“My friend says that strange noises can be heard in her house at night,” the other woman replied. Don Evaristo continued on his way. He didn’t answer the children or the women at all. She kept her head down and walked quickly toward her house. At the end of the street, he turned around for a moment.
He saw that everyone was looking at him with fear and contempt. She sighed and went into her house. He locked the door . Estela kneaded the bread in her family’s bakery. Her hands worked the dough while she listened to the voices of the ladies who were buying. “That Don Evaristo gives me a very bad feeling,” said Doña Rosa while waiting for her order. “Me too.
My granddaughter told me that yesterday she and the other children threw stones at her,” replied Doña Carmen. Is Estela continued kneading, but she paid attention to the conversation. ” They say she practices witchcraft in her house,” whispered Doña Rosa. “Witchcraft, do you believe that?” asked Doña Carmen.
“Well, she does something strange.” “Why does he live alone and never talk to anyone?” Estela raised her head. “Excuse me, ladies, but do you really think Don Evaristo is a sorcerer?” she asked. The two women looked at her in surprise. “Girl, that man isn’t normal.” “He’s been living here for years and nobody knows him,” said Doña Rosa.
Furthermore, he never goes to church. “What good man doesn’t go to mass?” added Doña Carmen. But maybe he’s just shy, Estela said. Shy. That man is scary. “Don’t go near him, Estela,” Doña Rosa warned her. The ladies paid for their bread and left, talking about Don Evaristo. Estela was left thinking about his words. Estela arrived home at noon.
Ain, her mother, Doña Mercedes, was cooking in the kitchen. “Mom, what do you think of Don Evaristo?” Estela asked while washing her hands. That weird old man. Why are you asking me that? His mother answered without turning around. The ladies at the bakery said he’s a sorcerer, but I think he’s just very lonely.
Doña Mercedes stopped stirring the pot and looked at her daughter. Estela, that man has lived alone for more than 10 years. He never talks to anyone, there’s something strange about him. But Mom, imagine how sad it must be to have no one. My daughter, if she doesn’t have anyone, it’s for a reason. People don’t walk away for no reason. Estela sat down at the kitchen table.
But you have seen him do something wrong. I do n’t need to see it. One feels these things, Estela. Maybe he just needs someone to be kind to him. Doña Mercedes put down the spoon and approached her daughter. Ah, listen to me carefully. Don’t go near that man, do you understand? Yes, Mom, but I feel sorry for you.
Pity sometimes gets us into trouble. That old man could be dangerous. Estela nodded, but continued thinking about Donaristo. She imagined how lonely he must feel. On Sunday morning, Estela was at the bakery preparing the sweet breads. He took an extra one and wrapped it in paper. Her brother Tomás saw her. Who is that bread for? he asked.
Estela answered for Don Evaristo. You’re crazy. Mom will kill you if she finds out. I’m not going to tell him. I’m just going to take it to him. Estela, that old man is weird. Don’t go alone. Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m just going to give him the bread and then I’m leaving.
Thomas shook his head. That man is scary. Just leave him alone. Everyone says the same thing, but nobody knows him. Ah, maybe he just needs a friend. Or maybe the ladies are right and it is dangerous. Estela put the bread in a bag. I’m going anyway. It’s Sunday, a day to do good. If Mom asks, I didn’t know anything. Don’t worry.
I’ll be back in an hour. Estela left the bakery with the sweet bread. He walked towards Don Evaristo’s house at the end of the village. His heart was beating fast, but he kept going . Estela arrived at Don Evaristo’s house . It was an old house with peeling paint. He knocked on the door three times. Slow footsteps were heard inside.
The door opened slowly. Don Evaristo appeared. He was a thin man of about 60 years old with gray hair and an unkempt beard. When he saw Estela, his mouth fell open. “Miss, what are you doing here?” he asked in a trembling voice. “Good morning, Don Evaristo. I brought you a sweet bread.” The old man looked around as if he were searching for someone else.
“A loaf of bread?” “Yes, sir. I thought you might like it.” Don Evaristo couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Nobody had knocked on his door in years. But why? Because we all deserve a little something sweet on Sundays. The old man put his hand to his chest. Her eyes filled with tears. Miss, you are very kind, but the people of the town, the people of the town don’t know me well. Estela finished.
Don Evaristo was trembling. I had never received a friendly visit. Is it really for me? he asked again. Yes sir. And if you’d like, we can chat for a while. The old man dried his eyes with his shirtsleeve. Nobody has been kind to me in many years. Well, I do want to be one. Don Evaristo opened the door wider.
Would you like to come in? I have tea and some biscuits. Estela smiled. I’d love to. The old man stepped aside to let her in. Her hands were still trembling with excitement. Excuse the mess, I don’t receive visitors. Don’t worry, Don Evaristo. He closed the door behind her.
For the first time in years, he didn’t feel completely alone. Don Evaristo walked towards the kitchen. Estela continued looking at the house. There was old furniture, but everything was clean. “Please sit down, ” said the old man, pointing to a chair. Estela sat down at the kitchen table. Don Evaristo put water on to boil. “Why did he really come?” she asked as she took cups out of a cupboard.
“Because nobody deserves to be alone.” But people say things about me. What kind of things? Don Evaristo turned towards her. Her hands trembled as she held the cups. They say I’m a sorcerer. I do bad things. And it’s true, no, miss, I’m just an old man who lives peacefully. The water boiled.
Don Evaristo prepared the tea and put cookies on a plate. “Do you live alone?” Estela asked. Yes, my wife died 10 years ago. We didn’t have children. It must be very sad. At first. Yes. I’m used to it now. Don Evaristo served him the tea. He sat down opposite her. What’s it called? Wake. I work in my mom’s bakery.
I am Evaristo Mendoza. I used to work at the mayor’s office. He no longer works. I retired 5 years ago. Estela tasted the tea. It was sweet and warm. It’s delicious. Don Evaristo smiled for the first time. I’m glad you like it. Before continuing with our story, I would like to extend a very special greeting to our followers in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Uruguay, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Canada, France,
Panama, Australia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From what part of the world are you listening to us? Comment so I can say hi. Blessings to all. Continuing with the story, Estela drank her tea and looked around. The walls were decorated with landscape paintings and old photographs.
“Are those photos of your family?” he asked. Some are , others are from friends. Don Evaristo looked more relaxed now. He wasn’t trembling as much anymore. “It smells like medicine in here,” Estela said. I take pills for my blood pressure. Sometimes the smell lingers. Estela nodded and ate a cookie. She was a little stiff, but she didn’t say anything.
“Do you like living in the village?” asked Don Evaristo. Yes, although it is small. Ah, everyone knows each other. That can be both good and bad. Why is it bad? Because when someone speaks ill of you, everyone finds out. Estela felt bad for him. He looked very lonely. He has friends, he used to have some, but when my wife died, they stopped visiting me. How sad.
Don Evaristo got up and walked towards the window. People are strange. When you’re doing well, everyone wants to be with you. When you’re feeling down, they leave you alone. Not everyone is like that. You look different. Estela finished her tea. Don Evaristo returned to the table.
Would you like more tea? No, thank you, that’s enough. Don Evaristo stared at her. Can I show you something special? Estela felt curious. What thing? Something that no one else has seen. Don Evaristo stood up from the table. He walked towards a door at the back of the kitchen. “Come on, come with me, come with me,” he said, touching the doorknob. Estela hesitated for a moment.
The door looked different from the others in the house. “What’s in there?” “My special place where I keep my most important memories.” Don Evaristo opened the door. There were stairs leading down. “It’s a basement.” “Yes, that’s where I keep my most precious things.” Estela approached the door. It smelled musty.
“Why do you want to show me?” ” Because you were kind to me. It’s been years since anyone has come to my house.” Don Evaristo turned on a light. The stairs looked old but safe. “Come down with me.” Estela thought of her mother. She had told her not to mess with Don Evaristo. “I don’t know if I should. They’re just memories, photos, and things of my wife’s.
Nothing more. I promise I won’t hurt you. I’m a harmless old man.” Don Evaristo seemed sincere. His eyes were sad. “All right, but just for a moment.” “Thank you, Miss Estela. It means a lot to me.” Don Evaristo started down the stairs. Estela followed him slowly. “Be careful,” Some steps creaked.
The light below was dim. Estela went down holding onto the handrail. We’re almost there. Estela reached the bottom of the stairs. The basement was bigger than she thought. ” My God,” she said, looking around. The walls were covered with photos of young women. There were jars with strange liquids on wooden shelves. “What is all this?” Estela asked.
“My memories,” replied Don Evaristo, closing the upstairs door. Estela counted the photos. There were more than 20 different women. “Are all these women his wife?” No, miss, they are my friends. The photos looked recent. The women were young, around 20 years old. Friends from when, from different eras.
Estela approached a photograph. The girl looked like Lucia, who disappeared two years ago. I know this girl. Don Evaristo became nervous. I don’t think so. She no longer lives here. He left the town. Yes, he went far away. Estela looked at the jars. They had labels with medicine names on them. What are these jars for? For my illnesses.
But the bottles didn’t look like normal medicines. The liquid was as clear as water. Are you feeling well, Don Baristo? He looks pale. I’m fine, just a little tired. Estela began to feel that something was wrong. Estela continued looking at the photos on the wall. All the women were very young and beautiful.
Don Evaristo, who are these women really? The old man remained silent for a moment. Ah, he rubbed his hands nervously. I already told you, they are my friends, but they are all very young. But they are all very young. How can they be her friends? Don Evaristo walked towards the jars and touched them carefully.
I met them at different times. This girl looks a lot like Lucía Herrera. The old man grew paler. I don’t know who that Lucia is. The girl who disappeared two years ago. The whole family looked for her. Ah, yes, I think I heard something. Estela pointed to the photo. Are you sure it’s not her? Don Evaristo approached the photo.
Her hands were trembling again. No, this is Carmen, a friend from the capital. And where is Carmen now? He went to work in another country. Estela looked at more photos. He recognized two other girls from the village. Don Evaristo. This is María Sánchez and this other one is Rosa Jiménez. No, miss, uh, you’re mistaken.
The two of them also disappeared. Their families searched for them for months. Don Evaristo began to sweat. She wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. They’re coincidences, they look alike , but they’re not them. Estela walked away from him. Something was very wrong. What happened to these women? Don Evaristo looked at her with a strange smile.
He no longer looked like the sad old man he used to be. “They are my special friends,” she said in a different voice. What do you mean by special? Don Evaristo’s smile grew bigger and stranger. Tomás ran through the streets of the town. It was already 9 pm and Estela had not returned. He arrived at Don Evaristo’s house and knocked loudly on the door.
Don Evaristo, is my sister here? No one answered. He hit harder. Open the door. I know Estela came to see him. Finally, footsteps were heard. Nando Baristo opened the door. He looked nervous. What do you want, young man? I’m looking for my sister Estela. Was he here? Yes, he came in the afternoon.
And where is he now? He left a while ago . What time did you leave, Don Evaristo? He rubbed his hands together. He was sweating a lot. Around 6. It’s 9. Where did he go ? I don’t know. He said he was going to walk. Tomás pushed the door and went in. Estela, are you here? Don’t shout, young man. The neighbors are going to listen. That’s fine with me, Estela.
I tell him he’s not here. Tomás looked around the room and saw the teacups on the table. They drank tea. Yes. I offered her tea and biscuits. And then what happened? We talked for a while. Then he left. My sister is never late coming home, something happened to her. Don Evaristo locked the door .
Relax, young man, I’m sure everything is alright. I’m going to check the whole house. He can’t do that. Look, this is my house. Tomás saw an open door that led to some stairs. What’s down there? Nothing, just old stuff. I’m going down. Don Evaristo stood in front of the stairs. He can’t go down there. Tomás pushed Don Evaristo and ran down the stairs. Don’t go down, it’s forbidden.
Tomás arrived in the basement, turned on the light, and saw the jars and photos on the wall. What is all this? Don Evaristo got out behind him. He was trembling a lot. These are my personal things. Tomás approached the photos. Her face changed completely. This is Lucía Herrera. No, sir, you are mistaken.
Of course it’s Lucía, I’ve known her since I was a child. Tomás pointed to more photos. And this is María Sánchez and this is Rosa Jiménez. It’s not them. They all disappeared. What did he do to them? Don Evaristo stepped back towards the stairs. Jen I didn’t do anything wrong to them. Where is my sister? I already told him he left.
Tomás grabbed Don Evaristo by the arm. Tell me the truth. Do not touch me. Estela is down here . Tomás began to search the basement. He moved boxes and jars. Estela, where are you? Not her sister. His sister is not here. Tomás continued searching. He opened a small door. It was a dark room. Wake.
Inside there was a bed and more jars, but there was nobody there. What do you use this room for? For storing medicines. Tomás looked at the photos again. He counted 12 different women. All these girls disappeared from the village. It isn’t true. Yes, that’s true. My family searched for Lucia for months. Don Evaristo sat down in an old chair.
He looked very tired. They’re fine. They’re all fine. Where are they? Far from here. He helped them leave. Yes, I helped them. Tomás didn’t believe a word he said. Tomás stood in front of Don Evaristo. He was very angry. What did he do to Lucia? Nothing bad. I helped her. Lie.
Lucía would never have left without saying goodbye. He had problems at home. What problems? Don Evaristo wiped the sweat from his face. Her father abused her. That’s not true. Don Roberto loves his daughter very much. You don’t know everything that goes on in people’s homes. Tomás walked through the basement.
She continued looking at the photos, and Maria was also having problems. Yes, they all had problems. And Rosa too. What a coincidence that all the pretty girls in town have problems. Don Evaristo stood up from his chair. It’s not a coincidence. I listened to them. I listened to them. Where? In the square, in the church. They cried a lot.
And you offered them help? Yes. Uh, I was telling them they could come to my house and then, what would happen? She comforted them, she gave them tea. Tomás remembered the cups on the table above. He gave my sister tea. Yes, I was sad. My sister wasn’t sad. He came because he felt sorry for you. No, I was crying. Liar.
Tomás grabbed one of the photos from the wall. Where is Lucia now? In the capital. It has its address. No, he moved several times. Your phone doesn’t have a phone. How do you know it’s okay? Don Evaristo did not respond. Tomás continued searching the basement. He moved more boxes. Under a table he found something shiny on the floor.
What is this? He bent down and picked it up. It was a silver necklace with a small cross. This is Lucia’s necklace. Don Evaristo turned very pale. No, it must belong to someone else. No, her grandmother gave her this necklace . I used it every day. Tomás showed her the necklace up close. Look, it has the initials LH engraved on the back.
Many people have those initials. Lucía Herrera. Lucía Herrera, how did this necklace get here? Don Evaristo approached the stairs. I wanted to go up. It must have fallen on him when he came to visit me. Lucia never came to visit him. His family says he disappeared on his way to the market. They are wrong. Yes, wine.
Tomás put the necklace in his pocket. This necklace is proof. You did something to Lucia. I didn’t do anything to him. So why is her necklace down here? Don Evaristo started to climb the stairs. I don’t want to talk anymore. Thomas followed him. He won’t leave until he tells me where my sister is. His sister went home.
That’s a lie, I already went home. It’s not there. They arrived at the room. Don Evaristo sat down in his chair. Then she’s at a friend’s house. Estela has no friends in the village. We’re new here. Well, I don’t know where it is. Tomás took out his cell phone. I’m going to call the police. No, don’t call the police.
Why not? Because it’s not necessary. Of course it’s necessary. You have the necklace of a missing girl. Don Evaristo stood up and tried to take the phone from him. Give me that phone. Do not touch me. Tomás dialed the police number. Don Evaristo was trying to take the cell phone away from him. Give me that phone. Let me go. The phone rang twice.
Someone answered, “National Police, how can we help you? I need you to come urgently. I found the man who took the girls from the village.” Don Evaristo sat down on the floor and began to cry. “Uh, what’s your location, sir?” “Don Evaristo Morales’s house, 45 Main Street.” ” Are you in danger?” “I don’t know.
The old man is very nervous.” “Stay in line. The patrol cars are on their way.” Tomás moved away from Don Evaristo. He didn’t take his eyes off him. “How long will it take?” “10 minutes maximum.” Don Evaristo continued to cry. He rocked back and forth . “You shouldn’t have called the police.” ” Why not?” “Because it’s going to ruin everything.
” ” Ruin what?” “My job.” “What job?” Don Evaristo didn’t answer. He cried harder. “Where’s my sister?” “I don’t know.” “Yes, you do .” Tomás approached again. “He has her hidden somewhere.” “No. At some friend’s house.” “I don’t have any friends.” “He sold her like the others.” Don Evaristo stopped crying A blow.
He looked at Tomás with wide eyes. Ah, how do you know that? So you did sell them. I didn’t say that. Police sirens could be heard in the distance. The police are coming. Don Evaristo stood up from the floor and walked to the window. They’re going to take everything. Take what? My things. My photos. Those photos are evidence.
They’re my memories. The sirens were getting closer. Don Evaristo was trembling a lot. What’s going to happen to me? You’re going to jail. I’m too old for jail. You should have thought of that before. Cars were heard braking outside, then knocking on the door. Police, open the door. Don Evaristo looked at Tomás.
Please, don’t tell them about the basement. You’re crazy. Of course I’m going to tell them. Open up or we’ll break down the door. Tomás went to the door and opened it. I ‘m here. I called. Three police officers came in. One was Sergeant Ramírez. Yes. Where is the suspect? Tomás pointed to Don Evaristo. There he is. He has photos of all the missing girls.
The sergeant approached the old man. Are you from Baristo Morales? Yes, sir. We need to search your house. You have a warrant. We don’t need a warrant. We have a report. Don Evaristo sat down again. He wasn’t crying anymore. Do whatever you want. Sergeant Ramírez walked through the living room. The other two officers searched the kitchen.
Where are the photos this boy is talking about? Tomás pointed toward the basement door. Down in the basement. This house has a basement. Don Evaristo didn’t answer. He was looking at the floor. I’m talking to you, Mr. Morales. Yes, I have a basement. Show us. Don Evaristo stood up slowly, walked to the door, and opened it.
Here are the stairs. The sergeant turned on his flashlight. He went down first. The other officers followed him. My God, what’s happening, Sergeant? Come up quickly, bring the old man. Tomás pushed Don Evaristo toward the stairs. Go down. I don’t want you to go down. Don Nevaristo came downstairs trembling.
Tomás followed him down. The police officers shone their flashlights on the walls. There were more photos than Tomás had seen before. How many? About 20. The sergeant counted on his finger. 24 photos. They ‘re all young women. Who are these women? Don Evaristo didn’t speak. I’m asking you something. They’re friends. Your friends. Yes.
Where are they now? They left town. They all left. Yes. And why do you have their photos here? To remember them, the sergeant looked at Tomás. Do you recognize any of them? That’s Lucía. My sister Estela knew her. The sergeant shone his flashlight on the photo. Ah, this girl disappeared two years ago. They reported her missing.
Yes, but they never found her. The sergeant moved closer to Don Evaristo. I need you to explain these photos to me. I already told you, they’re my friends. Why are they all in your basement? Don Evaristo remained silent for a long moment. Then he sighed. ” Fine, I’ll tell you the truth.” “That’s what we expect.
I didn’t kill any of the girls.” “Then what happened to them?” “I helped them escape.” Tomás glared at him . “Escape from what? Their families? Their husbands? My sister had to escape from us. Not from you, from her father.” “What does my father have to do with this?” “He beat her.” “That’s a lie.” The sergeant raised his hand. “Let me speak.
” “How did I help them escape?” “I gave them money to go to another city.” ” Where did you get so much money?” “I have savings.” “How much money?” “It depends on each case.” “How much did you give Lucía?” “Two million pesos.” Tomás grew even angrier. “Did you kidnap her?” “I didn’t kidnap her. She came to ask me for help.
” “When?” ” She arrived crying one Sunday night.” The sergeant continued asking what exactly she told him, that her father had beaten her again, that she couldn’t take it anymore. ” And you?” What did you do? I told her I could help her, that I had contacts in Bogotá. What contacts? People who give jobs to girls from the countryside.
Tomás shook his head. My father never hit Estela. I’m not talking about Estela, I’m talking about Lucía. Lucía isn’t my sister. Don Evaristo looked confused. Your sister’s name isn’t Estela. Yes, Estela is my sister. Where is she? Estela is fine. Ba is upstairs. The sergeant frowned. Wait, who is Lucía then? Lucía is another girl.
She disappeared two years ago. And where is she now? Don Evaristo lowered his head. I don’t know. What do you mean you don’t know? You said you helped her. I helped her leave, but then I lost contact. The sergeant checked the bottles on the shelves. What are these medicines for? For my blood pressure. For my nerves.
They’re all yours. Yes, there are many. Tomás found something on the floor. He picked it up. Look, this. It was a gold chain with a heart. “Little one. Whose chain is this ?” Don Evaristo looked at it and turned pale. “I don’t know.” “I do know. It’s Lucía’s. I gave it to her for her birthday. It must have fallen off when she was here.
” “When she was here. The day she came to ask me for help.” The sergeant took the chain. ” Why didn’t she take it with her when she left?” “She forgot. A girl forgets to take her gold chain.” Don Evaristo didn’t answer. “Mr. Morales, where is Lucía really?” “I already told you, she went to Bogotá.” ” Who did she go with?” “With some friends of mine.
” ” What are their names?” “I don’t remember.” “You don’t remember, or you don’t want to say?” “I don’t remember.” The sergeant looked at the other policemen. “Take the old man upstairs. We’re going to search all of this. You’re going to arrest me. First, let’s look for more evidence.” The policemen took Don Evaristo upstairs to the living room.
One stayed to guard him. The others remained in the basement. “Sit there and don’t move.” Don Evaristo sat on the sofa. Estela approached To him. It’s true what he says, that he helps the girls. Yes, my little girl. Uh, it’s true. Why does he help them? Because no one else does. Tomás sat down next to his sister.
Don’t believe a word he says, he ‘s lying. Why would he lie? So they don’t put him in jail. Don Evaristo looked at them. I would never hurt you. And the other girls, yes, not the others either. The policeman who was watching them spoke on the radio. Sergeant, everything is normal up here. Keep searching. Check the rooms.
Estela looked at Don Evaristo. Did Lucía really come to ask you for help? Yes. She arrived very scared. What had happened to her? Her father had beaten her with a belt. And what did you do? I treated her wounds, I gave her something to calm her down. Tomás stood up . He gave her tea. Yes, chamomile tea, nothing else. What else was he going to give her? I don’t know.
You Tell me. Don Evaristo got nervous again. Just tea. For the nerves. From the basement the sergeant was heard shouting, “I found something. “Get the old man up here.” The policeman grabbed Don Evaristo by the arm. “Come on, they need you downstairs. What did you find?” “You’ll see.” They all went down to the basement.
The sergeant was holding a metal box. “What’s this?” Don Evaristo looked at the box. ” It’s where I keep my important papers.” ” What papers?” “Deeds. Bank documents.” The sergeant opened the box. Inside were many letters. “And these are letters the girls wrote to me.” “From where?” ” From Bogotá, from other cities.
” The sergeant read one letter aloud. “Don Evaristo, thank you so much for helping me. I’ve already found a job in a factory. I’m doing well. Lucía.” Tomás approached. “Ah, my friend wrote that letter.” “Yes, she sent it to me a year ago.” “Can I see it?” The sergeant handed him the letter. Tomás read it completely. “This isn’t Lucía’s handwriting.
” ” How do you know?” “Because Lucía could barely write. She only finished third grade.” Don Evaristo turned even paler. “Maybe someone Someone wrote it to her. Who? I don’t know. A friend? The sergeant read another letter. This one says the same thing, that she’s fine, that she got a job. They all say the same thing.
The sergeant quickly checked. Yes, they’re all the same. Estela looked at the letters. Don’t you find it strange that they all say exactly the same thing? Don Evaristo didn’t answer. Mr. Morales, who really wrote these letters? They wrote them. They all have the same handwriting. The sergeant compared the letters.
Yes, the same handwriting, the same ink. Tomás got angry. You wrote these letters. Don Evaristo started trembling. No, they sent them to me. Liar. They all have your handwriting. The sergeant put the letters in a bag. These are evidence. You’re going to arrest me. Yes, for kidnapping and forced disappearance. Don Evaristo started crying again.
I didn’t kidnap them. Then where are they? I don’t know. What do you mean you do n’t know? They took them. Who took them? Some men. Tomás grabbed him by the shirt. “What men?” “Some I knew.” “Why did they take them?” Don Evaristo refused to answer. The sergeant approached. “Mr.
Morales, if you don’t cooperate, it’ll be worse for you.” “I can’t say.” “Why can’t you?” “Because they’ll kill me.” “Who’s going to kill you?” “They are.” ” Who are they?” Don Evaristo continued crying. He said nothing more. The sergeant spoke over the radio. “I need reinforcements, and I need investigators to come. They’re going to keep looking for this.
It’s just getting started.” The sergeant radioed. ” I need the investigations team to come and bring tools.” ” What for?” Tomás asked. “We’re going to search this entire basement.” The investigators arrived an hour later. They brought large flashlights and metal detectors. “Mr. Morales, is there anything else you haven’t told us?” “No, I already told you everything.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.
” The lead investigator began checking the walls. He tapped with his knuckles. “This sounds hollow.” They moved some old shelves. Behind them was a wall “False. What’s back there?” the sergeant asked Don Evaristo. ” Nothing, it’s just a wall.” “Why is it covered up then?” “I don’t know.” “It was like this when I arrived.
” They broke through the false wall with a hammer. Inside was a deep hole. “Sergeant, come see this.” At the bottom of the hole was a small safe. “Whose safe is this?” Don Evaristo turned very pale. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen it.” “What do you mean, never? It’s in your house. Maybe the previous owner left it.
You’ve lived here for 30 years.” “Yes, but I never checked that hole.” They took out the safe; it was heavy and had a combination. “Do you know the combination?” “I have no idea.” “We’re going to have to force it open.” They brought a power saw to open the safe. Don Evaristo was trembling while they worked. “Are you sure you don’t know the combination?” ” I swear I don’t.
” After half an hour, they managed to open it. Inside were papers and documents. “Yes.” “What’s this?” The investigator took out the Identity cards, one by one. Lucía Hernández, María Gómez, Carmen Ruiz. Tomás recognized Lucía’s name. That’s my friend’s ID. “Why do you have these documents?” the sergeant asked Don Evaristo.
“I don’t know how they got there. There are 12 ID cards.” Exactly the same number of photos on the wall. “It’s a coincidence.” Estela counted the photos again. “It’s not a coincidence, they’re the same women.” The investigator continued taking things out of the box. “There are passports here too.” ” Passports.
” “Yes, all of the same women.” Don Evaristo sat down in a chair. He couldn’t deny anything anymore. “Why did he need the passports if they left on their own?” “I don’t have those passports. They’re in your safe.” “Oh, in your house.” ” Someone put them there.” “Who?” “I don’t know.” The investigator found something else at the bottom.
“Sergeant, here’s a USB drive.” “What’s on it?” “I don’t know.” “We need a computer.” They brought a laptop from the patrol car. They plugged in the USB drive. What appears? Videos. Videos of what? The investigator opened the first file. They’re videos from this very basement. On the screen, Don Evaristo was seen with a young woman. She was drinking tea.
Who is that woman? the sergeant asked. Don Evaristo didn’t answer. It’s Lucía, Tomás said. I recognize her blue dress. In the video, Lucía started to feel dizzy after drinking the tea. What did he put in the tea? Nothing. It’s clear he ‘s drugging her. Lucía fainted in the video. Don Evaristo picked her up and put her in a corner. What did he do to her afterward? Nothing bad.
The investigator opened another video. It was a different young woman. The same situation. Here he is doing the same thing. How many videos are there? Twelve files, one for each missing woman. Don Evaristo started to cry again. I ca n’t lie anymore. What did he do to them after drugging them? Don Evaristo wiped his tears. He handed them over.
To whom? To some men he knew. Which men? Some who They dedicate themselves to that. What do they do? They take girls away. Tomás became furious. You sold them. I needed the money. How much did they pay you for each one? $000. Estela couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could you do that? You don’t understand. I’ve always been poor. Poor.
You live in a huge house. The house is falling apart. Oh, I don’t have money to fix it. And that’s why I sold women. They came looking for me. Who came looking for you ? Some guys from the capital. They said they needed young girls. The sergeant kept asking how he chose them. He looked for the ones who were alone, the ones no one was going to miss much. Lucía had a family.
Yes, but her father beat her. I thought they weren’t going to look for her. Tomás wanted to hit him, but the sergeant stopped him. Where did they take them? I don’t know. I just handed them over on the highway. Which highway? The one that goes to the capital, at kilometer 30. The investigator continued reviewing the videos.
They all showed the same thing. You filmed everything. They forced me. What did they want the videos for? To have proof that I was involved. Proof of what? That I was an accomplice so I wouldn’t betray them. Estela understood everything. That’s why she wrote the fake letters. Which letters? The ones that said the girls were fine.
Don Evaristo nodded . She had to make people believe they had left on their own. Who asked you to write the letters? The same guys said that if anyone asked, I had to show them the letters. And people believed them. At first, yes, but then they started to get suspicious. The sergeant put away the USB drive.
When was the last time you turned someone in? Three months ago. Who was it? A girl who worked at the market. What was her name? Rosa Martínez. Tomás knew that name. Rosa disappeared in December. Yes, her mother is still looking for her. Don Evaristo burst into tears. Louder. Ah, I didn’t want to do it. Why did you do it then? Because they threatened me.
What did they threaten you with? They said they were going to kill me if I didn’t cooperate. How did they contact you? They called me on the phone. Do you have the number? Yes, it’s written in my notebook. The investigator found the notebook in a drawer. There are several numbers here. Whose are they? The ones who organize all this.
The sergeant radioed headquarters. I need you to trace these phone numbers. They’re important. Very important. It’s a human trafficking network . Don Evaristo was still crying. How long have you been working with them? 3 years. How did they contact you the first time? They came to my house. They said they knew I was alone.
How many were there? Two men, one fat and one thin. What were their names? The fat one was named Raúl. Uh, the thin one didn’t tell me his name. Where were they from? From the capital. They spoke strangely. Estela still hasn’t I understood everything. Why did I invite them to my house? I had to win them over first.
How? I told them I was going to help them, that I had contacts in the capital. And they believed me. Yes, because I seemed harmless. Tomás got angry again. You took advantage of their trust. Yes. Were n’t you ashamed? At first, yes, but then I got used to it. How can you get used to something like that? When you need money, you do anything.
The investigator closed the laptop. Do you know where they have the girls now? No. Once I handed them over, I didn’t know anything else. Never, he asked, no. It was better not to know. Did you ever try to escape? How to leave the town? Change your life. I had nowhere to go. Oh, and they would have found me.
The sergeant spoke with the investigator. With this information, we can dismantle the whole network. Are you going to find the girls? We’re going to try. Don Evaristo raised his head. Are you going to be able to Save them? We do n’t know. It depends on where they are. Some must already be in other countries. Why do you say that? Because Raúl told me they were selling them abroad.
To which countries? He did n’t tell me, only that they were taking them far away. The investigator wrote everything down in his notebook. How much money did you make in total? About $60,000. Where is that money? I spent it fixing up the house. All of it. Yes. This house is very old. Everything falls apart. Tomás didn’t believe him. He didn’t save anything.
A little is in the bank. How much? About $10,000. That money belongs to the victims. I know that. The sergeant closed his notebook. There. Mr. Morales, you are under arrest for human trafficking and kidnapping. They’re going to take me to jail. Yes. Right now. Can I say goodbye to my house? No, this is a crime scene.
They put the handcuffs on him. Don Evaristo wasn’t crying anymore. Are you going to look for Raúl and the other one? Of course . Be careful, they’re dangerous. Don’t worry for us. They put him in the patrol car. The whole town was outside watching. The investigator reviewed the papers they found in the safe. Here are phone numbers and addresses from many cities.
Which cities? the sergeant asked. Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, also from Venezuela and Ecuador. Don Evaristo was sitting in a chair with his hands cuffed. This is the complete network, the investigator asked him . Yes, those are all the contacts I had. Who was the boss? A guy named Raúl. And, he got me the clients.
Raúl, what else? Raúl Herrera lives in Bogotá. The investigator wrote down the name. How did you meet him? He came to town 4 years ago. He told me I could make easy money. And you believed him? At first, no, but then I saw it was true. How much were you paid for each girl? $5,000. Tomás stood up from his chair. You sold my sister for $5,000.
I needed the money. She’s worth more than all the money in the world. The sergeant calmed To Tomás. Sir, please sit down . The investigator continued reviewing the papers. Here are more names of people. Who are the ones who receive the girls in other cities? Do you know them? No, I only spoke with them on the phone.
What did they tell you? That new girls were coming . And then, what happened? I don’t know. I just handed them over. The investigator found a small notebook. What’s this? I wrote down the dates and names. It says here that you sold two girls in January. Yes, Carmen and Patricia.
Where were they from? From the next town over . How did you convince them? I told them I had work for them in Bogotá. And they came on their own. Yes, they arrived here one afternoon. What did you do to them? I gave them sleeping pills. And then I called Raúl. He came for them. That same night. A man came running into the house. His eyes were red from crying so much. “Where’s my sister?” he shouted.
“Who are you?” the sergeant asked. “I’m Miguel Vargas.” My sister Carmen disappeared 6 months ago. Don Evaristo raised his head. Carmen was very pretty. “What did you do to my sister?” Miguel lunged at Don Evaristo, but the police stopped him. “Calm down, sir.” We need your help. That damned old man took my sister away.
The investigator showed him the notebook. His sister is listed here. He disappeared on January 15th. Yes, that day. She told me she came to this town to look for work. What kind of work? As a domestic worker. Someone told her that there was a family here that needed a domestic worker.
Someone told her that there was a family here that needed a girl. Who told him that? I don’t know. Carmen didn’t tell me. Don Evaristo spoke from his chair. I told him I had contacts in Bogotá. Miguel turned around furiously. You deceived my sister. She wanted to leave the town. He said he had no future there. Liar.
Carmen was happy at home. The investigator intervened. Her sister was having problems at home. He did n’t live with me and my wife. She took care of our children. So why did he want to leave ? He didn’t want to leave. That old man deceived her. Don Evaristo shook his head. Carmen told me she felt like a burden. That’s a lie.
He told me he wanted to earn his own money. Miguel started to cry. Where is he now? I don’t know . They took her away months ago. Who took her? Raul and another man. What was the other man like? Tall with a mustache. His name was Fernando. The researcher noted the name. Fernando. What else? He didn’t tell me his last name.
Where was he from? From Cartagena. Miguel sat down on the floor. My sister was only 18 years old. “I’m very sorry,” said Don Evaristo. Don’t apologize to me. Give it back to me. There’s nothing I can do anymore. The sergeant closed Don Evaristo’s notebook. Count carefully, how many women did he sell in total? Don Evaristo thought for a moment. 12.
Are you sure? Yes, I have everything written down in my notebook. The investigator counted the names. There are only 11 here. I didn’t write down the first one. Who was the first? Her name was Rosa. He was 16 years old. Tomás stopped again. 16 years old. She was a girl. I did n’t know she was so young. Liar.
The sergeant checked the papers. What year did he start this? 3 years ago. Why did it start? Raul told me it was easy, that the girls in the village wanted to leave and you believed him. I needed money because this house was falling apart. Miguel was still crying on the floor. 12 families destroyed because of him.
I didn’t want to hurt anyone. Of course I wanted to. You knew what was happening. The researcher continued asking, “What was the last one?” Estela was going to be the last one. Estela trembled when she heard her name. Were you going to sell me? Yes, Raúl is coming for you tomorrow. Damn it. Tomás hugged his sister.
Thank God I arrived on time. The sergeant spoke over the radio. We need more patrols. Raúl Herrera is coming tomorrow. ” What time is he coming?” the investigator asked. Around 8 pm. Where were they going to meet? Here at home. He knew Estela would be ready. Yes, I sent him a message yesterday. The investigator looked at Estela.
Did you know they were going to sell it? No. Oh, I thought Don Evaristo was good. Did he give her something to drink? Yes, tea and biscuits. She felt a little dizzy, but I thought it was because of nerves. Don Evaristo lowered his head. The pills were in the tea. “What pills?” the sergeant asked.
To help me sleep, Raúl would give them to me . How many did you put in the tea? Two or three, it depended on the girl’s weight . Miguel got up from the ground. He gave my sister pills too. Yes. She noticed. No, none of them noticed. And after he did that, he would take them upstairs and put them to bed. How long did they sleep? About 6 hours.
And what were you doing in the meantime? I was waiting for Raúl to arrive. The researcher closed his notebook. Mr. Morales, you are a criminal. I know. Outside there was a lot of noise, people shouting and cars arriving. What’s going on? The sergeant asked. A policeman ran in . Sergeant, the whole town is outside.
They want to lynch the old man. How many people are there? About 100 people are very angry. Shouts were heard from the street. Get that bastard out of here. We want justice. That old man stole our daughters from us. Don Evaristo turned pale. They’re going to hand me over . No, we protect him. But they want to kill me.
That’s why we’re going to take it out from the back. Miguel approached the window. There’s Patricia’s mom . Who is Patricia? One of the girls who disappeared. Patricia’s mother was shouting from outside. My daughter was only 17 years old. Give us back our daughters. More people joined in the shouting. That old man is a monster.
Kill him. The sergeant spoke over the radio. We urgently need reinforcements. Ah, the crowd is very agitated. Don Evaristo began to cry. I didn’t want this to happen. “It’s too late to regret it now,” Thomas told him. “Do you have children?” Miguel asked her. No, that’s why he doesn’t understand the pain he caused.
I just needed money. There are a thousand ways to make money without hurting people. Someone threw a stone at the window. The glass broke. Get that bastard out of here. We’re going to burn him alive. The sergeant was worried. We have to get it out now. Another police officer entered. Sergeant. They brought gasoline.
They want to burn the house down with us inside. They are very angry. They don’t reason. The sergeant removed Don Evaristo’s handcuffs. Put on this jacket and cap. So that? So that they won’t recognize him. Don Evaristo put on the policeman’s clothes . Ah, where are they going to take me out? There’s a patrol car waiting outside the back door . Miguel approached.
I hope they kill him in prison. ” Don’t say that,” Estela told him. Why does he defend it? I’m not defending him, but killing doesn’t solve anything. I would like to kill him with my own hands. Tomás hugged Miguel. I understand your anger, but justice will take care of it. Outside, the shouting continued. We know it’s in there.
They won’t leave until he comes out. One woman screamed louder than everyone else. That old man took my granddaughter away from me . Which one was his granddaughter? The researcher asked. Sofia was 19 years old. Don Evaristo recognized the name. Sofia was very intelligent. Don’t talk about my granddaughter. She wanted to study nursing.
Shut up. The sergeant grabbed Don Evaristo by the arm. Let’s go. And the reinforcements have arrived. They’re going to take me to jail. Yes, he’ll be safe there. What if they kill me there too? That’s no longer our problem. The sergeant opened the back door. There were three patrol cars waiting.
Quick, get in. Don Evaristo. He walked quickly towards the car. He had his cap on and his head down. “There it goes!” someone shouted from afar. It’s him. Kill him. The crowd ran towards the patrol cars. The police had to form a barrier. Back. Don’t come near . We want justice. Justice is done by the judge, not by you.
Don Evaristo got into the patrol car. She was trembling with fear. We can leave now. “Yes, start,” the sergeant told the driver. The patrol left quickly. People ran back throwing stones. A stone hit the rear window. Don Evaristo bent down. Uh, they’re going to kill me. We’re already far away. Calm down.
Where are they taking me? to the capital’s jail. When will the trial be? In a few months, Don Evaristo looked out the window. It was the last time he would see his people. Can I ask you a favor? That? Can you look for the girls? We’ll do it , especially for Carmen. Her brother seems like a very nice person. The sergeant turned around.
Now he cares about girls. They always mattered to me. Captain Garcia reviewed all the papers they found in Don Evaristo’s house. “Here are phone numbers and addresses,” he told the sergeant. “Where are they from?” “From the capital and some from other countries.” The captain grabbed the phone.
“I’m going to call the police there.” He dialed the first number. A man answered. “Hello.” Captain Garcia of the police is speaking. I need information about a trafficking network. What type of information? I have addresses and phone numbers. I think they sell women. Send everything to me by fax.
The captain hung up and looked at the sergeant. They’re going to check all the addresses. When? Tonight . In the village, the families of the missing women awaited news. Miguel, Carmen’s brother, hadn’t slept in two days. “Do you think my sister is alive?” he asked Estela. “Don’t lose hope.” It’s been eight months since she disappeared, but the old man said he was selling them, which means they’re alive.
The captain’s phone rang. “Hello, Captain.” We found something big. What did they find? A house with 12 women locked up, all very young. Are they okay? They are alive, but in very bad shape. They had them drugged. Do you recognize any of the photos I sent you? Yes, five of them. The captain smiled for the first time in days.
We’re going there . The house was on the outskirts of the capital. It was big, but very ugly on the outside. “How many men were inside?” asked Captain Garcia. Three. “We’ve already arrested them,” the detective from the capital replied. “And the women?” They are in the hospital; some can’t even walk. They entered the house.
It smelled awful. There were small rooms with one bed each. Here they were, yes, locked up. The captain saw the windows; they had bars and were covered with newspapers. How long ago was this operating? The neighbors say it’s been about 3 years. The neighbors suspected nothing. They said it was a boarding house for female workers at the hospital.
And the five girls from the village were in a special room. ” Can we speak with them?” the captain asked. Just with two. The others are in very serious condition. The doctor took them to a room. There was Lucía, Tomás’s sister . Lucia. She slowly raised her head. She was very thin and pale. Who are you? I am a police officer. I come from the village.
Lucia started to cry. My brother is looking for me. Yes. He was the one who helped us find her. Don Evaristo is in prison. Yes. He can’t hurt anyone anymore. In the next room was Carmen, Miguel’s sister. Carmen, your brother is on the way. She couldn’t speak, she just cried and trembled. Don’t worry, she ‘s safe now.
Tomás arrived at the hospital running. He had driven for 4 hours without stopping. Where is my sister? “In room 205,” the nurse told him. Tomás went up the stairs two at a time, and slowly opened the door. Lucia. She turned around and saw him. She burst into tears like a little girl. Thomas. He hugged her tightly.
The two cried for an hour without speaking. Forgive me, sister. I didn’t look for you enough. It’s not your fault. I thought you had gone off with a boyfriend. I would never have left without telling you. Tomás sat down in the chair next to the bed. What did that damned old man do to you? He told me he was going to help me get a job in the capital. And you believed him? Yes.
She gave me some tea and then I don’t remember anything. Where did you wake up? In a horrible room. There was a woman yelling at me that I had to work. Lucia trembled as she told the story. What kind of work? With men. Very ugly men who hurt me. Tomás clenched his fists. Uh, how old are you now? 21. When you disappeared, you were 19.
It’s been 2 years. Yes, sister, I even forgot my age. Miguel arrived that same afternoon. He found Carmen awake, but very quiet. Little sister, it’s me. Carmen looked at it, but it didn’t ring. Do you recognize me? She nodded . Why don’t you speak? Carmen pointed to her throat.
Does it hurt? She shook her head and wrote on a piece of paper, “I’m afraid to speak.” The next day, Lucia felt better. He was able to tell the whole story. Don Evaristo found me crying in the plaza. He told Captain Garcia. Why were you crying? Because my dad had hit me again. And what did the old man tell you? who knew a lady in the capital who gave work to girls.
Tomás was sitting next to the bed listening. Did he ask you for money? No. He said he was going to help me for free. Did you go to his house? Yes. He told me to have some tea for the trip. The tea tasted strange, a little bitter, but I thought that was normal. The captain wrote everything down in his notebook.
What happened after we had tea? I started to feel dizzy. Don Evaristo told me to lie down on the sofa and then I woke up in a car. There was a man driving whom I didn’t know. Don Evaristo was there. No, I never saw him again. Where did they take you? To that horrible house where they found me. Lucia started crying again.
How many girls were there? about 15, but some got sick and were taken away. Where did they take them? We don’t know. Never. We don’t know. They never returned. Tomás stood up from his chair. They killed them. I think so. One of them was named Rosa. I was about 17 years old. The captain continued writing.
The men who looked after them would say something to them. That if we misbehaved they were going to kill us. You tried to escape once, but they caught me and beat me so badly that I couldn’t walk for a week. Were there telephones in the house? Yes, but they were locked. Did you know where you were? They didn’t keep us locked up all the time.
Carmen wrote something on a piece of paper and gave it to Miguel. What does Miguel say? He read aloud, “Don Evaristo told me that my brother had died. Why did he tell you that?” Carmen wrote. So that he wouldn’t want to return to the village. The captain closed his notebook. Is there anything else you remember? Yes, Lucia said.
Don Evaristo had photos of all of us before he took us away. In that way? He would take pictures of us when we went to his house and said it was to remember us. Six months later was the trial of Don Evaristo. The old man entered the courthouse in handcuffs, his head bowed. “How do you declare it?” the judge asked.
“Guilty,” replied Don Evaristo in a very low voice. The girls’ families were sitting on the benches . Miguel and Tomás sat together. Does he admit to kidnapping 12 young women? Yes, Your Honor. She admits to having sold them to a human trafficking network. Yes. The prosecutor stood up. Your Honor, this man ruined the lives of 12 families.
“Do you have anything to say in your defense?” the judge asked Don Evaristo. The old man raised his head, “Only I deeply regret it. Why did I do it? I needed money and I thought no one would miss them.” Miguel stood up from his seat. “What do you mean nobody was going to miss them?” “Order in the courtroom!” shouted the judge.
The defense attorney spoke. My client is 70 years old and has mental problems. That doesn’t justify anything, the prosecutor said. I ask for mercy because of his age. Lucía was at the trial as a witness. She looked better, but still very thin. “Do you want to say something to the accused?” the judge asked. Yes, Lucia said, standing up.
He turned towards Don Evaristo. You took two years out of my life. Don Evaristo didn’t look at her. It took away my trust in people. “I’m so sorry,” murmured the old man. “Your apologies don’t bring me back anything.” The judge banged his gavel. ” Don Evaristo Mendoza sentenced him to 30 years in prison for human trafficking.
” ” 30 years?” Don Evaristo asked. “30 years without parole.” The police took the old man away. The families applauded. Outside the courthouse, Tomás hugged his sister. “It’s over now, Lucía. 30 years is n’t enough for me, but it is what it is .” Miguel came out later with Carmen. She was talking a little, but very softly. “Are you happy?” he asked her.
” Yes, but I’m afraid he’ll escape.” “He wo n’t escape, he’s very old.” Captain García spoke with the families. ” The other girls we found will also testify.” “Against whom?” Tomás asked. “Against the men in the network. The trial is next month. And those we didn’t find, we’re still looking.
” Don Evaristo arrived at the prison that same afternoon. They put him in a cell with three other men. ” Why are you here?” “Old man?” one of them asked. “About a problem with some girls.” ” What kind of problem?” Don Evaristo didn’t answer and lay down on his cot, covering his face. “I asked you something.” “I don’t want to talk.” The man approached.
“Here, we all know why everyone is here. Leave me alone.” “You raped them.” “No.” ” Then what did you do to them?” Don Evaristo remained silent. The man removed the blanket from his face. ” If you don’t talk, I’m going to find out for myself .” The next day, all the prisoners knew Don Evaristo’s story . A guard had told everything.
” That old man was selling girls,” one prisoner said to another. “Seriously, 12 girls, all under 25. He deserves what he gets .” Don Evaristo didn’t leave his cell for three days. He was afraid. “Old man, you have to go to the yard,” the guard told him . “I don’t want to.” It is not optional. In the courtyard, the other prisoners surrounded him.
“Is it true you were selling women?” Don Evaristo was trembling. ” I didn’t do anything wrong.” “What do you mean you didn’t do anything wrong? They were better off in the capital.” A prisoner punched him in the face. ” Liar.” Don Evaristo fell to the ground. Everyone started kicking him. “Son of a .
Those who touch women don’t last long here.” The guards came running and stopped the fight. Don Evaristo’s face was all swollen. “They’re going to kill me,” he told the guard. “We’re going to move you to another cellblock.” “Where?” “With the rapists and the ones who killed children.” I’ll be safe there. A little more, but not much.
Don Evaristo had been in jail for two years . Each day was worse than the last. “Old man, you didn’t go out to the yard today,” the guard told him. My whole body hurts. You have to leave. Those are the rules. Please let me stay here. The guard looked at him. Don Evaristo was very thin. Ne had bruises on his arms and face. What did they do to you now? Nothing.
Don’t lie to me. They hit me in the ribs with a stick . Who? Those from pavilion three. Why didn’t you tell me before? Because they’re going to be worse to me. The guard left. Don Evaristo remained lying on his cot. I couldn’t breathe properly. That afternoon the prison doctor arrived .
So, what hurts? Everything be more specific: the ribs, the stomach, the head. The doctor examined him. Don Evaristo had two broken ribs and blood in his urine. He needs to go to the hospital. They’re only going to take me out of here for a few days. I don’t want to go back. It’s not their decision. Don Evaristo spent a week in the hospital.
When he returned to jail, the other prisoners were waiting for him. Mom, look who’s back. The one who sells girls. We thought you had died. “I wish,” murmured Don Evaristo. That night he was attacked in the bathrooms. Three men beat him with metal pipes. Please, no more. This is for all the girls. They’re going to kill me. That’s the idea.
The next day, the guard found Don Evaristo on the ground. He was no longer breathing. Estela was at the bakery when the news arrived. Her mother came running in. My daughter, Don Evaristo died. How was he killed in prison? Estela stopped kneading the bread, sat down in a chair and began to cry. Why are you crying? That man was evil.
Mom, I went to your house, but nothing happened to you. It could have happened to me . If Tomás doesn’t arrive. Her mother came over and hugged her. But nothing happened. Are you OK? I’m not okay, Mom. And I haven’t slept for two years. Why didn’t you tell me? Because I’m embarrassed.
See what? If I had been so stupid. You told me not to go. My daughter, you had good intentions. Good intentions almost cost me my life. Estela continued crying. Her mother didn’t know what to say. I thought he was a poor old man all alone, but he was a monster. How could I not have noticed? because he was a very good actor.
I should have been more distrustful, like you. Don’t blame yourself. I think about that every night. And if Tomás arrived 5 minutes later, but he arrived on time. And if he didn’t arrive, his mother didn’t answer. Estela, you can’t live thinking about what might have happened. But I think about it every night.
Have you spoken to anyone? With who? The whole town knows that I was the one who went to that house. People don’t blame you. Yes, he blames me. And yesterday at the market, Doña Carmen told me that I almost gave the old man another victim. Her mother got angry. That old woman told you that and worse things. What other things? that I’m naive, that girls like me are the ones who cause the most problems.
That woman is envious. But you’re right, Mom. I was the one who decided to go. You wanted to help and I almost became number 13. Estela wiped her tears with her apron. I want to leave town. Where to? Anywhere. Everyone here is giving me strange looks. This is your home. Not anymore. Every time I walk down that street, I remember everything.
The house is empty, nobody lives there anymore. But I remember the basement, the photos, the tea he offered me. Did you have the tea? No. Thank God Tomás arrived first. Her mother sighed. Yes, maybe it would be good for you to leave for a while. Father Miguel ascended the pulpit the following Sunday. The church was full.
Brothers, today I want to talk about what happened to Don Evaristo. People moved around in the banks. Everyone knew what he was going to talk about. Many have asked me, how is it possible that such a man lived among us? Doña Carmen raised her hand. Father, that man was always strange. Yes, Doña Carmen, but being weird isn’t the same as being bad.
But something was noticeable about him. What was noticeable about him? Doña Carmen didn’t know what to answer. The problem is that we judge by appearances, the father continued. ” What do you mean, Father?” asked Don Roberto. Don Evaristo was ugly and hunchbacked. The children threw stones at him because he was scary.
Was it scary or was it different? The church remained silent. We rejected him because of his appearance. Oh, and it turns out that inside it was worse than we thought. “Then we were right,” said a woman. No, we were wrong. Why not? Because we reject him for being ugly, not for being bad. Don Roberto stopped. Father, I don’t understand. It’s simple.
If he had been handsome and polite, no one would have suspected a thing. But it was horrible and that distracted us from what was really important. What was important? His actions, what he did when no one was watching. People began to murmur. “What do you want us to do, Father?” asked Doña Carmen. ” Learn to see beyond appearances.
” And how do we do that? Focusing on the facts, not on people’s faces. A man in the back shouted. A man from the back shouted, “Father, that old man tricked us all.” Exact. Ah, he tricked us because we weren’t paying attention. What did we need to pay attention to? Did he never go out during the day? because he had no friends, because girls disappeared near his house.
Doña Carmen blushed. We didn’t know that because we didn’t want to know. It was easier to make fun of him. You’re saying it’s our fault. I’m saying we all fail. How did we fail? Estela was the only one who tried to be nice to him, and he almost killed her. But she acted with her heart. We act with prejudice. A young man stopped.
Father, so what do we do now? Learn, don’t judge just by appearances. And if another one like Don Evaristo comes along, let’s look at his actions, his words, who he associates with, and whether he seems like a good person but is actually bad. That’s why I say we need to look at the facts. Doña Carmen sighed. It’s very difficult to know who is good and who is bad.
Yes, Doña Carmen, that’s why we have to be careful, but we can’t distrust everyone. No, but we can be vigilant. The Father stepped down from the pulpit. Remember, appearances can always be deceiving. Don Evaristo’s house had been empty for 3 years. Nobody wanted to buy it. Don Roberto was the one who sold houses in the town. That day a name arrived from the capital. Good morning.
I was told there’s a big house for sale. Yes sir. Which one interests you? The one at the end of San José Street. Don Roberto became serious. That house has problems. What kind of problems? Legal problems. Can it be fixed? These are not paperwork problems. So, what then ? Don Roberto didn’t know how to explain it, and a very bad man lived there.
It was awful how he kidnapped girls. The man from the capital was surprised. Oh really. Yes. He was killed in prison a year ago. And that has to do with the house. Nobody wants to live there. Out of superstition, out of respect for families. The man walked towards the house. Don Roberto followed him.
“Look, it’s in good condition,” said the visitor. “On the outside, yes, but on the inside, I don’t know.” Nobody has come in since they took the old man away. “Can I see it?” Don Roberto hesitated. “Let’s look for another house.” I like this one. “It’s big.” “Sir, I’m going to tell you the truth. Tell me. Women were tortured in the basement of that house.
The man took a step back. Seriously, 12 women. Some died there. How does he know? Because I helped the police remove the bodies. The visitor turned pale. Ah, they found bodies. Three. The others sold them alive. They were sold to a human trafficking network. The man looked at the house again.
It looked different now. Why didn’t you tell me that before? Because I thought he wouldn’t be interested. You’re right. I’m not interested. There are other nice houses in the village. Yes, show me those. They walked back to the center. The man turned to look at the house once more. Nobody wanted to buy it.
Three people came in two years. They all left when I told them the story. And the dead man’s family had no family. The house belongs to the bank now. The bank wants to sell it cheap, yes, but nobody wants it even for free. Because? The children say that screams can be heard at night .
Do you believe that? I don’t know, but I’d rather not find out. They went by the bakery. Estela saw them through the window. That man asked for Don Evaristo’s house. She said to her mother, “Really? Yes, but Don Roberto is taking it somewhere else. Thank goodness. Why thank goodness? Because that house should never have anyone in it again. Mom, it’s just a house.
No, honey, that house has a very bad history. Houses aren’t bad, people are bad, but houses hold memories.” Estela didn’t answer; she kept kneading the bread. “Would you go into that house?” her mother asked. “No, why not?” ” Because it scares me.” “See?” Do you also feel something strange? “It’s not that I feel something strange, it’s that I remember everything.
” His mother nodded. “That’s why it should stay empty.” Five years later, Don Evaristo’s house was still abandoned. The windows were broken and the walls covered in mold. The village children never played near it. Their mothers had told them the story many times. “Why can’t we go there?” a six-year-old boy asked .
“Because it’s dangerous,” his mother answered. “Are there ghosts?” “There are n’t any ghosts, but it’s a bad house.” ” How can a house be bad? Very bad things happened there.” The boy remained silent. He didn’t understand, but he knew he shouldn’t insist. The women of the village always crossed to the other side of the street when they passed by the house.
It was like an unwritten rule. “Why do we cross the street here?” a granddaughter asked her grandmother. “Out of habit.” “What habit?” “Of not passing by that house.” “Why not?” Grandma looked at the empty house. Broken glass glittered in the sun because a very bad man had lived there. “How bad?” “Very bad. He hurt young girls like me.
” “Yes, like you.” The granddaughter squeezed her grandmother’s hand . “He doesn’t live there anymore.” “No, my child. He’ll never hurt anyone again,” Grandma replied. “And are the girls alright?” “Yes, they went back to their families. They’re safe now.” The girl smiled, no longer afraid, and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “That’s good.
” ” Yes, bad things don’t last forever.” The two continued walking together toward the center of town. They left the old, empty house behind, disappearing into the distance. The sun shone brightly, and they could hear the laughter of other children playing in the plaza. The nightmare was finally over for everyone.
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