That same day, late at night, Olegario waits sitting outside his house.
He's been drinking since he came back.
He waits neither for Azael nor for Solum, he waits for the day to come.
The brothers have built a rustic home among the trees that grow next to the stream, where they can live inconspicuously, although with the passage of time they have integrated into the community and today no one cares who they are or where they come from, they are just two more of the many workers who day by day extract coal from one of the many mines in the region (Solum wasn’t put to work, firstly because the years of confinement caused him claustrophobia and the mines are narrow and closed places, and secondly because they are worried that he will not yet be able to adapt to the rest of people).
As always, the noise of Parca is heard upon his return, followed by the voice of his brother, who usually has one-sided conversations with the coyote.
―Olegario! Still awake, huh. Insomnia again? ―he sits in the rocking chair next to him and doesn't wait for an answer, he just keeps talking―. We went to open the door for a while, they have a mess with this girl, Azeneth... and we left Don Gustavo, did you know that he has already died?... Ah, that's why you went to the hospital in the morning, right? And Carlota...
He doesn't feel like listening to it.
Azael takes his beer without asking, gives him a drink and returns it to him to continue talking.
―Hey, I was thinking... I was thinking about something Carlota told me a few days ago, because she got angry that I hadn't told her maybe we were going to cross the border, and then she said that I did everything you said. But when she said it, I didn't think of me, I thought of Solum... A moment ago I saw him running in the lagoon, very happy, and I think we haven't asked him if he wants to cross, as... if he wants to go with us... we haven’t thought about what he wants, do you get me?... And we haven't thought about the door either, about who is going to open it if he is not there... Haven't you wondered if someone opened it before? Nobody? We kind of left the Solum issue aside, right?...
The plan is the plan. Solum wasn’t in the plan.
Let him do what he wants, you don't care, do you?
Who are you fooling, of course you care.
―So? What do you think?
He hadn't realized Azael was waiting for an answer. But he has nothing to say, because he hasn’t paid enough attention.
―Hah, you're drunk already, aren't you? Let's see how you do tomorrow at work, huh?
Azael pats him on the back and stands up.
They realize the coyote is taking the form of Solum.
―Noo, Solum! I just cleaned your skins a while ago, you accepted to be a coyote until next weekend ―Azael exclaims, pointing to the bleeding skins that the boy leaves on the ground when he gets up.
―I'm sorry I’m sorry. I'll clean it up, Aza. I did it because I had to tell you something... I had a vision out there at the door.
Olegario looks at him. Solum is distraught. Always obedient, he must have a good reason to ignore Azael's directions.
He finally pays attention.
*
Azeneth thought she wouldn't sleep that night because of everything she'd been through. However, freeing herself from the weight of that woman after months caused her to fall asleep as soon as she touched the bed.
It’s already late in the morning when a knock on the door wakes her up.
It’s Carlota, who greets her reluctantly.
―Hello.
―Hello.
They are both silent for a few moments, while Carlota summons up the courage to speak.
―Weeell. I come to apologize, because I think it... it was a bit my fault all this happened to you. I was supposed to help you and I just let things happen. I couldn't fix them in time because I didn't pay enough attention and... well, I couldn't do anything to prevent you from escaping and if Victor hadn't found you, very bad things could have happened...
―Oh... No. I must apologize for... for what I did to you. I... I have no words... It's just...
No one looks at the other. Azeneth because of shame and Carlota because deep down she is still upset.
―Ah, this? ―she touches her head―. It wasn't you, don't apologize. And Victor already told me to get used to these things-
―And I also wanted to thank you because you only wanted to help me and... and what you do with your hands... I hadn't told you, but it's-
―It's my job, there's nothing to be grateful for...
Azeneth can feel Carlota's words are not sincere. Then, one thing she had been asking herself since the day before becomes clear to her.
―Hey, Carlota.
―Huh?
―You... Did you approach me because of this?
―What?
―I said... if you... ehhh... if you... if you wanted to be my friend it's just because of all this...
Carlota finally looks at her.
―Do you think I befriended you just to get that thing out of you? Is that what you're worried about now? If I'm your real friend?
―... Sorry... I know it's not something... important. I just wanted to say it.
Silence again.
―I probably did it because of that, I'm not going to lie ―Carlota answers honestly.
―Ah... it's okay. I just wanted to know. I still thank you for-
―Anyway. You have to decide what you're going to do with that thing, that's what's important now. While I have to watch you, ok? You can't be away from me, in case that thing bothers you again. I'm going to be more attentive, what happened yesterday won't happen again.
―... I understand. It won’t happen again. Thanks for everything.
―Stop saying thanks... Go to breakfast whenever you want, Victor and I have already eaten.
―Ok.
―Ok.
Azeneth closes the door.
On the bedside table are her keys.
She takes the buckle keychain, which she now knows belonged to her grandfather.
Of course it isn’t important.
You almost killed your mom, and you have to clear things up with her. You have to fix the situation with your siblings. You almost killed Carlota too. You killed your grandfather. You have a person's soul inside you and you have to decide what you will do with it. You have to take care of yourself, you have to take your medicine or all this trouble will be worthless. You’ve just discovered doors exist and you saw your grandfather's soul go through one of them. In a short time you will be back in school, will you return home?
Of course, it's not important to know if that girl considers you her friend.
But she was the first person in your life you called that way.
*
Carlota's phone is ringing when she enters her room. It’s Olegario.
―Hello, my cute brother-in-law!
―Hi.
―What do you want?
―Didn't Azael tell you about Solum?
―What? I haven't spoken to him since he left home last night.
―Ah, just as they were returning, Solum told us that he had a vision there, at the door.
―Oh, really?! What did he see?
―... Things.
―What kind of things?
―I'm not going to tell you. Look-
―Did you call me on the phone just to tell me that you are not going to tell me anything?
―I'm going to tell you something! Let me talk, damn it. And don't talk so loud-
―Why not? Aaaaw do you have a hangover again? ―Carlota wasn't in the mood, but arguing with Olegario is always funny to her.
―Let me speak! I'm at work, the break is going to end.
―Weeell, well, tell me.
―Solum saw... certain things, happening in a certain place, and he is very distressed... and Aza and I thought that this place, as he describes it, could be the shaft of an abandoned mine... I've done some research, here with the workmates, and there's a mine near here that we think might be the one Solum says. We're going to go investigate, I'll get a borrowed car and-
―But why not-
―I know what you're going to say, you’re going to suggest to ask Victor. Solum doesn't want him to know, I don't know why.
―Oh.
―Well, as I was saying: we'll go and see, after work. And let's say that, maybe, your hands could be of help to know a little more. Solum trusts you, so you can join us. But don't tell Victor, invent something.
―Oh, look, I'm not on the best terms with Victor now, but my curiosity is killing me! I'm in!
―Good.
―Wait! And Azeneth?
―Azeneth what?
―Ah! It's just, I'm keeping an eye on her, you know. So, she would have to accompany me.
―Oh, shit... Wait... Aza! Aza!
After a pause, Charlotte hears Azael's voice a little distant.
―What?!
―Come here! ―After another pause, Olegario continues―. I'm talking to Carlota.
―Why?... Ahh, you're going to tell her to accompany us to the mine. I thought so too.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
―She says yes, but she has to take Azeneth because she's watching her and I guess they can't be separated.
―Ahhh it's true... Solum is not going to care, what he wants is to know. Let me message him to ask anyway.
―Let me talk with Aza, please ―Carlota says, listening to the conversation from the phone.
Olegario obeys and Azael speaks.
―Hey.
―Why didn't you tell me?
―I was going to tell you! But Mr. Plans ―he is referring to Olegario― went ahead of me to do it. Don't go tell Dr. Evans because-
―Sure sure, Olegario explained to me. Are you going to tell me what Solum saw?
―If he wants to tell you when he sees you... ―he laughs because he knows how curious his girlfriend is.
―Aza!
―Solum answered. He says it's okay, Azeneth can accompany us if that's the only way for Carlota to go.
Olegario picks up the phone.
―Leaving here we will pick you up, ok?
―Ok!
Carlota hangs up, excited.
A small adventure to compensate the bad previous day.
What will you invent for Victor?
*
One night, years before, when Didier went up to the hut, there was only Salvador waiting.
He wasn’t surprised. René had already been required on several occasions for other tasks, so he was absent most of the night. Sometimes they would send a replacement, but tonight, apparently, it would only be the two of them.
He was relieved when that happened. René was scary and, moreover, incredibly reserved. His expressionless face intimidated him. Sometimes, the three of them had spent the whole night in complete silence.
Salvador, on the other hand, although was also very serious and his lethal aim threatened anyone who messed with him, was a little more flexible, especially if René was not accompanying him. Didier had ventured to approach and try to get a few words out of him, and found that he was a person who opened up easily. Because of that, they had had long talks. He learned that Salvador and René were cousins and they came from the capital; he listened to some anecdotes of his short life of crime and some other trivial stories because, after all, Salvador was still very young (he was 18 years old) and his interests were those of a boy his age.
Didier had told him stories of his childhood and the hard life in the agricultural area on the south of that mountain, and eventually explained how he ended up in this business, which he cynically disdained, and from which he wanted to get every last drop of juice before retiring, if he wasn’t killed first. He discovered Salvador shared that disdain and intentions but, unlike him, he showed a total lack of remorse.
Every time he saw in them a hint of friendship, he remembered the words of his boss, and became a little more convinced to ally with them. He would have to gain their sympathy, of course, and for that he would have to get along with René as well.
For all this, he felt confident to greet Salvador with camaraderie when he saw him leaning on the viewpoint, while he sat down to check his weapon was well loaded.
―Hey! One more night, right?
―Just one more ―replied the other, because the next day they would begin their rest. They would have five days to go to the town and distract
―Have you been to Hortencio's canteen, there in the town?
―No, where is it?
―It's behind the abandoned soccer field. You should go, it has very nice ladies.
Salvador only smiled.
―And take René with you, so he can have some fun. I think he needs it ―he risked saying that to test the ground, because he wanted to get information about him.
This time the boy smiled openly.
―I doubt it.
―He's very quiet, isn't he?
Salvador answered, without giving it importance:
―Well, he only speaks when is necessary ―he thought for a while and then said, to complement it―: Don't be offended, if the bastard doesn’t pay attention to you, he's a little arrogant, but then you get used to him.
―I hope so. ―If you want someone to spill the soup, you have to spill a little first―. Hey, I'm going to be honest with you. René scares me.
He thought Salvador would make fun of him, but he looked at him very seriously.
―You must be scared.
Then, to Didier's surprise, the boy took his gun and pointed it at his head, saying:
―And isn't this scary?
―Yes, bastard, yes! Get that off my face!
He retained the urge to push it himself with his arm, because it really scared him.
Salvador now made fun of him. Then he turned, aimed at the forest, and fired a shot. It was a rifle, special for snipers; the silencer muffled the noise and the bullet was lost in fractions of seconds between the dense foliage and the darkness. Didier didn't know if he had shot something or someone, or had just released some sick impulse to pull the trigger.
He was annoyed, though not too much. He was used to seeing thugs bragging with their weapons, but he didn't expect Salvador, who had seemed to him a fairly quiet boy, to be one of them.
He got up from his seat and stood next to him looking at the horizon, just as he had to.
―If René were here, you wouldn't be a braggart, huh?
―And you wouldn't be talking to me. You'd be on the other viewpoint watching your back. Do you think I hadn't noticed? Almost everyone here is afraid of him.
―And you? Are you afraid of him?
―No.
―You said we should be afraid of him.
―I'm his family. He would never touch a hair of mine.
―You seem very confident, huh?
Salvador didn’t answer, but he actually looked confident. Didier realized the conversation was getting where he wanted to go.
―How does he do it?
He didn’t receive a response. But he saw in the face of the other that he was willing to talk.
―You know what I'm talking about. What’s that? Did he make a pact with the devil? I know there are people who make deals, and get things. But I had never seen anyone. It's already prohibited, isn't it?
―Do you mind if it's prohibited?
―No, no. Just, I'm curious. It's not that I want to do the same. God forbid!
At the mention of God, the boy turned to saw him, silent, solemn, as if thinking of something important. Salvador's seriousness was not intimidating, on the contrary, it seemed an invitation to get closer.
―God is not going forbid you from anything. There ―he pointed upwards, leaning a little towards him, to speak more quietly ―don't seek God.
Didier shuddered. From the way Salvador spoke, almost whispering, he felt he was about to reveal something to him.
―But is there something up there? Or down there? Hell?
The other shook his head.
―There are things, but not that kind of thing... there are things ―he repeated. He looked at his hands, thoughtful―. René received a gift, from up there.
―A gift?
―Do you believe in miracles?
―Yes.
―Well, you could call it a miracle. Not because it is, but I guess it's a word we're used to. Few miracles happen, very few. And he was lucky enough to receive one. If we continue to use analogies, I would tell you that he received a pair of wings.
―His arms! Those, like invisible arms!
Salvador nodded.
―He can do more things, but he doesn't want to. And since I'm telling you this, I'm also telling you that he's that reserved and cold because... he has to restrain himself, you know?... That, to contain himself, he is like a container, which can be broken.
―And how did he get that miracle?! Praying? ―he knew it was a silly question when saw the other laugh.
―He only had to do one thing to receive that miracle. He had to die.
Then Salvador stopped looking at him and concentrated on the horizon and Didier realized he was not going to tell him anymore.
Suddenly it seemed to him that the two were isolated. Alone in the middle of that mountain, and he felt that the forest was watching him, as if it had heard their conversation.
*
As promised, Olegario picks Carlota and Azeneth up in the afternoon, accompanied by Azael and Solum.
Carlota had explained to Azeneth that they would go to do a "quick investigation" but Victor shouldn’t find out.
It's the first time in her life that Azeneth has lied to get away. It could have been a nice youthful anecdote, if it wasn't the worst time for her.
They leave the town and travel a long stretch along the road.
She is in the back seat by the window. At her side is Carlota, who chats animatedly with everyone. Suddenly her bad mood has disappeared, and she is even kind to her, although she doesn’t speak to her much.
At the other window of the back seat is Azael, who is also in good mood. He puts his arm around Carlota and it doesn't even seem that they were without speaking to each other for almost a week and their relationship is in an ungraspable limbo.
Olegario is the driver. He pays more attention to the path than to Carlota's voice, although from time to time he participates in the conversation. She hadn't met him until today. His face is very similar to his brother's, but he is serious and sullen, unlike Azael, who is usually quite kind and witty. He barely greeted her when they were introduced. He will surely not be very happy to have you accompany them. She herself is not very happy.
Solum behaves radically different from the first time she saw him. He doesn't pay attention to anyone, from time to time Olegario asks him things in a low voice and has to touch his shoulder to get his attention. He stares out the window, as if looking for something. Azeneth can't see his face well because she's behind him, but she can perceive an unsettling anguish in the few words he utters.
They leave the road and enter a dirt road. In the distance, the battered structure of an abandoned coal mine slowly climbs from the flat horizon of bushes.
―That's it! ―Solum suddenly shouts.
He becomes more restless.
Carlota gets silent. She looks at Solum and looks worried.
―What's happening? ―Azael asks, noticing the change in the mood.
―It's true. There's something there. I can feel it... God... something big...
When they have come close enough, but still at a safe distance from the mouth of the mine, Olegario stops the car.
―Listen, this is the plan: Azael will stay in the car at the driver place, with the engine running, so we can leave quickly if something happens. I'll go with Solum to take a detour, and if it's safe Carlota will come to see if she can see anything and Azeneth will sit in here and-
But Solum ignores him. As soon as the car stops, he hurtles off into the mine.
―Hey, wait! What am I saying-
―Solum! ―Azael runs after him.
―Don't run so fast! ―Carlota comes down behind them.
Olegario no longer tries to stop them, resigned. He stays on the seat, taking Azael's place in his plan.
―... I just ask them for a fucking thing... ―he murmurs. He turns to Azeneth, warning her―. You're staying here!
She just nods.
They are left alone.
*
When Azael catches up with Solum, he is already under the structure, next to the mouth of the mine, a well covered with wooden pallets and sheets.
―Is that what mines are like? ―he asks when he hears him approaching.
―So so... sometimes better, some worse.
Azael looks around. The mine tower is rotting away and some smaller objects and structures are already half-buried in the ground around it.
He turns back and Carlota has already caught up with them, but stops in front of a rusty funeral cross. He sees her bend down and try to clean the metal plate attached to the cross.
Olegario was told, and then he told them, that the mine had been closed for more than sixty years. No one remembered why it had been closed, but it was not difficult to guess. The mines closed for two reasons: either the ore had run out, or people had died in an accident. The cross confirmed the second one.
―You can't see their names anymore ―she says, sadly.
Since he himself began to work in a clandestine mine (they were the only ones who accepted him without documents and when he was a minor), Carlota had become very susceptible to accidents in the mines.
He is about to approach her when Solum moves. He pushes the sheets covering the shaft.
―Hey, what are you doing?
―I'm going in.
―Obviously it's closed, you can't.
But he is wrong. Below the last sheet that Solum removes, the narrow circular well is open without any restriction and the sun, which is already tilted to the west, can no longer illuminate inwards. The well is nothing more than a black circle.
―What the hell? ―he takes Solum's arm, after seeing him with all the intention of going down―. Stop, we just come to see.
―I'll do it fast! ―Carlota exclaims, coming closer.
She leans over the well.
―Hey, hey, don't get so close ―says Azael, who no longer knows who to stop.
―I'll be careful, Aza.
Carlota approaches the ground, almost touching it with her face, and with her hands she runs along what her arms manage to cover from the edge of the well, running her fingers gently over the dry dust.
They watch her in silence. Azael can feel Solum's heavy breathing next to him.
Carlota is suddenly startled. She looks at Solum. Then she looks, carefully and surprisedly, into the well.
She opens his mouth, but it takes time to speak.
―There is... there is... there's a door...
―A door? ―Azael asks.
From the way the other two look at each other, he understands what kind of door she is referring to.
As soon as he receives confirmation, Solum tries to lunge inside, but Azael is still holding him.
―I can see it. I can see it in my head now. It's a door that's just forming ―Carlota continues. She goes to Solum―. Is that what you saw? In your vision? A door down there?
Azael can barely stop him, if Solum pushes a little more, he might as well throw them both into the well. But then the boy stops and drops to the floor, nodding to Carlota's question.
―It's not just any door... it's mine... I don't want it to be mine... That door is my mother.
And then he bursts into tears. His hands are anxiously buried in the ground. His devastation is incomprehensible to Azael.
―Your mother? What do you mean? What's the matter?
If it is true that there is a door down there, and if it is true that it has some kind of relation with Solum. Will their anguish come from his claustrophobia?
Carlota continues to touch the ground around the well, as if looking for something else. She also has a desolate expression.
―What's going on? Carlota?
She looks at him.
―Aza... For the doors to form, many people need to die...
―You saw the cross, for sure-
―No, it wasn't enough with them, the list of names is small... Why do you think the mouth of the well is open? ―she replies as she continues to touch the ground, and the more she sees, the more frightened she gets.
Azael begins to get scared too, because he can't see what Carlota is perceiving and what has Solum so triggered.
Then she looks up a little and Azael, following her gaze, notices that a little in front of them, there are abundant tire tracks.
―Azael... Aza, someone is using this well as a pit.
He looks into the black circle.
For a moment, it is as if he can see the door, just as Solum and Carlota see it, down there.
―Solum, did you know it? Did you see this?
But Solum can’t talk. The impression has been very strong for him. His human body is motionless, and his coyote body makes its way between his ribs.
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