—My dad tried to grab my mom’s arm. She pulled away. Uncle Julia pulled out something shiny. My dad said, “Are you crazy?” Then there was a bang. My mom screamed. I crawled out from under the table and saw my dad on the floor.
The silence was total.
—There was blood—said the girl—. A lot. My mom knelt down and touched it. Her hands were covered in blood. Uncle Julia put the knife in her hand and told her that if she talked, he was going to take me away.
He told her that everyone already knew they were fighting. That she was going to believe him. Then he saw me and knew I was awake.
He pulled me out from under the table, squeezed my face, and told me that if I ever told what I saw, my mom would die too, and then it would be my turn.
Ramira’s breathing turned into a muffled sob.
The social worker dropped the phone on the floor without realizing it.
Méndez did not move an inch, but something hardened his gaze.
—Why didn’t you say it before? —he asked with unexpected gentleness.
Salome lowered her gaze.
Eпtoпces, for the first time since qυe eпtró, parece verdaderameпte υпa пiña.
—Because he took me to live with him—she murmured. —He told me every night that my mom was a murderer and that if I spoke up, nobody would believe me because children believe things.
Then he told me that if I was good, maybe he would let my mom live. But if I lied… he was going to kill her because of me.
Ramira let escape υп broken soпid, aпimal, irrecoпcable.
—My God… my daughter… my daughter…
Méndez took a deep breath.
—And why are you speaking now?
Salome lifted her face.
There was something fierce in his eyes.
