Miracle in The Andes

by Nando Parrado

‘Carlitos,’ I whispered, ‘are you awake?’ ‘Yes,’ he muttered. ‘Who can sleep in this freezer?’ ‘Are you hungry?’ ‘Puta carajo,’ he snapped. ‘What do you think? I haven’t eaten in days.’ ‘We are going to starve here,’ I said. ‘I don’t think the rescuers will find us in time.’ ‘You don’t know that,’ Carlitos answered. ‘I know it and you know it,’ I replied, ‘but I will not die here. I will make it home.’ ‘Are you still thinking about climbing out of here?’ he asked. ‘Nando, you are too weak.’ ‘I am weak because I haven’t eaten.’ ‘But what can you do?’ he said. ‘There is no food here.’ ‘There is food,’ I answered. ‘You know what I mean.’ Carlitos shifted in the darkness, but he said nothing. ‘I will cut meat from the pilot,’ I whispered. ‘He’s the one who put us here, maybe he will help us get out.’ ‘Fuck, Nando,’ Carlitos whispered.