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In the end, Azeneth decides to go back with Victor.
When they arrive at the Evans' house, at dusk, there is a woman with her sick son waiting for the doctor, so he asks Azeneth to wait for him in the basement while he’s talking with the family.
She has to wait more than an hour down there.
It's rare to be houses with basements there. She should be wary, but for now, she feels calmer. Not only because, thanks to the doctor, the woman has stopped bothering her and her presence is just a small pin stuck in her heart, but also because, although she still doesn't understand Victor very well, she feels a certain relief in leaving a little of her burden on him. Knowing there may be a solution for her situation comforts her.
Carlota is not there. On the way to the basement, when she passed through the living room, the stain of the girl's blood on the wall called reproaching her. You avoided looking at it because you don't want to feel guilt or shame. She doesn't know where all this is going to go, and although she will have to apologize several times and live with certain regrets, for now, she wants to enjoy this moment of tranquility.
She hears noises above. Bad luck. Carlota's distinguishable voice (she tends to speak very loudly) gradually approaches the basement. A knot in her stomach announces that her truce is over and it’s time to feel anguish again. She turns her back to the door as Azael's voice blends with the creaking of the stair and the barking of an animal.
There is a short, deadly silence.
―Victor! VIIICTOR! What is Azeneth doing down here?! ―Carlota yells.
―She's going to come with us ―the doctor's voice comes closer, too.
She turns slowly to see them all, but she doesn't dare to say anything.
Ignoring Carlota's annoyance, Victor approaches her and removes her hat just to take a quick look at her bandages. He carries a sealed clay jar in his hands.
Azeneth doesn't understand what Azael is doing there and why he comes with what appears to be a coyote. He also seems confused by her presence, but manages to greet her.
―Hello, Azeneth ―he stares at her, hiding his suspicion. Surely Carlota has told him everything.
―Hello ―she replies, turning her gaze to the coyote.
He notices and says:
―Ah, he's my pet. You didn't know him yet, did you? We call him Parca. Say hello ―he says to the animal that, obediently, lets out a thunderous bark that causes Azeneth to startle.
―Ha, don't be scared, he's a very tame animal ―Azael reassures her, as he slaps the coyote's back.
―Tell him who that coyote is. I'm sure Victor already told her that too ―Carlota interjects, with all the bitterness she can stand.
―What are you talking about? He's just Parquita, leave him alone...
Victor, seeing that his niece is about to throw a tantrum, says to Azael, while giving him the jar he was carrying:
―Here. Take them to the door for me, please. I have to talk to Carlota.
―Yes, yes, of course. As you say.
―Azeneth will accompany you. Take care of her, please.
―Aha ―he turns to look at Azeneth, pointing to a shelf at the back―. Hey, can you bring that flashlight that's there, please? Maybe it's dark over there.
―Ok.
Victor, with his invisible hands (no longer a surprise to Azeneth), moves a cupboard on the wall, revealing a large gap.
They'll make you go into that gap, with a guy you barely know and a wild animal you don't know what's doing there. And worst of all, you're going to do it.
On the other side of the wall is what appears to be a studio. Shelves full of books, boxes, jars and a long central table is what she can see thanks to the light coming from the basement and the flashlight she carries.
―To the background. To those stairs ―Azael indicates, without giving her time to browse.
The stairs, strangely, lead back up, to another door. By the time Azael opens it, she already suspected she wasn’t going to run into the neighbor's yard.
She is greeted by the night breeze of the desert.
A silent and solitary valley, outlined by silhouettes of mountains on a very distant horizon, and crowned here and there by cactus and bushes.
A small lagoon reflects the sky above them.
―Well, we're lucky because the moon shines quite well ―says Azael, pointing to the full moon, which had traveled just a short distance in the sky.
―It's a portal.
―Huh? Ah, yes. Before you ask, I don't know where we are. I don't know. Only the doctor knows.
The boy has loosened the leash from Parca, who runs from one place to another wagging his tail.
The clarity of the stars and constellations in the sky is proof that they are far from any city.
―Hey ―Azael interrupts her contemplation―. I don't quite understand what happened between you and Carlota. But you went too far. I know you have your own issues and that... well, she says it wasn't really you... but... you have to see how her head is now...
Azeneth, who expected a harsher rebuke, takes it in stride.
―I... I would like to tell you it’s true that it wasn’t me, but I don't know anything anymore... I hope she can forgive me...
―She just wanted to help you. But anyway. Now... Did the doctor explain to you what this place is?
―No.
―No?
―He told me he was going to take my grandfather where people go when they die.
―Ahhh... Well, how do I get started?... Look, pay attention: What I bring here, the little jar, has Don Gustavo's soul inside. Do you want to tell him something before he leaves?
―That?
― Yes... Go ahead, try it, the worst thing can happen is that you are talking to a piece of clay.
Azeneth doesn’t want to do so, not out of disbelief, but because of Azael's presence.
―Ehhh... well... I wanted to tell you I'm sorry, because, apparently, this is all my fault... I'm sorry for everything... and thank you, too.
―Did you listen, Don? ―he taps the jar and puts it to his ear, pretending to listen―. Let's pretend he did. Well, I'll explain: you already know the basics, because it's what everyone knows... The soul exists.
» There is the soul, and there is the body, and there is the... what is this thing called?... it is like a magnet, which unites them, soul and body, and is what keeps us alive... But in the end that glue runs out and the soul and body peel off and you die... or if the soul is damaged like a lot, it detaches and you die, if the body is damaged or worn out with the passage of time, it detaches and you die too... you die for any bullshit... In other words, what we understand as death, then, is that process of detachment... So far so clear?
―Yes.
―Ok, when you're already dead, that glue peels off and its remains are lost in the wind, your body rots and returns to the earth... And your soul has to go, where? I don’t know... It's an unknown place out of this world, or deep inside, I don't know. I only know that to get to that place you have to cross a border, and there are several doors, all over the planet, where you can cross. This is one of them, this little lagoon you see, it’s a door to... to that. Why is it here? I don't know either, Dr. Victor found it one day...
» Notice that he says doors are formed in places where many people have died in a short period of time... like... in simple words... the souls of these people pile up and sometimes they end up making a hole to be able to cross and that hole can become a door through which they finally leave. They are only formed in water, and in isolated places "because nature is wise and man corrupt". Places like here, which according to the doctor, around here there is evidence there was a battle in this terrain, maybe from the times of the Revolution, which was how it was filled with deaths...
» But well... Normally, when your soul separates from the body, it ends up finding one of the doors. How do they find them? I don't know either, they just find them, something leads them there, something instinctive. But this usually takes time... sometimes a lot. It can be a long road. Sometimes the very silly ones get lost or get stuck there... or worse, there are people who catch them and who knows what things they will do with them... I once heard a story... well, but that's another topic haha, I'm already getting sidetracked...
―Then I suppose Victor keeps the souls in the jar to bring them here.
―Exactly. But the door still needs to be open, because that’s something else. The doors are closed, to avoid very ugly things come in or out. Surely right now there are several souls around here waiting for the door to open.
―And you're going to open it?
―Oh, no! I have nothing to do with it. Parca is the good one, that's why I brought him. This coyote is more than an animal... for some reason he can open the doors with his presence... We discovered that a long time ago. We still have many doubts about it... Ah, that's why we call him Parca (Grim Reaper), haha! Anyway, from time to time we come to leave a couple of souls and make way for them... Ha, look at it! He's going to do his thing... ―he says when he sees the coyote approach the lagoon and start swimming.
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Suddenly, the wind rises, bringing with it wisps of moisture that rub like silk ribbons against their bodies, the ground, the plants and the rocks, and stirring the waters, making them shake in waves, swirling around the animal, forming a spiral that guides his way to the center of the pool.
Strands of dust rise from the ground and lots of fireflies emerge from their hiding places.
Azael looks around satisfied.
―Very well, good boy...
Azeneth realizes the lights approaching the lagoon are not fireflies. When one of them passes by her, she discovers its elongated shape.
―Azael, what is this?
―Ah, they're already leaving. They’re the souls waiting for the door to open.
―Are they... really?... but they are so...
―I know, they look like tadpoles haha. But, well... just leave them alone... Come on, Don Gustavo, you have to go too ―he removes the cover of the jar and a group of souls shoot out and join the others.
―Is it... Aza...
―Shhh... shhh... Silence, observe ―he points with his finger to the center of the lagoon, where the coyote is.
At first, Azeneth thinks it is because of the distance she cannot distinguish him well, but focusing her eyes realizes the animal has changed shape.
Their skin has been shed. Its flesh fragments in the water and expands, like a drop of ink. The trail of its fur defines a spiral from the center of which pearls of light escape and burst into the air.
That bubbling center widens more and more, opening a circle of absolute black about two meters in diameter that rises framed by the water, like a mirror reflecting the night.
Souls approach the circle and disappear within it.
Don't you feel rare now? The circle, it looks like a fire, a silver bonfire, and you want to get closer, you also want to leave and receive a little warmth.
Azeneth's legs are weak and she has to sit down. Azael, having been through that before, squats near her.
―Don't be scared if you feel bad. It's your soul, which wants to go with the others, but it's well attached to your body, nothing will happen... ―he looks at the door, thoughtful―. I wish I knew, what's on the other side, don't you feel like you knew, but you can't remember it?
*
Years before, one summer afternoon in the student residence of a famous public university, Serván had finished preparing for his trip to the Mountain, where, in a few days, he would begin his social service.
One of his classmates entered to hurry him and found him with a book in his hand.
―Serván! What are you up to?! We're waiting for you downstairs ―he looked at the book― What? Now you're going to start studying, huh? What a good time.
―Ha, I'm not studying. I’m finishing the suitcase. I'm coming, I'm coming.
―And what about that book?
―It's... ―but his friend didn't wait for an answer and snatched it from him―. Hey, Santos! Give it back to me!
―A Bible! ―said the other, mockingly.
―Yes, but it's my mother's. She gave it to me for when I go to the Mountain. She says it’s to protect me.
―Hahaha, beliefs from old people... But you're not going to take it, are you?
―If that gives her peace... but I don't plan to read it, I've had enough with the catechism.
―Why are they so worried about you going to the Mountain? It's not that bad.
―Hahh, well, there in the commonland they have had bad times too. They’ve played their part in the party. Now it is calmer, but they were left with the bad experience-
―What? Are you coming? The bar is going to fill up and we are not going to get a table ―a third classmate leaned into the room, pushing Santos.
Serván warned them:
―What we are not going to get is the bus tomorrow if you don't pack your bags from today, don't say I didn't warn you that-
―Hey, Alan, Serván has to ask God for permission to go party ―Santos interrupted him while laughing, showing Alan the Bible before throwing it back at Serván.
―Sit down and look for a rosary ―he replied, following the joke, catching the Bible with one hand and throwing the first thing he found with the other to Santos.
―It's not funny. Don't joke about that ―Alan reprimanded them.
―See? Don't joke about that ―Santos repeated―. Repent of your sins! ―he shouted as pretended to whip Serván with a T-shirt he found on the floor.
―Stop, let's go ―Serván finished the game, although he didn't miss the opportunity to whip him back―. Oh, my keys?... Ah, here they are...
Alan looked at them disapprovingly as he waited at the door.
―Don't make me upset, we have to celebrate we finally finished classes.
―You will be the happiest of all, with those grades you got. Alansito's bright future ―Santos told him, as he patted him on the back and went out into the hallway.
―Ha, as if that were enough. Without influences or contacts, those qualifications are just papers... Although, well, they will help me to get a scholarship to specialize. But first the adventure in the Mountain. Are you ready?
―They say the place is beautiful, and there's a lot of work to do ―Serván caught up with them.
―Upon arrival, we have to take a tour of barrooms ―Santos suggested.
―Aren't you worried about being there? I was already backing down.
Serván shrugged, smiling nervously.
―My family thinks going there is suicide.
―Well, well, don't exaggerate. And someone has to go.
―That's what I think, someone has to do it.
Santos chimed in:
―Ana did her service there and it didn't go so badly. Only that those dudes gave her a couple of scares. For me, I would have gone to do the service elsewhere, but for mediocre students like me or Serván there were not many options. But you go because you want, Alan, you could go anywhere.
―Oh c’mon, and let you have fun without me? ―he replied with camaraderie, but suddenly changed the subject―. Hey! Now that we are leaving the residence we’ll be able to check the ghosts. Santos says they were already in the room. I think Serván brought them and if they follow him to the Mountain it will be proven I’m right.
―Shall we bet or what?
―Hahhh, Santos, don't start. They aren’t ghosts ―Serván was bothered they touched on the subject.
―Then what are they? Speak now! We've been trying to guess for years and you don’t give a shit. Explain to me, man versed in ancestral knowledge ―Alan told him, with sarcasm.
―I'm not versed in anything, shut up.
And he wasn't. It was what bothered him the most, that he never looked for that.
Luckily, Santos saved him with his witticisms.
―It's just he's afraid to gamble.
―Of course not! How much or what?
―A walk to the Faculty in pure boxers... No no no! Better...
And the three of them continued talking, jumping between jokes and formalities of the trip, as they went down the stairs. It was their last night in the city and they were excited about what they understood as a new adventure, since they were young and restless.
*
The door was left open for more than half an hour.
Azael and Azeneth remained silent.
There is no longer soul nearby when finally the circle lies on the water, the aquatic spiral recedes and the pieces of the coyote's body slowly reintegrate until its legs move towards the shore. By the time it touches the ground, he’s fully formed, shakes and begins to prowl around, as if nothing had happened.
In a matter of minutes, calm returns to the pool.
―Hmm, I think that's it ―Azael gets up―. PARCAA! COME HERE!... Hey, are you okay? ―he hadn't noticed Azeneth is crying.
She doesn't respond.
―Don't worry, only the first few times it hits like that, then you get used to it.
―... He's dead...
―Are you talking about your grandfather?... He will be fine; he has already gone with them. Is it not comforting to know that there is something beyond?... Well, not much to me, to be honest, I don't even know what happens through the door, but at least somewhere it will be... And look at this, do you think this is bad? ―he asks, pointing to the center of the lagoon―. Did you ever think you'd see something like this?... HEY, PARCA, COME NOW!
The coyote finally approaches them, reluctantly.
―We have to go, it could be dangerous here now... or do you need to take more time?
Azeneth looks at the lagoon one last time, wipes away her tears, and gets up.
―... No, let's go.
*
The day Victor found the door, closed and forgotten in that paramo, he decided he would set up his studio there. He has spent the next few years of his life moving from place to place, but the studio has always been there, and everywhere he goes, he sets up a portal to easily return to it, a secret place that also gives him quick access to the door to take souls, now that he has found Solum and can open it.
Carlota has only had to experience one move, but she knows that, in the future, depending on the adversities, there could be more, and she should also see that studio as her only safe place, even if she doesn’t know its whereabouts.
While Azael and Azeneth are outside watching the coyote do his job, she is inside, being lectured by her uncle.
―It's taken a long time. What if Azeneth ran away?
―She's no fool, and Azael won't let her do it. Don't change the subject.
―I'm not changing the subject, we're talking about her.
―We're talking about you.
―What else do you want me to do? I've already apologized. You have already lectured me. I already told you I was going to be more careful.
Victor doesn’t answer, he is busy handling a container with sand and other powders, but he gives her a quick glance that Carlota recognizes very well.
―Don't look at me like that. I'm not going to apologize to Azeneth, I already told you. Look what she did to me!
―You know it wasn't her.
―Victor! Which side are you on? She could have killed me!
He goes silent again.
There's nothing more stressful for you than having an argument with Victor Evans. It's like arguing with the wall. Every time he is silent you have to answer yourself. Now, Victor hasn't said anything to you because he's not going to give in ordering you to apologize to Azeneth, whether you have arguments or not. But you don't want to.
―It's not fair, she should apologize to me. I was just trying to help her. If it weren't for me, she'd still be there with that soul crawling and ruining her life, literally.
―You don't plan to help her anymore?
―... I didn't say that... I do not know...
―This was all your idea.
―I already told you I didn't expect it to happen so soon! I was unprepared! And it didn't go any further. Here she is, just as you wanted! Of her own free will! Just get that thing off her and let her go! Why do you offer to control it? She can barely handle herself. And someone has already died, I remind you.
―It will be up to her to decide.
Now it is Carlota who remains silent.
―You're going to apologize to her, and you're going to help her while I handle with the woman inside her. You have to keep an eye on her all the time as you have done so far. You're going to do it because you made that commitment... You're distracted, and you have a bad temper, work on it.
―Ok ―she replies, after a long sigh.
Then you realize you're not upset with Azeneth. You're upset that Victor is so worried about her when you're in front of him with your head in a mess. You're upset because he doesn't show compassion for your mistakes. And you're also upset with yourself, because you've spent the last few years trying to prove that you're good for something because you know that at any moment that man in front of you can throw you out on the street, and every time something like this happens you get a fear that makes you break out in a cold sweat and-
―Give me your bracelets, please ―Victor tells her.
Carlota always wears a pair of red bracelets that she bought in a Chinese store a couple of years ago.
She looks at him, and she also looks at the container the doctor is preparing.
―What are you going to do with them? ―she asks, while giving them to him.
Victor replies, as he sinks them into the sand and runs his hands over them:
―What happened to you today with Azeneth will happen again. You're going to make more mistakes. There are going to be situations that overwhelm you. And I'm not always going to be there ―he takes the bracelets out of the container and continues talking when he puts them on her niece―. I have passed on a little of my protection to them. You always use them, keep doing it. Your job is to take care of people, take care of yourself as much as you take care of others.
Carlota just nods, surprised. She turns his arms to see with new eyes those accessories that are now literally heavier.
Victor proceeds to take an envelope from his trouser pocket, already a little battered by the passing of the hours.
―This is a gift, for your birthday.
Inside the envelope is a key. And a piece of paper with numbers written down.
They are coordinates.
She doesn't need to ask what they are about.
He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door. He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door. He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door. He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door. He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door. He's giving you the key to the studio and the coordinates to the door...
Her heart swells with joy and her anger, which had accumulated since the morning, vanishes in seconds. She would jump on the table to give him a hug, if it weren't for the fact that Victor has forbidden her to touch him. She’s looking for the words to thank him when the barking of Parca announces the return of Azael and Azeneth.