Breakage
Daniel continues to look at the ceiling.
"You!" Eduardo insists and looks at Iñaki euphorically. "It's him! It has to be him!"
The indifference of the young redhead does not give Iñaki any clue. He is about to ask Eduardo what he is referring to when his gaze meets Daniel's fingers. Agile and rhythmic they move in his lap as if they were playing a fictional instrument.
<
"The church organist!" Eduardo exclaims. "Where did you say you found him?"
"We found him wandering about three kilometers from here," Juan says a little astonished. "Is he an organist, you say?"
"Yes," Iñaki replies, "but we would never have thought he was alive. Daniel?"
The young man doesn't listen to him. Eduardo approaches him and, placing a hand on his shoulder, pronounces his name moving his lips slowly.
The young man, with his blue eyes, fixed on Eduardo's lips, answers:
"Yes...?"
"Do you know Father Manuel?"
"Father Manuel!" the young man exclaims through hoarse and forced sounds.
"It's him!"
"It is magnificent," Irene says. All he told us was <>
"We rescue him," Martina adds, "as you can do with us; together we are stronger."
Daniel watches Eduardo widen his eyes and showing his teeth.
"I think it's best for everyone," says Maria.
"Thank you" Irene smiles at her.
"I agree," Mike says with his eyes on Juan.
"And me," Eduardo says without moving away from Daniel.
Martina looks for Iñaki with her eyes. Countless thoughts travel through his mind. Sofia looks at him frightened.
"Iñaki?"
"I don't agree with this..."
"Can you come with me for a second?" asks Martina.
Maria grabs Sofia, Iñaki stands up and follows Martina to a room.
"Well, what is it?"
Martina approaches Iñaki and he feels her breath. Her hands find his.
"I know that I have deceived you," she says with teary eyes, "but you saw what Víctor was. And these people…Juan and Irene are my family. Iñaki, don't leave me alone. You're the best thing that's happened to me since this whole thing started."
Iñaki feels her sweat in the palms of his hand.
"I love you, I need you. There will be no more secrets between us."
"How can I trust you after what you've done? You murdered a man in cold blood. You fooled us all, how do I know Sofia's not in danger with you around? I'm sorry, but I don't want you here."
Tears freeze on Martina's face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Very well," Martina replies, "if that's what you want."
Martina steps back.
"The rest of our classmates have decided that they want us" she turns around," therefore, you'll have to put up with us…" and as she walks out the door she adds "and we with you"
Iñaki follows Martina to the living room and returns to take a seat.
"Everything settled?" Irene asks.
"No," says Iñaki, putting both hands together, "I don't agree with you staying here."
"But, Iñaki..." Maria begins, but Martina interrupts.
"You're used to living in a democracy," her eyes are on Iñaki, "there you have it; we are 8 against 1."
Iñaki looks back at her. His knuckles turn white and he sticks his fingernails into the palms of his hand.
"Inaki," Mike puts a hand on his back, "we don't want enemies."
"Listen to Mike" Martina doesn't take her eyes off him.
"Please," Irene adds.
"That's it," Juan scratches his leg, "no one should have enemies."
Iñaki is about to open his mouth when he hears it.
Some blows coming from Eduardo's apartment silence everyone. The noise goes through the walls of the adjoining house and reaches Iñaki's ears. Something crashes against the ground.
"What was that?"
"Victor " Martina's skin crawls when pronouncing the name.
"He's back," Iñaki says.