She crawled to a nearby planter for some shelter from the wind. She watched luxury, armored cars drive by, their occupants not even glancing at her. In this wealthy neighborhood, an old woman lying in the street was invisible, or worse, an eyesore. Mercedes began to walk, limping, aimlessly. The pain in her chest grew stronger. She felt like her heart was going to stop. She walked block after block, leaving the residential areas until she reached a public park, deserted because of the storm.
She found a metal bench under a tree that barely offered any protection from the rain. Exhausted, she collapsed onto it. She could no longer feel her fingers. Her mind began to cloud. She thought this was the end. "Lord... if I'm no longer of any use, take me," she whispered, closing her eyes, surrendering to the hypothermia that was beginning to numb her. "I don't want to suffer anymore. Forgive them, Lord, but take me."
The sound of the rain seemed to lessen, though the water continued to fall. Suddenly, an inexplicable and comforting warmth began to radiate near her. It wasn't the sun; the sky remained black. "Woman..." she heard a voice.
It was a man's voice, but not like Rodrigo's. There was no anger, no arrogance. It was a deep voice, soft as velvet, but with an authority that made the ground tremble. A voice that sounded like ancient comfort. Mercedes opened her eyes with effort. In front of her, standing in the rain but strangely dry, was a man.
He wore simple clothes, a tunic that seemed from another era, a humble beige color, and sandals. His brown hair fell over his shoulders, and he had a short beard. But it was his eyes that took Mercedes' breath away. They were dark, infinite eyes, filled with a love so great it hurt to see it. Eyes that seemed to have cried all the tears in the world, and yet, they smiled.
The man knelt before her, unconcerned by the mud. "Who... who are you, young man?" Mercedes stammered, feeling her fear fade in the presence of this stranger. "I'm the one who's been with you every time you cried silently in that dark room," he replied, extending a hand toward her.
