-You have been accused of betrayal, but we have seen the truth, the way you treated your children, the way you treat their children. You know that things ended the way they are now because of…the system.

The old man listens to their words, as if nothing would be different. You don’t have to look any closer to see the scratches on his arms, they are a small remember of the big life weighing on him.

The morning he drived his grandchildren to school is stuck down into his whole being. Their kisses were sweeter than ever, the touch of their tiny arms seemed to be a warning. How was it possible, for days, he gave all his being, it wasn’t only a duty to protect them, he wanted them to feel something. Once gone, nothing can bring them back.

-The system is broken, he speaks, but the voice is barely heard. I raised my children, now I raise theirs, it’s the exactly same mess. In what times would we need to live to have a better judgement? he laughs while tears are slowly rolling down.

-For the ending, we’d like to hand you this.

With tired eyes, he struggles to see a paper.

-What is this, a paper, what’s its use?

-That’s right, this is the map of our land. This is all yours, you can do whatever you like with it.

The old man laughs:

-That’s also my land, you guys, what do you think I’m gonna do?

-The choice is all yours. It’s your land.

He nervously touches the paper, something is off. Instead of all colors being at their place, there is red almost…everywhere.

Instantly, his hands start shaking as he grabs the map. First a small piece, then a bigger piece, another city, another state, everything gets broken. Hours have gone mad, minutes have become painful and seconds have gotten closer to the time.

In the end, there is nothing left and not even the man could understand.

He starred. A death look in his eyes. Shock is all he knows.

-Why….why in the world…..did I do this?! I would’ve never done this! he cries. That’s not me!

he spreads panic into his chest.

-No. This is not you. You did this because someone has told you so.

-But who? I..I, no one is in the room but us, how?

He doesn’t get it, he is a good man.

-We have told you so.

Colors blend, but there is no harmony. All colors are covered by the main red.

-I. Have. Betrayed. My. Country.