La Linea

Moisés, Elena, Miguel, and Javier walk through the night. When they pause to rest, Moisés teaches them desert survival techniques, including conserving moisture, drinking before they are thirsty, guarding against snakes and scorpions, and keeping their backpacks with them. La migra does not frequent the route they are taking, but armed US militia patrol the area. As they walk, Miguel fantasizes about the hero’s welcome his parents will give him and how magnanimous he will be toward Papá. Miguel and Elena keep up with Moisés’s pace, but Javi falls behind. Moisés talks privately, and angrily, with Javi. Miguel thinks Moisés feels Javi will slow them down. Miguel also knows Elena needs to believe they can make it across the border together. He tells an emotional Elena that Javi can do it. They learn they crossed the border during that night, although there is nothing around them but open desert. Miguel believed he would have somehow sensed when they crossed la línea.

The migrants stop around noon in a rocky shelter. Moisés searches for snakes before he spreads the tarps. Moisés is pleased with their progress, and he jokes about the “nice hotel” he has found them.