“Saraiy, go with your brother down into the village to grab some things for dinner.’’ Papa shouted to me from down the hall of our compact home.

   I didn’t want to go down to the village anymore. All I ever heard about was El Norte. I want to go to El Norte more than anything but I know papa would never let me and I wouldn’t want to go alone. Papa never told me why we’d never tried to go to El Norte, he seemed to get really sensitive whenever the subject was brought up. 

“Could you come any slower Saraiy?’’ Elis uttered angrily while peeking his head through the old wooden front door. 

“Coming.’’ I followed him out of the front door and caught up to him while walking down to the village. We made it to the market in about 10 minutes. 

“Saraiy! I’ve been waiting for you.’’ Jo came up to me while grabbing my arm and pulling me to the side. “Me, you and Alisa have to go, we have to!” He was almost begging me. 

“Where? Go where Jo?” 

“El Norte” 

El Norte. I knew it was a bad idea coming here. I was bound to get wrapped up in a situation that more than likely wasn’t going to end well.

Alisa popped up behind me grabbing my shoulder. “Saraiy, you have to go with us, we're going to have a better life! We’re going to have toilets, running water, we’re gonna be rich and everything is going to be better, trust me.’’

“Alisa… what about Elis and Papa? I just disappear with you guys and leave my family worries?’’ I was stuck at this point, having no idea what to do. 

“You know this would be your only chance, your Papa’s not here to stop you.’’ Alisa said while grabbing my hand. 

“Elis will be hurt that I left, I don’t know if I can do that to him.” I put my other hand on top of hers.

I know she wasn’t going to give up on convincing me until I went with them, maybe I should just go.

“It's going to be worth it when you can give them a better life Saraiy.’’ Alisa let go of my hands, her eyes staring dead into mine, demanding the answer she's looking for.

“Alright, let’s go.’’

 I gave in. A million thoughts running through my mind whilst I'm running away from the village before Elis realizes I left. 

“Where specifically are we going Jo? You begged me to come and I don’t even know the plan.’’ I shouted so he could hear me from the distance he was ahead of me. 

“I met this guy, he said he would lead us to El Norte with a payment of $1,500.’’ He responded.

“How exactly did you get that money Jo?’’ I was concerned. We certainly never had that type of money.

“He sold everything he had besides a pair of clothes and his backpack.’’ Alisa said.

Before I had the chance to say anything, Jo started shouting. “Stavo! Stavo!’’

A man with a fairly nice suit with a cigar in his mouth turned around. “Ah, there you are, I’ve been waiting for you.’’

“I’m sorry, we had to get my friend Saraiy.’’ Jo explained while catching his breath.’’

“It’s fine… get in the car and I'll drive you guys to the border where you’ll begin walking through the desert. I will continue to meet you at certain spots to give you supplies and directions.’’ Stavo motioned us to follow him and lead us to his car.

I wasn’t sure about going with this man, I barely know him and I know for a fact Jo doesn’t know him well either. Jo tends to trust people really easily and continuously makes impulsive decisions that aren’t always good choices.

      With Alisa in one ear telling me everything is going to be okay and the voices in my head telling me this is a bad idea, I was silently losing my mind.

After a few hours we reached where we were going to begin walking. 

“I’ll meet you guys back in the desert tomorrow with water and food.’’

Stavo said while lighting his 4th cigar of the day. 

“Here.” Jo opened his backpack, pulling out the $1,500 he had to pay Stavo. 

“Alright kid. See you on the other side.” Stavo raised 2 fingers and saluted a so-long to Jo while getting back into his car.

This is it. We're doing it. We're going to El Norte.

We began walking and all the questions I had were begging to be asked. “Where did you meet this man Jo? What if he doesn’t come back?”

“Calm down Saraiy. I met him down in the village one day. He’ll be back, trust me.’’ Jo had the brightest smile on his face. He was going to make it to El Norte.

It’s been 2 days.

 “Stavo? Stavo are you there?” Jo was reaching out grabbing air. 

I knew it. We got played. We were going to die. 

“I need to lay down.’’ Alisa mumbled with low eyes and pale skin. “Just right here… I’m here… we’re going to El Norte.’’

We’re dying, our brains are fried. “Alisa…Alisa no don’t sleep.’’ My limp body attempted to shake her back to life. She was gone. I wonder how long it was until my turn.

“El Norte!’’ Jo started running deeper into the desert. “I’m here! I’m here!’’ He dropped. 

He was dead. I didn’t bother checking on him.

I stood silently for a minute. I turned around and started running. “I’m going home.’’ I was crying but no tears were falling.

My throat was dry, my legs were limp, my eyes were burning. In the distance I heard an engine nearing closer and closer. It was Border Patrol. 

“Help me please!’’ I tried to shout as loud as I could. I was trying my best to get closer to the car. 

The border patrol officer got out of the car and ran towards me with a bottle of water. “Are you okay? Were you with anyone?’’

I nod my head while drinking water. He helped me towards the car and put me in. 

I didn’t make it to El Norte and I lost 2 of my best friends, but I was alive and I was going home. That was all that mattered.

At least I know the coyote’s game.