In a small town in the mountains of PerĂş, there is a modest house. Inside it lives only an elderly man of over seventy years named Edgar Huamani. His wife left this world a few years ago, he sent his only son to study in the capital so that he could have a better future, and his friends only live in his memories. As a young man, he and his friends made rounds on the hill where they lived and kept the place safe. They lived many experiences of which now only he knows.
One day, a family made up of a father, a mother and a couple of children approaches the house of that lonely man and the children, excited, knock on the door, to which a worn but firm voice answers.
—Edgar: Who is it?!
—It's me, dad, I'm your son Juan.
—Edgar: Juan? (I open the door to see my son whom I hadn't seen in a long time).
Look at that... the important man finally found time to see his elderly father... (the anger and sadness were noticeable in his words).
—Juan: Father, don't start, please... my children wanted to meet you.
(Behind Juan were a girl and a boy, 8 and 10 years old, they looked at their grandfather with amazement and joy, they approached me to hug me).
—Edgar: Hahaha! What a surprise! (the joy was noticeable on my face; I bent down to hug my grandchildren).
—Hello, babies.
(Juan looked at the scene with some reservation and changed the subject).
—Juan: Dad, I'd like you to meet my wife, Julia.
(A young woman enters the house and, with a smile, introduces herself).
—Julia: Nice to meet you, sir.
(She observes how her children look happy, but her husband looks away).
—Edgar: The pleasure is mine (I get up and go to my chair to sit down).
—I'm sorry I can't stand for long, as time goes by my knees are not so strong, I have to save energy to stand for longer.
—Julia: Don't worry, sir. (He answers calmly).
(Edgar looks at his grandchildren with a small smile).
—Edgar: And what are their names?
—Juan: Their names are Gabriel and Ana. (He answers with a serious expression).
—Edgar: Ana... you named her after your mother. (I let out a small smile, while my son avoids answering).
(Gabriel and Ana look at everything in their grandfather's house and stare in amazement at some photos, local newspaper clippings and objects on the wall).
—Edgar: (He watches his grandchildren look at what he has on his wall). These are some memories of my stories from the past, when I was young and strong. (I answered somewhat nostalgically.)
—Gabriel: Grandpa, can you tell us about those stories?
—Ana: Yes! Please, Grandpa.
(both children expressed their desire to know more about their grandfather with joy and curiosity in their eyes, to which I could not help but respond.)
—Edgar: Haha! Okay, I'll tell you. (I approach the wall and look at an old photo, in which I was young with his friends, ten in total counting him.)
—Edgar: Pay close attention, this happened many years ago. I worked plowing the land with my friends and at night we made rounds on the hill to protect the town. I had recently married my beautiful wife.
(He begins to narrate, while the memories transport me to the past in my mind.)
—Edgar: Ana, I'm home! (I said happily upon arriving home).
—Ana: Hello, dear, how was your day? (My wife replied as she came out of the kitchen; she looked as radiant as usual).
—Edgar: It was a good day, but it's not over yet; then I have to go with my friends to do the night rounds. Lately, our neighbors' belongings have disappeared. (I said as I sat down in my chair).
—Ana: I'll have a good meal ready for you so you don't go hungry on your rounds. (I said as I returned to the kitchen). Speaking of which, the food is ready, sit at the table to eat.
—Edgar: Thank you, love. If it weren't for you, I would starve, haha. (I said as I headed to the table).
(After lunch, the hours pass and the sun begins to set.)
—Edgar: Well, it's time for me to go. (I said while I was getting my things ready for the rounds).
—Ana: Take care of yourself. (She hands him his food).
—Edgar: I'll be back late, you don't have to wait for me. Thanks for the food. (I say goodbye with a kiss and leave the house to meet up with my friends).
—Juan: We're all ready now, ready?
—Victorico: Yes, we have everything ready.
—Edgar: Although normally nothing happens on this hill.
—Luis: Better this way, I prefer it to be calm than to have a lot of problems.
—Manuel: Either way, we're prepared in case there are problems. (He said while holding a machete).
—Alejo: Yes, we're well prepared. (He says while holding a shotgun).
—Chusku: It won't be necessary, this hill is very quiet; If there is a thief hiding at night, we will find him.
—Emiliano: Don't underestimate the hill, my friend; there are stories that say that things used to happen near it.
—Lucho: They are just rumors that our parents told us to scare us.
—Pedro: Whether that's true or not, it's time to go up and start the patrols.
(Everyone goes up the hill and divides into five groups, each covering ground.)
—Edgar: It seems like it will be another quiet night, don't you think?
—Juan: I hope so, we just have to continue with the patrol for a few more hours and then we can return home.
(The night was quiet, the only thing that could be heard were the sounds of nature. The night sky shone, showing the stars in their splendor. Everything was so quiet that they both took a little break.)
—Juan: By the way, how is your married life going?
—Edgar: Everything is great, I married the right woman; Coming home and seeing her makes the stress of work go away.
—Juan: You're very lucky, my friend; I too would like to meet a good woman and get married.
—Edgar: Don't worry, she's coming soon... (he is interrupted by the sound of a horrible laugh nearby).
—Did you hear that?
—Juan: Yes, it sounded like a laugh... but it didn't sound like one of our classmates. What do you think it is?
—Edgar: I don't know, but we have to investigate. (Using my flashlight, I head with my friend to the place where the laughter was heard and we come to a hole in the ground).
—Juan: I think the sound is coming from here. Is it... a rabbit hole? (He carefully approaches what appears to be a small hole in the ground and tries to shine his flashlight on it).
—"Get out! Don't come closer!"
(A heartbreaking voice was heard coming from that hole.)
—Edgar: There's someone inside the hole; maybe an old man fell in. (I answered nervously but trying to keep my composure.)
—Juan: No, the hole... is too small for a person to fit in... and that voice... doesn't sound normal. (He answered with some fear.)
—Edgar: Calm down, I'll shine a light inside the hole... and you get your shotgun ready to shoot if something comes out. (I put my hand on Juan's shoulder to calm him down).
—Juan: Yes! It's okay. (He gets his gun ready, trying to calm down).
(I point my flashlight towards the hole, and immediately afterwards we hear a moan and something comes out of the hole so fast that we can't see it properly).
—Edgar: Ah! That's neither a rabbit nor a man. (I held my machete tightly). It hid behind those bushes; I'll scare it away and when it comes out, you shoot it! (I slowly approached the bushes, not knowing what I would find).
—Juan: Yes! (He answered nervously but determinedly, while pointing his gun towards the bushes).
(Upon reaching the bushes, I used my machete to repeatedly hit the bushes; then, something ran out of them.)
—Juan: I see it! (He pulls the trigger, but the gun doesn't fire.)
—What?
—"Damn them! They'll regret not leaving me alone."
(The creature said in a creepy voice as it slowly approached.)
—Edgar: (I try to shoot with my gun; it doesn't work either and the creature just laughs at my failed attempts.)
—Juan: We have to warn the others!
—"Idiots! I won't let them warn anyone!" (The creature exclaimed angrily, as it swings towards Juan's neck; upon touching him, he gives a heart-rending scream and runs away on all fours.)
—Edgar: Juan! Are you okay? (I went over to see him, but he wasn't seriously injured, just a few scratches.)
—Juan: Yes, I'm fine... he just knocked me down... and when he held my neck... he ran away... (He said, his voice still shaking; when we checked his neck, we realized that the reason why the creature had escaped after touching Juan's neck was because of the silver cross he was wearing on his neck).
—Edgar: That thing... I think it was a goblin. (Even though I was also scared of what we had just experienced, I tried to keep my composure), it must have gone to the abandoned mine.
—Juan: When I was a child... I also heard stories from my parents... that a goblin... lived in that mine. (Little by little he regained his calm).
(After a while all our companions arrived, since they also heard Juan's heartbreaking scream, and we explained to them what had happened).
—Lucho: A goblin...? I still can't believe they really exist... (he seemed somewhat scared).
—Victorico: According to his story, that goblin came out of a hole in the ground; we have to check it out. (He approached the hole in the ground pointing his flashlight at it).
—Chusku: (He looks out and sees many things inside the hole). They are the things that have been disappearing.
(Inside there was money, food and other things; little by little they take out everything that was there and put it in a sack to return it to its owners).
—Alejo: Now, what do we do about the goblin?
—Emiliano: He can't stay here; it's our duty to protect this hill from any evil that threatens the inhabitants. (He said very determinedly).
—Luis: I think we all agree with that, now we must think about how we will deal with the goblin.
—Manuel: According to what they told us, firearms and machetes didn't work, right?
—Edgar: That's right; on two occasions, Juan and I tried to shoot him, but the guns didn't fire; then I attacked him with the machete but it didn't go through.
—Juan: It's strange that our shotguns misfired; they were fine before. (He points his gun in the air and shoots; this time it works.) I don't understand...
—Pedro: I think you should go see Father José tomorrow; maybe he can give us an answer. Besides, the only thing that drove that goblin away was Juan's silver cross.
—Juan: Yes, that's true; I think that will be the best.
—Lucho: For now, let's go back to our houses and give back everything that the goblin stole.
(We all nodded and went back to our houses. When we arrived, I didn't know whether to tell my wife what happened; I didn't want to scare her or spread panic in the town, so I just avoided the subject of the goblin. The next morning, my friends and I went to return the belongings stolen by the goblin to their rightful owners; after that, we went to Father José's parish, who received us very kindly as usual.)
—Father José: Welcome to the house of God, what is the reason for your visit? (He received us all.)
—Lucho: Father, we have a delicate matter that we have to discuss with you.
—Juan: Yes, but we want it to be handled discreetly.
—Father José: I understand, let's go to my office; there we can talk privately about the issue that worries you. (He takes us to his office and closes the door.) Good, now we can talk calmly.
—Luis: Father, we have a problem.
—Father José: That seems to be it; what is it about, children? (He says while sitting in his desk chair).
—Lucho: Yesterday, while we were making our rounds, Juan and Edgar ran into what we can only describe as a goblin.
(Upon hearing that answer, the father's calm expression changed to a more serious and worried one).
—Father José: Are you sure about what you saw, children? (He said while looking at us seriously).
—Juan: That's right, father; these scratches on my face were made by him. (Pointing to his wounds).
—Edgar: Both Juan and I tried to shoot him with our weapons, but they didn't work; the weapons stopped working at that moment and, although I attacked him with my machete, it didn't go through him. (I described the situation trying to remain calm).
—Victorico: Yes, what was the reason for that?
(After a short pause, Father José, with a serious look, answered.)
—Father José: When it comes to these beings, firearms tend to fail in their presence, as do electrical or battery-operated devices. As for why he could not be pierced by the machete, it is because common weapons do not cause much damage to these beings.
(There was a sudden silence from everyone until I broke the silence.)
—Edgar: So, there is no way to hurt them? (I said with some frustration. Then I remembered something.) The cross that Juan wore on his neck was the only thing that was effective against the goblin.
—Father José: Sacred or blessed objects can harm them.
—Alejo: So, can you bless our weapons, Father?
—Chusku: That way we'll be better prepared if we run into that goblin again.
—Pedro: We can't allow a vile creature to wander around; we have to eliminate it.
—Father José: Although I can't help you fight, I can support you by blessing your weapons so that you're not unprotected. Also... (He stands up and goes to a cupboard in the corner of his office, opens it and takes out several rosaries with the wooden cross). These are rosaries that I made and blessed myself; I hope that they protect each one of you. I will also pray for you and that you all get home safe and sound.
(Father José blesses our machetes and then says a prayer with us for God to protect us. Then, we each return to our homes to prepare. When Ana arrived, she could tell that something had me nervous.)
—Ana: What's going on? (She approaches me and puts her hand on my shoulder.)
—Edgar: No... it's nothing, honey. (I try to control myself; I don't want her to know what I'm going to face at night.)
—Ana: (With an authoritative voice she answers me) Don't lie to me, Edgar! (She stares at me and then, with a softer voice, she says) If something happens to you, you can talk to me; I'm your wife.
—Edgar: Ana... sorry, I didn't want to worry you. (I approached her and hugged her.) When night falls, my friends and I will go out to make the rounds to keep everyone safe.
—Ana: (She looks me in the eyes and knows there's something I didn't want to tell her, but she accepts knowing that I'm just trying to protect her.) It's okay, love; but remember that you can always talk to me.
—Edgar: I know, honey; thanks for understanding. Now I feel calmer.
(At dusk, my friends and I met up to find the abandoned mine and put an end to the goblin that disturbs the peace of our town.)
—Lucho: The mine is higher up; it was abandoned due to poor security and constant accidents.
—Victorico: Do you think we are prepared for this?
—Juan: We did everything we could; at least this way we won't be as defenseless as the first time.
—Chusku: Maybe we should also ask the old shaman if there is something we can do against the goblin.
—Pedro: That shaman... if I'm not mistaken, he lives deep in the hill, inside a cave, right?
—Edgar: That's what I heard, but I've never seen him in person; I don't know if he's a charlatan or a real shaman.
—Luis: From what I heard, he is a genuine shaman, one of the few who still practice the ancient Andean magic from the times before the conquest.
—Alejo: Unfortunately, it is too late to look for that shaman; we are very close to reaching the mine, we will have to deal with this with what we have now.
(As we approached the mine, tension and a feeling of danger hovered in the air; the sounds of nature were gradually fading away. When we reached the mine, it looked very deteriorated, it gave the impression that it could collapse with a wrong step.)
Pedro: We're here... we have to plan this well. Half of us will go into the mine to find the goblin and eliminate it; the other half will stay here. Juan, Edgar, Lucho, Alejo and I will go in... if we don't manage to get out... I want you to break the support beams of the mine to destroy the entrance; that way, the goblin won't be able to escape.
(We all remained silent for a few moments after his explanation, then we nodded and looked very serious. We all knew how dangerous this was, but each one of us present was willing to give their lives for the protection of our people. In difficult times, Pedro always showed the qualities of a leader; if he advanced, we would follow. That's why I ventured into the mine with my other friends.)
—Pedro: Let's move forward carefully; the mine is old and we don't know where the goblin will appear. (He told us while holding his flashlight, leading the way.)
(We accompanied him in silence, as we advanced step by step; we could only hear the echo of our footsteps. When suddenly that echo was drowned out by a heartbreaking voice that resonated throughout the mine.)
—"You!... damn it!... will pay for stealing my loot!"
—Pedro: Don't be alarmed! Everyone stay together! (Upon saying that, we all immediately positioned ourselves covering each other's backs and watching our surroundings.)
—"You'll regret the day you broke into my home!"
(The voice resonated throughout the mine, as if he were everywhere. We couldn't help but feel fear, yet none of us backed away; cold sweat ran down my forehead as we advanced step by step and smelled the sulfur that grew more intense.)
—Lucho: That horrible smell is stronger; definitely... we're close.
—Alejo: We mustn't get distracted and we must keep a close eye on our surroundings.
(At that, a chilling laugh was heard that was getting closer and closer; we all quickly pointed our flashlights at the place where the laughter was coming from and we saw the figure of the goblin approaching us slowly. He was half a meter tall, dressed in torn clothes similar to those of a mine worker, his skin was reddish, his head was disproportionate, with two small horns on his forehead, with a prominent nose, pointed ears, yellow eyes, with a thin texture, long arms, a hunched posture, long fingers that ended in small but sharp claws, he had a goat's leg, a tail, a terrifying smile accompanied by a row of sharp teeth, a snake's tongue and he held a mine pick as a weapon.)
—Pedro: The goblin! (He held his machete tightly and, at the same time, we all did the same, but the goblin only started laughing.)
—"I've been called many things over time... Goblin, imp, chullachaqui... But in this region their ancestors called me... El Muki! Haha..."
—Edgar: I don't care what your name is; you're not welcome here! (I held my machete tightly, trying to remain calm in front of that terrifying being.)
—Muki: Haha, you can act brave, but you and your friends are out of luck; nothing you do will work against me. (Step by step he approached us, always showing a sinister smile full of sharp teeth and moving the mine pick he used as a weapon from side to side).
—Pedro: We'll check that now, monster! (He launched himself at the Muki using his machete to attack, but before hitting him he managed to step back and evade the blow, only managing to cause a scratch on his chest, which made him bleed).
—Muki: ...You?... how?... (his voice contained a lot of anger and disbelief at what happened).
—Lucho: Our weapons have been blessed; now they are lethal to you! (He said with more confidence now that he saw that the blessed weapons worked).
—Muki: Don't be so arrogant; just a small scratch on me... (His voice sounded very angry. He took a few steps back and his whole body turned into smoke and disappeared before our eyes).
—Pedro: Everyone! Put your backs together! (Immediately we all obeyed, protecting each other's backs while we watched the surroundings. From above us, a cloud of black smoke formed and from it came the Muki attacking us with the beak as a weapon. The blow blew off Lucho's helmet, who fortunately only received a non-lethal wound on his head, while the Muki stood up laughing at having managed to attack us from an unexpected angle).
—Muki: Ha ha ha! Now do you understand, mortals? You can't finish me off!
Lucho falls to the ground with a wound on his head, he couldn't stand up alone.
Pedro: You're not welcome here, tonight we'll take care of you, no matter what! (His expression was very serious and determined, which gave courage to the rest of us)
Muki: Fools! I have lived since before your ancestors set foot on these lands and I will live longer than your descendants! (He said in a mocking tone, slowly approaching us dragging the pickaxe in his hand).
—Juan: Lucho! Wait, I'll help you. (While Juan helps Lucho to stand up, Pedro, Alejo and I take charge of attacking the Muki; but before receiving a blow from our machetes, the Muki changes shape to that of a fly and flies away towards Juan).
—Edgar: Juan, watch out! (I take a bottle of water out of my backpack and just when the Muki returns to its true form to attack Juan and Lucho, I throw the bottle towards the Muki. He could see the bottle and breaks it with his beak, but at that moment the contents of the bottle that splashed on the Muki began to burn his body and he let out a cry of pain that echoed throughout the mine).
—Muki: Damn them!... what... did... they... do to me?! (He exclaimed with anger and pain, while the water that had fallen on him evaporated as if it were smoke from a fire on his skin).
—Edgar: That bottle contained holy water; it seems that it was more effective than I imagined. (While saying this, Juan takes the opportunity to take Lucho along with us).
—Alejo: Good thinking! I almost forgot the holy water that Father José gave us! (He exclaimed enthusiastically while searching for his bottle of holy water in his backpack).
—Muki: Don't even think... that I'll let you use that again. (He shouted angrily and threw the pickaxe towards Alejo's bottle, breaking it, then he stretched out his hand and attracted his pickaxe to it as if it were a magnet)
Pedro: (He launches himself with all his strength with his machete, but Muki blocks the blow using his pickaxe, which breaks with the impact), You lost your weapon, damn it!
Muki: (laughs in a macabre way) I don't need that rusty pickaxe, did you forget where we are?
This whole mine belongs to me! (Raising his hands makes the whole mine tremble, it was as if the mine itself was afraid of the power that Muki had. Small debris fell and we all tried to cover ourselves, while Muki just laughed)
Pedro: (After analyzing the situation for a few moments he answered) It's a lie! You can't control the mine at will, you know that one wrong step and the whole mine will collapse.
Juan: It's true, you would kill us but even if that doesn't kill you, you would be trapped here without being able to escape and your treasures would be lost (he said while holding the wounded Lucho)
The Muki changed his expression to a more serious one and the mine stopped shaking
Muki: You still haven't seen everything I can do... (He laughs and then spits fire from his mouth towards Alejo)
Edgar: Alejo, get on the ground and roll! (He ignored me and Pedro ran towards him to help him, managing to put out the fire before it caused serious injuries)
The Muki only laughed, he enjoyed seeing us suffer, our desperation was noticeable, what could we do as mere mortals against a creature that has been in this world for hundreds of years. When I think about it, it seems very arrogant of us to believe that we could defeat something like that, however we had already managed to hurt it and knowing that gave us hope to continue.
Muki: Now who will be next? (While laughing he looked at us and then his gaze focused on me and he ran on all fours towards me)
—Edgar: Damn! (I try to hit the Muki with my machete, but it turns into a bat and evades my attack in the air; then it returns to its original form and rips the hand with which I hold my machete with its claws, making me drop it).
—Juan: Edgar! (He and the rest of my companions run towards me to help; the Muki notices and spits fire from its mouth, creating a line of fire to separate me from the rest of my friends).
—Pedro: There is no other way! We have to use the holy water to put out the fire and help Edgar. (Everyone took out their bottles of holy water and began to put out the fire, while the Muki turns into a goat, attacks me to knock me down; then it climbs on top of me and returns to its original form, it was thinking of ripping my throat out with one bite).
—Lucho: Pedro... we still have one last weapon... (He exclaimed, still shocked by the blow to the head he had received).
—Pedro: You're right! We're going to use that! (Everyone took out the last blessed weapon we had from their backpacks. The Muki jumps towards my neck, but is stopped with a whip, which binds his neck).
—Muki: What...? (Before I could finish speaking, Alejo and Juan, using their whips, tie both of the Muki's hands, immobilizing him).
You can't... do... this to me! (He exclaimed with difficulty, with the blessed whip squeezing his throat and preventing him from transforming).
Pedro: Now Edgar! (I could see the hope in the eyes of all my companions, placed on me)
—Edgar: This ends tonight, damn it. (I raised my machete and hit the Muki's neck hard, managing to separate his head from his body; black blood flowed from his body and a rotten smell).
—Muki: I curse you! If you think... that your beloved hill will be at peace... after my... death, you are... wrong... your lives... will never find peace! Hahahaha! (With his last laugh, the Muki died and both his head and body began to disappear, enveloped in sulfur-smelling flames.)
The echo of the battle resonated in the mine, and although victory was ours, fear and uncertainty remained.
The atmosphere in the mine became dense after the defeat of the Muki. The echo of his laughter faded, but his words resonated in the minds of Edgar and his friends. Despite having won the battle, they knew that the war for the peace of their people was not over.
Juan: (Still trembling from the proximity of danger, he approached me and asked) Are you okay, friend?
Edgar: (with my hand still shaking from adrenaline, I nodded as I tried to regain my breathing) Yes, but we must get out of here. We cannot stay any longer; this place is cursed (I answered, looking around as if the Muki could return at any moment)
The friends began to make their way back, while the tension in the air slowly dissolved. As they approached the exit, the group discussed what had happened.
Lucho: I can't believe we faced a real goblin (he exclaimed, touching his bandaged head). I never thought our parents' stories were real.
Pedro: What matters is that we have protected our people (he said, trying to keep the group's spirits up). And thanks to Father José's blessing, we were able to face him.
As they left the mine, they found themselves in the cool night air. The stars shone in the sky, as if celebrating our victory. However, the feeling of unease still persisted.
Alejo: What now? (he asked, looking at his companions). What if there is something else left on the hill?
Edgar: It will be best if we keep vigil in the village for a few more nights. We cannot assume that we are safe.
As they returned to the village, the conversation turned to how they could help the neighbors who had suffered from the Muki's antics. They decided to organize a meeting with all the inhabitants to tell them what had happened and offer support.
Upon reaching the village square, they met several neighbors, worried about the men's absence during the night. Seeing them arrive, the villagers approached, eager to hear what had happened.
Pedro took the floor, his voice resonating firm and clear.
Pedro: Friends, we have faced an evil being that has disturbed our peace. What happened in the mine was real and dangerous, but we have defeated it. However, we must not let our guard down.
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some were incredulous, others were afraid.
Edgar: It is important that we all be alert and take care of our homes. We will meet every night to watch over and protect our town. After that, the ten of us met to talk before returning to our homes.
Chusku: And what will happen if the Muki returns? (he asks with some fear)
Juan: He won't return (he answered with determination)
Pedro: But if he does, we will be prepared.
Luis: Since we all returned home in one piece, how about we capture this moment in a photo? (We all thought it was a good idea, so we went to his house, he had an old camera and after we all got together, we took the photo. When we finished, we all returned home)
With the promise of protection and the unity of the town, my friends and I felt stronger. As I walked, I looked up at the starry sky and remembered the words of the Muki: "your lives will never find peace." A chill ran down my spine, as if something inside me was telling me that this was just the beginning.
I knew that even though we had eliminated one threat, there would always be others lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. Deep in our hearts, we knew that the fight to protect our home would never end.