The trip was longer than I expected.

The trip was longer than I expected.

But he didn’t care about being tired.

Because every kilometer brought him closer to her.

To his mother.

To the only person who never let go of him.

When he arrived…

The world stopped.

The house.

Closed.

Nailed it.

Tied up.

The dog… almost starved to death.

And that sound.

That groan.

Weak.

Broken.

Alive.

« MOM! » Rodrigo shouted, banging on the door.

There was no clear answer.

Just that sigh again.

As if every breath were a struggle.

Rodrigo did not hesitate.

He stepped back.

He gathered momentum.

And he kicked the door.

A.

Two.

Thrice.

Until the wood gave way.

The smell hit him first.

Humidity.

Abandonment.

Forgot.

And then he saw her.

In a corner.

On a dirty mattress.

Slim.

Too much.

Tied up.

Yeah.

Tied up.

With a rope around his wrist.

As if it were an animal.

« Mom… » her voice broke.

Doña Carmen opened her eyes.

Slow.

—…Rodrigo?

He fell to his knees.

—I’m here… I’m here…

He removed the rope.

He hugged her.

Feeling bones where there was once strength.

—Who… did this?

She did not answer.

But her eyes…

They looked outside.

Towards the neighboring house.

Rodrigo understood.

Wordless.

He didn’t scream.

He didn’t run.

He didn’t make a fuss.

He did something worse.

He got up.

Slowly.

With the calm of someone who has already crossed the line.

He walked towards Graciela’s house.

He knocked on the door.

Once.

Thomas opened it.

—What can I offer you?

Rodrigo looked at him.

Without emotion.

-Salt.

Tomás frowned.

—What have you brought, cousin?

-Salt.

This time…

It wasn’t a request.

Graciela appeared behind.