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MARCHING POWDER

The main action was concentrated around where the swimming pool was located. I thought perhaps they were going to be thrown into the water as part of the celebration and I wanted to get a closer look, so I started pushing towards the pool. The crowd swayed back and forth violently and I really had to use my strength to get through. Then there was a huge splash and a warlike roar went up from the spectators. I still couldn’t see what was going on, but if it was a celebration, it was a very angry one. There was another splash as the second man went in, and this time everyone cheered. No one wanted to let me forward but I was determined to see, so I continued to struggle. The closer to the pool I got, the more aggressive the crowd became.

When it seemed I could get no closer to the pool, I recognised the giant inmate with the scarred face towering next to me and asked him what was happening.

'What is it? Who are they?' I shouted above the intense clamour of the crowd.

'Los violadores. Se van a morir.' He pointed to a third man who had just been brought into the section and was being carried towards the pool. There was that word I didn't understand again – violadores. I understood the second part, though: 'They are going to die.'

'What does "violador" mean?' I tugged at his sleeve and when I heard the word 'violación', I finally understood. These men were the gang rapists I had seen arrested on television before Christmas.

Somehow I made it to the very front, staying about half a metre from the edge of the pool for safety since the people behind me were still pushing and fighting to move forward. From there, I could see exactly what was happening.

There were now two men in the water and I got there just as one of them was struggling to get out via the steps that ran down the side of the pool. I don't know what they had done to him beforehand, but he was bleeding from cuts and wounds and looked like he was thoroughly exhausted. However, the crowd wouldn't let him out. As soon as he made it to the final step, one of the spectators barged him with a shoulder and he went back in, hitting his head on the concrete edge as he fell. Everyone laughed and another cheer went up from the crowd. At first, I thought they were just going to teach him a lesson, but then things got more serious.

When he tried to get out the second time, someone attempted to

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