h concern. It isn't the first time they've faced rejecti

r little girl,

ays smiling. "Congratulations

relief washing over them as they observe her genuine

es, readying herself to assist the kind lady. "We

et shop and could do with some help. I'm looking for new staff and might even have a small flat you c

bowing before her in disbelief at their good fortune. "Not to worry, w

has started to walk away, chattering non-stop, her smile

es, she hastens to clarify, "but I shan't charge you rent. Nor can I pay for the flat

nswers. "Yes, madam, we accept. Thank you so much;

me is

ara and our daughter Gil," the man

heavier boxes, Nara, you take the bunches of flowers and follow me; it's just at the end of this stre

you,

wait for her, as she's occupied talking to someone, handing over the goods they brought. Embracing joyfully, they feel that everything might go well for them in th

g when she senses someone watching her, but sees no one. Eventu

and now I've decided to start another one here. I don't want it to be too large, and with you two on boar

t the back that adjoins the forest beyond. Serafín immediately starts to tidy up the scattered debris, while Nara sets about sorting the k

lls Rita, and they

orward and asks

them."Come over to my place; it's that one across the w

family, asking for nothing in return. For some reason, they don't mistrust her; it seems to be in her na

Rita. We are simple folk and are grateful for what you're

nd passed away a few years ago. My daughter didn't come back from abroad; she got married there," Mrs. Rita continues as she leads them into her vast house. "As you can see, I

everything she offers in generous quantities. She laughs joyfully at the questions of Gil, who flutters

this room, I have loads of clothes from when my daughter was a child.

will be eternally grateful, and you don't have to pay us. We will work all the hours

roke down right in front of you. My daughter wants me to go live with her, but I went once and didn't like it and came

ily, Mrs. Rita; we w

wears blue glasses that make her look different, but she likes them because people don't give her strange looks anymore. Mrs. Rita has her ca

guiding and directing everything. She is truly happy, to the point where she has even asked them to move into the big hou

to go outside, lie on the grass, and watch it glow; it appears radiant and beautiful to her. Not only that, there's a voice in her head telling her

. She's very curious to know to whom they belong; they don't seem threatening to her, they look at her with what she feels is love. She walks slowly to the edge of the forest; she knows he's ther

to startle her, until they stop a short distance away. She hears a snort, turns slowly-still with her eyes shut-fearing what she might encounter, and extends her hand. She doesn't know why

can't believe what is before her, right there in her palm. Startled, she jumps back, landing seated on

olf she's ever see

o stand and run, but her body doesn't respond; she's at the mercy of this predator that will surely make a feast of her, she thinks. It has been hunting her all this time; surely, as she sat by the window, it was waiting for the righ