The festival

John will act again under circumstances he thought would not repeat. Rescuing his daughter from men who intend to sell her will demand that he showcases his best spy skills and resorts to unorthodox methods to reach her.

As he involves his loved ones in this unscrupulous quest, many loose ends from John's past will be revealed, making him pay for everything he has done. Precision and composure will be needed to reach John's daughter. And that is precisely what defines him.

"Suffering? Yes, I have experienced it in its different forms because I have not only lived it but also caused it. I have spent many years working as a private agent for the government. I would not allow the wretched to have their way, but I went too far. Nowadays, the screams and lamentations of those men I harmed gnaw at me.

Stop, don't go on. I will tell you whatever you want, please..."

"I'm dying!" says my daughter, Luci, who is sitting in the passenger seat of my car.

"It's incredible that they finally agreed to come to the festival. After keeping us in doubt for so long, they accepted, and we'll see them live tonight. Aren't you excited, Deisy?" my daughter asks her friend sitting in the back.

My daughter snaps me out of my trance. Her vitality and way of seeing the world sometimes leave me amazed. She is the only person who prevents me from sinking into madness. I love her more than anything in the world and wouldn't let anyone hurt her.

"It may not be a big concert, but it's understandable since camping will be allowed at the same venue. That gives it a very different touch from other festivals, right, Daddy?" Luci asks me with great excitement, trying to include me in her conversation, something I value simply because she is my daughter.

"Yes, those kinds of events can be quite wild. In my time, people who attended used to cause a lot of trouble," I say, trying to show some concern, a concern that was even greater and consuming me from within.

"That's what makes it fun, but don't worry, you know we're very responsible. We'll have an amazing time!" my daughter says enthusiastically.

"I'm glad you're so excited. I know you'll enjoy it. By the way, daughter, do you have the tracker?" I ask with a hint of neutrality.

"Yes, Dad, both of them. The one on my phone and the one I have in my lipstick," my daughter says somewhat resignedly.

"Do you have the pepper spray as well? And the extra money?" I ask just to make sure.

"Yes, Dad. I have everything, even the multiple bone-breaking skills you've taught me since I was little," Luci says in a slightly ironic manner.

"That's something that will serve you well in life. I'm glad you're aware of it," I say with a touch of simplicity.

"Skills? Can you really break bones, Luci?" Luci's friend says in a joking tone.

"Well, not exactly, but I know self-defense. My dad was a spy for over 15 years, and it has had a positive influence on my life, if you can see it that way," my daughter says.

"Wow, that sounds incredible. I wish I had a dad like yours. Mine is just an accountant. Anyway, Mr. Vandomeer, if someone were to grab me from behind, how would I free myself?" Luci's friend asks, perhaps innocently.

"Hey! Don't ask him that, or he might get too excited and answer you seriously," my daughter exclaims with a hint of irony.

"That's a good question. You should consider that there are weak points you can use to your advantage. Trying to strike their shin could be a good option, but you have to slip your arm into the gap formed between your neck and their arm. That will cause some sense of loss in the person, and that's when you take the opportunity to strike them anywhere," I say with a sense of normalcy, although I forget that my world is far from normal.

"Oh, Dad, you had to say it," exclaims my daughter.

"That sounds good, I mean, I hope I never have to try that, but I appreciate the advice, Mr. Vandermeer," says Luci's friend.

"Call me Jhon. And that's very true. The first step is to avoid frequenting places where you would encounter people who would harm you," I say in a relaxed tone.

My daughter and her friend continued talking about the concert and other topics that are relevant to them nowadays. Luci is already 20 years old and in her second year of university. She's very intelligent and empathetic. She enjoys living life, and I make sure she does it in a measured way, I suppose, although there are things I can't control.

It's 1 PM, and the festival had already started, so the girls were in a hurry, but we managed to arrive in good time. When we reached the parking lot, my daughter said a quick goodbye, gave me a kiss, and then got out of the car to head to the venue. I like seeing her happy, so I'll make sure that continues to work.

Once I dropped off my daughter at the concert, I head to my ex-wife's house. When I arrive there, many of the good memories I had flood my mind, making me feel a bit of unease, but I control it. I know I'm not there anymore for their sake.

I ring the doorbell, and Enora, my ex-wife and mother of my daughter, opens the door and gives me a hug. We may not be together anymore, but there was never any resentment between us. She knows that any harm I may have caused her was never intentional.

"Did you manage to drop Luci off at the festival?" asks Enora with her sweet voice.

"Yes, although we left late because they didn't want to give us the food. I was able to take her as soon as possible," I say calmly.

"Thank you so much. She's going to enjoy it a lot," says Luci.

"I know, I hope so."

"How are you feeling? It was difficult to convince you to let Luci go, and now you seem calm," Enora asks. "I'm just attentive to any situation.

She'll be fine and have a good time, I assure you," I say, looking into her eyes. "Well, to be honest, I'm not very calm," Enora says with some appeasement in her tone.

"Don't worry, I know she'll be fine," I reassure her. "Well, I guess with you keeping an eye on things, I won't miss any details of what Luci is doing," Enora says.

"You make me sound like a stalker," I say with some embarrassment. "I just know that you like to protect our daughter, so give her some space and, above all, take some time for yourself. That would do you good. Well, I have to finish some reports.

Can you bring Luci back tomorrow?" Enora asks. "Yes, I'll take care of it. I'll bring her back safe and sound," I say before leaving the place. I leave, leaving Enora alone in her house. If it weren't for me putting everyone around me in danger, maybe I would still be with her.

Right now, we would be dancing on a beach or on vacation in Paris. But the only thing I can do now is protect what we both love the most, our daughter. I get in the car, and before starting the engine, I make a phone call. "Hey, Paul, are you already at the festival?" I say to my friend on the phone. "Hey, Jhon! Don't worry, I'm here keeping an eye on everything," Paul says with a cheerful and calm tone.