four

25 Jul, 2026

When I was younger we used to take trips to see my grandparents in Mexico. We’d go to a small town, a pueblo, called ███████████████. This town was in the middle of a jungle. Driving through the thicket, we'd always arrive at night. While my parents and siblings had no problem with the night drive, I always felt like we were being followed.

Under the thick clouds of trees and fog, I was in a completely different world; enticing, yet horrifying.

I began to have problems sleeping at my grandmother's house. I wasn't on great terms with my mom, which would lead to me climbing to the roof of grandma's just so I could escape. Writing in my journals, my stories up on grandma's roof. Under the stars, I didn't really feel alone if I could see them.

In the dead of night, I decided to write. I didn't care if there were bugs, scorpions, spiders as big as my hand. Up the metal ladder I went, climbing up with my book, pen, and book light. It was quiet, and there was some fog rolling in, but I bowed my head and turned on my book light.

A knock at my grandmother’s metal door.

A faint voice called out.

“Hola, ███████████.”
“Hello, ███████████.”

Chills ran up my spine.

"Me abres la puerta, mija? Me quede afuera."
"Can you open the door, my child? I stayed outside."

It was my grandmother's voice. The hairs on the back of my head stood, as I looked to the gate. I could see a shadow of a person in the distance. I couldn't tell if it was her or not; but something was wrong. The tension drowned out all other noises around me. Her voice cut through the dark in an unnatural, angry tone.

"Te puedo ver, ven y
ábreme la puerta."

Not another moment sooner, I quickly climbed down the metal stairs and turned off my book light. My 'grandmother' was now pounding on the metal door, with some form of inhuman strength as I ran. Climbing into my bed and pulling the blankets over me, my hands desperately covered my ears. She was so lou

Anyone listening, God, Virgencita Maria, anyone to please help me. They were going to break down the door. My hands shook before I felt my covers pulled from above me.

“Go to bed, ████████.”

Audible annoyance in my father's voice made me realize one thing, as he looked down at me from the side of my bed.

He didn't hear a single thing.