Read Online 90 Miles to Freedom by K. C. Hilton - Free Book Online
Authors: K. C. Hilton
Tags: thriller, Suspense, Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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sensed that Adelio was an intelligent man, but he seemed to be taking it upon himself to help as many people as he could. For a man to deliberately place himself in a dangerous situation in order to help others that he didn’t know, well, to Collin’s mind, that didn’t even come close to rational thinking. Especially when it meant the man could possibly get killed.
On the other hand, thousands of people join the military, putting themselves in harm’s way. Many of them die for their country and for people they don’t know. But that was different, wasn’t it?
“ You sound like this is something very personal to you, Adelio. I mean, more than just helping your people.”
“ Oh, it is, my friend. I shall tell you my story.”
Chapter 14
When Adelio was only ten years old, he had helped his father build a small wooden raft and an ore. All the time they were building their raft, Adelio’s father told him stories about the free world, America.
“ Sailing to freedom,” his father would say.
The reason they were building a raft was because it had the advantage of not being easily detected by radar. He had to be very careful. Because he was leaving Cuba without permission, he feared reprisals against his family and friends.
While Adelio and his father prepared the raft for his illegal exit, his father reluctantly explained that the journey was extremely dangerous. It was true that on some summer days, when there was a stiff wind from the south, crossing the straits could be relatively easy. If the prevailing winds blew in the direction of the Gulf Stream, they could propel a raft from the north coast of Cuba all the way to the Florida Keys. The current, at times, could be like a warm river which coursed northeastward along a route. When this happened it was quite convenient for a Cuban refugee.
But for the most part, the trip could be deadly. Adelio’s father told his son that only about half of those who embark on the crossing actually make it to Florida. The others are either caught by Cuban authorities or they drown. As soon as a raft leaves Cuba, it enters waters that are three thousand, three hundred and ninety feet deep. On rough summer days and throughout the winter, when the wind and sea currents clash, the seas can get “ungodly high”. During those times, the waves rise so high they are like mountains.
Adelio’s father didn’t want to tell him everything, but knew he had to be honest with his son. So he told him how nature can sometimes be a rafter’s best accomplice, but rarely. Adelio almost couldn’t listen when his father told him that over the years, many rafts had been found floating either empty or cradling a dead, sunburned body.
But the family was so desperate for a different life from the one they led in Cuba that they, and so many others, were willing to attempt this almost impossible voyage.
Adelio’s father’s raft was hidden off the shoreline, camouflaged within the heavy brush where he and Adelio often went fishing. It had been outfitted with water, nets, and extra clothes to keep him safe from the harsh elements.
Adelio remembered clearly the day his father was to leave for America. He had given his son a long, tight hug, then told him to be a good boy. He promised that when it was time, he would send for both Adelio and his mother. By then it would be legal for them to come to live with him in America.
Adelio remembered his mother crying so hard she was almost unable to speak. She handed her husband a sack which contained the bare necessities for his voyage. The sack was heavy - Adelio could see that from the way his father slumped a bit after slinging the bag over one shoulder. They had worked together compiling this little bundle, filling it with a can of old motor oil from a mechanic they knew, an old pair of binoculars, an old wind-up watch, two boiled chickens, a few cans of evaporated milk, and some rice and beans.
His father reached into his pocket,
On the other hand, thousands of people join the military, putting themselves in harm’s way. Many of them die for their country and for people they don’t know. But that was different, wasn’t it?
“ You sound like this is something very personal to you, Adelio. I mean, more than just helping your people.”
“ Oh, it is, my friend. I shall tell you my story.”
Chapter 14
When Adelio was only ten years old, he had helped his father build a small wooden raft and an ore. All the time they were building their raft, Adelio’s father told him stories about the free world, America.
“ Sailing to freedom,” his father would say.
The reason they were building a raft was because it had the advantage of not being easily detected by radar. He had to be very careful. Because he was leaving Cuba without permission, he feared reprisals against his family and friends.
While Adelio and his father prepared the raft for his illegal exit, his father reluctantly explained that the journey was extremely dangerous. It was true that on some summer days, when there was a stiff wind from the south, crossing the straits could be relatively easy. If the prevailing winds blew in the direction of the Gulf Stream, they could propel a raft from the north coast of Cuba all the way to the Florida Keys. The current, at times, could be like a warm river which coursed northeastward along a route. When this happened it was quite convenient for a Cuban refugee.
But for the most part, the trip could be deadly. Adelio’s father told his son that only about half of those who embark on the crossing actually make it to Florida. The others are either caught by Cuban authorities or they drown. As soon as a raft leaves Cuba, it enters waters that are three thousand, three hundred and ninety feet deep. On rough summer days and throughout the winter, when the wind and sea currents clash, the seas can get “ungodly high”. During those times, the waves rise so high they are like mountains.
Adelio’s father didn’t want to tell him everything, but knew he had to be honest with his son. So he told him how nature can sometimes be a rafter’s best accomplice, but rarely. Adelio almost couldn’t listen when his father told him that over the years, many rafts had been found floating either empty or cradling a dead, sunburned body.
But the family was so desperate for a different life from the one they led in Cuba that they, and so many others, were willing to attempt this almost impossible voyage.
Adelio’s father’s raft was hidden off the shoreline, camouflaged within the heavy brush where he and Adelio often went fishing. It had been outfitted with water, nets, and extra clothes to keep him safe from the harsh elements.
Adelio remembered clearly the day his father was to leave for America. He had given his son a long, tight hug, then told him to be a good boy. He promised that when it was time, he would send for both Adelio and his mother. By then it would be legal for them to come to live with him in America.
Adelio remembered his mother crying so hard she was almost unable to speak. She handed her husband a sack which contained the bare necessities for his voyage. The sack was heavy - Adelio could see that from the way his father slumped a bit after slinging the bag over one shoulder. They had worked together compiling this little bundle, filling it with a can of old motor oil from a mechanic they knew, an old pair of binoculars, an old wind-up watch, two boiled chickens, a few cans of evaporated milk, and some rice and beans.
His father reached into his pocket,
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