"I warned you not to let him in. He, the witchmaker, will turn you into what you fear most. My jealousy keeps me from speaking to you in person, as I can't bear that he visits you. I can only write this letter to urge you to leave and never return. Perhaps then, you'll have better luck than we did."
The handwriting was so neat Ana felt like she was reading a colonial letter. Yet the message made her jaw freeze in panic.
"The witchmaker," she reread in her thoughts. Though her memories weren't helping, she began to associate the seductive image of the eyes in her room with the idea of witches—a concept repeated endlessly since she had set foot in Villa Azul.
She needed to talk to someone. Maybe Leon could help her with this.
–Hey, we need to talk. I think I have a bit more info about what you told me the other day –Ana texted–
This time lunch was just coffee. The young woman had lost all appetite with the thoughts circling her mind.
What was she supposed to do in a situation like this?
–Good morning, Ana. Well, I have new info too, but today it's impossible for me to go there. Work stuff—I'm out of town –Leon replied after an hour–
–Not even a call? –Ana replied immediately–
–Maybe later, I'm not sure. You're worrying me. Are you okay?–
–As soon as you can talk, I'll be here. Don't worry, I'm fine. I just need someone to talk to–
Leon reacted with a heart emoji, as if to say he'd gotten the message.
Ana felt stupid for insisting like this, as if she weren't an independent adult able to live with and resolve the discomfort her new home caused. Still, Leon being unavailable felt like a harsh reminder that, in practice, she was alone.
The mystery crisis lasted several more minutes and consumed her whole breakfast. At some point, fear faded, and her tears came from sheer frustration.
When had she become like this—so weak and helpless? She had to change. If she stayed like this, she'd go insane.
But how do you solve an enigma? Where do you even start?
–God, who in their right mind would buy a house like this... –she muttered–
Suddenly her eyes opened wide.
–Of course! I could track down the previous tenants. Or the last owner. Or the first one! –she exclaimed. At last, she felt she had a more concrete goal to pursue.
–There was a basement here –she reasoned, recalling every horror book and movie in her mind– Maybe I'll find something down there–
The wooden door to the basement flew open after Ana's violent shove.
She wasn't scared. Maybe because she had already been down here with Leon, though it looked much more ominous now.
Still, she descended without much hesitation. The air below was oddly warm, which made little sense since hot air tends to rise, but she didn't dwell on it. It smelled strange—not unbearable, but definitely not a scent she'd want in a perfume. The stairs creaked gently, as though time had barely touched them.
Once at the bottom, she scanned the room. It wasn't very big, and besides the fuse box and a rusty shelf with loose wires, there wasn't much of note. But Ana was learning to look beyond the obvious.
In one corner, there was an opening—a small window facing the yard, offering a clear view of the sky.
Her imagination got the better of her again. She felt stupid for even considering the idea, but at this point, she didn't know what to believe anymore.
–What do you mean the moon reveals what? –Lara's voice on the other end of the line sounded just as confused as skeptical–
–I'm telling you, I've read about rituals like this. They talk about ink that can only be seen when hit directly by moonlight –Ana explained– Barely believing herself– I know it sounds crazy, but why else would there be a window pointing directly at the sky?–
–Maybe it's just a simple window...–
–Then how would you explain the whole witch mystery?–
Lara rubbed her eyes again. The last thing she expected on a Wednesday afternoon was a mystical breakdown from what she thought was her most grounded friend. She no longer knew how to talk to her.
–Listen. I think you need some rest...–
–You're the one who told me this place was cursed! –Ana shouted through the phone– And now you call me crazy!–
–But you're telling me there's a witch cult performing rituals with invisible ink that only shows under moonlight!–
–And how sane does it sound when you say there's a cursed town? What is that—science class? It sounds just as absurd!–
The call fell silent for a few seconds. Lara was looking for the right words to calm her friend, and Ana was wondering who might actually believe her. They'd been best friends since they were six, when they met at school. They'd grown up together, and although they shared many traits, it was exactly that similarity that sometimes repelled them. Their practical and orderly natures left little room for either to stand out. In a way, neither felt safe enough to share things that defied reason—like that time Lara didn't say she'd gotten back with her ex, or when Ana didn't tell Lara she was doing alternative therapy with Sofía.
"That's it! Sofía!" she thought.
–Hey... –Lara tried to sound as understanding as possible– I'm just saying all this is a little strange, and maybe the move, plus everything we talked about, is making you see things that aren't really there–
–You might be right –Ana lied– I'll just get back to work and it'll pass–
Lara sighed in relief, honestly happy for her friend.
–Good. You'll see—it'll all work out–
Ana couldn't believe Lara actually bought it. Still, the whirlwind of work and routine made Lara eager to resolve her friend's meltdown as fast as possible. They exchanged one last goodbye, and Ana ended the call.
It hurt that her best friend wasn't the support she needed right now. But she was glad to remember she wasn't completely alone.
–Wow, Ana, you're amazing –said Sofía, excited– How did you come up with that?–
–Well, I just connected the idea of the window with how many times I've seen the moon light up the house –she answered modestly–
She wasn't even sure her idea was valid—in fact, the more she repeated it, the more far-fetched it seemed—but Sofía was clearly convinced she was on the right track. And whether it was true or not, the encouragement meant a lot in such a tense and uncertain time.
–No, but it really makes sense. If we accept the existence of witches...–
–I've never seen a witch–
–Well, I mean, assuming that world is real. Witches, in most religions, were pagan women, so they'd naturally interact a lot with the moon—The Mother Goddess, ultimate symbol of femininity. Sure, the idea of a 'witch' doesn't usually imply someone who cares much about looks. But from what you've told me about your neighbors, in their cult, that might be an important aspect–
Ana hesitated, trying to process all the connections Sofía was making. She always thought that if her friend applied that intellect to more mundane problems, she'd be brilliant at anything.
–I don't get it–
–In the stories you told me, the 'witches' dress nicely. They care about how they look, like they're waiting for someone–
"Like they're waiting for someone..." Ana echoed in her head, now the one drawing connections.
–So –Sofía continued– considering that, it's very likely their rituals constantly include the moon—the ultimate feminine deity–
–I think I'm starting to understand–
–It's pretty straightforward. I'd say wait until night and see what happens in the basement. Maybe your guess was right–
–I'm a bit scared–
–Of course. As soon as I finish work, I'll start looking into this. Maybe I'll find something –Sofía said goodbye– Keep me posted–
That call ended with a mix of emotions. One of them was fear—having to go down there alone at night. Another, though, was a subtle calm.
She'd been feeling so lonely these past days that her life had veered off track. No matter what was happening, her spirit had sunk so low she barely recognized herself. At any other point, she'd have grabbed her cat and fled the house—back to the city, even if it meant losing all her money.
But now she felt she couldn't do that. She had to stay in that house, terrified, to solve a riddle that wasn't even really hers.
She spent the whole morning mulling it over. The whole afternoon trying to work. She used sunset to buy groceries wherever was open. The service was bad, indifferent, like no one in town wanted to be there.
She returned home and waited patiently for night to fall, watching any movie that might empty her mind. It didn't work. If she wasn't thinking of crimson eyes, she missed the comfort Leon gave her. Then came the despair of not knowing what was worse—being obsessed with demonic pupils or with a kind electrician.
Then the cycle started again.
After maybe two movies, night had finally fallen. The sky was closed off except for a sliver between clouds, revealing a majestic moon nearly full.
Ana gathered the little courage she had left. She had to go down. Maybe if she'd only spoken to Lara, she wouldn't have dared—but now the shadows were so intense, it didn't feel like just a staircase. It felt like a gateway to another realm.
The door barely creaked, just like the first time. From the top step, she was already shocked by how much light there seemed to be—not like someone had turned on a lamp, but certainly more than expected for a basement.
A few steps in, she gasped and covered her mouth, stifling a scream. From halfway down the stairs, she could clearly see a huge circle glowing faintly under the moonlight filtering through the small window.
She bolted from the basement, terrified—even though part of her had expected something supernatural, she couldn't help the panic. She rushed to the kitchen and huddled under the many lights she had installed, calling Sofía from there.
–Hello? How did it go?–
–There's something! There is—I'm not crazy! –Ana burst out– I know it sounds insane, but there's a huge circle glowing under the moonlight coming through the window!–
–Hey, calm down –Sofía said gently–
–Don't treat me like I'm crazy! It's there! You should come and—–
–I told you to calm down because I believe you. Actually, I was about to call you. I found some info–
–What? How? Where?–
–Well, I still have my contacts –she added with a smile– From what they told me, these kinds of circles are crucial in summoning rites. It's likely a previous tenant was trying to call someone—or something–
–You mean there's a demon summoned in my house?! –Ana gasped– Oh my God–
–Not necessarily a demon. Maybe it's not even a summoning circle–
–And how am I supposed to tell?!–
–Hey, I said calm down. I'm trying to help–
–You're right. I'm sorry–
She inhaled deeply five times, trying to slow her heart rate. Those yoga sessions had helped after all.
–These circles are usually made at two ends of the house. Typically opposite ones. So if one's in the basement...–
Ana felt her blood turn cold.
–...the other is in the attic–
The deep shiver almost made her drop her phone. Her legs trembled.
–Exactly...–
END OF CHAPTER 6