we must sacrifice what means the most to us for the better of those who we love.” Marco said.

“Thanks dad. I’m grateful. I truly am.” Soon after all three of them dozed off as the bus drove its way through the city of Chiapas into the state of Veracruz. That Sunday morning Angie awoke to find herself in the state of Veracruz. She had heard of Veracruz before, she had heard marvellous things about their beaches and got excited at the idea of being here. She woke her parents up so that they would get to see the scenery.

“Marco mira! It is so beautiful!”

“It truly is. Wow. What if we stayed her instead?” Marco laughed and kissed his wife. They took turns talking about what they would love to do if they had the time to stay in Veracruz. Everything seemed to be going beautiful until Andreas made a sudden halt.

“LOS FEDERALES!! THE FEDS!!” Andreas immediately stopped his bus and instructed everyone off the bus and to take cover behind a row of bushes on the side of the road. Angie and her parents got pushed out and shoved behind the bushes.

“Papi, what are the feds?” Angie whispered

“They are the police corazon. They look for immigrants like us, and if they find you they will deport you all the way back home.”

Angie got scared. She would hate to have to travel all this way to be sent home. She decided if they feds got her she wouldn’t try to return. Angie watched as the men came on the bus and questioned Andreas about where he was headed and where he was from, while another cop searched under the seats and the suitcases to see if anyone was hiding in them. The cops apparently did not find anything because they walked off the bus and drove off in their car. After they had gone out of view, Andreas waved us onto the bus and everyone took their seat. He then tried to explain what had just happened,

“Sorry about that. Mexico is a lot more difficult to navigate through. Once we reach the major city we won’t have to hide as much, just make sure we know how to answer what we are asked. Remember, if anyone ask you are Mexican, don’t ever let a cop see your fear, then he will know something’s wrong and you will be finding yourself with a one way ticket back to your home land.” The last sentence sent a chill down Angie’s spine. She wasn’t sure she would be able to fool anyone into thinking she was Mexican, let alone a cop. That night Andreas took them to a campsite where they were able to bathe and enjoy time outdoors. It was the first time in three days that Angie had showered. It was a beautiful night, the weather was perfect and the sky was full of stars as Angie laid down in between her mother and father. They had set a couple of blankets on the floor and laid to bed under the starry sky.

It was Monday morning and they were once more on the road travelling to the city known as “El D.F”. The ride there was not as long as some of the others had been but Angie made the best of it. She decided she would exchange seats so that her parents could spend sometime together. She took her fathers seat next to an older man.

“How is your trip going?” asked the old man.

“Oh, bien. And you?”

“Good, good. Better than last time that’s for sure.”

“Oh, this is not your first time? It is my first... what happened last time?”

“Ay Dios, it was horrible. We got caught right as we had entered a city near the border called Tijuana. It was horrible everyone was pushed and thrown around and then they deported us all back home.”

“Wow. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope that doesn’t happen to us”

“I’m sure it won’t. Andreas seems to know how to handle his people, plus I think we are going a different way.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mija, your gonna have to get ready because we are gonna be crossing some rivers and deserts. What did you say your name was?”

“My name is Angie and well, I will do anything to make sure I get to the states.”

“ My name is Oracio, and I am glad to hear that. It takes a lot of heart and determination to make a trip like this you know.” He gave a shy smile and proceeded to slouched down in his seat and closed his eyes to rest. Angie sat there dreaming of how she would do crossing rivers and deserts. What would happen if she got lost or worse got killed? “I’m just filling my head with pure non sense” she thought, but as much as she tried to take it out of her mind she couldn’t stop thinking of the unknown journey she would soon have to take. The ride consisted of bumpy roads and loud roads. Everywhere they travelled Angie saw kids her age. How she longed to be back at home in the house she grew up in with the friends who she knew were back at home missing her. She was mad at her dad for making them leave, but she knew it meant a lot to her dad. She remembered how her dad always told her that sacrifices had to be made for the things you love.

They reached El D.F by night fall. Andreas told them that they would have to spend the night at a rest stop area. They parked and Angie walked out to use the restroom. She was amazed how beautiful the city was. The night sky was lit up by the numerous lights that shone from the buildings. It was such a beautiful sight that she sat there gawking at it.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” the old man Angie had been sitting next to had stopped next to her on the way to the bathroom.

“Oh, hola! Yeah. It is really beautiful out here. I’m kind of excited to get to the United States. I hear it is really nice.”

“Oh, it is but no matter how long you live there or how ever long you visit it will never compare to home.”

“Claro que no!! I would never imagine it to be half as good as home, but I am excited to see it.”

“Don’t worry mija, we are almost there.” The old man walked up the steps and into the restroom. Angie started to walk up the stairs when her mom caught up with her.

“Hola niña, what are you up to?”

“Going to the restroom.”

“Good. I am gonna tag along!!” they both laughed and walked up the stairs into the restroom. That night Angie’s slept in what would have been her dads seat. As she lay her head upon the clammy window she fell asleep dreaming of what her new life would hold for her.

Angie woke up to her dad shaking her. “Angie. We are in Monterrey, wake up!! One more day and we are finally home.” Angie didn’t think home was the right word but she woke up. Monterrey was a beautiful city. She stared out the window as they drove by el mercado, the market. It was a warm day and the people on the bus were uncannily chatty. Angie was in a good mood and decided she was gonna give the United States a chance.

“We are almost there.” The old man turned to face Angie

“Yeah, my dad told me. I’m kind of excited.”

“You should be. The United States holds a lot of opportunities for young people. You better study and work hard at it.”

“I plan to” Angie smiled at the idea of attending a real school. Not a town school were there were only five classrooms and the teachers wouldn’t be present half the time.

“Well I’m glad we are this far. Lets hope that los federales don’t get us this upcoming day.”

“I sure hope not.” Angie replied. Once more she began to think of what it would be like to have to return home when she was so close to the unknown. The day went by rather quickly. She had spent that day hearing the old man’s stories and hearing his adventures in the states.

“It is amazing to know a new place. It is full of bring colourful lights. You see people everywhere you go, I bet you have never seen that many!! I hope you like the US, I’m sure you will.”

“ Me too.”

“It has been a nice trip talking to you Angie. I hope you never forget your first trip to the U.S.”

“ Oh trust me, I won’t” Angie tapped her parents shoulders but they were both sleeping. She tried to stay up and see the stars lighting up the sky but soon after she drifted to sleep.

The following morning was probably the most important day of the trip. They were finally arriving at the border. Andreas stopped the bus on the side of the road and stood to talk to the passengers.

“Today you will be arriving en la frontera. I need you to take great precautions with this part of your trip. I will drop you off on the side and there you will meet up with your leader. His name is “El Alacran”. He will take you to the United States. You will be facing up to three days walking through deserts and crossing rivers. Listen to him closely and you won’t have nothing to worry about. Well this is our despedida, I hope you guys make it safe. Adios.” With that speech all of the passengers boarded off the bus and walked to were a man was standing. Angie grabbed her pack and walked with her parents. In front of them stood a tall skinny man who wore a short shirt and dark jeans.

“Hola. I’m “El Alacrán”. I will be taking you to the states. Listen to me, and don’t fall behind. Listen to me and you will be fine, disobey my rules and orders and you are on your own.” He had a deep raspy voice that sounded as if he had smoked since his younger years.

“You heard him Angie. Try not to fall behind” Marco warned his daughter. “Stay with your mother and I and you will be fine.” They began their journey walking through a desert like field. The sun was out but the clouds kept it from burning them. They walked for what seemed to be hours upon hours. They took a few breaks under a small tree but they only lasted for a few minutes.

“Ay mama, I’m really tired. I don’t wanna walk no more!”

“I know Angie, pero we gotta keep going. We have made it to far to be sent back.” Isabel tried to motivate her daughter to keep on moving. Her husband, Marco was always a step in front of them making sure they didn’t lose their way. Night time had fallen and “El Alacran” told us we would stop and rest for a few hours. Angie never thought that a few hours would be three hours. The group only had gotten three hours of sleep before they were all walking again. They walked until the sun came up. The group had grown tired and El Alacran was forced to stop. They rested under the shade of these feeble trees. Angie was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Her father handed her a canteen that had the remains of the water he poured in at the last stop they had with Andreas.

“Can you believe it, we are almost there Angie!”

“ I know dad. I sure hope it was worth it.”

“CLARO QUE SI!! You know for sure that it will be mija.”

“I know dad. I’m glad we took this chance.” Marco hugged his daughter and kissed her forehead. He knew that no matter how much he regretted taking this trip, he would never let his daughter know that.

El Alacran scooped them all up and started them on their walk down the desert once again. The land was dry and scattered with a cactus here and there. The sun was out and beaming today, burning them all as they walked across it. They had walked for a few hours when they encountered a river. The group, including her parents, took advantage of it and filled their water bottles. El Alacran instructed them to cross the river by stepping on the rocks. He led the way and helped each member of the group cross over. Angie’s dad wanted her to go before him followed by his wife. Angie stepped on each stone and was at the last one when her foot slipped. She felt her foot reach the icy cold water and thought she was about to fall in when she felt a hand grab her. She was certain it was her father but looking up she saw the face of the old man Oracio.

“Gracias!” Marco and Isabel came shouting hugging Angie

“No problem.” Oracio replied turning and walking away to not fall behind

“Are you okay??” Angie’s parents held her close making sure she was fine

“Yeah, I’m fine, but excuse me.” Angie ran to catch up with Oracio.

“Thanks a lot back there. I was scared.”

“I know you were” he replied with a smile on his face. “I will make sure you arrive safely.”

“Thanks.” She replied. She stopped walking by Oracio’s side and watched as he walked away. She waited for her parents to catch up to where she was and then walked with them.

That night they didn’t stop to take a nap. They took a few stops to sit and rest but nothing major. They were all tired and in dire need for some rest. They had been walking all night when El Alacran stopped.

“ Caballeros. We are exactly half a mile away from the United States.” He sat down and told everyone to take a rest. Everyone sat and rested and spoke enthusiastically over what it was like to be so close. Angie stood to look and saw a large are filled with lights and moving cars. She was happy yet nervous. She was so close but she knew from the stories that Oracio told her, that many things could go wrong. They napped for three hours before having to wake up. It was still pitch black outside and Angie could only make out the silhouettes of the people around her.

“I know it is early and you are really tired, but we have to go right now or we run the risk of getting caught. I need everyone to follow close.” He stood up and led them down a hill and onto the plain towards the border. They walked for about and hour yet they felt as though it was hours. They had reached the border and stood in front. From the bottom Angie could see the people driving across it and the cops keeping a look out. El Alacran had stopped near the border and had instructed them to walk close to a hole he had in the fence. They lined up and walked close to the wall so that the spotlight that patrolled the are wouldn’t catch a glimpse of them. El Alacran climbed through the hole and had everyone else climb in after him. Oracio was behind Angie. He was tired and tried to console her as she was obviously scared.

“It will be over before you know it.”

“I know. But I’m just scared.”

“You’ll be okay Angie. I promise.” Oracio patted her on the shoulder and they kept the line moving frontward. They had almost the whole group go through when they heard the sound of cars coming down the fields. El Alacran turned to look and saw that the border control cop was driving down to where they were coming, he told everyone to rush. It was pure madness as everyone was trying to either push their way through or pull their family members through. It had turned into a big mob and Angie lost sight of her mom and dad. She was worried, what if she got caught or what if they got caught. She wanted to cry, she tried to push her way through but kept getting pushed back out. The sounds of the car got closer and closer and then they stopped. Angie was frightened as she heard the sound of car doors closing. The majority of the group had gotten through but a few were still out. Angie stood there stuck in her spot. She finally got a sight of her parents , and to her dread – they were on the other side of the fence.

“Dios mio, please Angie get over here now.” Angie’s mom whispered through tears. El Alacran had told them to stay still and hide in the shadows while this all passed through. The group of people on the inside were huddled up in the shadows praying not to be caught. She didn’t recognize any of her group but then she saw Oracio.

“ Don Oracio!! What should we do??” Angie hugged the old man and sobbed quietly.

“Look, Angie get those people through the hole, hurry!” Angie did as she was told and shoved the people through the hole. She was about to go through herself when she heard the steps close to her. She looked up and saw that to the right stood two border patrol cops. She knew that they had seen Oracio, she knew that was it, she would never see her parents again – she would never get to see the new world. Angie sat there in the shadows. As the cops came closer Oracio ran to were Angie sat.

“Angie go through.”

“No, what about you??”

“Don’t worry about me, you go. Please.”

“But I can’t.”

“Angie please.”

“I can’t hold the gate open and go.”

“I will hold it for you.” Angie hesitantly scurried to the hole in the fence and climbed through the hole as Oracio held it open for her. She was halfway through when she stopped dead in her tracks.

“Where do you think you are going??” It was one of the cops talking. Oracio kicked Angie through the hole with her foot. She turned in time to see them handcuffing him and sitting him in the back of the truck. She wanted to cry out in anger. While he was being led away Oracio yelled out:

“Te dije que hiciera lo que sea para que llegaras a los Estados Unidos!!”. The cops had no idea what he said or to who since it was in Spanish but there was one person who knew what he meant. Angie watched as they took Oracio and drove away. She stood there crying for what seemed like hours.

After that had all happened everyone was united once more, but this time they were missing one person. Angie’s parents cried as they hugged and kissed Angie.

“Dios mio. Angie I’m sorry I put you through this. I really am.” Marco cried

“Daddy, it is fine I promise. No good comes without sacrifice. I love you dad.” El Alacran decided to keep a move on to prevent something like that from happening again.

Angie walked the rest of the day stuck on what happened that night. She had finally made it to the land she had been dreaming of for the past week, but she couldn’t find a way to keep the words Oracio had spoke to her through the trip. He was right, it was a beautiful place. Angie was finally on American land and it never felt better. El Alacran had set up a bus to take them to Dallas. As they boarded the bus Angie stared at the empty seat next to her. She knew that Oracio would have been sitting with her telling her more and more stories of what life was like in the United States, but instead she was accompanied by a large silence. Angie cried herself to sleep and awoke the next morning. She found herself in a city full of colourful lights and people. She had never seen so many people in her life. Oracio was right, she had never seen such a beautiful sight. As she walked off the bus she thought once more of that horrible night and it’s events, no matter how much she tried, she would never forget what Oracio told her that night as he was being carried off. That night he told her that he had promised to do whatever it would take to get her to the United States – and he did. That morning Angie arrived in Dallas while Oracio sat on a bus on his way back home to El Salvador.