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If you think I'm about to confess that it's all my fault, think again. People get all kinds of ideas when they see me—about where I'm from, who my parents are, where I live, if I'm doing well in school. You know, a nice little pre-packaged picture. But let me tell you, you can't expect to understand someone's story at first sight—you've got to arm yourself with patience and listen. To realize, for one, that it's our choices that show what we're made of. Like when there are religious icons at the corners of intersections, right where paths split. Some people leave them flowers or candles. Even though I'd never think of doing something so strange, I know those little madonnas and saints hold a special meaning for many. They're there to remind travelers that they're always running the risk of making a wrong turn.

Well, that's not a mistake I ever want to make. I've spent too much time obsessing over my father, over why he decided to command an army instead of living with me and mama in this beautiful city. I thought that if even he, having left us, had failed, I too would make an irreversible mistake sooner or later. But war changes people, their relationships—no one comes out unharmed. Zia Rosa and mama formed an alliance and raised us on stories and songs. Fables aren't all that different from real life. It's the commander of the river's duty to protect the people of the village from the crocodiles and, to do so, he can only rely on his ability to distinguish good from evil. Will he succeed in this extremely difficult role?

After everything I've gotten into, I'll admit that, deep down, I knew all too well how everything had unfolded. It's one thing to sense the truth, another to actually say it out loud. My mother washed her hands of it and sent me there alone, as a scout. In my opinion, certain knots should be untied at home, and as I've told her many times—you need to steel yourself to face reality. But she's convinced she made the right decision, that you need to come out of your shell to make your bones.

The fact remains that I had to flunk a grade, dodge punishment, and even get hurt to find the courage. Now I'm ready. I want to narrate the events from beginning to end, and explain them fully. Only by putting one word after another will I be able to make sense of everything. Sissi will be happy. I owe it to her above all, she's my little sister.