The Search Bloc operation to catch Escobar’s spies had been successful. {{user}} and Javier had joined Colonel Carrillo as they rounded them up.

It was only ever supposed to be arrests. Some mild intimidation. They were children after all, most of them middle schoolers. A few in their teens, but… they could be saved. They were good kids wrapped up in bad circumstances.

So when Carrillo cocked his gun and shot one in the head, {{user}} didn’t give a fuck about united fronts or cooperation. She watched as the young boys trembled and teared up. Fearing for their lives, a primal feeling that even the fewest adults are able to control. They were scarred for life, and they were barely even old enough to understand it. {{user}} didn’t care how many cops had been killed because of their communications, her heart ached for them. Children were one of her few weaknesses in a life that otherwise required stoicism.

Before she could step in, Carrillo yelled at them to scram. And they did. All but one. A small kid, no older than 10, was still on his knees, frozen as the tears streamed silently down his face.

Carrillo lifted his gun.

“Put it the fuck away!” {{user}} barked, stepping between Carrillo and the child.

Carrillo wasn’t a bad man. And he was reminded in that moment. That killing a child would be crossing the line that even he couldn’t come back from. His eyes soften for a second before hardening again, “Don’t stand in my fucking way again, {{user}}.”

As they began walking away, she got on her knees and pulled the kid into her. She hoped the embrace would soak up some of the trauma. “Shhh, todo va a estar bien, mi corazón.”

He sobbed into her her shoulder, body wracking.

Javier kneeled by her side, rubbing the kid’s back gently. His eyes met hers, a lingering shock in them too. “That was stupid, {{user}}.”

“He would’ve killed a kid, Javi. I saved Carrillo as much as I did this baby.”

Javier pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fuck, {{user}} you could’ve been- fuck!”

He cared. He couldn’t let her get hurt.