The First Encounter with Christine
With a lot of material produced I approach the bungalow where the major lives. His approval was required for further publication of the work. Along the way, ideas come to me and I figure I would mention them to him. I think better of it and end up giving up the idea because the major was a hard man and generally did not accept suggestions. I walk a few more steps and finally I come to the residence. When I clap, a beautiful girl comes to greet me.
—What do you want, sir?
—I have come to speak with the major.
—He's not here. Can you come another time?
—No problem. May I speak with you? You are Miss Christine, aren't you?
—Yes. My name is Aldivan and I'm a reporter for the Capital Newspaper. I work for your father.
—Oh, my father has spoken about you. You're doing articles about him, aren't you?
—Yes. In addition, I am interested in your story. Could we talk for a minute?
—My story? I think that it doesn't concern you.
—I insist. I can help you find yourself. Give me the opportunity.
Suddenly, Christine's eyes fix on mine and our chains of thought unite. In a few moments, she has the opportunity to get to know me a little better. She thinks awhile and decides.
—All right, I'm going to get two chairs for us to sit down here on the porch.
She enters the house and comes back shortly after. She sits next to me and I can smell her delightfully natural scented perfume.
—Well, Christine, what caught my attention was the news I read in the paper in Recife recently. It spoke of a tragedy and about you as a person.
—What is written is true and was reported throughout Pernambuco. I'm a monster! I'm a monster! I ended that boy's life. He was a victim of that situation just like I was. Now, after the tragedy, I'm alone and everyone runs away from me. I don't have any more friends, not even God. I'm at rock bottom.
—Don't say that, Christine. If you feel guilty then stop because what happened was a sordid plot of the forces of evil represented by Clemilda. They took everything from you, even your God. If you react, there may be hope.
—How do you know all this? Who are you really?
—If I tried to explain it to you now, you wouldn't understand. I want you to know that, in me, you have a great friend, forever. You are no longer alone.
Tears pour down Christine's face with my sincerity. She hugs me and says she's been lacking in affection lately. I try to restart the conversation.
—Tell me, how was your experience at the convent. Did you find God there?
—Yes, I did. However, we can find God anywhere. He's in the water of the waterfall that descends, completely delivered to its destination, He's in the singing of the birds at daybreak, and He is in the gesture of the mother who protects her son. Anyway, he's inside of us and asks to be heard continuously. When I figured this out and learned to listen to him I understood that my vocation was not that of being a nun. I learned that I could serve Him in other ways.
—I admire you for this gesture and I agree with your definition. How many people deceive themselves their whole lives and give themselves up to paths in life that are not for them. Sometimes, this happens under the influence of parents, society, or just not knowing how to listen to that inner voice that we all have and that you call God. Since you decided to leave the religious life, I assume you have found love.
—Yes, but I don't want to talk about it. It still hurts so much, the tragedy, and all the events preceding it.
I resolve to respect Christine's silence and dare not ask her anything more. I say farewell and ask if we could talk some other time. She says yes and that makes me happy. My first encounter with Christine had been a success.
Return to the Castle
After the first encounter with Christine, I decided to again face the powerful sorceress Clemilda. She had to know that the forces of good were at work and that the Ministry of Evil was coming to an end. With this in mind, I go again to the dreaded black castle. It has the same aspect as the time before and I start shivering, breathing irregularly and my heart was rather accelerated. What kind of mystique was this? The "opposing forces" were shouting within me. While getting closer, troubled and confused voices try to get me off of my path. I kneel on the floor and try to clear my mind to proceed. The voices are really strong. I begin to remember the teachings of the guardian, the challenges and the cave. I also remember my meditation and how it helped me. I apply what I learned and start to feel better and I can continue. I get up and walk the last steps, finally arriving. The access door instantly opens and without fear I go through it. The horror scene of the time before repeats itself but I don't pay any more attention to it. Firm and resolute, I go to the hallway where I am greeted by Totonho, one of Clemilda's cronies. He sends me to a room. Inside, in the center, is Clemilda wearing a hood.
—To what do I owe the honor of another visit from the Seer? Have you come to congratulate the work that I do in this rustic place?
—Don't start with me. You know, even more than I, that the imbalance in the "opposing forces" is threatening Mimoso and even the universe. I want you to leave here as soon as possible. The hurt you have caused people, particularly a young girl named Christine is too much. I'm glad that I became friends with her and I'm starting to make her see her own destiny.
—I doubt you'll be able to convince her to be a confident, totally guilt-free, young girl. The tragedy affected her senses and feelings. About the "opposing forces," you're right, but it won't be easy to get me out of here. I propose a deal. If you persuade Christine to really change her course and if you complete three challenges on three different days you'll be entitled to a final battle. The "opposing forces" will meet and face each other, and whoever wins will rule for eternity.
—A battle? Isn't it dangerous? The universe is in danger of disappearing if something goes wrong.
—You have no choice. It's take it or leave it. Do you really want to save Mimoso? Then face the force of "Darkness."
—Deal. I'll do it.
Having said that, I retired from the room and searched for the exit. A war was about to begin between the "opposing forces" and I was one of the main characters of this confrontation. I didn't know what was going to happen but I was willing to do anything to reverse the imbalance of "opposing forces" and help Christine.
The Message II
The meeting with Clemilda let me know that I had to act immediately and put my plan into action. The war between the "opposing forces" was declared and I had a major role in it. So I decided to write a note, addressed to Christine, inviting her for another meeting. After I wrote it I called Renato and asked him to deliver the note into her very hands. He took it and left without delay. About twenty minutes later he came back, bringing along with him the answer. I grab the paper carefully and open it slowly as if I am afraid of the answer. It contains the following message: Meet me at 7:00 AM at the road to Climério. I'm glad to hear that she accepted the invitation and my hopes of recuperating her increase. She was a key player in the fight against the force opposing us.
Trip to Climério
The day of the meeting was finally here. I get up and arrange the most appropriate strategy to be used at the meeting. I go to the bathroom and take a bath, brush my teeth and go to have breakfast. After completing all of these steps I'm ready to go out and find Christine. The meeting place I knew well. It was in Climério, located east of Mimoso. With the disposition that I had woken up with, I start walking towards the meeting place. It was past 7:00 AM and exactly at this time Christine should have already left her house. The memory of our first encounter comes to mind and I wonder if Christine trusts me already because she was plenty retracted during the first moments of the interview. Well, no wonder. I was a stranger, a stranger that turned out to be extremely knowledgeable of the details of her life. This generates an unprecedented impact. I'm glad that I had stated clearly that I
wanted to be her friend and seeing how she felt extremely lonely lately, she accepted, at least temporarily, my counsel and my advice. Now I was ready for the second stage which was the most important.
I walk for some time in the same direction and further along I see the figure of Christine. Immediately, I start running to meet her.
—How are you, Christine? Did you have a good night?
—Since the tragedy happened, I haven't had any good nights. I always dream about my marriage and everything that happened there. I don't know how long I'm going to live like this.
—You need to let it go, Christine. Forget the guilt and remorse because they only harm you. I learned that in life we must live in the present moment and forget our hurtful past. The good times are the ones we should remember in order to strengthen ourselves and continue walking with our heads held high.
—Those are just words. The pain I feel inside is still too much.
—One day you will overcome it. I'm sure of it. Well, Christine, I have something serious to talk to you about. It is about this witch Clemilda that invoked the powers of darkness to take over the village of Mimoso. She was responsible for the tragedy and all the other bad events here since then. I confronted her and I am determined to end her reign. In response, she offered me a deal. Now, I need to gather the "forces of good" for a battle. What do you say? Are you ready to defend me in this fight?
—I don't know if I'm ready. Clemilda is Gerusa's cousin and Gerusa was practically a mother to me. I know she's bad and I'm totally against her actions. On the other hand, she's practically family. It's the "opposing forces" that confuse my heart and leave me in doubt.
—I understand. I must remind you that you have a key role in the war to come. Before you decide, think of the people, of Christianity and about yourself.
—I promise I will think about it. Want to tell me anything else?
I think a few moments before answering and I wonder if she's really ready. I decide to take the risk.
—Yes, the whole truth. Christine, for many years I was a young dreamer and full of hope. However, despite my best efforts I couldn't achieve my goals. I spent three years of my life completely deserted: I didn't have a job and I was not studying. Being at rock bottom led me to a crisis that almost drove me to madness. During this crisis, I tried to get closer to the Creator to obtain some peace and solace. However, the more I insisted, the less I received answers. So I tried to take refuge in the Devil looking for healing and answers. I went to a session and they promised me that I would be able to heal and be happy. In return, I would have to change religions and do exactly what they said. On the day and at the hour marked for my return back to this place I got the answer that God cared about me. He sent his Angel and warned me not to go back, that I would not find the much longed-for happiness and cure. So I heeded the warning and I dared not go back there. I saw a doctor and he said my case was not serious, that it was a simple nervous breakdown. So I took some medication and improved. God used that doctor to help me. How many times does he do so without us even realizing. During my crisis, I started to write to have a little fun, as therapy. Then I realized that I had a talent that I never noticed. After the crisis, I got a job and went back to school. At the same time, the desire to be a writer and to communicate with people was growing in me. That's when I heard about the Ororubá Mountain, the sacred mountain. It became sacred because of the death of a mysterious shaman, and it has a majestic cave at its top called the cave of despair. It is able to accomplish any dream, as long as it's pure and honest. So I decided to pack up and embark on a journey to the mountain. I said goodbye to my family but they didn't understand my dream. Nevertheless, I left. I had to believe in my own talent and potential. So I climbed the mountain and met the guardian, an ancient spirit. With her teachings, I was able to overcome the challenges that were my ticket into the cave. However, the story isn't finished. The cave of despair had never allowed anyone to carry out his or her dreams through it. All who have tried were summarily obliterated. However, I had a dream, and risking my life wouldn't be an obstacle for me. I decided to enter the cave. I started walking into it and soon, the first traps appeared. I managed to get rid of all of them and soon after, I came across three doors. They represented happiness, failure and fear. I picked the right door and I advanced in the cave. Then, I found a ninja and with his martial arts he tried to destroy me. The experience led me to victory and I felled the ninja. Then I advanced more in the cave and found a maze. I entered it and got lost. That's when I had an idea and I managed to find my way out. Then, I found a set of mirrors. This scenario made me reflect and helped me find myself. So I pushed a little farther into the cave. In short, I was able to advance all the scenarios of the cave and it saw itself obliged to grant my wish. I became the Seer and I traveled back in time, following a voice that I didn't know. This voice was yours, Christine, and I'm here to help you.
—That's a lot of information at once. I don't know if you're crazy or I'm losing my mind for hearing it. I already had heard of the cave and its wonderful powers but never imagined that someone had gone in and overcome its fire. I have to think a bit and reflect on all I heard.
—Think, Christine, but don't take too long. My time here is running out and I need to fulfill my mission.
—I promise to give you a response soon. Well, now I need to finish my walk and go back home.
I bid Christine farewell and I go back to the hotel. I had done my part, now all that was left was the answer. My hopes were in the hands of fate and I didn't know which way it pointed. The war between the "opposing forces" would occur soon and Christine's response would be the deciding factor.
Decision
The impending war between the "opposing forces" left me in no way assured. I had never participated in a contest of this type and it would be a unique experience. In order to relieve my heart and my mind, I leave the hotel and I direct myself to the ruins of the chapel of St. Sebastian, which is very close. Along the way, I wonder what challenges I'll face and if they'll be as difficult as the obstacles in the cave. Well, I would do everything in my power to win in the midst of any difficulties. My thoughts elevate and I think about my dream and every obstacle that it involves. I wonder if I'd get a commercial publisher for my book. Would the same invest enough for the book to achieve success? I'm very much aware that the cave had actually helped me but would not solve all my problems. I expected that the cave was only the beginning of a long and vigorous literary career. However, it was not the time for me to worry about that. I had more important things to do. I would have to reunite the "opposing forces" and help Christine find herself. These goals get me closer to the ruins and moments later I'm touching the remains of the symbol of Christianity. I look for the crucifix that was left intact and upon touching it I begin to understand more about my religion and its founder. He had given himself up for us simply for a love that we can't understand. A love so great it was able to perform miracles. That's what I needed: A miracle.
I was about to face unknown forces that fed off of egoism, addictions, weaknesses and human hatred, forces that were able to destroy human life. I look again at the crucifix and it fills me with courage. There was an example of a winner. He was also a dreamer like me and his teachings have conquered the world. He taught us to love and respect others and this was the message that I preached in my day to day. I look around at everything that is near me: I see people, the blue sky, and far away, the horizon. I couldn't disappoint them or myself. With all the strength in my chest, I yell:
—I'm ready!
The earth began to tremble and within seconds I feel snatched from the place where I was. I am led by the hair and the emotion of the moment obscures my vision, everything is dark and empty.
The Experience in the Desert
I have just woken up and I get up to know exactly where I am. I look in the four directions and I can only see sand and the sky. It felt like I was in the middle of the desert. What was I doing he
re? What kind of joke was this? In an instant, I was at the ruins of the chapel (in Mimoso) and in another I was in this dark, empty place. I begin to walk, looking for something. Who knows maybe I'll find an oasis or someone who can guide me and tell me exactly where I am. The feeling of loneliness increases every minute despite my belief that I am always accompanied by an angel. In these moments I end up reminding myself of how important it is to have friends or someone you can trust. Money, social ostentation, vanities, success and victory are pointless if you don't have someone with whom to share it. I continue to walk and the sweat starts dripping, hunger starts nipping me and thirst does as well. I feel lost as I did in the cave labyrinth. What strategy would I use now? The oasis could be anywhere. I stop for a little bit. I would have to recover my strength and breathe. I had not yet reached my limits but I felt quite tired. The hike up the steep staircase comes to mind, the one in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace, the guardian site, in trusses. I was just a kid and the effort of the climb had cost me a lot. Upon arriving at the top, I got myself into a safe place for fear of falling off of the steep ridge. My mother lit a candle and paid the promise she had made. The shrine was visited by many tourists and it took on the appearance of the Virgin Mary in that place.
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