The day of the heist, we felt the weight of the historic, dangerous moment hanging over us. It didn’t make sense to train anymore, and plus, just like athletes, we decided it was better for our bodies to be well rested. So what we did was use the morning to wash our sweat suits and lay them in the sun to dry, and then watch the afternoon pass, sitting at the foot of the steps and eating the last of the watermelon. Camilo asked Marquito to get the tobacco so he could smoke a cigarette. He admitted he was just too nervous, and even though Pancho scolded him for his lack of commitment, we all ended up smoking. I told them how that image of ninjas dressed in black was a myth. They used navy blue, because black shone in the darkness. Marquito said that meant our school sweat suits were perfect for this mission.

“Anyway, they’re the only thing we have,” added Pancho, blowing smoke. We all agreed, laughing.

Last details.

Since neither Marquito nor I have ski masks like the Carrascos’, we agree to use black shirts as hoods. The clock in the Carrascos’ kitchen says 10:30 p.m., and we’ve just realized there are a couple of tools we need that their father doesn’t have. They aren’t essential for the mission, but we can’t risk it. I say I think I’ve seen them in my father’s toolbox, and we decide Pancho will go with me to get them; when we return, all of us will go to keep watch at the church. We’ll start the operation at 3:00 sharp.

The street is empty, and Pancho doesn’t stop talking the whole way to my house. He’s more excited then ever. He asks me, over and over, if I understand what we are about to do. “Do you get it? Do you get it?” he repeats, almost shouting. He walks fast, with determination, his eyes staring. But then he looks me straight in the eyes for a second and tells me that we’re going to strike big now, and after we do, nothing will stop us, we’ll be invincible. I look at him and reply with the same sureness that yes, I do get it, we’re really going to do it, it’s already practically done. We are invincible.