After the emotional ceremony, we slowly left the library. There were still small tensions between Luise and Nacho, but things seemed to be getting better. Mina, on the other hand, was very quiet, and that bothered me quite a bit, but part of me didn't want to ask why.
"I think we have everything we desire," I said to Nacho, looking at the map.
"And now?" he asked me.
The three of them stared at me intently, with a rather uncomfortable silence in the air, expectant and anxious for the answer, almost as if what came out of my mouth would define everyone's future.
Nacho and Luise stared deeply into each other's eyes, he with his hands in his pockets and she with her arms crossed, while Mina held a book, her favorite book, in her hands.
"Give me a moment to meditate and we will decide; I believe there are things that need to be clarified before we leave. I'll return to the chapel for a moment," I said, looking at Nacho and Luise.
I returned slowly to the chapel, admiring all the ornaments and small treasures that adorned that place so beautifully. Once on my knees, I crossed my arms again and implored God for some sign about where we should go. I wanted to go directly to Judea, but I needed to be sure it was God's will and not just my own impulsiveness, so I closed my eyes and opened my spirit to hear His words in my heart.
"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long," I murmured.
I felt that push again, and my eyes seemed to see three points from above, blinking like three stars. I recognized the first two clearly. In one, I saw a desert, a sandstorm, and the silhouette of what seemed to be a cave slowly emerging from the sand; it must be the place where the jar containing the cure was located.
The second point transported me to Africa, where I could see Anastasia. She seemed to be gazing into the horizon with a melancholic face while writing in some kind of notebook. I seemed to hear her sobs and feel a tremendously deep pain as she tried to feel out each letter in what seemed to be a diary. I wished fervently to embrace her and console her, whatever the reason for her feeling such pain. I could visualize Amalia and go to her aid; that brought me peace.
The third point was the closest geographically, but it had a sinister air. At the top of a partially snowy cave, shrouded in mist, ruby eyes flashed from its depths, and a woman finally emerged. The connection seemed to be interrupted, and this vampire suddenly took control and said to me, "Your golden princess is in danger, the lives of your friends hang by a thread. If you wish to know how to help them, you must come to see me. I have seen your destiny, and our travels have inevitably crossed paths."
My meditation was abruptly interrupted; I could no longer hear the beep of the satellite I was using or any other machine. This vampire was able to detect my presence, cut off the signal, and use her own means of communication to reach me from a distance.
I thanked the Almighty Father, made the sign of the cross, and finally left the chapel, where Mina was waiting for me.
"And?" she asked.
"I know where I must go," I smiled and sighed.
We went back up to the library, and I saw Nacho and Luise embracing.
"Ahem..." I interrupted. "I know where we'll go," I said to Nacho.
"And where?" he asked.
"Finland, to a very remote place; we'll visit someone there," I replied.
"Who will we visit there?" he asked again.
"A vampire. It gives me a bad feeling, but I feel we should pay her a visit," I said seriously.
"Well then, we're ready for action!" he smiled.
It was already dark, so it was time to leave. Luise looked at both of us and hugged Nacho again.
"Please, forgive me! I beg you! Don't go! Will you come back to see me?"
Nacho looked at the sky. I had never seen him hesitate for a woman in my life. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to stay, but Luise's marital status made it very difficult for him. Besides, things could quickly get out of control.
"Just take care of your old man, treat him as if it were me. I, I, I can't give you more, I'm sorry." Nacho seemed to close his eyes, clearly containing the pain.
Luise guided my gaze, putting her hands on my cheeks and imploring me, fixing her eyes on mine. "I beg you. Take care of him! I want him to come back. Will you come to visit us again?" She asked.
I couldn't answer. Mina looked away. Nacho decided to leave because he couldn't contain himself anymore, apparently.
"I don't know, there are too many things that could happen. Our lifestyle is like that." I was frank and sincere; it was the truth. Luise smiled and finally took a few steps back, not without asking Mina to accompany us outside.
Outside, Nacho contemplated the landscape, and I turned to Mina, saying, "Well, friends, it has been a pleasure. We are very grateful for your hospitality; we will remember you forever. A vampire never forgets, even if they wish to." I smiled.
Mina gave me one last hug, which seemed to take an eternity. I felt her scent again, and I could understand why Nacho didn't want to leave, but there was a difference: Nacho seemed to have truly fallen in love with Luise, while I saw in Mina the memory of Marie, and that wasn't fair to her.
I gathered strength and could delicately pull away from Mina. She still held the vampire romance novel in her hand and hugged it tightly, saying, "This book will always remind me of our ephemeral but intense friendship between us." She emphasized "intense friendship" in quotes, which brought laughter among all of us.
"But remember, there is much more in the real world than in there." I pointed to the book.
"You criticize the book a lot, it seems. Have you even actually read it?" She asked.
"Oh, it sounds just like Marie," I thought. Finally, I replied, "Yes, at my wife's request, may she rest in peace. I must say that the romance between the vampire Edmund and the human Ivy is unacceptable and toxic. The abusive power that the vampire has over the human..Yikes! He is possessive and denigrates the girl, treating her like a pet, also he is reckless, and he expose himself to probably give in to his bloodlust and kill her! How can girls romanticize such a thing? Too cliché for me. I will never understand it, I guess women love bad boys." I ended with a smile.
"My God, cousin, how pretentious you are! It's just a damn book, let her be happy!" Nacho rolled his eyes.
Mina simply laughed at my apparent criticism, saying, "Blah, blah, blah. I just heard that you don't want to admit it, but you loved the book. Anyway, fantasy is fantasy, reality is reality, don't worry, I get it."
"Thank you for understanding, and sorry for getting carried away!" I exclaimed, while Nacho shook his head, as I felt embarrassed by my exaggerated criticism, realizing that I did sound like a pedant.
Finally, Nacho said goodbye to Luise, and Mina gave me one last hug, whispering in my ear before continuing my journey:
"You will always be my Edmund, dear Gonzalo, never forget that."