“All clear, then,” said the doctor. “Now, how does one get out of here? ”

“I’ll see you out,” said the keeper.

* * *

They were left alone. Bea pulled up a chair and sat down next to Alicia. They regarded one another without uttering a word. Alicia ventured a smile of gratitude. Bea gazed at her, inscrutable.

After a while the keeper poked his head in and sized up the situation. “Doña Beatriz, should you need anything, you know where to find me. I’ve left you a few blankets and the medicines with the doctor’s instructions on the shelf.”

“Thanks, Isaac. Good night.”

“Good night, then. Good night, Alicia,” said the keeper. His footsteps faded away down the corridor.

“Everyone seems to know me here,” said Alicia.

“Yes, everyone seems to know you. A pity nobody knows for certain who you really are.”

Alicia nodded, giving Bea another meek smile, which Bea again didn’t return. A long, heavy silence fell between them. Alicia’s eyes roamed over the walls, which were covered with books from floor to ceiling. She knew Bea’s gaze was still fixed on her.

“Can you tell me what you’re simpering about?” asked Bea.

“Oh, just something silly. A while ago I dreamed that I was kissing a very handsome man, and I don’t know who he was.”

“Do you have a habit of kissing strangers, or is that only when you’re under anesthetic?”

Bea’s tone of voice cut like a knife blade, and as soon as the words had left her mouth she regretted them. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“Don’t be. I deserve it,” said Alicia.

“In just over three hours, it will be time for the antibiotic. Why don’t you try to sleep a bit, as the doctor ordered?”

“I don’t think I could. I’m frightened.”

“I thought nothing frightened you.”

“I’m good at pretending.”

Bea was about to say something, but she bit her tongue.

“Bea?”

“What?”

“I know I have no right to ask you to forgive me, but—”

“Forget about that for the moment. I don’t have to forgive you for anything.”

“But would you, if I asked you to?”

“Your friend Fermín says that if someone wants to be forgiven, he should go to the confessional, or buy himself a dog. For once, and because he can’t hear me, I’ll admit he’s right.”

“Fermín is a wise man.”

“He has his moments. But don’t tell him, or he’ll become unbearable. Now try to get some sleep.”

“May I hold your hand?” asked Alicia.

Bea hesitated, but in the end accepted Alicia’s hand. They were silent for a long time. Alicia closed her eyes and began to breathe slowly. Bea looked at that strange creature who made her feel fear and compassion at the same time. Soon after she arrived, when Alicia was still delirious, the doctor had examined her, and Bea had helped him undress her. She still had that image engraved on her mind: the horrifying wound that mauled her side.