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another mi lagro now.        
                    I turn to my father. ‘Dad, say something. Talk to them. Tell them … tell them I can’t help them. Tell them I shouldn’t have to. Tell them it’s too much for me.’
                  My father exhales loudly and looks even more pained.
                  ‘Daddy? Please … ’ If ever I needed my father’s help, it’s now. ‘ This is huge, daddy, I can’t do it. Tell him to take her,’ I say, pointing to Paris . ‘She pre tty - Miss LA Diva 1999 . Tell him, I’m plain and vulgar and shy and I almost got expelled …’ When I see my father’s shoulders sag , I stop . F eeling ditched and resentful that he isn’t able to help me a gain , I back off .
                      ‘He’s giving us till seven,’ Jack says quietly, fuelling my pressure.
                      I look at the clock. Six fifty five. ‘Seven!’ I jump out of my chair and start pacing. ‘ Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! ’
                       Austin turns to Carvil. ‘Payton shouldn’t have to …’
                      ‘ Austin !’ Paris snarls. ‘The Devil will kill you if you interfere. D’ya wanna die Austin ? You have a baby. His name is Liam, remember? ’
                      Austin clams up.
                  Elaine walks up to me and gives me a saccharine smile. ‘Payton dear, it won’t be forever. Just until things settle, dear. He might get bored of you after …’ 
                  ‘After what Elaine - killing me? Eating my fleshy parts? Making a tea strainer out of me? One hundred years?’
                  Her smile vanishes. ‘Payton! Now you listen to me,’ she snarls. ‘You can do it. You are tough, you ’ re a fighter. You are ...’
                  ‘Elaine please, you’re sounding like Mike Tyson’s coach now. I’m not that tough. ‘I’m scared, okay? I’m twenty one for fucks sake! ’
                       ‘Snap out it. You’re never scared. You’ve always been fearless.’

              ‘ You’re wrong , y ou’re wrong, you’re wrong ! You don’t know me , Elaine . ’
                      Diablo stands up , looks at me and starts to walk away.
                  The clock on the wall says 7 PM . ‘ Fuck! ’
                  The flame-thrower takes his position and aims directly at the villagers. Screams of terror fill the air. I too am terrified of burning to death, but right now I’m concerned about the villagers rather than myself. 
                       ‘W ait !’ I scream, running after my murderer. ‘J ust wait !’
                  He stops but does not turn around. The flamethrower mutterers angrily when Diablo raises a calloused hand. Behind me, the villagers exhale loudly .
                  I stand before Diablo and squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to see the metal rings over his eyes, the hairy face, the dreadlocks, the tattoos that run up to his chin , for fear they will prevent me from helping the villagers.    
                  ‘I’ll ... I’ll go ... with you.’
                  A mammoth decision on my part, yet he doesn’t acknowledge it – just turns and saunters on. Now what? Am I supposed to follow him? Has he changed his mind? Doesn’t he want me any ...?’
                  He stops and looks at me, his eyebrows raised. I quickly start walking towards him. I want to say goodbye to my family and maybe c ollect some of my things, but I’m not sure if that’s okay with him so I walk out of Siempre with just the clothes I’m wearing.
                  I zone out – I don’t want to hear anything, don’t want to see anyone, don’t want to think about where I’m going, don’t want to think about what lies