El Mago De Los Ojos Azules

El Mago De Los Ojos Azules

jueves, 30 de abril de 2026

The Bride of The Port of Colombia (Short Story) - The End by Hanner Goenaga

In that moment, an old taxi driven by an unknown driver began to travel along the road to the sea. The woman’s soul saw him with her mouth open and a fallen face because she thought she had captured everyone in the village. This time she didn't need to wave her arm; he stopped himself and said: "Do you need a ride to the church in the center, miss?"

​The Bride's expression changed, and she said with a kind smile: "That's right, Mr. Taxi Driver, that is where I am heading."

​She got into the car with excitement, a huge smile plastered on her face. Meanwhile, the driver also transmitted joy in his expression, as a sign of congratulations.

​They crossed the concrete path with enthusiasm, and this time the car managed to cross the entrance of the town. Just as they did, a dark spirit detached itself from the woman and stayed behind, but Luz Marine still remained on board. The black clouds over the forest began to dissipate.

​They arrived at the plaza of The Port of Colombia, and the bride observed the sea from the tip of the pier, and she even ran along the beach smiling.

​Elkin Martine, her fiancé, committed suicide a few days after his future wife's death due to the intense depression it caused him. Claire remained alone for the rest of her life, until the day she died. Charles lost his life in the hospital a few hours after arriving.

​However, upon reaching the church, her fiancé was waiting for her there at the altar, and her cousin was also there, applauding them in the front row. The taxi driver stayed at the entrance of the church with wrinkled eyes but a smile on his lips. The Port of Colombia, Luz Marine Castro, and Elkin Martine lived happily, literally forever

The Bride of The Port of Colombia (Short Story) - Part 4 by Hanner Goenaga

 


​Until one day, the woman's soul grew tired of not having a new victim for a long time. So, during her next appearance, she decided to ask the taxi driver:

​"Why are you ignoring me?" she said, her voice harsh this time. But silence prevailed as he feigned calmness on the outside while being paralyzed within.

​"So that's how it is, eh!" The Bride suddenly appeared in the seat next to the driver and opened her mouth in his face with sinister gestures.

​The taxi driver was startled and grit his teeth, as he nearly lost control of the steering wheel. The woman immediately appeared lying face down on the roof of the taxi and began to hit it with force. The man lowered his head and chest several times with a frowned brow. Finally, she stuck herself head-down on the windshield with a terrifying expression. The driver’s hair stood on end; he turned his face away, closing his eyes, and completely lost sight of the road.

​He swerved the car, and it fell into a lagoon they were passing by. The large pool of water was to the right of the asphalt, before reaching the entrance to Puerto Colombia; it was about to roll through its streets.

​Despite everything, the driver swam out of the vehicle, managed to reach the shore, and without a second thought, fled toward the entrance. Behind him came the Bride, chasing him at great speed. He just kept running, soaked. He looked back every now and then with a stretched face, mouth open, and panting to see how close she was. But just before reaching him, the taxi driver managed to cross the limit of the entrance.

​He told his fellow yellow-cab drivers what had happened, and they stared into the distance, their faces frozen, not knowing what to do now. Then they heard the loud crack of a lightning bolt coming from the outskirts of the urban center and saw the sky invaded by black clouds. Now, all the inhabitants of the town of The Port of Colombia were trapped.

The Bride of The Port of Colombia (Short Story) - Part 3 by Hanner Goenaga

Weeks later, another public driver was crossing the same road heading toward the entrance of the town. He was aware of everything that had happened, so he drove with caution. Suddenly, while passing through the accident zone, he also saw the woman dressed in white in the middle of the road, waving her hand.

​It seemed strange to him, so he stared at her closely. That was when he realized she was a woman in a wedding dress and that she had the same face as the one he had seen in the newspaper—the one who had lost her life in the first accident.

​The man trembled and his face turned pale, so he stepped on the gas. When he passed by her, she followed him with her gaze while moving her arm. But he kept going, staring straight ahead, pretending he hadn't seen her.

​A few minutes passed and the taxi driver began to relax and return to normal; he exhaled, closing his eyes. But at that moment, he heard a woman's voice say to him: "Why didn't you stop? I'm going to be late for my wedding."

​The driver turned around on the spot with his jaw dropped and the veins in his face bulging. He saw the woman sitting there with a gentle smile. He lost control of his car and spun around on the road, heading toward the forest. He ended up crashing the automobile into the trunk of a thick tree.

​Over time, many more taxi drivers from the town began to have encounters with the soul of the Bride of Puerto Colombia. She became a topic of conversation among the inhabitants, who spoke of her with concern and fear, unable to find a solution. The story of the Bride had already transcended to cities throughout the region.

​She did not manifest all the time, but when she did, many of them had already learned to control themselves in her presence to avoid ending up in a deadly accident. However, every time they were about to cross that path, they would say a prayer. Every time they crossed the entrance to the village, the ghost woman would vanish. She could only wander and manifest her torment in the area of the trees.

The Bride of The Port of Colombia (Short Story) - Part 2 by Hanner Goenaga


The wedding never took place, and Elkin cried inconsolably for his fiancée at her wake, with Claire Teresa, also dressed in mourning black, by his side comforting him.

​Days passed and traffic on the route returned to normal, but as night fell, a private taxi driver was passing through the area where the event had occurred. However, he had not heard about what happened.

​He saw a woman dressed in white waving her hand at him. Since he was already on his way home, he assumed the woman was heading in the same direction, so he stopped to pick her up.

​As the young lady got into the back, she told him: "I don't know why my cousin left me stranded here halfway; I'm going to be late for the wedding."

​"Where are you heading, miss?" the taxi driver asked her.

​"To the church in the center of town, if it's not too much trouble. My fiancé must be waiting for me. He might think I stood him up if I don't hurry," she laughed softly, placing the side of her hand over her lips.

​"Of course, miss, I live very close to there," the driver answered enthusiastically, without even thinking that it was no time to be celebrating weddings.

​She traveled happily, looking out the window and smiling, while he drove with a fresh face and his mouth slightly agape. Suddenly, as soon as they entered the urban area, the taxi driver said to her:

​"We are almost there, miss..." but he looked in the rearview mirror and saw no one in the back seat.

​His eyes sank and his forehead began to sweat. He turned around agitated and breathing fast to see for himself: the back seat was empty. When he turned back to the front, he realized he had lost control of the car. He screamed with his lips puckered, waving his arms over his face, as he realized he was heading straight for a pole.

​Passersby on that stretch of road were dumbfounded by the consecutive accidents that had occurred in the area, not knowing exactly what the reason was, since the pavement was solid and the crack had reconstructed itself.

The Bride of The Port of Colombia (Short Story) - Part 1 by Hanner Goenaga

 

Luz Marine Castro was a woman who lived in The Port of Colombia town. She was engaged to her future husband, Elkin Martine, and her wedding day was approaching.

​However, there was a woman in her neighborhood who had always been in love with him. Her name was Claire Teresa.

​She could not stand the fact that her beloved was marrying a woman other than herself, so she decided to take malevolent matters into her own hands through the side of darkness. Since she was a child, Claire lived with her aunts and saw how they secretly performed magic rituals with lit candles in their dark rooms. So, she decided to go into their rooms to pry through their belongings and found an old notebook where they explained how to perform spells.

​A day before the wedding of Luz Marine and her fiancé, Claire went to the middle of the road that led to the center of the town where the church was located. She stepped among the trees of the thick vegetation on the sides of the road, and in a space between the thin trunks, she drew a circle on the ground with triangular figures in the center. She lit a tall, wide flare of fire with wood, and in front of it, she placed Luz Marine's photo. She whispered a few words in the form of a prayer, and night arrived.

​The next day, Luz Marine woke up with a smile on her face, got ready in a hurry, and in a few minutes, she had already put on her wedding dress. Her cousin Charles Rodriguez, the taxi driver, arrived to pick her up on time, and joy was reflected on their faces.

​They took the road to the sea, heading towards the center of the coastal town, but when they entered the area of the road that only had green leaves and trunks on its sides, Charles, out of excitement, did not realize that he had exceeded the speed limit.

​In a few minutes, they reached the middle of the journey, but what they didn't know was that they were about to step on the spot where the envious girl had performed the spell. A few meters away, a crack that was not there before formed in the pavement from side to side.

​The driver, Charles, managed to spot the crack. He opened his eyes wide, and the skin on his face stretched back. But since he was speeding, he failed to brake in time, and as soon as the taxi touched the slit, it flipped into the air and then fell upside down on the ground, dragging along the cement.

​A few hours later, the area was surrounded by yellow tape and police. An ambulance arrived and was picking up Charles on a stretcher to take him to the hospital. But Luz Marine's body, still wearing her wedding dress, lay lifeless on the road with her limbs twisted.

viernes, 17 de abril de 2026

El Hechizo de la Soledad Eterna y el Despertar Cósmico - Parte 2 (Cuento Corto)

 


Con el fallecimiento de Erick, Elton se convirtió en el egresado más popular de la institución. Ya que debido a la gran fortuna de su familia, había instaurado una gran empresa que estaba triunfando en el mercado y por eso era reconocido.

Lo que Elton no sabía era que la energía del ataque oscuro que había contratado para que acabara con la vida de Erick, había quedado vagando por los aires. Estaba buscando al que para esta era un estafador y quería su paga por haberla invocado, la cual era su alma. 

Cuando una persona fallece por causa de la maldad de otra, su alma queda vagando en el mundo invisible de la tierra hasta que llegue la verdadera hora de muerte, a la que estaba destinado y así trascender. 

Pero como Erick encontró la felicidad junto a las almas de sus dos nuevos amigos, rompió el hechizo y lo mandó a volar cuando abandonó este plano. Como la fuerza maligna no cumplió con lo que dicta su naturaleza, entonces regresó a su origen en busca del autor material o intelectual y al primero que encontró fue a Elton.

Elton en ese momento se encontraba en una fiesta de cócteles celebrando el triunfo de su compañía con la gente prestigiosa y adinerada de su ciudad, rodeado de mujeres muy bellas.

Cuando de repente, se escuchó un estruendo en un costado del salón del club. Una mesa siendo volteada y el sonido del vidrio de copas destrozandose en el suelo. 

Todos miraron hacia allá. Con los ojos hundidos bien abiertos, con la boca en círculo y las líneas de la frente marcadas, vieron que se trataba un ejecutivo y el vicepresidente de la empresa de Eĺton dándose puños. 

En eso, el ejecutivo sacó un arma de su chaleco y le dio tres disparos al compañero de Elton en medio de la fiesta quitándole la vida.

El vicepresidente de Elton era el que realmente manejaba su empresa, ya que tenía estudios universitarios en economía. Elton con su bajo coeficiente intelectual solo había puesto el dinero. 

Desesperado busco quien lo pudiera reemplazar, pero los mejores ya estaban trabajando en otros proyectos. Contrató a otros que se presentaron a sus entrevistas, pero ninguno dio la talla para dominar semejante compañía como lo hacía el difunto.

Comenzó a haber tanta desorganización en las finanzas y en la producción de la empresa que muchos clientes cancelaron sus contratos y con el tiempo el negocio fue decayendo hasta terminar en la bancarrota.

A Elton le embargaron su gran mansión por el no pago de préstamos que hizo para intentar salvar su empresa pero no funcionó.

Fue a buscar apoyo donde su padre que era el que lo había apoyado económicamente con la primera inversión. Pero se encontró con que su enorme vivienda igual había sido confiscada por un delito que cometió. Se había ido del país y tenía forma de comunicarse con él porque no conocía su paradero.

A los pocos días, recibió una llamada en la que le comunicaron que su madre había muerto en un accidente de carro. Contacto a su demás familia pero nadie lo quiso ayudar ni dar empleo porque sabían que él era un bueno para nada y no sabía hacer nada bien. Sus amigos al ver que ya no era adinerado se alejaron de él.

Elton terminó como un mendigo en la calle y el único refugio que tenía era el edificio abandonado donde antes yacía su poderosa empresa. El cual, ya estaba invadido de otros indigentes que ni se percataban de su presencia. 

Al final, el ex millonario por la desesperación que sentía, decidió subir a la azotea del edificio. Sin embargo, esta vez no eran de seis pisos, eran de veinte más. Se subió de pie en el bordillo de la orilla donde se veía la ancha carretera y la energía oscura se llevó su alma a las profundidades de la oscuridad.

The Spell of Eternal Solitude and the Cosmic Awakening - Part 2 (Short Story) by Hanner Goenaga

 


​With Erick’s passing, Elton became the most popular alumnus of the institution. Due to his family’s immense fortune, he had established a major company that was thriving in the market, bringing him widespread recognition.

​What Elton did not know was that the energy from the dark strike he had contracted to end Erick’s life remained wandering through the air. It was searching for the one who, in its eyes, was a fraud; it wanted its payment for having been summoned: his soul.

​When a person dies due to another’s malice, their soul wanders the invisible world of the Earth until their true destined hour of death arrives, allowing them to transcend.

​However, since Erick found happiness alongside the souls of his two new friends, he broke the spell and sent it flying when he departed this plane. Because the malevolent force failed to fulfill its nature, it returned to its origin in search of the mastermind—and the first one it found was Elton.

​At that moment, Elton was at a cocktail party, celebrating his company's success with the city’s prestigious elite, surrounded by beautiful women.

​Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from one side of the club’s ballroom. A table was overturned, followed by the shattering sound of crystal glasses hitting the floor.

​Everyone turned to look. With sunken, wide-open eyes, gaping mouths, and furrowed brows, they saw an executive and the company’s vice president trading blows.

​In the heat of the moment, the executive pulled a gun from his vest and fired three shots at Elton’s partner, killing him right there in the middle of the party.

​Elton’s vice president was the one who truly managed the company, as he held a degree in economics. Elton, with his low intellect, had only provided the capital.

​Desperate, he searched for a replacement, but the best professionals were already committed to other projects. He hired others who showed up for interviews, but none were capable of commanding such a massive company as the deceased had.

​Disorganization began to plague the finances and production. Many clients canceled their contracts, and over time, the business decayed until it fell into bankruptcy.

​Elton’s grand mansion was foreclosed due to his failure to repay the loans he took out in a futile attempt to save the business.

​He went to seek support from his father, who had originally financed his first investment. But he discovered that his father's enormous home had also been confiscated due to a crime he committed. He had fled the country, leaving no way to be reached, as his whereabouts were unknown.

​A few days later, Elton received a call informing him that his mother had died in a car accident. He reached out to the rest of his family, but no one wanted to help or offer him a job; they knew he was useless and lacked any real skills. His friends, seeing he was no longer wealthy, abandoned him.

​Elton ended up as a beggar on the streets. His only refuge was the abandoned building where his powerful company once stood—a place now overrun by other homeless people who didn't even notice his presence.

​Finally, driven by desperation, the former millionaire decided to go to the rooftop. However, this time it wasn’t six stories high; it was twenty more. He stood on the edge of the ledge overlooking the wide highway, and the dark energy took his soul into the depths of darkness.

viernes, 10 de abril de 2026

El Hechizo de la Soledad Eterna y el Despertar Cósmico (Cuento Corto)

Erick era un chico que se estaba graduando de la escuela. Era felicitado por haber sido un muy buen estudiante, por haber sacado muy buenas notas y ya había sido admitido en la universidad para iniciarla después de vacaciones. Sin embargo, Elton, un compañero que no le había ido muy bien porque no era muy mentalmente hábil, le tenía envidia a su éxito. Así que decidió arruinarle la vida sin tener ningún prejuicio legal: decidió destruir su triunfo con brujería. 

Elton, a pesar de no ser tan astuto para los estudios como Erick, tenía un mejor estado económico por su familia. Así que tenía unos contactos que le recomendaron a un poderoso hechicero oscuro, al cual, le realizó una transacción bancaria de una alta suma de dinero y el juego de la magia negra empezó.

​Erick era un chico que estaba a punto de graduarse de la escuela. Todos lo felicitaban por ser un estudiante excepcional; sus excelentes notas le habían asegurado una plaza en la universidad para iniciar justo después de las vacaciones. Sin embargo, Elton, un compañero que carecía de su agudeza mental, lo observaba con un odio silencioso. Envidioso de su éxito, Elton decidió arruinarle la vida de una forma que no dejara rastro legal: destruiría su triunfo mediante la brujería.

​A pesar de no ser astuto para los estudios, la familia de Elton poseía una gran fortuna. Gracias a sus contactos, llegó hasta un poderoso hechicero oscuro. Tras una transferencia bancaria de una gran suma de dinero, el juego de la magia negra comenzó

Al día siguiente, Erick al llegar a su casa vio que sus papás estaban discutiendo. Rodó la cabeza hacia atrás con la cara hundida ya que le pareció muy extraño, ellos nunca habían peleado así. Su madre consternada por la actitud de su esposo solo le gritaba con lágrimas en sus mejillas, pidiendole que se detuviera. Mientras que él seguía arrojandole las cosas de la casa. Tiraba los jarrones al suelo y hasta las pinturas que estaban colgadas en la pared.

Al final, su padre dio media vuelta y se dirigió hacia él con pasos firmes, la cara roja y las manos empuñadas.

Erick le dijo con las cejas hacia arriba y la cara medio temblando, —Espera papá ¿Qué está pasando? pero este solo le dio un gran empujón haciéndolo caer sentado en el sofá. Se dirigió a la puerta saliendo de la casa para nunca volver. 

Su mamá se quedó en una silla llorando y él solo pudo abrazarla para intentar consolarla. Días después, la mujer cayó en cama y en menos de un mes falleció.

Sus padres pagaban la casa con un crédito hipotecario que Erick, con sus escasos ahorros, no pudo cubrir. Intentó llamar a su padre desesperadamente, pero el celular siempre estaba apagado. Sin nadie que pagara la deuda, el banco embargó la propiedad a los pocos meses.

Erick buscó a sus demás familiares para que lo ayudaran y le dieran posada pero desconociendo la razón, todos ellos se habían mudado de sus casas y se habían ido muy lejos. Ninguno de sus amigos le contestaba las llamadas o los mensajes así que se dio cuenta que se había quedado solo. El brujo seguía atacando.

Al joven solo le alcanzaba para arrendar un cuarto mientras conseguía un trabajo de medio tiempo ya que cuando entrara a la universidad no le iba a dar tiempo. Se dirigió al centro de la ciudad donde sabía que arrendaban las habitaciones más económicas. Vio en la puerta de un antiguo y desgastado edificio que había un letrero de “SE ARRIENDA HABITACION” no lo pensó dos veces y entro al lugar.

Los dias pasaron, ya se estaba quedando sin dinero para comprar comida y no conseguía trabajo. Además, el sentimiento de soledad comenzó a invadir su ser, que luego se convirtió en una depresión severa. Esta no le permitía concentrarse para buscarle una salida a su situación, así que pensó que era mejor dejar de sufrir. El brujo seguía atacando.

Subió hasta la azotea del edificio y se subió de pie en el muro que da a la calle. Abrió los brazos y con sus ojos llorosos se dejó caer de frente. Las lágrimas pasaban por los costados de su frente mientras caía. Hasta que de repente, se despertó asustado en la cama de la habitación. Pensó que todo había sido un sueño.

Sin embargo; se dio cuenta que la escasez de comida todavía estaba presente, así que se dijo a sí mismo, — Así me toque pedir dinero en la calle, no me voy a dar por vencido. 

Bajo el edificio y salió por la puerta de atrás que igual estaba inundada de transeúntes. Le decía a todo el que pasaba, —¿Me puede colaborar con una moneda por favor? Es para comprar comida. Tan solo con una monedita por favor. 

Pero era como si todos lo ignoraran o como si nadie lo viera, porque ni le respondian. En eso, vio a un muchedumbre de gente en la esquina dirigiéndose con prisa a la otra calle, se escuchaba mucho ruido de murmullos. Al parecer algo estaba ocurriendo allí, así que inmediatamente fue a ver. 

Al doblar la esquina del otro lado del edificio, vio que toda la gente estaba en la mitad de la calle rodeando algo. Al acercarse y meterse entre las personas para ver qué era lo que estaba pasando. Vio que por detrás iba llegando en reversa un vehículo de transporte forense. Al mirar el suelo, vio que había una persona ahí tirada. Pero se le pusieron los pelos de punta y abrió bien los ojos que se le inundaron en segundos, al ver que era el cuerpo y la cara de él.

Erick comenzó a sudar, y miraba para todos lados de forma acelerada con la cara arrugada, mientras montaban su cadáver en la furgoneta. Se miró las manos y vio que eran transparentes. Lo que pensó que había sido un sueño no fue un sueño, fue real. Ahora era un alma en pena que aun estaba en el plano terrenal.

Salió corriendo y se dirigió con prisa al apartamento donde estaba su habitación. Al llegar ahí, este estaba lleno de policías que ya habían desalojado a los demás inquilinos. Había cintas de escena de crimen amarillas en la entrada de este y en la puerta de su cuarto. Los oficiales estaban metiendo toda su ropa y sus pertenencias en bolsas negras.

Corrió e intentó quitarselas pero lo que hizo fue traspasarlos, no podía hacer nada en ese estado.

Salió a la calle consternado, sudando frío y con el pecho agitado. Corrió por el andén del boulevard aun con la depresión encima y se llenó de ansiedad al darse cuenta de la situación en la que se encontraba. Nadie lo podía ver, nadie lo escuchaba. La soledad ahora parecía ser eterna y ya no tenía manera de librarse de ella porque ya estaba muerto. 

Corría por el sendero peatonal en medio de gente que parecía estar encerrada en su propio mundo. Caminaban mirando hacia abajo con el capote del abrigo en la cabeza y las manos metidas en los bolsillos de estos. El piso y la parte de abajo de las paredes de los condominios estaban llenos de polvo negro por el humo de los carros. El viento que soplaba arrastraba la basura de la ciudad por los aires.

En ese momento, comenzó a ver otros espíritus como el. Unos pasaban volando cerca de su cabeza con el sonido de una risa de ironía y placer, parecía que se estaban burlando de él. Al otro lado de la acera veía seres flotantes que se trasladaban sin pies. Y espíritus de ladrones y asesinos que aún merodeaban la calle.

Llegó al centro de la zona urbana donde estaban los edificios más altos y se sentó agotado en una banca de cemento a ver pasar a la gente que no lo podía ver. En eso, ve que una linda chica de cabello castaño se acerca y lo saluda con un, 

—Hola — mientras le estira la mano.

Entonces le pregunta extrañado con el ceño fruncido, —Disculpa, ¿Me estás hablando a mi?

—Si es a ti cariño, veo que eres nuevo por aquí, mucho gusto Brittany— él le estiro el brazo con el rostro petrificado y le dio la mano diciendo — Mucho gusto Erick, luego ella le dijo,

—Mira este es mi amigo Christopher— en ese instante llegó un chico; se puso al lado de ella y también me estiró la mano. Él lo saludo con la boca abierta y enseguida les pregunto tartamudeando —¿Ustedes pueden verme?

—Por supuesto que sí, y tú a nosotros, somos como tú. Estamos esperando nuestro momento para trascender igual que tú, todos trascenderemos. 

Erick puso una gran sonrisa en su cara al darse cuenta que ahora tenía compañía y… amigos, ellos también le sonrieron.

Corrieron por todas las calles de la ciudad sonriendo, se metían en los apartamentos y saltaban en los muebles y en las camas. Jugaban a las escondidas en las azoteas. Hasta que un día mientras corrían felices por una acera, de repente, se fueron desvaneciendo los tres al mismo tiempo. Sus almas fueron detectadas en otro planeta que estaba a millones años luz.

“Brittany Thompson era la mejor cantante de su escuela. Un día fue secuestrada y violada; la dejaron encerrada en un cuarto hasta que perdió la vida”.

“Christopher White era el chico más guapo de su escuela; todas las chicas se morían por él. Un día se fue de viaje con sus compañeros al mar y murió ahogado sin una explicación lógica de como; nunca encontraron su cuerpo”.

Y Erick Smith logró sanarse de la soledad.


The Curse of Endless Solitude and the Cosmic Awakening (Short Story) by Hanner Goenaga


Erick was a boy graduating from high school. He was praised for being an outstanding student, earning top grades, and had already been admitted to university to start after the summer break. However, Elton, a classmate who hadn't fared as well due to a lack of mental sharpness, envied his success. He decided to ruin Erick's life without facing any legal consequences: he chose to destroy his triumph through witchcraft.

​Despite not being as academically bright as Erick, Elton’s family was wealthy. He used his connections to find a powerful dark sorcerer, made a large bank transfer, and the game of black magic began.

​The next day, when Erick arrived home, he found his parents arguing. He tilted his head back, stunned; he had never seen them fight like this. They were throwing things, smashing vases on the floor, and even tearing paintings off the walls. Finally, his father turned toward him with firm steps, a flushed face, and clenched fists.

​With trembling lips and raised eyebrows, Erick stammered, "Wait, Dad, what’s happening?" But his father simply gave him a violent shove, sending him falling onto the sofa. He walked out the door and never returned. His mother remained in her chair, weeping, and Erick could only hold her for comfort. Days later, she fell ill and passed away in less than a month.

​His parents had bought the house with a mortgage, and Erick’s savings weren't enough to cover it. He tried calling his father, but the phone was always off. Unable to pay, the house was foreclosed within months. He searched for other relatives for help, but for unknown reasons, they had all moved far away. None of his friends answered his calls or messages. He realized he was alone. The sorcerer’s curse was still at work.

​Erick only had enough money to rent a small room while looking for a part-time job. He headed to the city center, where the cheapest rooms were found. On the door of an ancient, worn-out building, he saw a sign: "ROOM FOR RENT." He didn't think twice and went inside.

​Days passed. He was running out of money for food and couldn't find work. A deep sense of loneliness invaded his soul, spiraling into severe depression. Unable to find a way out, he thought it was better to stop the suffering. The sorcerer’s curse was still at work.

​He went up to the rooftop and stood on the ledge overlooking the street. He opened his arms, and with tearful eyes, let himself fall forward. Tears streamed past his temples as he plummeted. Suddenly, he woke up startled in his bed. He thought it had all been a dream.

​However, the lack of food was still real. He told himself, "Even if I have to beg on the street, I won't give up." He went down and stepped out the back door into a crowded alley. He asked everyone passing by, "Can you spare a coin, please? It’s for food. Just a small coin, please."

​But it was as if everyone ignored him—or as if no one could see him. No one responded. Then, he saw a crowd gathering at the corner, whispering and moving toward the next street. Something was happening.

​Turning the corner, he saw people surrounding something in the middle of the road. He pushed through the crowd. A forensic transport vehicle was backing up. On the ground lay a body. His heart skipped a beat and his eyes filled with tears as he realized it was his own body, his own face.

​Erick began to sweat, looking around frantically, his face contorted in shock as they loaded his corpse into the van. He looked at his hands; they were transparent. What he thought was a dream had been real. He was now a wandering soul, still bound to the earthly plane.

​He ran back to the apartment building. It was swarming with police. The other tenants had been evicted. Yellow crime scene tape covered the entrance and his door. Officers were stuffing his clothes and belongings into black bags. He tried to grab them, but he simply passed through them. He was powerless.

​He went back to the street, devastated, breaking into a cold sweat. He ran along the boulevard, consumed by anxiety. No one could see him; no one could hear him. The loneliness now seemed eternal. He ran past people who seemed locked in their own worlds, walking with heads down, hoods over their heads, and hands buried in their pockets. The ground and the walls were coated in black dust from car exhaust. The wind whipped trash through the air.

​At that moment, he began to see other spirits. Some flew past his head with mocking, ironic laughter. On the other side of the street, he saw floating entities drifting without feet, and the ghosts of thieves and murderers still prowling the alleys.

​He reached the city center, where the tallest buildings stood, and sat exhausted on a cement bench, watching the people who couldn't see him. Suddenly, a beautiful girl with chestnut hair approached and greeted him. Confused and frowning, he asked, "Are you talking to me?"

​"Yes, I am, honey. I see you’re new here. I’m Brittany." Erick reached out with a petrified expression and shook her hand. "I’m Erick," he replied. Then she said, "Meet my friend Christopher." A boy appeared beside her and offered his hand. Erick shook it, mouth agape, stammering, "You... you can see me?"

​"Of course we can, and you can see us. We are like you; we are just waiting for our time to transcend. We all transcend."

​A wide smile spread across Erick’s face as he realized he finally had company... and friends. They smiled back. They ran through the city streets together, sneaking into apartments to jump on furniture and beds. They played hide-and-seek on rooftops. Until one day, while running happily along a sidewalk, all three began to fade at the same time. Their souls had been detected on another planet, millions of light-years away.

“Brittany Thompson was the best singer in her school. One day she was kidnapped and lost her life in captivity.”

​“Christopher White was the most handsome boy in his school. One day, during a trip to the sea, he drowned without a logical explanation; his body was never found.”

​And Erick Smith finally healed from his loneliness.