5. ENCOUNTER

They come to an abrupt halt, their expressions awash with concern. It isn't the first time they've faced rejection due to the appearance of their darling little daughter.

"Yes, she's our little girl," they confirm.

To their surprise, the lady says smiling. "Congratulations, she's absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you ever so much, ma'am," they reply, a wave of relief washing over them as they observe her genuine praise and the affectionate smile she bestows upon Gil.

"We've just arrived in town," the mother elaborates, readying herself to assist the kind lady. "We're on the lookout for a place to live and work."

"Well, it seems your luck is in," she offers promptly, sensing an opportunity. "I'm opening a new sweet shop and could do with some help. I'm looking for new staff and might even have a small flat you could rent behind the shop. I must warn you, though, it's rather run-down and would need some doing up."

"Oh, madam, thank you ever so much, thank you!" they exclaim in unison, bowing before her in disbelief at their good fortune. "Not to worry, we assure you we'll fix it up without any trouble. We accept your offer."

Both beam ecstatically as they follow the plump lady who has started to walk away, chattering non-stop, her smile broadening as she watches Gil skipping happily by her side.

"To begin with, the wages won't be substantial," she says, and as they exchange glances, she hastens to clarify, "but I shan't charge you rent. Nor can I pay for the flat's refurbishment. If you're agreeable to these terms, I'd be delighted to employ you."

Serafin and Nara can't believe it, they nod as he answers. "Yes, madam, we accept. Thank you so much; we were just about to start looking for something."

"My name is Rita."

"I'm Serafín, and this is my wife Nara and our daughter Gil," the man introduces his family with gratitude.

"Well, that settles it then. Come along with me. It was fortunate I found you. Serafín, you take the heavier boxes, Nara, you take the bunches of flowers and follow me; it's just at the end of this street. And precious Gil, you just come with us; you're the prettiest little girl I've seen around here."

"Thank you, madam."

They walk with their hands full until they reach a grand house. Mrs. Rita guides them around to the back entrance. They set down their burdens and step outside to wait for her, as she's occupied talking to someone, handing over the goods they brought. Embracing joyfully, they feel that everything might go well for them in this new place, at least until their daughter turns sixteen and they can finally revert to their true selves. They watch as their little girl crouches by their side.

Gil, oblivious to the world, is engrossed in playing with a twig when she senses someone watching her, but sees no one. Eventually, Mrs. Rita reappears and they hail a taxi to the sweet shop.

"This is my sweet shop, as you can see it's just opened. I used to live in another city where I had one, and now I've decided to start another one here. I don't want it to be too large, and with you two on board, it will be more than enough if you like the flat and are happy working with me. Let's go take a look."

The flat, in reality, isn't that small at all. It boasts two spacious bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, with a small patio at the back that adjoins the forest beyond. Serafín immediately starts to tidy up the scattered debris, while Nara sets about sorting the kitchen. She is delighted to find it practically fully equipped with all the household utensils they could need. They are very happy indeed.

"Serafín, Nara," calls Rita, and they come out to meet her.

Serafin steps forward and asks "Yes, Mrs. Rita?"

She with a broad smile points to her home as she tells them."Come over to my place; it's that one across the way. I want to give you a few things you'll be needing."

They follow her, astonished by how sociable and kind the woman is, and how she helps them as if they were family, asking for nothing in return. For some reason, they don't mistrust her; it seems to be in her nature. They exchange happy glances frequently, thinking that some deity must finally be lending them a hand.

"You really shouldn't trouble yourself on our behalf, Mrs. Rita. We are simple folk and are grateful for what you're doing. We can make do with what we brought," says Serafín.

"No, sir, you have a little girl; you need sheets, towels, and other things. I have far too much of all that. So no arguing, just follow me. I live alone in my house; my husband passed away a few years ago. My daughter didn't come back from abroad; she got married there," Mrs. Rita continues as she leads them into her vast house. "As you can see, I have more than enough to spare. I know it might seem odd that I treat you this way, but your little girl reminds me of my granddaughter. She's blonde and about the same age."

Understanding dawns on them, and they no longer refuse or say anything against it, gratefully accepting everything she offers in generous quantities. She laughs joyfully at the questions of Gil, who flutters around her, inundating her with inquiries that she happily answers while bestowing many things upon them.

"Nara, come here too," she calls and leads her down the hallway. "In this room, I have loads of clothes from when my daughter was a child. See what fits Gil and take it all. I'll help you get her into school."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Rita. You don't know what a huge help you're giving us; we will be eternally grateful, and you don't have to pay us. We will work all the hours needed to assist in the sweet shop, and if you teach me, I will learn and help you."

"Thank you, my dear. Just today I was wondering what I was doing here all alone. God must have sent you to me; my car broke down right in front of you. My daughter wants me to go live with her, but I went once and didn't like it and came back. Now seeing you with Gil, with nowhere to go, I said to myself, 'Rita, this is the family you've been looking for.'"

"We will be that family, Mrs. Rita; we will never leave you."

They accept everything Mrs. Rita offers, which is a lot. They won't need much for a long time. They adapt quickly to their new life. Gil now wears blue glasses that make her look different, but she likes them because people don't give her strange looks anymore. Mrs. Rita has her call her 'Grandma' and treats her as such, constantly gifting her things and taking her out everywhere. She truly feels like her granddaughter.

Nara and Serafín are the ones who practically run the business, especially Serafín, who is very good at organizing things, guiding and directing everything. She is truly happy, to the point where she has even asked them to move into the big house, but they prefer to stay where they are, although they join her for meals every day, enjoying the dishes Nara prepares.

Gil is sitting in her room, gazing out of the window at the forest. On full moon nights, for reasons unknown to her, she feels an overwhelming urge to go outside, lie on the grass, and watch it glow; it appears radiant and beautiful to her. Not only that, there's a voice in her head telling her he will come to see her, urging her to do it. But at the last moment, she gets scared and doesn't go out. However, tonight she's determined to do it.

She hears her parents go to bed after finishing their chores and stealthily slips out of the window. On full moon nights, she has always seen red eyes in the darkness watching her, calling to her. She's very curious to know to whom they belong; they don't seem threatening to her, they look at her with what she feels is love. She walks slowly to the edge of the forest; she knows he's there, she can feel it. Somehow, she can sense the owner of those eyes. For a moment, terror takes hold of her and she wants to run away, but something stronger than fear keeps her rooted to the spot.

She takes deep breaths, one after another, filling herself with courage. She closes her eyes at the sound of rustling leaves behind her; the footsteps approach slowly, cautiously, as if not to startle her, until they stop a short distance away. She hears a snort, turns slowly—still with her eyes shut—fearing what she might encounter, and extends her hand. She doesn't know why she has done it, but she doesn't retract it, remaining still, trembling with terror until something warm and damp brushes against it. She opens her eyes and is astonished by what she sees.

Gil remains motionless, feeling the snout in her hand. She closes and opens her eyes slowly as if she can't believe what is before her, right there in her palm. Startled, she jumps back, landing seated on the ground, and scrambles away as fast as she can, watching as the gigantic shadow doesn't follow her.

It's the largest wolf she's ever seen in her short life!

And there it is, watching her with those red eyes that scrutinise her. How on earth did she think it was a good idea to leave her room? She wants to scream, to call for her father, but not a single sound escapes her lips. She tries to stand and run, but her body doesn't respond; she's at the mercy of this predator that will surely make a feast of her, she thinks. It has been hunting her all this time; surely, as she sat by the window, it was waiting for the right moment to catch her, and she alone came to deliver herself into its jaws! What can she do now? It's three times her size or more. There's no escape. She closes her eyes as it advances towards her, bracing for what will happen next.