Solum looked at her. He smiled after a pause. His brown eyes became a warm line.

―I'm fine, thank you. I just have to get used to the idea a little and that's it. It's something new for me, that's everything. I'll be fine... ―he shrugged his shoulders again and changed the subject―. And you'll be okay? I've found out a little bit about what happened to you.

―Oh, yes, I'll be fine too, thank you.

―Trust the doctor. He helped me control the transformation, what you saw happen there in the mine... It used to happen to me all the time. And now, with this... ―he stretched the collar of his shirt, to let her see his chest.

And he stayed was silent, thinking. Or time stopped, she wasn't sure.

A mocking smile was drawn on his face and suddenly the black circle painted on his chest was no longer a circle, it was a dark hole.

And someone was peeking out from the hole, making its way through the abyss of her dreams.

Azeneth awakens.

She jumps up and sits on the bed, planting her feet on the floor and breathing deeply, to calm herself.

She remains silent, motionless, trying to leave her mind blank and waiting to perceive something. But she doesn't feel anything.

That doesn't stop the fear from returning, running down her spine and exploding in a cold sweat on her forehead.

What if she has returned?

No, it can't be...

No way.

Yes, it can. The doctor warned you. Accept that possibility.

Her hands, which were in a fist squeezing the sheets, relax. The fabric is soft. The sun comes through the window and hits her back, its warmth comforting her. The small room welcomes her.

It's true. Face it, you're not alone anymore. You should no longer be afraid of her.

She takes a quick bath and looks for Victor. Carlota is still sleeping. She finds him cutting peaches from a tree at the backyard.

―Doctor?

―Good morning ―he replies, without turning around.

―I...

Maybe you're just exaggerating, it was just a dream. He's so calm and you're bothering him so early.

―What's going on? ―Victor turns.

For God's sake, Azeneth, just say it.

―I had a very strange dream...

Victor nods, inviting her to continue.

―I... ehhh... ―she realizes then that she would feel ashamed to tell him she dreamed of Solum.

―What did you dream? ―the doctor asks.

―Oh... actually, what I dreamed isn’t that important. I just... I think she was there, in the dream... I don’t know... maybe it was just that, just a dream... but when I woke up, I felt strange... Oh... I think I saw her... I dreamed that I saw her... only her hands and her eyes, peeking through... there was a black circle...

―Did she speak to you, in the dream, or later?

―No.

―Do you feel her presence invading you now?

―No. I don't. I feel well... Ah, it was just a dream, right?

―It was you who dreamed it. What do you think?

―I... Oh, I don't know.

―You know, be honest.

―... I think it's her. It was a very vivid dream. In the dream we were outside the church and I could smell the flowers and incense... and...

Victor puts the peach bucket on the floor and approaches her.

―May I? ―he raises his hand, bringing it closer.

She nods. He puts his hand on her back.

―She's still locked up, but she's restless... She will be making her way into your dreams, maybe. It's ingenious, but it's a difficult path.

He separates from her.

―Have you decided what you're going to do?

―Not yet.

―Do it soon. I give you a chance until tomorrow.

*

Years earlier, when Alan, Santos and Serván had completed their first week in their social service...

The Clinic was very austere, and there was only one doctor, so they were assigned for consultations, nursing work and community service.

They had spent the first few days touring the Mountain on a vaccination campaign. In some areas the rickety van of the Clinic couldn’t enter, so they walked uphill for long stretches that, although for the inhabitants of the region it was a normal path (they crossed paths with them while they carried heavy loads on their backs), they found it exhausting, since they were unaccustomed to physical labor.

―One more child who I has to run around to get a vaccine and I throw myself down a ravine, I said! ―Santos complained day and night.

They were on their way back, having visited a small community. It was already getting dark so they were in a hurry so the night would not overtake them.

―Has your vocation already gone so soon? ―Alan sneered.

―And he wants to be a surgeon. Imagine when he has to run around a child to open his belly ―Serván continued.

―Or convince his parents to open their son's belly, which is worse.

―I'd rather be in an operating room than in an office begging people not to swallow ampicillin as if they were candy, or to be a hill climber.

―Awwww, bring the boy a helicopter so he doesn't cry ―Alan continued to tease him.

―A horse, better a horse ―said Serván.

―He doesn't even know how to ride. I'm sure you do, right?

―Do you say that because I'm from the country? Huh? Not to brag, but I could get a horse up to that steep peak ―he pointed to a peak to the north, smiling sarcastically.

―We must steal one. Or we take one of those that we find loose, you loop it to tame it, just like in the movies.

―Hey, hey, I don't know how to do that. Do you think I’m a charro or what? Don't you want me to throw a zapateado on top of the horse too?

―If that's going to tame it... Hey Santos ―he changed the subject, addressing his other friend―, talking about charros... What about some prize tequilas when we finish? You deserve a rest for your arduous sacrifice for the Homeland ―he said with feigned solemnity, making an elegant movement with his arm to encompass the landscape he called the Homeland.

―Uuuuy... My mouth is watering.

―Let's go to... you saw that canteen that is on the side of the road that goes north?... Didn't you?... It’s alone in the middle of the path, next to a ravine, the view must be very cool from there. Imagine, sitting out there with a few beers, at night... with the pure chirping of crickets in the background, and don't deny that the skies here are more beautiful than in the city... there we’ll be, watching the Milky Way looming over the horizon.

―The poet Serván has spoken and I trust the poets more than the doctors ―Santos said, giving a satisfied applause followed by a jump onto the gravel road that had finally appeared, indicating that they were close to their vehicle and the end of their day.

But Alan had his doubts.

―How high is the ravine? You know I'm afraid of heights.

―Ha, Who is the crying baby now?

―Oh, well, let me bring you a foolish child so you can keep your promise of throwing yourself down a ravine... let’s see if you are very brave, eh.

―Well, let's do it ―Santos replied, pretending to be threatening, but the look of his two friends who were peeking out from behind him interrupted his performance.

He looked back, and saw a large quality truck, which was going down the road at high speed despite the uneven terrain. Although it could be just random people, that type of vehicle was always a sign of care. It could be those people they had to take care of.

They fell silent and continued on their way, not looking at the truck when it passed them by and covered them with dust.

To their bad luck, it stopped suddenly a few meters ahead.

―Hey! ―someone shouted at them from the truck, lowering the tinted glass of the door.

―Good afternoon ―Serván replied.

―We are vaccinating people. Do you have your vaccination card complete? ―Santos told them, rocking the cooler in front of them.

The man in the truck laughed. He turned to another man who was traveling next to him, who was also laughing.

―Come here ―he waved with his hand to them to come closer.

The three of them turned to look at each other.

―I'm sorry, we're in a hurry ―Alan told them, suspicious.

―We'll give you a ride, we just want a favor.

―How lucky... that we ran into you ―said the other man.

―Oh, no, thank you. There we have a van a few kilometers away.

The man laughed again, as if he were amused by the suspicion with which he was treated.

―Come, I'm not asking if you want to or not. I'm not going to hurt you, 'ombre. Don't panic. It's just a little favor, I already told you.

Santos was the first to move, slowly approaching, the other two behind.

When they were next to him, the man said:

―Give us a hand with this bastard we have behind ―he leaned over a little, so they could see.

There was a man in the back seat covered in blood.

―He can't die, not yet.

―He got some bullets, just stop the blood.

―Eh... I think we can’t do much ―Alan said, his voice trembling, as he glared at the wounded man in horror―. He needs to go to a hospital... we don't bring... almost tools... ―he awkwardly pointed to the only backpack they were carrying.

―You're going to get in the truck, we're going to hide there in front of those trees, and you're going to stop this bastard's bleeding. Either he lives, or he dies together with the three of you.

It was already dark when the truck left them next to their van with their uniforms covered in other's blood. Before leaving, the men in the truck threw a pile of bills out of the window. None of them took them. They just stared at each other in silence for a while, until Santos said:

―Well, it could’ve been worse.

―It could’ve been worse? The guy was begging us to let him die... ―Alan replied, taking off his uniform shirt in disgust.

―Of course it could’ve been worse, imagine if he had died.

―Are we now... accomplices?

―What are you talking about? We treated someone injured, it's our job, isn't it?

―I suppose...

―We just did our job, didn't we, Serván?

But Serván was not paying attention to them. His gaze was lost.

―Hey, Serván.

The young man turned his eyes towards them, but it seemed he wasn’t really looking at them. Then he said:

―There was someone, on the roof of the truck.

―What? There was nothing.

―There was someone, whispering words of death... He was waiting for the man’s last breath to take this breath away, and he was angry with us, because we prevented him from doing so and... ―he stopped.

He didn't usually talk about the things he saw, but the nerves of the situation had made him let his guard down.

His friends looked at him in horror, with their eyes wide open and their backs stiff. Although they were used to his occasional ravings, the dark night, the lonely path and the blood on their clothes made them feel in danger, and their fear of those criminals in the truck now navigated the supernatural aura that enveloped Serván.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

No one said a word. They slowly got into the van and left.

*

The morning passes quickly for Azeneth, and she finds herself traveling by bus with Carlota at noon, while she explains where they are going.

―We're only going to leave a "special" medication for a client. He lives on a small farm with his daughter ―she says in a whisper, as there are more people on the bus.

―Why is it special?

―Victor makes medicines to which he transmits his healing power. It doesn't work miracles, but it can cure cases where medicine can no longer do anything, like this one. Advanced cancer.

―Oh.

―What bad luck, if you had met Victor before, he would have even healed your heart.

Azeneth is left open-mouthed, surprised. Carlota notices and says immediately:

―Oh, no, I was just kidding... it was a congenital defect, wasn't it? He can’t do this much... or well, one never knows haha...

She falls silent and stares at the window.

Azeneth had been wondering if it was a good idea to tell her about her dream. However, since the incident between the two, Carlota has been distant, and has already made it clear that she spends time with her only due to her work. So, instead of telling her confidences, she takes the opportunity to ask her a question.

―Carlota... Who was that man who was in the doctor's office the day we came back from the mine? Was his name Atálaro?

―He was just someone we know ―she replies, without turning around.

Azeneth knew that was going to be her answer. But she has set herself the goal of not to be intimidated by Carlota, so she insists.

―He offered me a deal... I think I have a right to know who he is.

Carlota turns and looks at her, squinting, as if she had caught her.

―... He isn't a man. It was a spirit... Contrary to what people think, spirits are not dead people. They are only beings that appear, they are born from the ground. And that dude is a residual spirit. It's like... When you don't have anything to eat and you go to the fridge and put everything you find together and you get something strange but that works, well that's how they are. They are diverse and their capacities are diverse. They can materialize to be visible to ordinary people and those things that spirits do. That guy is peculiar, because he can do similar things to Victor. It's dangerous if you let him, that's why you should never make a deal with him ―she thinks, as if she's noticed something, then says, very seriously―. Keep that woman inside you away. She... could attract them. We’re sick of them. If you run into him or someone like him again, don't provoke them and go on your way.

―I understand.

―And don't say his name again, you might attract him, and now he still must be close.

―Oh.

―Just ignore him and that's it. He won't do anything to you...

―Will he really not do anything to me?

―Mmm... They, in their essence, are not evil, unless they are evil of their own volition, of course, like everyone else. They generally don't bother you unless you mess with them or they want something from you. But there are people... that makes deals with them with bad intentions so, yes, if a human asks them, they can do a lot of damage. That guy, I wouldn't say he's evil, he just has his morals well twisted. Detestable, it would be how I would describe him... Oh! Here we go down.

They get off in the middle of the road, and Carlota points out a dirt road.

The day is clear, the sun is intense and the air is hot.

―Don't worry, it's a short walk, and a glass of pineapple water awaits us, and sometimes they make me cake! ―Carlota says with a smile and starts walking at a fast pace as she opens her umbrella.

They are about to reach a white house in a huge fenced ground, when a pair of dogs jump from the fence, scaring them with wild barks and baring their teeth.

The two of them scream and Carlota scares them away throwing rocks. Although the dogs didn’t seem to be intimidated by the rocks, they stealthily move away, keeping an eye on them, and disappear behind a cellar on the left side of the house, near the immense corrals with cows and pigs of the family business.

―What the hell.

―They were huge.

―Really huge!

They cross the gate and Carlota knocks on the door.

They have to wait a couple of minutes and knock several times until a young woman opens the door for them.

―Silvana!

―Ah, Carlota. I forgot you were coming.

She turns around, leaving the door open. She is still wearing her pajamas, wrinkled and damp.

The girls enter.

Carlota is surprised to see the house so dirty. The simple, spacious and elegantly furnished interior is messy and the heat is suffocating, there is no open window or a working fan. She pays attention to Silvana, who doesn't seem to mind being bathed in sweat and her pale, haggard face tells her that something isn't right. She tries to concentrate, and then senses it, something strange and dark in the house.

―How is Mr. Eugenio doing? ―she doesn't get an answer, so she keeps asking― And Feliciano?

―He's not here.

Carlota explains to Azeneth in a low voice.

―Feliciano is her brother, he comes here for a few days to help and then returns for a few days with his family... How strange, I didn't see any workers in the corrals either.

We must act with caution.

―I came with a friend, her name is Azeneth.

―Nice to meet you ―says Azeneth, tilting her head slightly deferentially, but the woman ignores her, so she immediately turns to see Carlota, confused.

Silvana just stands, as if waiting for them to leave.

―Well... As always, we have come to supply your father's medicine.

―Good ―she replies, almost whispering, but her attention is focused on the corridor that leads to the rooms.

Carlota hands her a bag with a jar, which she doesn’t intend to take.

―Ehhh, do you mind if I put it in the cupboard where you always keep it?

―No ―Silvana murmurs, and walks slowly towards the corridor.

As soon as she turns her back on them, Carlota throws herself into the kitchen, just as messy as the rest of the house.

In the cupboard, the jar of medicine they delivered before is still half full.

She returns to the living room, where Azeneth is waiting for her, standing, asking her with her eyes.

―Can we go and say hello to Eugenio?! ―Carlota yells at Silvana from the living room, approaching the hallway, signaling Azeneth to follow her.

She doesn't wait for a response; she just tries to announce that she's going into the room.

She opens the door.

Silvana is at the foot of the bed.

Carlota enters, with slow steps. She motions Azeneth to stay at the door.

Eugenio is a middle-aged man. Cancer has left him very weak, but now he seems on the verge of death. He doesn't seem to notice that there are people in the room. In fact, he appears to be unconscious.

―What happened, Silvana?

Silvana doesn’t answer, she continues to sit, with her face facing the wall.

―Didn't you give him his medicine? Or the one Victor gives you?... Have you fed him?

She sees the man's dirty clothes and his chapped lips.

―Oh... God, have you at least given him water?

―I'll bring him a glass ―Azeneth says.

Carlota is surprised that she takes the initiative. Or maybe she is disgusted by being in the room, which reeks of confinement and human humor. She hasn’t bathed the man and it seems that she hasn’t moved him even to go to the bathroom.

When the girl returns with the glass, before she can get close enough, Carlota stops her and says to Silvana, pointing to the glass:

―Take the glass, you must give him a drink.

―No ―she says.

―Take it.

Silence.

―Silvana, he is under your care, he will die if you don't feed him and if you don't give him medicines.

―We should... ―Azeneth raises her glass, intending to give the man a drink.

―Don't touch him. Stay away. We don't know what's going on ―she says, in a very low voice, approaching her―. There's something here.

She looks around for an object that might be able to give her an answer.

Then they hear a door open.

―Ah, you have visitors, eh.

Carlota feels it approaching. Before it sets foot inside, its presence suffocatingly invades the room. Even Azeneth seems to feel it, as she sees her shudder.

Two huge dogs, different from the ones they met at the entrance, enter stealthily.

Behind them a man. Tall, gloomy and emaciated. With a deep and dark gaze.

Ah, it's not a man, it's another one of them. Residuals.

―You're bothering Silvana ―he says, his voice raspy and slow.

―Who are you? ―Carlota asks.

―Toutas ―he looks at them― And you? ―but before they answer, he laughs as he says― You’re protected, huh... by one of the blessed.

What is he talking about?

She remembers the protection on her bracelets.

But you shouldn't need them, right?

―Have you made a deal with him? ―she asks Silvana.

She finally turns around, and looks at the man with pleading eyes.

Carlota realizes the woman isn’t acting on her own.

―What have you done to her? ―she asks Toutas―. She isn’t in her right mind.

―We've had a couple of conversations. I have convinced her-

―You've manipulated her. And what a good job you've done. I don't even recognize her.

Toutas laughs.

―The deal is done.

―What does the deal consist of? Why is she doing this to her father?

―I offered her fertile cattle. I only asked for her father's last breath in return. It's the deal.

Ah, he's a scavenger. You were telling Azeneth that these guys weren't evil and you just ran into one who actually is.

―And Feliciano? And the workers?

―The workers are fired, and it was easy to lie to the brother by telling him she had already hired someone to help. He will come at the weekend, but it will be too late.

―And why don't you take his last breath for yourself, huh? You could take even more of him if you wanted to, right?

Toutas snorts a feigned smile, he doesn't answer.

Ha, here you have it.

Carlota takes courage and advances a few steps towards him.

―Ahhhh... ―she smiles―. You can't, right?

She runs her gaze over his body, looking for something, if she were a little more confident, she would dare to touch him.

She sees it finally, a scar peeking out from between his torn shirt, oddly shaped.

―Poor thing. Have you been sealed? Who has done us the favor? You can't touch us.

Toutas looks at her.

―Smart girl, go home. I can't touch you... unless you get in the way of my deal.

Ok, ok.

Think.

You can't meddle in their deal, you come with Azeneth, you can't expose her.

Good mess.

Well, you can't meddle in their deal. But if Silvana cancels it...

―Azeneth, don't move. Put the glass down. If you give him a drink you will be meddling.

The girl nods. She's not as scared as you'd expect. She's getting used to these things, it seems.

She approaches Silvana, who hasn’t taken off her eyes from Toutas.

How long have you been brainwashing her? But it's not just you who can manipulate her. Me too.

Next to the bed there are some shelves, with photographs, a small altar to some saints, and some objects. Memories probably. Just what you need.

She walks the shelves, enjoying her selection process, while talking to Silvana.

―Hey, that's strange, isn't it? That you have asked for cattle. I remember you weren’t very interested in the family business. Sometimes I even felt that if your father wasn’t here alone, you would have left here a long time ago. I might understand if you want to kill him to get rid of having to keep him company... but what’s that of wanting cattle?

She knows her words will have no effect on her, she just says it so what she is going to do next seems natural.

Toutas watches the scene suspiciously, lifting his chin and cocking his head, without moving from the threshold of the door.

―Your father is a good man, isn't he? And cancer aside, he was a strong man. Surely he still has many years to live if he’s cured... You could just kill him and give his body to Toutas, but you didn't have the courage to do it, did you? So he convinced you then to let him die... but don't you see? You're making him suffer more by letting him agonize like this, it's... cruel. And you're just as guilty if you let him die as if you kill him, so...

She finds it. A doll. It must be Silvana's, as she is the only female daughter.

She takes it in her hands and caresses it.

Wet dust, the smell of wet dust from endless afternoons playing in the yard. And laughter and crying and the sight of a child's back, perhaps her older brother, running, kicking up the dust of the desertic roads. The father... what do you see? Severity. Strong hands raising her to sit on his knees. Complacency. Severity and complacency, what contradictory, right?

But you need something else. You need a lot of drama to make this work.

What could it be?

He saved her. On the verge of death. No, of a mortal danger. He got injured, but he would do anything for his precious daughter. And she was not so small, already a little big that she understood the dimension of the father's sacrifice, but small enough so it’s believable she still carried the doll. She cried, because she felt guilty, and she had nothing to wipe her tears with, so she wiped them with the doll's skirt. Her mother... no... erase the mother from this memory. Continue: she couldn't stop crying, the crying was so loud that it choked her. Her wet cheeks burned because she rubbed them hard to clean herself, because she didn't feel she had the right to cry, there was nothing more useless than crying, quite useless, quite useless. But the father's hands stop her, and his gentle voice tells her to be careful, that she is hurting herself. His large hands dry out her cheeks, and they don't hurt her despite being the scratchy hands of a worker man. He picks her up and places her on his lap and cradles her in one arm and with the other he pats her on the back and he is still on the hospital stretcher but he has the strength to carry her because if it’s her daughter he will always be able to carry her. Always. Not always. Not now. Now he needs you. Cancel the deal.

A growl pulls her out of her thoughts. She turns around and sees Toutas spit on the floor, glare at her menacingly, and then leave the room.

Will he know what you're doing?

She has been squeezing the doll so hard that her hands hurt and a button of the dress has been marked on her palm.

She looks for Azeneth, who is in the corner of the room clinging to the glass of water as if it were an anchor. She’s playing brave but her hands are shaking.

Go back to the doll. Well, that will be enough, I think.

She approaches Silvana, waving the doll in the air, with a smile that she is very good at pretending.

―It was yours, wasn't it? Surely this doll saw many afternoons of fun in the yard.

Silvana doesn’t pay attention to her. She has her attention on the door, as if waiting for Toutas to return.

―IT WAS YOURS, WASN'T IT? ―Carlota repeats forcefully, standing in front of her and taking her arm to force her to take the doll.

―... Yes ―she answers, as if in a dream. She pushes it away, to see it better, and suddenly startles. She spins it, turns it around, touches it, as if recognizing it.

Silvana's body begins to shake. The memory Carlota has implanted in the doll is transmitted to her. She begins to cry, no tears, only sobs. She cowers at the edge of the bed, hugging the doll and trying to talk. She tries to look back where her father lies, but she can't.

Don't waste time. Take advantage now that she's confused.

She crouches in front of her, to force her to look at her.

―Are you going to let him die?

―I... it's just...

She takes her shoulders and shakes her.

―ARE YOU GOING TO LET HIM DIE? Huh?

―No... I can't ―tears begin to flow.

―Listen to me-

―Where is Toutas? ―she stands up suddenly.

―Wait-

―I have to cancel the deal. I have to...

―It's in the corrals, I can feel it. Now you'll go to Toutas and cancel the deal. Don't fall for his lies again. He's manipulating you, did you notice?

―I don't know... How did this happen... I...

―You're going to go up to him and say: I cancel the deal, and that'll be enough. I'll go with you. And then you're going to call your brother and you're going to tell him to come soon, that it's an emergency, and when he comes you'll take your father to the hospital, got it? Toutas will leave if there are more people here, because he can't act on everyone, remember that he can't hurt you if you cancel the deal. That's the important thing, you just have to say: I cancel the deal.

―I have... what...

―You understand, didn't you? Repeat what I said.

―I-I cancel the deal.

―And then?

―I call Feliciano.

―And then?

―...

―To the hospital, you have to go to the hospital.

―To the hospital.

―Very good, very good. Do it. Now, go.

Silvana runs out of the room, there is something automatic in her movements.

Carlota approaches Azeneth while takes off one of her bracelets.

―Stay here with Eugenio, give him water, but in small sips. And put this on ―she gives her the bracelet.

―Is she really going to cancel the deal?

―She's going to cancel it, don't worry. Toutas controlled it very well, but I did it better.

―You?

―I'll explain it to you as soon as we get out of this. I'll be right back.

She runs after Silvana.

*

Just as Carlota perceived, Toutas is inside the corral, petting a cow, his dogs prowling around the yard, calm.

Silvana runs towards him, but stops a few meters away, enters the corral and approaches slowly, very slowly.

Toutas waits for her, patiently, until they are face to face.

―I cancel the deal.

―Who was that girl?

―It's... assistant to the doctor who treated... who treats my father.

―She washed your head.

―She... I don't know... I cancel the deal!

―Is that what you want? Cancel?

Silvana lowers her head and nods.

―I'm sorry to waste your time.

―Oh, no. You haven't wasted my time. In fact, you can’t cancel it.

Carlota arrives just in time to hear that.

―What?

―I wanted to be splendid and pay my part in advance. All your females are pregnant now.

―No... no no no... ―Silvana murmurs, approaching one of the cows.

―I did it just now, check them out, if you want.

―You're a cheater! ―Carlota shouts at him, keeping her distance from them.

What will you do now?

What will you do now, damn it?

―No... no, please don't... ―Silvana begs, taking his arm.

―A deal is a deal. And now I'm going to take what’s mine. I was very patient and understanding with you, but I don't want to wait any longer, so I'll go right now for that man's last breath.

―No! No! ―Silvana continues, hanging on to him.

He grabs her by the neck and squeezes. She lets out a stifled scream.

Carlota freezes for a few moments. One of the dogs stands between her and the corral. It just stands there, not attacking her, and is tempted to try to dodge it.

Toutas lifts Silvana until her feet dangle.

―And I'm going to take you too and these stupid girls who came to get in the way of my deal.