A LOVE IN DARK TIMES

"Those were ancient and dark times, at the dawn of the world, when nothing was as it is now and other kinds of beings populated our forests."

"But my lord, how old can the history be if there was no observer to tell it?"

"Perhaps it is true; however, sometimes knowledge is captured in the landscape or even in the wind itself."

"Another problem is that past civilizations did not have as good a way of preserving knowledge as we do now."

"Mike, The problem is that we always think we are the center of the universe; maybe there have been more advanced people and our scientists have copied them; that's why they don't say invent. But discover that, just like our civilization that is based on oil can collapse when it runs out, some mega-people could have been erased from the face of existence by exhausting their resources, leaving only arid land as a vestige."

"I still don't understand you, old Richard; what does that have to do with the fact that my beloved went off with a mobster and that she is pregnant, maybe by me?"

"I understand your discomfort, my dear Mike. I don't want you to think that I'm making fun of you, I just don't want to bother him. But this story, which reached my ears like a rhythmic knocking, has something to do with yours, and it can be of help to you."

"Well, I'll make you a deal; you tell it while I uncork these bottles of drink in my belly, to see if first these or your words are finished."

"I'll make you a deal, but I'll also help you get rid of these beggars. Cheers!"

"All for her, all for the most beautiful, all for the bottle, all for the best, all for love!"

"The story is centered in a small town where the old customs were so ingrained that they were already unquestionable; precisely for this reason, the two protagonists of this story had a hard time. Although their love seemed to be a raging hurricane sweeping away any impediment to it, it was soon demolished by injustices and dogmas. And even more serious, some very dark things that, fortunately, are now extinct, have only a slight presence in myths and legends. Others are distorted; perhaps there are still some of these creatures camouflaged in the real world; perhaps they themselves are the ones who were responsible for romanticizing their races or making them perish into oblivion. However, our couple, with little in their favor and much against them, in the end achieved their goal, perhaps not in the best possible way, but, well, not all endings can be happy. Moreover, we do not know if the "and they lived happily ever after" of the fairy tales is real to what extent or if it was just a cut to avoid including what would come later. Perhaps the prince became a wolf king who took a thousand consorts, and perhaps the princess became a bitter witch because she discovered that she did not fall in love with the man but with the crown. Perhaps the stories do not end, but they can become jokes. So to the rhythm of drums that sang empty melodies On a moonless night, with lightning, rain, and a noisy wind that hit the houses like waves on the beach. Young Luis met the beautiful Luisa; even by name, they seemed predestined to be together; they were like two magnets that were attracted to each other. The young Luis, with light brown hair, was almost blond, a little taller than those of that village, and with well-developed senses like his hatred, with which he could hear the soft cries of her asking for help. Because the squall had raged in the house where she lived with her parents and her four siblings. I know it will be hard to believe that a windstorm damages a house. But her father made a hut with some cans and wood that he found around, giving them the status of temporary, which he never changed for bricks but for drunkenness. With all the money he spent on his vices, he could have bought a mansion on the beach. Well, let's resume. He heard her screams for help, which caused him to run without thinking to help her like any good gentleman. Finding that gloomy scene where she struggled unsuccessfully trying to lift some debris from where other screams and cries came out as if the old cans had come to life. He ran without asking, helped her lift the debris, and discovered that it did not weigh much. And therefore, this tender girl did not possess any strength, and more importantly, under the ruins were some bodies struggling desperately to survive except for the two largest ones, who seemed to be sleeping soundly. He got them out of there; the most complicated thing was to wake up the parents, who, when they exhaled consciousness, released an anesthetic mist, proving my theory of their unbridled and outrageous spending for a legalized and vainglorious evil. The mother, seeing this spectacle, screamed like crazy, and the father almost hit Luis, believing that he was the architect of his tragedy. But at the same time that Luisa tried to calm her parents by explaining to them the situation, Luis heard how, from the forest, something very big was approaching very strongly, knocking down trees; however, no footsteps could be heard."

"Maybe it is an avalanche." He thought anxiously, which led him to make a massive effort to get them out of there. Guiding them to his house to serve as a shelter for the night. But another thought came to him: suddenly his father would be moved to let them in, since he was angry with Luisa's parents for their vulgar behavior, for living from fight to fight, and for their profuse blasphemous lexicon. He thought they even invented words to insult their neighbors. While he was thinking about this, he was startled by what approached. Something brought down what was left of the rancho. Catching a glimpse of his eagerness to evacuate the area and succeeding in his heroic act with that family. Although a shout from Luisa just added seasoning to the dark night environment, from the chest of the noble Luis, a jet of vital liquid gushed. Apparently, that wave, like a dry wave, reached him to hurt him with something that resembled a claw.

"Don't let the night break!" exclaimed a madman who was called Coffee Cup for having only one ear and who faithfully assumed that if he did not shout this throughout the neighborhood, the sky would collapse. Perhaps he was right because that night, when he was about to begin his task, an ex-insurgent insulted him for insisting on this absurdity, and without saying a word, a coffee cup gave him a jug.

Similarly, the person who was pardoned but was not found innocent He thought of himself as more important than others, and despite the fact that he started first, he was unaffected by the town crier's actions. In retaliation for the action, he pulled out one of his guns and broke this "little savior of his world" forever. I hope he is caught and tried. That this crime does not go unpunished like those he committed when he was an official militant, covered by a false demobilization, which like many noble acts of the government concealed some dark economic motives. I now resembled the beautiful cream of a nauseating cake, of which the top leaders took big slices.

In that same neighborhood, the next morning, Luis opened his eyes. Disoriented, he thought for a few seconds that it was a normal day and that he would have to hurry to go to his occupation, which was to look for a job, something very complicated in these dark times. When he was about to get up, a sharp pain in his chest, in addition to the pressure of the bandage that made it difficult for him to breathe, brought him back to reality. Making him suddenly remember what had happened the night before. With effort, he rolled over to the edge of his bed and lay down on his stomach, placing his legs on the floor, where he carefully rolled back to minimize the pain. He reached for his flip-flops as the icy cement floor made it painful to urinate. This overwhelmed him until he couldn't stand it, and a groan came out. That caused the door to open, revealing beautiful eyes that showed concern. It was Luisa, whose eagerness to help made her forget caution and open the room at the cry of her savior. Her face was so upset from crying over the tragedy that even though he diminished it, it was still there because they were there. Although everyone alive was faced with the harsh reality of having lost the little they had, for them, it was their world. He saw her as beautiful as if the whole house ran behind her, and the landscape became blurry and bright, highlighting her as a divine apparition, which for a few moments made him forget all his pain. Seconds, or perhaps minutes, passed before the souls of these young people seemed to merge without even touching each other. His brother came to help him out to the dining room for breakfast, breaking the magical silence.

At the table were the two parents, talking as friends despite having had some clashes, especially over soccer and politics. Both mothers were in charge of the kitchen, and two girls were waitresses. It was as if everyone was walking in pairs. Except Luis, who was helped to walk by his brother, to whom he leaned almost all his weight. And by Linda, who, knowing he was not very strong, did not lean against her, but tried to rub against her to feel her warmth.

At breakfast, there was an aroma of camaraderie mixed with uncertainty. As expected, Don Fabio, Luis' father, spoke at the head of the dining room:

"I want to tell you that for me, it is a pleasure to be able to help our friends and neighbors, the Monroe's. Too bad that under these circumstances, my family is very happy to be of great help."

To which the other father, Don Car, naturally responded:

"For us, it is an honor to be here in your glorious home. We are infinitely grateful for your great hospitality. I also take this opportunity to thank and apologize to young Luis, because it was a miracle that he heard my daughter's calls for help and, without hesitation, he helped us. I am very sorry that some debris almost killed him, and although we lost almost everything, we still have the most important thing, which is life and health, as well as the best friends and neighbors in the world."

So much lambasting and etiquette came together on the part of some people who used to hate each other, but who had been united by misfortune and soon by marriage or something similar.

The clerk of the drugstore knocked at the door, interrupting their breakfast. She arrived to change Luis' bandages, the ones she had put on the night before. Which surprised him, His clothes had been ripped by claws. Although, luckily, he was not seriously injured, there was something very strange in the cuts with a greenish tone that reminded him of the wounds of the miners because of the dynamite. Besides, he had a reason for the Monroe's; the news of his misfortune had spread like wildfire in the town square. The people from the Christian church had already arrived to help them, so they went. Although they were not very devout, since they said they were Catholics, they went to that church sometimes when they gave markets or lunches. That is why the pastors knew them very well-I mean, why they went and pretended to be suffering in order to get as much help as possible. They hurried to breakfast, almost passing the whole loaf of bread and sipping the very hot coffee. They left in haste and began their procession of loud cries a few meters before reaching the place where their home used to be and which was now a place of pilgrimage for curious onlookers. But there were also some foreigners gathered who came from the head office of that church and who welcomed them with open arms and cried with them.

After the show of tears, construction materials began to arrive, and from under the rocks came workers to rebuild the house, or better yet, this time to build a sturdy house. Collaboration arrived as if by magic, thanks to the divine presence of the news.

"But wait, old Mike, you said it was very old, and now you come out with what people helped to get on the news."

"Yes, it is very old; the thing is that at that time there was also something similar, and besides, suddenly your temporal perception is not the same as the one I have. Besides, people helped just to look for fifteen minutes of fame. No, the main thing was the disinterested sense of helping-what moved all those hands that did in a few days, what was not done in years-a house of cement and bricks. Thus turning around the misfortune of the Monroe's, they even got appliances that they never had and even food to throw away because they did not know how to eat it. Clothes and money that the father promised to buy what was missing. And he did it, but according to him, what was missing were liters of beer.

Soon the Monroe's were living in their new home, which was even inaugurated with a mass. Linda's parents promised to be better neighbors and even to invite Luis' parents to lunch often. But this was a promise even emptier than the edge of the galaxy; what did last was the friendship between the young people of reference, and it did not stop their storm of love."

"Old Richard, I don't see how that affects me, except for the fact that you're almost helping me get rid of my bottles of booze; I'll have to go buy more very soon."

"Don't worry, I promise to get to that point. What happens is that your love is almost impossible, or not impossible; it's more like an imbecilic love. You are the one who wants to complicate things, or maybe things are not what they seem. Because it seemed to me that that mafioso with whom his girlfriend left is an old acquaintance that has something to do with you. I'm going to get my head together while I continue telling you the story. Where were we going?"

"They built them a house, they gave them a market, and even money; better said, that misfortune went well for them, even for Luis, who fell in love with Luisa, except for the part where he almost got sliced."

"Oh yes, that's where my friend appears, who was attracted there by the news. He arrives with all his instruments, analyzing the ground. He tried to look for the remains of the ranch, although no one would give him a reason because they had already been sold for scrap. Likewise, he analyzed the soil, took out pendulums, tested the soil, and wrote down each thing in a small, shiny notebook that contrasted with his shabby clothes, although they looked expensive. He knocked on Monroe's door, and when he opened it, he greeted them like this:

"Good morning. I came because you needed me, although you don't know why."

The mother thought that this strange old man had come to give her some help, and judging by his scanty luggage, it should be in cash. What a joy, because the beer cupboard was almost empty, so she answered him:

"Yes, sir, we are attentive to any blessing, but we are still very bad."

My friend entered sitting on the sofa, which was uncomfortable, maybe because it was new or maybe because the carpenter had donated it. While he introduced himself by saying a thousand gadgets, he observed each part of the house and each of the lady's children; only when he observed Luisa did he remain silent, until he said to her:

"Hello, my name is Michel. What is your name? Why are you here?"

To which the very shy young woman answered:

"My name is Luisa; this is my house, and Michel is a woman's name."

He laughed loudly, smiled, and told her:

"I don't know how you were saved; that being that destroyed your house is very powerful, and where I come from is a man's name."

He approached her, looking her in the eyes. Likewise, he grabbed the small white hand that contrasted with his because it was plump, big, wrinkled, and blurred, possibly because of the sun. At the same time, he continued, saying:

"You are very strong; that's why they have been after you."

Without letting go of her hand. He looked back at her mother to ask her:

"My little girl, I see that you are very strong; that is why they have been after you. Lady Mother, I realize that you had many difficulties with her. Right? But fortunately, someone very skilled placed some protections that have served you very well, even with the being that destroyed your house. Right, now please tell me: what symptoms did you have, and what did he tell you? And what did he tell you? How did he relieve you?"

The surprised mother clutched her hands tightly, lowered her eyes to the floor, and answered:

"Yes, it all started when she was a baby. Every night at one o'clock in the morning, her crib would squeak like a violin, so we decided it was better for her to sleep with us. But one day when I was in the bathroom, I heard the baby crying a lot, so I went for a run, alone in my towel. I thought I saw a very big snake with two arms, with which it was lifting my daughter. I tried to scream, but I couldn't get it out-just a shriek. Furthermore, I quickly began to pray the rosary and ask the Virgin for help. Finally, I was able to scream. The neighbors came into the house, broke the cans we had for walls, and were very impressed when they saw that creature. We tried to confront it with sticks and knives. But the monster was very fast; it wounded many, including me, she observes (she lifted her dress, showing four scars in a row like a claw and the one from the cesarean section). The whole neighborhood arrived, even the priest, who threw a jar of holy water on him, but nothing seemed to stop him. The police did not come; maybe they thought it was a trap or a mockery. Everything became even more complicated when the beast out of nowhere took out a thunderbolt with the one he wielded, breaking the cans like paper and putting everyone at bay. Except me, who ran towards it to prevent him from kidnapping my girl. Because of the race, I dropped my towel, and I was all naked. The beast threw me his lightning, and I could see how he broke the roof, as when you cut foam with a hot knife. I saw them above my head, and the only thing I could do was close my eyes and pray.

The last thing I felt was someone putting the towel on me. I opened my eyes and saw him-a strong, bearded man with a cowboy hat. Who, without my feeling, pulled me to a corner, saving me. I could see him groping the floor while dressing me to avoid being seen by the morbid, of which there are plenty. Immediately, he stood in front of the beast, where I could see that his yellowish eyes were now shivering. The leviathan, with its energy lights, molded like a machete and threw itself with all its might to split my savior. He very calmly pulled out a staff that even seemed to be made of wood like the ones used to train cows, and with that, he stopped the attacks. Dislodging them to continue hitting the beast, he beat it until the beast fell on its face. He took the opportunity to take out a little square bottle like the one where they keep the perfume in the movies, spraying all the contents. Then, like an old soap opera leading man, he took out a cigar, lit it, put it in his mouth, and sucked in a puff of smoke. He raised his beautiful face, exhaling a gray jet towards the destroyed roof, and threw the lighter at the beast, which was getting up again. That prevented him from making this move because it was quickly incinerated, and not even the ashes were left to check if that really happened or if it was a product of the imagination of those of us who remember. The hero left, but not before lifting my baby. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes as you did, and he spoke a few words in another language, perhaps English or Quechua. My husband arrived at that moment and assumed from the anguish that the monster was that hero. So he grabbed a club and swung it across his back. But it was as if the wood was made of porcelain; it broke into a thousand pieces without doing him the slightest harm, I quickly grabbed it, telling him that this was our savior. When he finished with his prayers, he told us that we had to take good care of her because she would be followed forever and that the protection he had given her was strong but not perfect. That we should please plant aloe and rue in the house, and he left without accepting anything in return. We offered him to stay and eat; my husband even took out all the money we had to give him; however, he left on a beautiful chrome bicycle, one of those thin ones used by those who go up to the moors."

The strange old man scratched his beard, asking him another question:

"Didn't he tell you his name, or did he have any symbols on his clothing?"

"No, he told us, on his costume he had many symbols; one of them, I don't forget, was like an arrow with two small lines like an equal in its middle, and it was enclosed in an oval."

The old man laughed, throwing back his big head, and said as if thinking out loud:

"oh! So Marco was here, he usually has the gift of being close to these situations, on the other hand, I am often late, lol.""