An ancient Paraguayan legend tells us that if you hear strange noises in your house, hear chain noises or see a specter wandering it is because nearby, very close, there is a hidden treasure. This happened to Dionysus. He and his family settled in a locality called Campo Nuevo. They began to build their house and soon began to hear strange noises, howling and mysterious voices. On one occasion, a shadow pushed Dionysius off his bike a few meters, and on another, a spectre, strongly shook an orange tree to bring down almost all the fruits. One night they heard a loud knock at the front door, Dionysius got up from bed to see what was happening. A shadow shrouded in fog wandered in front of the house. Fear took over the family and they seriously thought about leaving the farm as they couldn't keep an eye on it all night. They locked themselves up when night came and did not dare to go out until the sun came up.
Dionysius, who had heard the legend but had never believed in it, began to think that there was surely a treasure hidden in his property. They were humble and such a finding could give rise to an opportunity for progress for the whole family. The house had been left unfinished due to lack of resources. The cotton harvest had not been good and barely enough money to pay for the food. His wife, Azucena, was crying and his children wanted to move. They couldn't stand the idea of living with these mysterious presences. Azucena, he had a chicken coop with several chickens, three dogs and two cats. One night when the howls wrapped around the house, they heard cackling the chickens, bark at the dogs and meow at the cats with an unusual vigor.
Azucena, who was alone with her children fearing that some spectre might enter the house, piled several pieces of furniture against the door. The next day three chickens, one of the dogs and the two cats had disappeared.
The animals that vanished were all white. The ghost apparently didn't like white animals. Dionysius who was very brave, the next day bought a shovel and began to dig. The farm was large and progressed slowly.
Then he asked for help from two of his cousins and all of them turned the terrain with spikes and shovels. The howling and voices grew at night, his wife wanted to leave with her children, but Dionysius's enthusiasm and courage to discover riches calmed them at least during the day. Dionysius also knew from the stories he had heard until then that only one person should find the treasure. Legend said that if more than one person saw the treasure, it would disappear before their eyes. Tired of digging, they were about to abandon the search, when they thought to look towards some bushes. A glowing light, a mixture of mist and sun enveloped them. They ripped them off quickly. Although they were tired they continued to shovel with enthusiasm. There they found a wrapper made of dirty and dirty yarn sheets. Inside there was an old iron potty with lid. And inside the olita a handful of glittering Spanish gold coins.
Dionysius and his two cousins watched the discovery enchanted. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. At once, the olita and all its contents were transformed into coal, fading out of sight. Dionysius, listening to the ancient legend, told his cousins to leave to continue digging alone. They couldn't sleep that night. The ghosts knocked on the doors and windows, shaking them with incredible power. It was a supernatural force that made the whole house tremble. The next day, Dionysius took the shovel and dug deeper into the same place in the hope of finding something else. Another wrapper appeared in the same place. It was a wooden trunk wrapped in several layers of fabric. Probably sheets, but they were deteriorated by moisture and the passage of time. The trunk was locked with a very rusty iron lock. Dionysius quickly broke it with a tongs. When it opened, the fruit of so much effort was unfolded. The trunk contained a lot of jewelry. There were necklaces, headbands, hoops and bracelets. All of antique gold. Many set with precious stones of wonderful colors. An invaluable treasure. This time I was alone. I wait a while to make sure it wouldn't disappear. The treasure continued before his sight without disappearing as the legend tells. He told his family and cousins that they celebrated the discovery. Shadows and howls withdrew from the house. The chickens, the dog and the two cats reappeared. The ghosts no longer had to guard their treasure. We don't know where they went, they probably retired to rest, after so many years of wandering in the shadows guarding their fortune. There are countless legends whose origin is centered on the war in Paraguay. At that time, in the face of the advance of the enemy army, entire families had to move away leaving behind their property and belongings. As they could not carry everything on their back, many families chose to bury their treasures in the countryside to recover them once the war was over. These consisted mostly of gold coins and jewels with precious stones of very high value. Taking them with them was also a great risk as they were at the mercy of thieves and thieves. Many returned and dug up their belongings, but many others died in the war and their treasures were hidden in the countryside. New families settled and no one knew where those treasures were hidden. But they say, that if at night you hear shouts, noises of chains or see hidden shadows, it is that the souls of the ancient inhabitants are guarding their treasures and if you search well you will surely find a hidden treasure. End
Like every day, in the morning I meet several fifth-graders to walk to school. Carlos, my bank mate, the tallest and most stout of the course. Tavo, skinny and pale, always afraid of everything. Andrés, the carilindo, we call him the Facha, for which all the girls sigh, and I, Martin.
We always leave early, to chat quietly and we always go through a wonderful place. Actually, we never go in and from the street we can barely see anything. The property must occupy about two apples.It is surrounded by a very high wall, but a fence flanking the entrance. Through the fence we can see parked, dozens of rampage collectives. My dad says that when the collectives have an accident or the crash is very big, many times it is not advisable to fix them because it is very expensive, then they tow them to that tank and use them as spare parts for other vehicles.
The truth is, we only saw a man coming in or out in the morning who seems to be the caretaker.
For us it is like an inaccessible amusement park that we look at with the pretence of being able to enter without paying entrance fees. Many times it's our topic of conversation. Which way you can enter, what would happen if we jumped the gate, that if the lord will take care of him day and night, and so we continue to ramble on the possibility of entering the precious vehicle depot.
In the afternoon, when we returned from the gym class, we saw that the caretaker was closing the gate and then slowly walked towards the bus stop.
“No, we better go,” said Tavo with those eyes of a fearful lamb.
I looked at the clock and saw it was still early. Total! How long would it take for a ride? , with an hour enough and spare, I thought.
Carlos was already on top of the fence and gave us a hand to help us climb it. Tavo, as always, was the last. He hooked his leg on the crossbar and as he climbed, he said, “They're going to grab us, the police are going to come, they're going to beat us a flower.
Carlos angry yelled at him — either you shut up or you leave!
We were all inside. It was a paradise. Collectives of all colors and of all lines, carrying tremendous shocks. Some of them had been there for a while, because of the rust of the irons. Others seemed more recent. There were several of them on fire.
We were struck by intern 24 on line 106. All front and right side shattered. What would have happened? There was no healthy window left on that side, and the seats, upholstered in black leather, were shattered. The accident must have been terrible.
Intern 24 was half inclined, but we still went in to look. All but Tavo, who was petrified in the middle of the playon.
A thick fog began to descend. It's so wet. I thought.
Inside, we find between the twisted irons of the disengaged seats, a pacifier, a shoe, broken glasses, a diary, another woman's shoe. There were glasses the size of thick salt scattered inside. A baby shoe hung from the driver's rearview mirror. I thought it was possibly the lost belongings of the passengers.
A scream startled us. We got shot at the race. It was Tavo. - Something moved back there. Let's go! He said scared.
Carlos asked: - Which way?
The Fache, he told him - It's early yet. - Let's see! and ran off to the designated place, followed at a short distance by Carlos who was at his disposal.
I wanted to go investigate too, but I saw Tavo so upset that I decided to stay with him for a while and see what happened.
A few minutes passed and the impatience was affecting me. AND? I screamed with all my might.
Come on, come on! the voice of Carlos was heard. I grabbed Tavo's arm and said, “Let's see.
No! - No! I don't want to! protested
Oh, yeah. Either you come or you come! I told him and dragged him against his will.
There was a collective in perfect condition. Inmate 66 on line 60. Carlos and the Fache had settled inside. Carlos was sitting behind the wheel like a professional driver. We go upstairs and sit in the first seats. We all laughed funny. Even Tavo seemed happy with the discovery..
Suddenly the doors closed automatically.
What did you touch? I yelled at him.
Nothing! I didn't touch anything! I swear!
Suddenly the lights went on. - You touched something! He told him the Facha.
Carlos surprised shouted: - He swore not to you! And like a spring jumped out of the driver's seat to sit next to us, in the passenger seats.
We looked at each other strange. Tavo began to sweat from his nerves and rub his hands.
We had not come out of our amazement when the engine began to roar. The shift lever moved as if by magic and the collective began to move slowly through the playon, driven by who knows who. The ghost driver put second and advanced faster. Then third and finally passed in a few seconds to fourth.
The collective advanced along the beach, surrounding another group of vehicles parked in the center of it at great speed. We had to hold on to the seats so we wouldn't fall.
Tavo cried and shouted all the time. Soon the four of us accompanied his cries in chorus. Our cries were joined by ghostly laughter that added panic to that uncontrolled experience. Suddenly the back door bell rang. The ghost driver slowed down, the back door opened and closed in seconds to quickly return to race.
The four of us, unmoved without knowing what to do, saw the evening fall on our mysterious journey nowhere.
Speed prevented us from stopping.
Carlos began to crawl on the floor while holding on the seats and taking Tavo by the arm forced him to jump to the floor towards the back door. Suddenly, we heard the back door bell again, it was our chance to escape.
Carlos was already with Tavo by the door. The collective slowed down, brake and the door opened. Carlos and Tavo threw themselves out of the collective. Facha and I didn't arrive in time as the door closed again in seconds.
Carlos and Tavo, who were safe, looked at us in fear from the beach. And we continued our journey stretched on the floor by the back door, among the laughter of the Wraith that accompanied us, hoping that someone would ring the long-awaited doorbell.
The night was coming. Meanwhile, Carlos Y Tavo dragged a couple of decks to deposit them in the middle of that macabre track with the intention of arresting inmate 66. But the ghost maneuvered deftly dodging the obstacle as he pitched a laugh that resonated like a drum.
I thought we could never leave that sinister machine since the doorbell never rang again.
Carlos was still plotting a way to stop the collective. Then he stood to the side and stretched his arm. The driver stopped his departure and opened the front door to allow him to enter. But Carlos didn't go up. The driver, then, accelerated again in a crazy race.
With the Facha we crawl towards the front door and wait. Again Carlos stretched his arm in a new attempt to stop the crazy march. The driver braked and opened the front door. There we pounce and jump fast.
We were safe. A little bruised, but alive. We ran out, climbed the gate gate and reached the street. When we looked back. Inmate 66 of line 106 was parked in the usual place.
End
Aurora was a second or third cousin of my mom, She was already in her seventies, but she was not noticed because she was overflowing energy. Always cheerful, always jovial, was the soul of any meeting.
While she lived alone, because she did not want to disturb, she continually cared to make everyone around her happy. She was the one who organized surprise parties to entertain family and friends. She was the one who was always when someone was low or sad. The one who ran to take care of the first one who got sick. Aurora was a wild card or a scout, always ready.
He never complained because the money wasn't enough for him or because his fingernail or finger hurt. If anyone needed anything, I knew Aurora wouldn't fail.
But one good day, Aurora did not show up at the usual time, a while later we received a call from the Hospital. Aurora had decompensated herself and was hospitalized in a delicate state.
She spent several days in intensive care and then moved to a common room. We took turns to accompany her during the visiting hours and to feed her, although she refused.
One morning, I found her sitting, laughing, chatting with no one knows who, because the truth is that there was no one in the room. I felt a cold ice cream walking through my body. She kept the talk, laughed with laughter and I was despaired of not knowing what to do, as she completely ignored me.
Suddenly the lights went out and turned on again. I attributed the malfunction to a power failure.
Although it caused me a lot of anxiety, the nurses would walk in and out of the room without giving any importance.
I asked the doctor about Aurora's rare behavior and replied that it would probably be the effect of the medication.
So he continued day after day, chatting with his imaginary visitors, until one morning I managed to interrupt the conversation.
Aurora said to me: - I'm getting a costume party.
Who? - Who? I asked her between shy and scared.
All these people who came to see me. They're so funny!
All those people! What people? If it weren't for that strange feeling of being watched by spirits that invaded me, I could think Aurora had gone mad.
And when will the party be? I answered him, following the flow.
Wait till I ask them. And he asked them! He smiled while I was waiting for the answer. The situation gave me chills. The whole thing about sitting next to a person who talks staring at the wall wasn't funny. It was more like fear.
Saturday the 23rd at six in the afternoon. You're all invited. You, Inés, take care of the food. He makes little cards inviting everyone. Don't forget Porota, she always liked costume parties.
I don't know if they're gonna leave us. This is a hospital.
They say it's not going to be a problem. They organize them every day. Oh! Oh! And let them all come in a hat. It's the requirement to get in.
I didn't understand anything at all. I didn't know if I was living a dream or a nightmare. But just in case, I warned everyone I know.
The next day, I was more lively. The party was an important stimulus in his recovery. She kept talking, although so long in the hospital had made her lose track of space. He thought he was in his own house and asked me to catch up with him this or that thing that was in this or that place.
What are you going to disguise yourself as? I asked him.
Oh! - Oh! I didn't think so. Good question....
Make up your mind, 'cause it's gonna take me time to get the costumes.
What do you think of Fairy? Is it very common?
No, it's okay. If you like Fairy, you'll be a Fairy. I answered.
Bring a pointy hat. Let him get enough tulle off the tip and stick bright stars on it.
It's all right. I said, “Whatever you want.” I was willing to give her every taste. Aurora deserved that and much more.
When I left, there was a group of people in disguise at the door of the hospital. This seems to be an unusual hospital. Aurora was right. The authorities have no problem with the organization of such events. When I told the nurse on duty about Saturday's party she looked at me surprised. She looked at Aurora, she looked at me. She looked at Aurora again and said, “I thought she was much better. And he added, “What time?”
At night. Around eight o'clock. So, he grimaced his lips.
It's just my turn, he said. Thanks for letting me know, so I'm ready for the worst. Then he turned around and left.
What a weird comment! What a bad vibe! - Oh! I'm sure he doesn't like parties! I told myself.
It was obvious he was better, otherwise we weren't going to throw a party.
I got to work. I rented a fairy costume for Aurora. Personally, I put the hat together the way she wanted it. Then, with some old fabrics, I improvised costumes for the whole family. I didn't have time to cook, so I ordered sandwiches and pasta from a confectionery shop.
We met all friends, neighbors and family at the door of the Hospital. Everyone had to bring the drink they consumed. We went up trying to keep as quiet as possible. Suddenly I remembered that in the hurry of preparing everything and loading the car with food, I had forgotten the Aurora costume at home, hung on a hanger. I was overwhelmed by despair. It's about time. How could I have forgotten the most important thing?
Wait a minute! I said. I forgot the Aurora costume!
They all looked at me with a reproach face. What do we do now? He said my mom. I'm going to get him! Tomas screamed
But they had already opened the door to the room. The bed was empty and there was no nurse around to ask him what was going on.
We all seemed crazy. Disguised as chicken, bear, beggar, little riding hood, red chubby, cluttering the hallways of a hospital.
All of a sudden, we saw the nurse on duty approaching quickly. We pounce with questions. We wanted to know where Aurora was.
Are you ready for the party? He asked with his proverbial dryness.
No! - No! I forgot the Aurora costume. But I've already sent someone to look for him.
The appointed time has passed. Burn the costume. The nurse replied without changing her face. And he added, “Aurora suffered a cardiac arrest, but he'll be fine. You'll see.
The nurse's comment made me think she knew a lot more than she looked like. And that what Aurora saw was not a product of medication. That there was something real that no one dared to comment on.
On the advice of the nurse, the first thing I did when I got home was to burn the costume, something Aurora never forgave me. But I didn't care. I knew intimately that my forgetfulness had saved her from an announced death.
The next day Aurora was in perfect condition. But angry. Very angry at me. He said he ruined his party. That all his friends had disappeared because of me. That I was inconsiderate. That she would never have forgotten to bring a costume.
In a few days he was discharged and returned fresh as a lettuce to his house.
Her invisible friends, who had so much fun, had disappeared completely.
Maybe they're throwing another costume party in another hospital room.
End