The Price of Freedom

João was an exemplary family man, a man of integrity and hard work who dedicated his time and effort to support his family. He was in love with his wife, who was expecting a child, and their beautiful four-year-old daughter. But, despite his unconditional love, his concern for his family's future grew every day in the face of the country's political situation. João, like many other Brazilians, was deeply disappointed with the outcome of the elections, which were marred by numerous frauds and manipulations. In addition, the authoritarian behavior of Minister Cabeça de Ovo, disrespecting the Constitution and acting with total arbitrariness, left João and all Brazilians indignant and fearful. He felt powerless before a corrupt and tyrannical government, which threatened the freedom and life of his people with its arbitrary and unethical decisions. These feelings of anguish and hopelessness invaded João's mind and heart, who constantly wondered what could be done to change the situation in the country and guarantee a better future for his family and for all Brazilians.

One day, João decided to participate in a peaceful protest against the election results. The emotion he felt when he held his 4-year-old daughter's little hand and protected his pregnant wife's belly as they walked through the streets towards the protest was indescribable. Suddenly, the police arrived and began to crack down on the demonstration with violence. João smelled the irritating smell of pepper sprays, looked to the side and saw his pregnant wife and their little daughter with their eyes watering with burning, it broke his heart.

He ordered his wife and daughter to flee, while, in a last act of despair and hope, João knelt down a few meters from the police, with his hands on his head, and shouted: “I am not a criminal, I am a family man. , I have children, and I fight for them. I don't want my children to grow up in a country plagued by poverty, I don't want to see my nation wither away and become a second Venezuela, I'm just a good man who still believes in people, who still believes in Brazil!” Then, he felt the sharp pain of the rubber bullets that hit his body. He found himself trapped in the middle of the chaos, unable to escape police violence. He felt afraid, and above all, he felt abandoned by those who had once sworn to protect him. John was imprisoned, not for a crime, but for the love of his nation.

João was taken to prison with his hands in handcuffs, not knowing what the future had in store for him. He was thrown into a dark, dingy cell without even a blanket to keep warm. Memories of his family kept him strong, but physical and emotional pain plagued him constantly. He was deprived of any rights, without the possibility of having visits or even a phone call for his wife and daughter. João lost weight quickly, his ribs showed under his skin and his face was always pale. The aggression of the other inmates, many of them violent criminals, made him even more vulnerable and terrified. The psychological pressure was constant, but João kept the hope that one day he would be released and return to his family. He counted the days, the hours, the minutes, hoping that justice would be served. It was only thanks to a group of patriotic militants who fought bravely for the freedom of political prisoners that João finally got his freedom, but the trauma of his arrest stayed with him for the rest of his life.

After his release, John quietly returned home. He felt crushed by the sense of defeat that accompanied him. Emptiness and hopelessness overwhelmed him. But when he got home, he was greeted by the tight hugs of his wife and the radiant smile of his little daughter, who ran towards him. The little girl did not understand what had happened, but her joy and unconditional love were a source of energy for João.

However, reality quickly caught up with him. João realized that the country was heading towards a dark future, in which his children would have even fewer rights and opportunities. The current government made deliberate decisions that harmed the population, while silencing and censoring all those who opposed it. John couldn't ignore the glimpse of horror that was in store for the future.

He envisioned his children living in a world where people were afraid to express their opinions freely. Censorship would be the rule and those who opposed the government would be silenced. Justice would be just a distant dream, while poverty and violence would become more common. João felt a deep pain in his heart at the thought that his children could grow up in such a bleak and hopeless world. Sadness and anguish took over João, who felt powerless in the face of the situation.

But then, he met a resistance group that fought for democracy and justice in the country. There, he found purpose. He met other people who thought like him, who believed that it was possible to change the situation in the country. The group had a well-defined and organized action plan to expose the unconstitutionalities committed by Minister Cabeça de Ovo and guarantee fair and transparent elections. John felt a flame light up inside him. It was as if new energy had been injected into her body. He saw that he was not alone and that he could make a difference in the future of his family and his country.

The resistance group planned a large public demonstration to expose the government's unconstitutionalities. The scorching midday sun did not seem to affect the determination of the resistance group that gathered in the central square. João joined them, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was time to make your voice heard. The shout of order echoed through the streets, echoing like thunder amidst the deafening silence. They held signs, sang songs, and waved their flags, showing their outrage at authoritarian rule.

Tensions rose as the police arrived, guns drawn. But this time the group was more prepared. They quickly organized themselves, putting up makeshift shields and protecting themselves from the tear gas thrown by the police. João felt his heart beat fast, but his determination only grew. He knew he was doing the right thing, fighting for a better future for his children and for all Brazilians.

Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot cut through the air. John felt a sharp pain in his chest, looking down to see a red stain spreading across his shirt. He fell to his knees, feeling weakness take over his body. But he didn't give up. Even with the pain throbbing in his chest, he got to his feet, raising the green and yellow flag with a trembling hand. His companions continued the fight, but João knew his time was up.

In a few seconds, João fell to the ground and closed his eyes, feeling the life drain from his body. He thought of his family, of his son, whose face he would never see, and of all the patriots who still believed, who still fought. The physical pain was unbearable, but the emotional pain was even greater. He wanted to see a fairer, freer, happier Brazil. With a final breath, John was gone, leaving behind a message of hope and resilience.

João's last words were recorded on a video for his family that same day, before leaving the house, in case the worst happened. This video circulated around the internet and inspired many people. He said: "I'm recording this video in case things get out of hand today and I don't come home. Honey I promised I would but if you're seeing this then this is the first time I've failed you, forgive me. And my little one, daddy loves you a thousand million! I also have something to say to all the non-conformists in this country: don't give up. Don't let violence and oppression silence you. Fight for a fairer and freer country. Hope did not die with me , she lives in each of you. Be the change you want to see in the world. I die today, but my fight does not die with me. Brazil achieved independence with a war cry, we cannot let it be in vain, even we are the same people fighting for the same freedom. Don't abandon our country, don't abandon my family, don't abandon our future, fight, because that is the price of freedom!"