Hope: When the Night Doesn't End
About this audiobook
Isolated from the civilized world, the Island is guarded by armed sentinels with orders to shoot to kill anyone attempting to escape. Its inhabitants are hostages of a tyrannical ruler that keeps them enslaved. Their only hope is to flee the Island, but the price to pay is often too high.
Driven by the birth of his firstborn child, Carlos decides to escape. His brother and three friends join him. But evading the guards is just the beginning. Their route to freedom is a 90-mile passage across “The Straits of Death”, a shark infested ocean with strong sea currents, and unpredictable storms. Only one in every four who venture into the crossing reaches his destination... alive.
Follow these brave souls as they confront relentless guards, treacherous seas, and the cruel hand of fate. Their quest for love, family, and freedom becomes a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Every obstacle they overcome and every sacrifice they make carries them closer to a destiny they refuse to surrender.
**This story is illustrated with authentic pictures taken during the expedition (paperback and electronic versions).
About the author
Born in Havana city, Cuba in 1966, Roberto Morales emerged from humble beginnings. The second of three brothers, he was raised in a working-class household that was, above all, a haven of love and normalcy. However, tragedy struck early with the sudden death of his father when he was just 12 years old, propelling him into an accelerated journey toward maturity.
By the age of 17, Roberto’s passion for sports and an intrinsic sense of duty made him the country’s youngest National Orienteering Sports referee. Within just a year, he ascended to a position on the provincial commission for the sport, affirming his rising status in the field.
After fulfilling a three-year tour of mandatory military service, Roberto joined the Higher Institute of Physical Culture in Havana in 1989. Almost immediately, he distinguished himself, garnering top grades and earning the esteem of his educators and peers alike. Yet, just as he was on the cusp of completing his degree, Roberto made a shocking decision—he fled Cuba. While his departure stunned his acquaintances, it was the culmination of two years of covert and painstaking planning for Roberto and his four companions.
The crucial moment arrived on May 27, 1993. After nearly three perilous days at sea, Roberto and his group were located approximately 34 miles from Marathon Key by an aircraft from ‘Brothers to the Rescue,’ an organization devoted to aiding rafters in the Florida Straits. Two hours later, they were pulled to safety by the US Coast Guard.
Starting a new chapter in 1995, Roberto enrolled at Miami Dade Community College to learn English. His academic excellence was quickly acknowledged, leading him to secure several scholarships, including the “AHEAD Balsero,” “Mártires de Febrero 24,” and “Martha Elena Fundora” awards. By 2000, after acing the requisite entrance exams, Roberto transitioned into a stable career as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service.
This remarkable odyssey, from humble Cuban streets to academic accolades and a new life in the United States, encapsulates Roberto Morales; a man forged by adversity, driven by responsibility and, ultimately, redeemed through relentless pursuit of opportunity.
