Nobody knew exactly what had been the origin of everything, the most accurate information that was available was that, when those lands were offered for sale, a wealthy family acquired a large part of them, to settle there and make that their home.
This was how the Salvatierra family acquired the family patrimony that despite all the events, and after many years, they still kept. For them, staying together at home (although it was very spacious inside and out), was something they did more as a precaution than out of affection.
The things that happened inside the property were known to everyone in the neighborhood, but no one spoke of them except to tell of some new event. For this reason many were astonished to see how people came to live there.
But this was something the Marquez's were unaware of, a new family of six who had just arrived in the city looking for new opportunities. They were a migrant family from some distant country, and their main motive was to save as much as they could. That's why they thought it was a great opportunity to find such a low rent, in a good area and with so much space; even for the children, who were four, a teenager and three infants.
Upstairs there were many rooms and several common rooms, filled with old family portraits and other religious paintings. Being that it was an old house none of the rooms had bathrooms. But due to its low cost this was the least of it, as it made it profitable.
Her husband, Julian, was a man dedicated to work because that is what he had learned. And he only came home just at dinner time and to rest. For this reason, she had the most work to do with the children.
As they went upstairs, the excitement on their little faces was noticeable. They had all been allocated three rooms, which was what they could afford. Still, it was quite a lot of space compared to the previous place. Two of the rooms were next to each other, and between them there was a window connecting them. And moving into the second room was the other available room. A bit far away from the other two.
Lucia commented quietly to her husband: -I would have preferred to be all together. Shall we take the most secluded one ourselves? Without even giving him time to think about it, Rosy interjected: -You don't think I'll be taking kids to the bathroom all night. Dad, it's not fair! Rosy was in her late teens and her relationship with her mother had become somewhat distant.
Everyone excitedly helped carry up the few belongings they had brought with them. Rosy, feeling triumphant because she would have her room alone and away from everyone, smiled, very happy now, and was in good spirits, as she had not been for a long time. Now she would have a place where she could shut herself away without being disturbed.
She had not yet finished leaving her parents' room, where they were taking everything, when she heard one of the twins talking, she thought that both girls were in the room but what caught her attention was what Lory said: -And where are your parents? After a pause she asked again: -Do you live here too, Maria? Can we be friends?
Hearing this Rosy hurried, suddenly opened the door, and thought she saw something moving quickly towards the closet.
Somewhat stunned, I shouted: *-Lory, what are you doing here, who are you talking to? The little girl, who had intuitively turned towards the door when her sister entered, answered: With Maria. Pointing to the wall, to nowhere. Rosy, trying not to make a big deal of it, said to her: Let's go downstairs, mom is calling you! And went out without looking back.
She didn't even want to check if there was anything in that closet. As she advanced with her little sister through the two rooms that separated the rooms from the stairs, she felt that they were being watched. Her skin bristled all over, and she hurried her pace. Suddenly he felt everything colder, darker, heavier and more alone. He had never had that feeling in his life.
Rosy held the twins downstairs waiting for their parents. After that creepy feeling for her, she refused to go upstairs alone again. She thought that maybe their presence in that house would bring a little more warmth and brightness to the place, taking away all the strangeness she felt. But she couldn't have been more wrong. The house had never been alone, it was just the beginning of everything, and none of them could imagine it.
Suddenly she began to feel herself drawn toward the dark stairs. There seemed to be something in the shadows moving slowly. But she couldn't see it clearly. And just as she began to glimpse a face in the shadows, they grabbed her shoulder. Immediately he gave a little jump of fright. It was his father telling him to move forward.
In a few hours they were already installed. In addition to the beds, the rooms had closets, antique furniture but in good condition. Enough for the small family. Everyone was so happy. That night because of the move they went to bed early. It was barely midnight when the confused sound of several voices at the same time could be heard in the distance, but it was getting louder and louder.
Between screams and moans they managed to wake Rosy. She was lying on her bed, almost collapsed, bathed in sweat, her breathing accelerated, and the absolute darkness that surrounded her, took her by surprise when she opened her eyes. She was somewhat confused and agitated. Suddenly the cold rose of bony fingers on her arm made her react.
It was not a dream! There was something in her room, under her bed. Quickly she grabbed her blanket and tucked herself in from head to toe, as if that could save her. She stood alert, waiting for an attack. Unable to run away, paralyzed with fear. Suddenly, something slowly began to tug at her blanket. She struggled not to let it, but it was impossible. She stifled a scream unable to let go. And suddenly tears began to fall down her cheeks. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before.
When her face was uncovered, she closed her eyes tightly and hugged herself. She wished it was all a dream and that she would wake up. But nothing happened. And suddenly the voices began to be heard again. She didn't understand what they were saying and she didn't want to know either. She only whispered between sobs: Please, please! By way of a plea. Everything was silent for a moment, and she thought she had succeeded.
But suddenly a great weight fell on her, sinking her into the bed again, and at the same time something cried out in a heartbreaking way over her face. Try as she might she could see nothing, and could not speak. It was suffocating and terrifying at the same time. And then it was gone, just like that. For her it was the longest minutes of her life. Everything was silent. Only Rosy's crying could be heard, and she fell asleep crying.
The next day, since Rosy was still not up for breakfast, Lucía decided to go in search of her daughter. Upon entering the room she was moved by the scene. Rosy was cuddling herself in a fetal position on the bed, fast asleep. Lucia thought she must be cold. She took the blanket that was thrown at the foot of the bed and wrapped her little girl in it, because that was for her. Suddenly she saw the marks of tears on her daughter's face. And as she tried to hug her, she was surprised when Rosy woke up calling out to her: *-Mommy!
She seemed to be confused. She reassured her saying: - Calm down, it's just a nightmare! But Rosy didn't know if it had really been like that. Her distraught mother hugged her and said in her ear: -Mommy is here! When she was calmer she was able to go out to breakfast. She was still so confused and terrified. She tried to look with her eyes, through the halls and rooms, but there was nothing. Everything was so calm. But the tiredness and pain in her body after that attack told her that it had not been just a dream.
She spent the rest of the morning distracted and lost in thought. She struggled between telling her mother everything or keeping quiet so as not to worry her. After all, she had chosen to be distant for so long. And they had only just moved in. It could have been just a bad event, maybe if it was a dream.
Suddenly she noticed that her little sister Lory was watching her curiously. Then she decided to act as usual. Apparently no one had heard anything, which would have been impossible if it wasn't a dream. So she decided not to think about it anymore. He turned to his little sister and stuck out his tongue in a funny way, something he always did when he was seen a lot by the girls. Lory automatically smiled. And said: Ros, can you play with us? She nodded her head in the affirmative. Lory held out her hand and said: -Let's go get Naty too! And they went on together.
As she played with the girls, she began to have that heavy feeling again. She also felt watched, and not just by Lory who seemed to notice her sudden changes in attitude. In an effort to remain calm, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Just then a shiver ran through her body. And Naty's crying made her open them suddenly. What's wrong? she cried. Naty crying accusingly said through her tears: She pinched me. And Lory defended herself saying: *-Of course it's not true!
But when mother arrived and saw Naty's arm curled up, she punished Lory leaving her alone in the room to reflect on what had happened, since she refused to apologize, insisting that it had not been her. Rosy had not been able to prove it, and went to her little sister and asked her why she had done it. But Lory, she replied: *-It wasn't me, it was Maria!
She stared at her little sister not knowing what to say. But Lory continued, -You saw her the other day, she just wants to be friends, but Naty can't see her like we can. I don't think Maria likes to play with her. Rosy couldn't even imagine everything that was going on, she didn't understand much and she didn't know if she wanted to know. She just said to her little sister: -Stop saying those things, otherwise you will be punished. You must stop talking to that girl, tell her to go away.
Then Lory replied: -But this is her house. And she said nothing more to her sister. The following week everything was calm. Everything seemed normal. Even Lory, who made the most fuss, was calmer. She spent hours playing with her doll, distracted. Lucia, on the other hand, was a bit pensive that day, as if she was out of her mind. And she watched the children more than usual.
At nightfall, while everyone was in their rooms and in the silence of the darkness that filled the whole house, a light knock could be heard, as if they were knocking at the door patiently but insistently, as if waiting to enter.
Cover image taken from Pixabay. Images taken from my cell phone and edited in PicsArt. I do not authorize the use of my images. Image created in Canva. Translated with Deelp.
Nadie sabía exactamente cuál había sido el origen de todo, los datos más exactos que se tenían, era que, cuando esas tierras se ofrecieron en ventas una familia acaudalada adquirió gran parte de ellas, para establecerse ahí y hacer de ese su hogar.
Fue así como los Salvatierra adquirieron el patrimonio familiar que pese a todos los sucesos, y tras muchos años, aún conservaban. Para ellos, mantenerse unidos en casa (aunque ésta era muy espaciosa por dentro y por fuera), era algo que hacian más por precaución que por cariño.
Las cosas que ocurrían dentro de la propiedad, todos en el vecindario las sabían, pero nadie las hablaba más que para contar algún nuevo suceso. Por tal motivo muchos se asombraron al ver cómo llegaban personas para vivir ahí.
Pero esto era algo que los Márquez desconocían, una nueva familia de seis que acababan de llegar a la ciudad buscando nuevas oportunidades. Eran una familia migrante provenientes de algún país lejano, y su principal motivo era ahorrar todo lo que pudieran. Por eso les pareció una gran oportunidad encontrar una renta tan baja, en un buen sector y con tanto espacio; incluso para los niños que eran cuatro, una adolescente y tres infantes.
En su parte superior habían muchas habitaciones y varias salas en común, llenas de antiguos retratos familiares y otros cuadros religiosos. Siendo que era una casa antigua ninguna de las habitaciones tenía baño. Pero debido a su bajo costo esto era lo de menos, ya que lo hacía rentable.
Su esposo Julián, era un hombre dedicado al trabajo porque eso había aprendido. Y solo llegaba a casa justo a la hora de la cena y para descansar. Por tal motivo el mayor trabajo con los niños lo tenía ella.
Al subir, la emoción en sus pequeñas caras era notable. Para todos ellos habían asignadas tres habitaciones, que era lo que se podían permitir. Aún así, era bastante espacio comparado con el lugar anterior. Dos de los cuartos estaban uno junto al otro, y entre ellos había una ventana que los conectaba. Y al pasar a la segunda sala se encontraba el otro cuarto disponible. Un poco alejado de los otros dos.
Lucía comento a su esposo en voz baja: -Hubiera preferido estuvieran todos juntos. ¿Tomamos el más retirado nosotros? Sin darle tiempo si quiera de pensarlo, intervino Rosy: -No pensarás que estaré llevando niños al baño toda la noche. ¡Papá, no es justo! Rosy estaba en plana adolescencia y la relación con su madre se había vuelto algo distante.
Todos emocionados ayudaron a subir las pocas pertenencia que traían. Rosy sintiéndose triunfante porque tendría su habitación sola y lejos de todos, sonreía, ahora sí muy feliz, y estaba de buen ánimo, como hacía mucho que no estaba. Ahora tendría un lugar donde poder encerrarse sin que la molestaran.
Aún no terminaba de salir del cuarto de sus padres, dónde estaban llevando todo, cuando escucho a una de las mellizas hablando, creyó que ambas niñas estaban en el cuarto pero le llamo la atención lo que dijo Lory: -¿Y dónde están tus papás? Luego de una pausa volvió a preguntar: -¿También vives aquí María? ¿Podemos ser amigas?
Al oír esto Rosy se apresuró, abrió de pronto la puerta, y creyó ver algo moverse rápidamente hacia el armario.
Algo aturdida grito: -¡Lory!, ¿Que haces aquí? ¿Con quién hablas?. La pequeña niña, que intuitivamente había girado hacía la puerta cuando su hermana entró, le contestó: -Con María. Señalando hacía la pared, a la nada. Rosy tratando de no darle tanta importancia, le dijo: -Vamos abajo, ¡mamá te está llamando! Y salió sin mirar atrás.
No quiso ni corroborar si había algo en ese armario. Mientras avanzaba con su pequeña hermana a través de las dos salas que separaban los cuartos de las escaleras, sentía que las observaban. Su piel se erizo por completo, y apresuró el paso. De pronto sintió todo más frío, más oscuro, más pesado y más solo. Nunca había tenido esa sensación en su vida.
Rosy retuvo a las mellizas abajo en espera de sus padres. Luego de esa sensación tan espeluznante para ella, se rehusaba a subir sola de nuevo. Pensaba que tal vez, la presencia de ellos en esa casa, le daría un poco más de calor y luminosidad al lugar, alejando todo lo extraño que se sentía. Pero no podía estar más equivocada. La casa nunca había estado sola, apenas era el comienzo de todo, y ninguno de ellos lo podía imaginar.
De pronto se comenzó a sentir atraída hacia las oscuras escaleras. Parecía haber algo entre las sombras moviéndose de a poco. Pero no lograba verlo claramente. Y cuando comenzaba a vislumbrar un rostro entre las sombras, tomaron su hombro. De inmediato dió un pequeño salto del susto. Era su padre indicándole que avanzará.
En pocas horas ya estaban instalados. Las habitaciones además de las camas tenían armarios, muebles antiguos pero en buen estado. Suficiente para la pequeña familia. Todos estaban tan alegres. Esa noche debido a la mudanza se fueron a la cama temprano. Apenas estaba siendo medianoche cuando el sonido confuso de varias voces al mismo tiempo, se escuchaba a lo lejos, pero se estaba haciendo cada vez más fuerte.
Entre gritos y lamentos lograron despertar a Rosy. Ella estaba acostada en su cama, casi hundida, bañada en sudor, su respiración acelerada, y la absoluta oscuridad que la rodeaba, la tomaron por sorpresa al abrir los ojos. Se encontraba algo confundida y agitada. De pronto el frío rose en su brazo, de unos dedos huesudos hicieron que reaccionará.
¡No era un sueño! Había algo en su habitación, debajo de su cama. Rápido tomo su cobija y se arropó de pies a cabeza, como si eso pudiera salvarla. Se mantenía alerta esperando un ataque. Incapaz de salir corriendo, paralizada por el miedo. De pronto, algo comenzó lentamente a tirar de su cobija. Ella luchaba por no permitirlo, pero era imposible. Ahogaba un grito sin poder soltarlo. Y de pronto las lágrimas comenzaron a caer por sus mejillas. Jamás le había pasado algo igual.
Cuando su cara quedó descubierta cerro sus ojos fuertemente y se abrazo a si misma. Deseaba que todo fuera un sueño y despertar. Pero nada ocurría. Y de pronto las voces comenzaron a escucharse de nuevo. No entendía que decían y tampoco quería saberlo. Ella solo susurraba entre sollozos: ¡Por favor, por favor! A manera de súplica. Todo quedó en silencio por un instante, y creyó haberlo logrado.
Pero de pronto un gran peso cayó sobre ella hundiendola en la cama de nuevo, al mismo tiempo algo grito de forma desgarradora sobre su cara. Por más que intentaba no lograba ver nada, y no podía hablar. Era asfixiante y aterrador al mismo tiempo. Y entonces se fue, así de pronto. Para ella fueron los minutos más largos de su vida. Todo quedó en silencio. Solo se escuchaba el llanto de Rosy, quien se quedó dormida llorando.
Al día siguiente, y en vista de que aún Rosy no se levantaba a desayunar, Lucía decide ir en busca de su hija. Al entrar a la habitación se sintió conmovida por la escena. Rosy estaba abrazándose a si misma y en forma fetal en la cama, dormida profundamente. Lucia pensó que tendría frío. Tomo la cobija que estaba arrojada a los pies de la cama y abrigo a su niña, porque eso era para ella. De pronto vio las marcas de las lágrimas en el rostro de su hija. Y al intentar abrazarla se sorprendió cuando Rosy despertó llamándola: -¡Mamá!
Parecía estar confundida. Ella la tranquilizó diciendo: -Tranquila, ¡Es solo una pesadilla! Pero Rosy no sabía si realmente había sido así. Su madre angustiada la abrazo y le dijo al oído: -¡Mami está aquí! Cuando ya estuvo más calmada pudo salir a desayunar. Estaba tan confundida y aterrada aún. Trataba de buscar con la vista, entre los pasillos y las salas, pero no había nada. Todo estaba tan calmado. Pero el cansancio y dolor en su cuerpo después de aquel ataque le decían que no había sido solo un sueño.
Paso el resto de la mañana distraída y perdida en sus pensamientos. Luchando entre contarle todo a su madre o callarlo para no preocuparla. Después de todo, ella había elegido estar distante desde hace mucho. Y apenas acababan de mudarse. Podría haber sido solo un mal suceso, quizás si era un sueño.
De pronto noto que su pequeña hermana Lory la observaba curiosamente. Entonces decidió actuar de manera habitual. Al parecer nadie había escuchado nada, lo cual habría sido imposible si no se tratará de un sueño. Así que decidió no pensar más en ello. Se volteo hacia su hermanita y le saco de forma graciosa la lengua, algo que siempre hacia cuando le veían mucho las niñas. Automáticamente Lory sonrió. Y dijo: -Ros, ¿puedes jugar con nosotras? Está contesto con la cabeza de forma afirmativa. Lory le extendió su mano y dijo: -¡Vamos por Naty también! Y siguieron juntas.
Mientras jugaba con las niñas, comenzó a tener de nuevo esa sensación de pesades. Además se sentía observada, y no solo por Lory que al parecer notaba sus repentinos cambios de actitud. En un esfuerzo por mantener la calma respiro hondo y cerro sus ojos. Justo en ese momento un escalofrío recorrió su cuerpo. Y el llanto de Naty la hizo abrirlos de repente. -¿Que sucede? Grito. Naty llorando acusaba diciendo entre lágrimas: -Ella me pellizco. Y Lory se defendía diciendo: -¡Claro que no es verdad!
Pero al llegar mamá y ver el brazo de Naty enrrogesido, castigo a Lory dejándola sola en la habitación para que reflexionará sobre lo ocurrido, ya que se negó a disculparse, insistente de que no había sido ella. Rosy no había logrado comprobarlo, y fue junto a su pequeña hermana y le preguntó por qué lo había hecho. Pero Lory, contesto: -No fuí yo, ¡fue María!
Vio fijamente a su pequeña hermana sin saber que decir. Pero Lory continuó: -Tú la viste el otro día, ella solo quiere que seamos amigas, pero Naty no puede verla como nosotras. Creo que a María no le gusta jugar con ella. Rosy no podía ni imaginar todo lo que sucedía, no entendía mucho y no sabía si quería saberlo. Solo dijo a su hermanita: -Deja de decir esas cosas, sino te van a castigar. Debes dejar de hablar con esa niña, dile que se vaya.
Entonces Lory contesto: -Pero está es su casa. Y no dijo nada más a su hermana. La siguiente semana estuvo todo en calma. Todo parecía normal. Incluso Lory que era la que más alboroto hacia, estaba más tranquila. Pasaba horas jugando con su muñeca, distraída. Lucía por su parte ese día se encontraba algo pensativa, como fuera de sí. Y observaba a los niños más de lo normal.
Al caer la noche, mientras todos estaban en sus habitaciones y en el silencio de la oscuridad que llenaba toda la casa, se podía oír un golpe leve, como si llamarán a la puerta pacientemente pero insistente, como esperando poder entrar.
Imágen de Portada tomada de Pixabay. Imágenes tomadas desde mi móvil y editadas en PicsArt. No autorizo el uso de mis imágenes. Imagen creada en Canva.
