The tavern was nothing spectacular, if one visits a bar in any city or town in Europe, one would find a rustic, old, cozy, humid place, in some cases medieval or even ancestral.
For some reason in Colombia bars and taverns are two different sides of the coin, and in this tavern called Pichí, in honor of a toucan that bears its name at the beginning and that inhabits the area.
Unlike modern taverns, in this country the stores of ill omen are maintained. White color on the walls made of oak from large trees, the ceiling a dark red, yellow lamps that illuminate the tables with prints of local beers, a bar that had more appearance to a rickety table that barely stood on its own, than to a space to offer intoxicating drinks.
'I told Heiss that these places were the best for gathering information….but…does this look like a hole where you don't know who's going to end up dead?, will we find something here?'
Lucius and Heiss had walked around the entire town, and to avoid the possible "snitches" that the cartel or the guerrillas have in the different towns, they decided to go to the least suitable place to gather information, clearly there were better places, even so, these stores of easy accessibility for the consumer would always be found.
"Snff"
Lightly covering their noses, the two couldn't stand the smell of tobacco and urine that came from a urinal in the corner near the exit.
"What a stink!"
Personality #4: "Yes, are you sure we'll find information in this place?"
"Yes, I think so"
Without more, they approached the owner of the place and asked for what was most consumed in the place.
"Tap", "tap" two glasses with a semitransparent yellowish liquid and a little opaque liquid were placed in front of them.
"What is this, whisky?", Lucius asked with doubts on his face, it seemed, although the inconsistency of the color gave another impression.
"Better", the owner replied, walking away.
Looking at each other intently for a few moments, the two took the glasses, smelled them to give themselves the surprise that it had a strong smell of alcohol that matched the one strong that they felt when they entered the store.
Both nodded and took the drink deeply.
If they wanted to investigate with the people here, they had to blend in.
"¡Coff, coff…!", "¡coff..ah!"
They coughed at the burning sensation coming from their throat that warmed them.
"…..It's quite strong, what is it?"
Personality #4: "Chirrinche", Heiss answered while looking at the glass.
"I thought it was illegal"
Personality #4: "It is"
Chirrinche is an artisanal alcoholic drink made from panela that was prohibited for sale in the twentieth century with the birth of Colombian liquor companies, as a way to mitigate sales from producers and favor large liquor companies, also as a form of health.
Looking around, there were only 6 tables, of which 4 were full; some looked askance in their direction, none pleasantly.
"It seems we're not entirely well received"
Personality #4: "What do you think we should do?"
"Mmmh, let me handle it"
Raising his hand, he raised his voice.
"Sir, a round for everyone"
Personality #4: "¡eh?", Heiss looked at him confused. He had never done this in places like these, he didn't even have formal experience with alcohol, if he had been drunk, but the training they did in the district are a different thing than drinking properly.
Everyone looked at him in silence, and then a man stood up with the beer in his hand and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"That's it, long live the tourists!"
Then cheers of joy and laughter were heard.
'Did it work?', he thought, seeing that Lucius's plan had worked.
Several people approached and we started having pleasant conversations.
'But…..', why did he feel like this was going to be a very long day.
***
The birds could be heard singing in the distance of the forest near the hotel, where currently 3 people were in silence with the cues in their hands without making any movement in the pool, the balls were spaced out, by the streak of points it was likely that Rudolf, the oldest of the group and with more experience would win.
"That is my story, maybe not the one you expected, neither tragic, nor hopeful, just pure selfishness"
Ethan contemplated the shot in 3 that he would have to make for the ball to go in, at the same time he said those words without any expression on his face.
"No one said it had to be sad to be memorable"
"Exactly, we get an idea of what it's like to be without parents"
The words were not encouraging, somehow they gave an air of help without lending it.
"Thank you, that's why Kalika is so important to me, because, not because she rescued me, but because she helped me become who I am now."
The two gave him a faint smile.
"Besides, my story is nothing compared to the others, if I had to make a scale of resilience it would be them, especially Cloe, Gabriel and Mia"
"Are Gabriel and Mia your companions?", Marcus asked.
"Yes, right now they should be on a mission left by lady Kalika in Japan"
"Mmmh I see"
They fell silent again, until a squeak of the door opening distracted them.
At that moment, Caleb and Jesús entered with a bag each in one hand and holding a green popsicle in their hands.
They had just explored the localities of the town and some establishments, bringing some soft drinks because of the heat and humidity that was overwhelming them.
"¡Hello hello, who asked for ice cream!", Jesús's smile took them out of their thoughts.
"Did we interrupt something?", Caleb asked, noticing the previous atmosphere.
"Nothing to worry about, join the game, they're beating me", moving his hand in the direction of the table, Ethan called Caleb to join with Jesús"
"Were you playing without me?, how mean, and I was thinking of you when I brought you the ice cream"
Everyone laughed, seeing Jesús's pouting.
For some strange reason, his smile and expressions seemed refreshing to them, almost liberating.
It was the innocence of a teenager, not yet corrupted by the damaged world.
Taking a cue, he approached and said.
"Well, and how does this game work?"
***
In a clothing store with air conditioning, they moved between the shelves that hung perfect women's clothing for hot climate environments.
"I already bought what I needed, and I saw clothes in the other section that could fit the guys, have you decided what blouse to wear yet?"
Approaching, Cloe asked Emily if she had decided on the blouse, they had passed 15 minutes and she still hadn't picked one.
"I'll take that", pointing to the saleswoman, who was already getting annoyed by the continuous questions the girl was asking her without choosing any garment.
"I take time because the clothes are modest, it's nothing to be proud of"
"That's because you only got used to designer clothes, every time Kalika pays us the first thing you do is go shopping without holding back"
"What good is the money if you can't spend it"
They had already had these conversations before, also with Mia who had the habit of buying jewelry because she found it, in simple words, pretty.
"Hey…..what do you think about Heiss"
"¡!", the question, threw Emily off balance, making her put a somewhat horrible expression for someone with her incredible face.
"Why are you asking about him?"
"Well, I was just curious what impression he gave you"
Upon seeing a face that she had never seen Cloe put on, she sighed.
"Don't tell me you started to like him?"
"What, no!, just… you know forget it"
Turning around to leave and wait for her at the exit. However, before she took a step, she said something.
"He helped us get out of a dangerous situation, warning us of the dangers, he is strong, intelligent and cautious, even when he tried to go help you when you fought with that girl he stopped me, if it hadn't been for that, the situation could have gotten worse"
Turning half her face and looking at Emily's face, she noticed that she was watching her with seriousness.
"I also know that he is a crazy unhinged lunatic, protective? And I think he talks to himself, mmmh I don't know, it's just an aspect that he showed on the way and with the boys that accompany him"
Cloe nodded slightly and asked.
"Did you see the expression of those boys when they were with him?"
"The expressions?, well, no, but should they matter?"
"haaa", sighing, she left her a feeling of empathy.
"You still lack Emily"
"¡eh, what?, and now what are you talking about?"
"Nothing, hurry up, it's time to go back"
"Yes.." she confirmed as she handed over the selected clothes for them to invoice.
"Ah, but Cloe", she raised her voice, calling her.
"Yes?", she turned around and could observe her unusual pale blue eyes, almost ash white from the reflection.
"Although if I had to describe him in one word…. it would be dangerous, he scares me a lot when sometimes with his abrupt changes"
Without giving an answer, she smiled and headed for the door.
'So that's what you see'
***
6 pm, around these hours, in the jungle it is already nighttime; in a game room with a bar at the hotel.
"How strange, they're not answering me, could something have happened?"
It was Marcus with the phone in his hand, waiting for Lucius or Heiss to answer him.
"Should we go look for them?", Jesús also asked worriedly.
Rudolf turned and directed a question to the dark-skinned, muscular man who was drinking a soda drink.
"What do you say?, we should wait or send some to look for them, I'm worried that crazy guy did something crazy"
"Mmmmh, Ethan, go with Cloe and…"
However, before they answered, two people entered, one supported by the other while opening the door and barely standing. His gaze was almost empty and without any joy on his face, he took a few steps forward and in one almost fell while supporting the other.
They were drunk, the one being carried was red almost like a tomato, while the one carrying him seemed to be trying to maintain lucidity while carrying him.
Seeing them, he said.
Personality #4: "What the fuck do you see….gulp…help me carry him….", were his words before falling to his knees while resting his arm on the floor preventing his companion from falling to the ground.
They were none other than Heiss and Lucius.
Both fell to the ground, Lucius was already unconscious, while Heiss was touching his head, feeling the effect of everything spinning around him.
He had felt this sensation before, in a training, except he didn't remember them forcing him to drink so much that time.
Everyone was surprised at once at the figures on the ground, they didn't know who to be more surprised about, of Heiss himself for…. Well for being Heiss or Lucius who was synonymous with seriousness and proper and serene behavior.
Their perspectives twisted with the stench that impregnated their bodies with alcohol.
Personality #4: "….Shit.." were the last words before closing his eyes and trying to sleep.