15 Bullets
Iñaki separates the eyelids and everything turns white. He's in bed, Sofia at his side. Eduardo must have brought Rambo in the morning since he is now resting at the foot of the bed. Iñaki looks at him and raises his ears.
"Up!"
Rambo jumps into bed and gives Iñaki a lick attack never seen before.
Suddenly, Sofia opens her eyes and finds herself in the battle to the death between Iñaki and Rambo. Rambo notices the new opponent and attacks her ears as if they were made of honey. The girl looks at Iñaki, laughs, and exclaims "Dad!"
During breakfast….
"I heard you scream a name last night," says Mike, toast in hand, "Valentina?"
Silence. Eduardo and María watch Iñaki curiously.
"She was my partner," Iñaki replies.
"I'm sorry," Maria says, placing her hand on Iñaki's.
Eduardo studies Sofia with a look that seems to say "she lost his mother."
"So today you're gonna go find more survivors? " Eduardo asks suddenly.
"That's right."
Then keys are heard behind the door, they are inserted in the lock and immediately Victor enters the apartment.
"Good morning, everyone. Did anyone see Martina?"
"No," Maria answers for everyone.
"Okay, it doesn't matter. Iñaki, I need you in my apartment."
"Inaki and I have plans for today," Mike intercedes.
"Let me guess, heroic search for survivors?"
"Exactly."
Iñaki breathes sarcasm.
"Well, maybe this time your crazy stuff will come in handy to all of us. Iñaki?" He insists pointing to the door.
"Ok. I'll be right back."
"Ok."
"Let's go, Victor."
"I have to ask you something, Iñaki," Victor says once they sit down.
"I'm all ears."
"I have…We have" he corrects and sits up straight in the chair "a supply problem and I'd like you to go with Mike to get food." I already checked that you know how to deal with those creatures."
"Oh, I see."
"This is a list of things we need."
"Thanks..."
"Mike was going out anyway, so I'm gonna tell him to come with you."
"You're not coming?"
Victor sits back in the chair. He looks at Iñaki without blinking.
"My obligations keep me tied to the urbanization."
"I suppose the food we bring will also feed your tied stomach?"
Victor smiles the most ironic smile in the universe.
"In the same way that I suppose that these walls that I offer you shelter your head. Any other question?"
Iñaki is gathering air to respond, but his interlocutor does not understand such formalities.
"Perfect, let's go downstairs to inform Mike and start the mission."
"...besides bringing survivors, you have to bring food, dear Mike, without the first there cannot be the second."
They are all seated, like the day Iñaki arrived, while Víctor stands up and gestures and explains his plan. Iñaki is watching him when he thinks he sees a small lump in his throat. "Did I see well?" But the man turns around and does not give Iñaki time to clear his doubt.
"I already spoke to Iñaki and explained the delicate state of our provisions; he volunteered to help this community. Mike, Iñaki will accompany you. I marked on the map the location of the nearest supermarket. Go, grab everything on the list, and come back safe and sound."
"I can go with them." Eduardo's voice breaks the silence.
"No, the urbanization would be too unprotected. Maria, make sure the list has everything you asked for."
"Ok."
"I think we should add dog food."
"Perfect," says Victor.
"Here," Maria says, offering the list to Iñaki.
"Thank you, do you take care of Sofia and Rambo while I'm gone?"
"Sure."
"Thank you." Let's go, Mike."
"Wait…"
Iñaki listens to Victor's voice and as he turns around he finds him with a gun in his hand.
"Here," he says, handing the gun to Iñaki, "it only has 15 bullets. Use it if you have no choice."
"Thank you," Iñaki replies.
"Okay, let's go," Mike says.