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Rio was exploring the place that would be her home for the next 100 days. The helicopter had dropped her off at the top of the hill with clear instructions: everything she needed was inside the house, a sort of observation tower that rose over several steps leading to the room at the top.
She had to walk for three hours to reach the site. The sun was already beginning to set on the horizon when she finally arrived at the base of the staircase.
The room was small, with a single bed, a sink combined with a stove, and a coffee table, on which rested a detailed map of the island. The glass walls offered a panoramic view of the surrounding forest, but curiously, the bathroom was outside, in a cabin that looked straight out of the 80s.
“Well, it could be worse,” Rio murmured, dropping her backpack on the floor by the door. She bent down to inspect the cans of food stacked under the sink.
The pay was good, after all. Not everyone was willing to stay isolated in the middle of a forest for 100 days, watching for possible wildfire outbreaks throughout the summer. But Rio didn’t have much to lose.
She was in the middle of her exploration when a sudden sound made her jump in place. Rio placed a hand on her chest, feeling her heart racing, and looked around the room, locating the source of the noise: the walkie-talkie on the table, beeping furiously.
“Hmm… hello?” Rio said, pressing the button to respond.
“Tower Two, Rio Vidal, right?” A woman’s voice came from the other side.
“Yes,” Rio replied, her heart still pounding.
“I’m Agatha, from the main tower.”
“Oh, the guy in the helicopter mentioned you’d give me the instructions.” Rio sat on the bed, resting her hand on her knee.
“So, what’s wrong with you?”
“Excuse me?” Rio blinked, confused.
“Everyone takes this job to get away from something. So, what’s wrong with you?”
Rio couldn’t help but smile at the audacity of the woman on the other end.
“What’s wrong with you ?!” she shot back, her tone more accusatory than she intended.
“Nothing. I’m exceptional. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me.”
Rio frowned, staring at the walkie-talkie as if she could glare directly at the woman. Great . Her guide was insane.
“Look, I traveled for three days and had to hike an eternity to get here. I don’t know what you’re trying to do,” she sighed, exhausted.
“Just try guessing what’s wrong with me,” Agatha seemed to be enjoying herself on the other end of the line.
“Okay, and after that, can I sleep… forever?”
“Sure, sweetheart. Now guess.”
“Alright. You probably killed your ex-husband and are hiding out in the middle of the forest to avoid the inevitable consequences of your actions. There. Can I sleep now?”
Rio couldn’t help but smile as she heard Agatha’s laughter through the radio.
“Close, but no.”
“Goodnight, Agatha.” Rio reached out to turn off the walkie-talkie, but Agatha’s voice interrupted her.
“Wait, now it’s my turn.”
Rio sighed again.
“Alright.”
“Honestly, nine out of ten people who come here are just… empty. ”
“That’s it? That’s your big guess?”
“Did I get it right?”
“Not even close. Goodnight, Agatha.”
Another laugh echoed on the other end.
“Goodnight. Welcome to the job.”
Day one
Rio woke to the insistent beeping of the walkie-talkie echoing in her head. For a brief moment, she considered throwing it against the wall to end the irritating noise. But she knew she couldn’t do that.
With a tired groan, she dragged herself out of bed and picked up the device.
“Hello.”
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty… though, it’s probably afternoon by now. You slept like a rock.”
Rio simply stared at the walkie-talkie, her mind still foggy with sleep, unable to form a coherent response.
“Anyway, there’s still time to handle a task before it gets dark. I can see you standing by the table, so let me know when you’re ready.”
“What do you mean you can see me? Like, in a creepy way or something?”
“Something like that. But I can only see a blur, don’t worry.”
“Right.”
“Now that you’re up, let me introduce your job. You should see a map of the island on the coffee table, right?”
Rio approached the table and confirmed, “Yes, I see it.”
“Great. That’s the part of the island you’re responsible for. Your job is to watch for any signs of fire.” Agatha’s voice was almost robotic, as if she’d repeated these instructions countless times already. Which made sense, considering Rio was probably the last one to wake up. “There’s a smaller version of the map underneath it, along with a compass, to make sure you don’t get lost. Each point on the map… Oh, fuck.”
Agatha’s voice was abruptly cut off, tinged with irritation.
“What?” Rio asked, alarmed.
“Look out your west window.”
Rio froze in the middle of the room. She had no idea where the west was. Was that where the sun rose? Or where it set? Except right now, the sun was in the middle of the sky, since it was early afternoon. Shit.
“Use the compass, sweetheart.” Agatha’s voice now carried an amused tone, clearly enjoying Rio’s confusion.
Great. Day one, and she was already making a fool of herself.
Finally, Rio looked out the window, her eyes scanning the landscape until they landed on something in the sky: a column of black smoke rising through the trees.
“Holy shit! Is that fire? Like, actual fire? Are we going to die?” Rio said, clearly panicked.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Agatha laughed. “That doesn’t look like wildfire smoke. More like a campfire. Some rich brats come here from time to time to mess around.”
“But isn’t this a protected area?”
“Yes, which is why you’re here. Go take care of it.”
“Wait, isn’t my job just to observe?”
“Your job is to do what I tell you. Now go .”
“And by ‘take care of it,’ you mean… like, beat them up?”
“Exactly. Can you handle it?”
“I think so…?”
“I’m kidding, tiger.” Agatha laughed again, which was starting to annoy Rio. “Just tell them to leave, okay?”
“Yes, boss.”
(...)
Rio had no idea what she was doing. The forest was dense, the compass seemed confusing, and the map wasn’t much help. On top of that, branches and leaves scratched her legs as she tried to find her way.
“Agatha, are you still there with me?” Rio asked, leaning against a tree to catch her breath, inhaling the dense air, heavy with the scent of dry leaves and warm earth.
“Why? Are you scared?”
“Shut up.”
“Okay.”
“Agatha?”
“Yes?”
“I think this map is wrong.” Rio looked ahead, where the path ended at a 15-meter drop lined with sharp rocks. Dangling there was an old, frayed rope. “I’m standing in front of a death road cliff.”
“The map’s correct. Just grab the rope and climb down. You can do it.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
“If I fall and die, it’ll be entirely your fault.”
“You won’t.”
“Okay.” Rio looked at the drop again, trying to gather her courage. She could do this. She was capable.
She couldn’t.
Before she could process what was happening, she threw herself backward, away from the edge.
“I can’t do it. I’m not going to die on this stupid island holding onto a stupid rope. Sorry, Agatha.”
Rio expected a fight, but all she heard was Agatha’s laughter.
“Oh, God. You have to hear the desperation in your voice. For a moment, I swore you’d have the guts to throw yourself off that cliff.”
“What?”
“There’s a ladder on the side, hidden among the trees. The rappel is for adventurers, Miss Vidal.”
“You were messing with me?”
“Yes.”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t. Now hurry up. The smoke’s getting bigger.”
After half an hour of walking, Rio finally saw the smoke more clearly. If the map was right, the location led to the edge of a lake.
Sweat dripped down Rio’s face. The summer heat was relentless, and not even the shade of the trees seemed to provide relief. Still, she couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the forest was, especially from that height, offering a breathtaking view.
As she approached the site, the muffled sound of music in the background grew louder with each step. A portable speaker was playing something upbeat but out of tune, as if the battery was about to die. As she got closer, she spotted a small makeshift campsite. There was a campfire in the center, empty bottles scattered on the ground, and a mess of clothes strewn about.
“Agatha?” she called into the walkie-talkie, keeping her voice low.
“I’m here. What is it?” Agatha’s voice was as carefree as ever.
Rio paused, looking at the mess in front of her. Her attention was immediately drawn to a pair of jeans thrown over a rock and a T-shirt hanging from a branch.
“There are clothes scattered around here. Looks like they belong to two people. And if… well… what if they’re… naked?”
“Uh… that’s going to be exciting.” Agatha’s laughter echoed through the walkie-talkie.
Rio sighed and moved forward.
“Oh… I found a bra.” She pointed at the object, even though no one could see her.
“Really? Where?” Agatha seemed to be having even more fun.
“It’s hanging on a tree, swaying like some sort of victory flag.”
“Hmm, an adventurous nudist. Go ahead, tiger.”
Rio rolled her eyes but continued heading down toward the lake. A few meters ahead, she spotted another piece of clothing resting casually on the leaf-covered ground.
“And now… there’s panties.”
She whispered the last word as if someone besides Agatha could hear her.
“A what?” Agatha’s voice was full of teasing.
“I’m not repeating it,” Rio replied, trying to maintain her composure.
“Uuuh, so we’ve got a naked girl here. Think you can handle it?”
“Of course, I can. I mean… I like naked girls as much as anyone. But there’s… well, you know…”
There was a moment of silence, followed by Agatha’s loud laughter.
“Aha! So you like naked girls, huh? That explains a lot.”
Rio felt her face heat up. Here she was, nearly 30, blushing in the middle of the forest like a teenager.
“Um, I… that’s not…”
“Alright. Try not to get too distracted and go do your job.” Agatha whispered the entire sentence.
“Right.” Rio responded, clenching her fists as she moved forward.
As she reached the lake’s edge, the scene finally came into focus. Two young women were swimming naked, both clearly drunk.
“Hey!” Rio shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice. “You can’t be here! This area is off-limits!”
The laughter stopped immediately. One of the women stopped swimming and turned to face Rio with an exaggerated look of surprise.
“Oh, shit” the other murmured. “What’s she doing here?”
“Who are you, you bitch?” the first shouted, her drunken voice dripping with disdain.
Rio took a deep breath, ignoring the provocation.
“This is your last warning. Pack up your stuff and leave now.”
The second girl scoffed, swimming toward the shore.
“Just some lonely, bitter woman stuck in the middle of the forest.” She muttered loud enough for Rio to hear.
Rio pressed her lips together, resisting the urge to respond. She wasn’t about to argue with naked teenagers in the middle of the forest. She refused.
At least they were leaving.
Once the girls had gathered their scattered clothes and disappeared into the trees, Rio sighed in relief.
“Agatha?” she called into the walkie-talkie. “All clear. I took care of them.”
“Knew I could count on you. Good girl !” Agatha’s voice was laced with satisfaction.
Rio felt her face flush again. Thankfully, Agatha couldn’t see her, or the teasing would only escalate.
“Right. I’m heading back to the tower now.”
" Let me know when you get back. And, Rio?” Agatha paused before continuing. ‘Thanks. I owe you one.”
“No problem, boss.” Rio replied, her voice tinged with shyness as she walked back, spotting heavy rain clouds gathering on the horizon."
Day 02
"Good morning, Rio. How was your night?" Agatha's voice echoed through the walkie-talkie as Rio accepted the connection. "I hope you didn't dream about a pair of panties chasing you."
"Haha. You're not as funny as you think you are, Agatha," Rio replied as she finished putting on her boots.
"Darling, I'm hilarious. Anyway, with last night's heavy rain, I lost connection to the external signal feed. Can you check the cables on the signal tower for me?"
"Sure thing, boss."
"It's to the north. The exact location should be on the map."
Rio leaned over the coffee table and picked up the map resting on top. She studied the simple drawing: a small tower at the top of the sheet, circled to mark its position.
"Got it. Found it here. I'll check it out for you." She slipped the map into her backpack, slung it over her shoulders, and headed out the door.
The day was just beginning. The sun hadn’t risen high enough to dry the soil soaked by the previous night’s rain. The landscape was shrouded in a light mist, and the cold wind bit at her face, making her cheeks ache.
"It’s pretty cold out here today," Rio remarked, adjusting her coat as she walked along the trail.
"It'll warm up soon. Were mornings this cold back where you used to live?"
"A little."
"What was your life like before you came here?"
Rio hesitated, averting her gaze to the vegetation ahead.
"I had a dog. I walked him every day. His name was Bucket."
"Bucket? Nice name for a dog."
"My mom picked it. I spent a lot of time with her before coming here."
"So, you have someone waiting for you outside the island?"
"Hm… kind of," Rio replied in a quieter tone, trying to sound distracted. She didn’t want to think about what was outside the island. "She’s sick."
"Oh… I’m sorry."
"It’s okay," Rio quickly replied, wanting to change the subject. "I’m getting close to the tower."
She pushed a bush aside and finally spotted the signal tower, towering between the trees like a metallic giant.
"Rio?"
"Yes?"
"Well, right now, y ou’re here. And it’s beautiful. Escaping reality a little isn’t always a bad thing."
"Yeah, sure," Rio replied after a pause. "I can see the cables you mentioned."
"Great. Follow them to where they connect to the tower and see if everything’s okay."
"Can you see them from where you are?"
"Barely."
Rio began inspecting the cables when something caught her attention. On a nearby hill, there was a small, dilapidated cabin, barely standing.
"I found a cabin."
"The old cabin near the tower? Be careful not to collapse along with it."
Rio chuckled softly and kept walking. On the ground, something gleamed among the wet leaves. It was an old cap, with a faded military insignia on the front.
"Agatha? I found an old cap. Looks like it belonged to a war veteran."
"You have no idea how many former workers left those caps scattered around here."
"Makes sense, I guess."
"Probably there wasn’t as much silence in the war as there is here."
Rio dusted off the cap and placed it on her head.
"Fits me perfectly."
"I bet you look gorgeous in a cap… I can just feel it."
Rio felt her face heat up.
"You’ve never seen me. How can you tell if I’m pretty?"
"I’ve told you… I have a feeling." Agatha paused before continuing, now in a teasing tone. "Describe yourself to me."
"What?"
"Tell me what you look like."
"I’m… average, I guess."
"Let me guess… a standard white girl?"
"You offend me."
Agatha burst out laughing, and Rio just rolled her eyes as she continued on the path to the tower.
When she finally reached the site, she saw that a tree had fallen, snapping one of the wires in half.
"Found your tower. It’s broken."
"Damn. It'll take them at least three days to realize something’s wrong and send someone over," Agatha's voice sounded disappointed. "Thanks, Rio."
"Agatha?"
"Yes?"
"Your tower is nearby, isn’t it?"
"Yeah, but it’s only accessible by helicopter. There’s also a cable car connecting the two sides, but it’s for emergencies only."
" Oh no! Someone help! It’s an emergency! There’s a tornado coming! Help!" Rio shouted dramatically, gesturing wildly as if Agatha could see her.
"Nice try, Rio, but no chance," Agatha laughed. "Head back to base. Let me know when you get there."
"Yes, ma’am."
Day 03
"Then, what do we do now?" Rio asked, sitting on the bottom step of the staircase while balancing a can of food in her hands. The day had dawned warmer, and the morning heat still carried the scent of wet earth from the rain the night before.
"Nothing, really. There’s no emergency, no smoke," Agatha’s voice came through the walkie-talkie, still heavy with sleep.
"We just wait?"
"Yes."
Rio stretched out her legs and let the sunlight play on her skin. The sky, just beginning to clear, spilled a golden light that filtered through the tree leaves. The first birds were already awake, their songs mingling with the whisper of trees swaying in the wind.
"Tell me more about your mom. What is she like?"
Rio sighed, setting the can aside and looking out at the horizon between the trees.
"She’s amazing. So smart. It was always just me and her against the world, you know?"
"Not really. My mom… well, she couldn’t exactly be called exemplary." Agatha hesitated for a moment before continuing. "What does your mom have?"
"She has dementia. Like Alzheimer’s," Rio replied, her voice losing a bit of its brightness. She stood up, dusting off her pants, and began descending the steps slowly. The day was too beautiful not to explore the forest.
"Wow. How old is she?"
"Fifty-six." Rio paused, taking a deep breath as she walked among the trees. "She’s with the rest of the family in Puerto Rico."
"Shit… how was it when you guys found out?"
Rio stopped, noticing a purple flower with white edges growing at the base of a gnarled trunk.
"Devastating." She picked up the flower gently, spinning it between her fingers. The flower reminded her of Agatha. "Especially for her… you know."
" And for you. "
Rio let out a sad sigh, tucking the flower into her pocket.
"Anyway, everything she worked for was taken away from her. And that was that," she whispered. "Sorry for being such a downer."
"Don’t even think that," Agatha replied softly. "I like listening to you."
Rio looked around; the forest seemed to breathe with her. The sunbeams pierced through the tree canopy, creating a spectacle of golden particles floating in the air, like magical dust.
"There’s an area just below the tower that is… lush," Rio commented, her voice tinged with wonder.
"Oh, you must be talking about the pine grove down there."
"Yes, I think that’s where I am."
Rio let her fingertips slide along the bark of a tall, sturdy tree, feeling its rough texture against her palm.
"These trees are actually a single organism. They share one root system. Did you know that?" Agatha remarked.
"I had no idea."
Rio closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the wind caress her hair.
"They share water like a colony and can survive for years, even enduring wildfires."
"Wow," Rio said, opening her eyes, impressed.
"And believe it or not, you’re being paid to learn all these amazing things," Agatha joked. "And you get my company as a bonus."
"Couldn’t ask for anything more," Rio smiled as she kept walking.
She noticed a clearing ahead and sat down on a fallen log.
"You know, when I was younger, I planted all kinds of things. I was really good with plants. My mom even called me a 'green witch' because everything I planted grew."
"A plant lady, huh?" Agatha laughed. "I’m not that lucky. Once, I managed to kill a cactus. Plants are too complicated… that’s why I have a rabbit."
"A rabbit?" Rio raised an eyebrow. "Out of all the animals I thought you’d have, I never imagined a rabbit."
"Yep. His name is Señor Scratchy. And yes, he’s with me right now."
"Oh my God, so you’re cuddling a rabbit while talking to me?"
"Yes."
"That’s adorable," Rio replied with a smile.
Day 04
Rio had just returned from a routine patrol. Her boots were caked with dry mud, and she took a deep breath. The day was nearly over, and the last rays of the sun, tinged with orange and gold, flickered in the sky, reflecting off the leaves of the surrounding trees.
She dropped her backpack on the ground beside the wooden chair and sat down, stretching her legs with a sigh. The heat of the day was beginning to give way to the coolness of the night.
"Hey, Rio?" Agatha's voice echoed through the communicator, cutting through the moment of silence.
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking again about how you look."
Rio tilted her head, frowning. She grabbed a small water bottle and took a long drink before replying.
"Hmm… Why?"
"Because I’m extremely superficial."
Rio let out a hoarse laugh, shaking her head.
"Alright, here we go... I’m like if Salma Hayek had a super-hot twin sister."
"Oh, too bad. I heard she’s pretty short."
Rio laughed again and looked up at the sky, now streaked with shades of purple and blue.
"Well, you can't win at everything."
"Okay, that’s a good start… let’s see. In my telescope, I only see a Latina woman in shorts."
Rio clicked her tongue.
"It’s hot, okay? That’s the point. Maybe I’m not even Latina, you’re assuming too much."
"Nice try, but the other day you said your family was from Puerto Rico."
"Damn it."
"And if it’s not shorts, what do you usually like to wear?"
"I don’t know. I dress well… just don’t need to do that right now… I guess." Rio shrugged, glancing around at the forest beginning to fade into darkness.
"So you like putting on a nice shirt and heading out?"
"Oh, yeah. I have a green button-up blouse I got as a Christmas gift. I like it, even though I don’t wear it often."
"Well, sounds perfect."
Rio shifted in the chair, feeling the night air starting to grow cooler. She looked up, noticing how the stars were beginning to appear, one by one, lighting up the dark sky.
"Now tell me about your face. Pretend I’m looking at you across the bar. What do I see?"
Rio thought for a moment, rubbing her chin with the tips of her fingers, as if trying to remember herself.
"Uh… hmmm… brown hair?"
"Brown, huh. What else?"
She leaned her head back, staring at the starry sky.
"I don’t know."
"I’m drawing you. I need to know. Tell me about your eyes."
Rio furrowed her brow, a smile playing on her lips.
"You’re drawing me?"
"Yeah. Is that okay?"
"Hmmm..."
"You don’t need to answer. I’ll do it anyway."
"Okay..." she murmured.
"Your eyes. Tell me."
She paused, staring off into the distance as she thought.
"Hmm, okay. Happy. People have told me they look happy... I don’t really know how to describe eyes."
"Happy is good. It’s perfect."
Rio laughed softly, crossing her arms as a cold breeze passed by.
"Did you get what you wanted?"
"Absolutely."
"Do you usually draw all your subordinates?"
Agatha paused before answering.
"No, just you."
Rio couldn’t help but feel her heart race at the response.
Day 05
Rio was sitting beneath a large tree that she considered her favorite. The trunk was wide and rough, with small patches of moss scattered like green stains here and there. The thick roots protruded from the ground, creating small spaces where little insects made their trails.
"So… how’s your day going?" Agatha's voice came through the communicator.
Rio looked up, following with her eyes the gentle sway of the leaves.
"The same as always… dealing with my commitment to keeping this forest safe from total destruction." The reply came with a touch of irony, she picked up a fallen leaf and began to tear it absentmindedly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Agatha replied in a playful tone. "You even have your super comfy tower."
Rio huffed, throwing the pieces of the leaf on the ground.
"You know, it’s not that comfy." Her voice carried a false indignation. "The chair is wooden, no cushion, and I think a splinter got into my thigh this morning."
" Aww , poor thing," Agatha said in an exaggeratedly sweet voice. "Still, the forest depends on you."
Day 08
Rio was sitting on a fallen log in the heart of the forest, her bare feet touching the soft grass. The late afternoon light filtered through the leaves, casting golden patterns on the ground. She leaned back, supporting herself with her hands on the log.
Rio gently leaned forward as she picked up the communicator.
"Agatha?"
"Yes?"
"You always ask how I look. But what about you? What do you look like?"
"Hmmm, okay, imagine the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, multiply that beauty… and that might come close to what I look like."
Rio let out a laugh and tilted her head back, watching the sky through the branches.
"Such modesty."
"Modesty is my middle name."
"Seriously, tell me something about yourself."
Agatha hesitated for a moment.
"What do you think I look like?" Her voice carried curiosity.
Rio opened her eyes and looked up, where a solitary eagle was soaring above the canopy.
"Hmmm… A white woman with an authoritative look."
"How do you suppose I’m white? Maybe I’m not, you know, it's not very politically correct to guess people's skin color."
Rio burst into laughter, resting her elbows on her knees and leaning forward.
"Oh, my God. You’re so white, and I don’t even need to see you to know that."
"That’s not funny."
"What color are your eyes?"
"Lethal."
Rio raised an eyebrow, picking up a small stone from the ground and tossing it away.
"That’s not a color."
"But that’s what they look like."
Rio sighed, letting her gaze wander over the endless green surrounding her.
"Okay… So tell me, what did you do before you came here? This isn’t your first time, right?"
"Nope. I’ve been working here for over 10 years." Agatha paused, as if searching for the right words. "I used to teach before I took this job."
"Really? A teacher. I can picture that. What made you change your mind and come to the ends of the earth?"
" Life … something we can't control."
Rio slowly shook her head.
"I get it. I used to be a researcher."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I was in a master's program. I really enjoyed it."
"And why did you stop?"
Rio picked up a fallen leaf from the ground, spinning it between her fingers before letting it fall again.
"I had to take care of my mom."
Agatha didn’t respond immediately.
"I understand," Agatha said, finally.
Rio looked up at the sky, now tinged with deep shades of orange and violet.
" Life , as you said."
Day 12
Rio was sitting on the ground, her back leaning against a moss-covered stone. She played with a fallen leaf, folding it between her fingers.
"So..." Rio began, looking up where the branches intertwined in an almost artistic pattern against the sky. "Let's say that if your eyes had a color... and weren’t just lethal like death... would they look like the earth in the dry season, the leaves of the trees on a rainy day, or the ocean?"
On the other end of the line, Agatha let out a short, almost incredulous laugh.
"You’re still on this eyes color thing, huh?"
Rio smiled, letting the leaf fall into her lap before adjusting herself against the stone.
"You can’t blame a girl for not giving up."
A comfortable silence lingered for a moment before Agatha responded, her voice less playful, almost thoughtful.
"They used to be... warm, I guess."
Rio frowned and tilted her head, intrigued. "Not anymore?"
Agatha let out a sigh that seemed to get lost in the static of the communicator.
"No."
"That’s a shame."
"Yeah..." Agatha’s voice was soft, almost a whisper. " The moment they get the warmest is when I’m talking to you ."
Rio felt the heat rise in her face.
"Oh? Good to know." Her voice came out lower than she expected, almost swallowed by the sound of the wind passing through the trees.
Day 25
The heat was making sweat run down the back of Rio's neck as she adjusted her backpack and looked again at the crumpled map in her hands. The supply drop-off point was marked with a red X, and although it didn’t seem that far on paper, it was at least a two-hour walk.
"Is it very difficult to bring the supplies to our towers?" Rio asked through the communicator, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her shirt.
Agatha's voice came through clearly, accompanied by a hint of amusement.
"Well, I get mine delivered to my hands."
Rio stopped walking for a moment, staring at the horizon with disbelief.
"Seriously? Why? That's so unfair!"
"Privileges of a decade of service," Agatha replied, without a trace of guilt in her voice. "While you're walking in 32-Celsius degree heat, I'm here doing crosswords. Isn't life miserably unfair?"
Rio let out a heavy sigh, continuing her walk through the trail surrounded by tall trees and dense bushes.
"Miserably unfair, yes."
She walked the trail for almost two hours, listening to the sounds of the forest around her: the songs of birds, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the occasional buzzing of insects she swatted away with a slap to her leg. Finally, she spotted the large green box with "Tower 2" written on the side.
Rio dropped her backpack to the ground with a thud and grabbed the communicator.
"I’ve reached the collection point. You know... I hope it’s good stuff to make up for it."
"There should be plenty of good things," Agatha replied. "Beans, plums, dried meat... Oh, that reminds me of a former student of mine. He used to bring exactly six plums to school every day. Exactly six."
Rio opened the water bottle and took a long drink before replying.
"That’s peculiar."
"Very peculiar."
Rio smiled briefly.
"My mom used to eat plums too. She loved them."
"I bet she didn’t eat exactly six."
"No, she didn’t."
Agatha paused before speaking again, her voice softer.
"She sounds like a good person."
Rio looked away at the surrounding forest.
"She is. I should be with her... instead of running away from my problems."
"You didn’t run away, Rio. We all, at some point, mess things up."
Rio sat down on the ground, leaning against the side of the supply box. She stared at the sky above, the leaves filtering the sunlight.
"I kind of ran away. I took care of her, you know? I put my whole life on hold for her, and I don’t regret it. But... sometimes it was too much. She didn’t sleep at night anymore. I had to lock the doors because, otherwise, she’d run away. I was so exhausted..."
Her voice started to tremble, but she kept going:
"So, one night, I decided to go out with my friends. I hadn’t seen them in years. I was drunk when I got the call. It was from the police. She had left the house, gone out into the street, and was hit by a car. She almost died , Agatha... My relatives found out, and started saying that I couldn’t take care of her, that she needed to go back to Puerto Rico."
Rio stopped, taking a deep breath to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
"And, Agatha, I let her go. I was so tired that I let her. After that... I took this job and ended up here."
On the other end, the silence from Agatha was long. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded lower, almost a whisper.
"I had a son."
Rio almost dropped the communicator.
"What...?"
"He died ten years ago," Agatha continued, her voice broken. "He was six at the time. My little Nicholas. He was amazing, beautiful... I loved him more than I could measure. He got sick and... it was fast. So fast that I couldn’t even process it... One day he was fine, and the next, the illness had consumed him."
Rio felt her breath catch, the words stuck in her throat.
"I started drinking. I quit my job. I thought about..." Agatha paused, breathing deeply before continuing. "I thought about ending it all. But one day, I saw a flyer for this job. And I took it. And it worked, to escape from reality."
The silence that followed was heavy.
"Agatha..." Rio finally managed to speak, but didn’t know how to continue.
"No one knows this," Agatha said, almost as if confessing. "But for some reason, I wanted you to know . There are things in life that we just can’t control ."
Rio stared at the green box in front of her.
"Agatha?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
And for a moment, neither of them said anything.
Day 32
“I realized I’ve never asked your age.” Rio said over the communicator, there is curiosity in your voice. They had been talking for hours about trivial matters, but Rio's mind seemed restless, searching for something more.
Rio was sitting at her desk, a small typewriter in front of her. The machine seemed out of place in the room, but Rio liked the sensation of hearing the keys press down with force, something that relaxed her. The window to her left offered a wide view of the dark sky, where clouds partially covered the forest outside.
“That’s not something you ask a lady.“ Agatha replied, her voice tinged with mild offense, as if the question had crossed into forbidden territory.
Rio smiled quietly and glanced at the blank pages on her typewriter. “I’m jotting down a few things from this summer on my little typewriter. I need to know your age.”
“A typewriter, huh? Who would’ve thought.” Agatha responded.
“I like it. It relaxes me… But, tell me, how old are you? 63?”
“Ha! Very funny, but no.“ Agatha paused, as if pondering. “I’m 37.”
“My God, I’m talking to an old lady.” Rio said, mimicking an exaggerated expression of surprise.
Agatha chuckled softly but quickly retorted, “Come on, you can’t be that much younger.”
“ I’m 21.“ Rio replied with a hint of irony, waiting for a reaction.
Agatha made a dismissive sound, almost a muffled laugh. “No, you’re not.”
“Okay, you got me… I’m 29.” Rio confessed with a shy smile, still playing around.
“Old. “Agatha said, teasing her in a fond way.
“Hey!“ Rio protested, laughing.
Day 47
The night was warm and windless, the kind of heat that seemed to cling to the skin. Rio was on the tower’s balcony, leaning over the parapet with the communicator in her hands. On the horizon, the orange glow of the fire lit up the darkness, dancing like a living beast.
"Yep, definitely a fire," Rio commented as she observed the bright spot.
"You have a front-row seat for what looks like the biggest fire of the year," Agatha’s voice came through the communicator, low and hoarse, as if she were tired.
"It’s a big one," Rio agreed, watching the sparks rise into the night sky like inverted stars.
Agatha sighed audibly.
"I’ve already called a team to put it out, but I bet we’ll have it for the rest of the summer. And it still doesn’t have a name. Normally, I come up with something funny, but this time… why don’t you do the honors?"
Rio smiled, tilting her head.
"Oh, Agatha seems like a good name."
Agatha’s laugh came like a wave, deep, echoing through the communicator, making Rio feel a different kind of warmth in her chest.
"No, you idiot."
"I was joking."
"Hmm-mm. No, you weren’t," Agatha teased. "You’re sweet, but we can’t call it Fire Agatha."
"So, what?" Rio asked.
"How about your middle name? Vidal?"
Rio considered it for a moment, watching the flames in the distance.
"Fire Vidal. I think I like that."
"I like that too," Agatha said, the softness in her voice almost tangible.
Rio smiled, feeling her heart beat a little faster. Every day that passed, she became more attached to Agatha. Talking to her was the easiest part of her long, solitary weeks in the forest.
"So… there’s this cove down the hill," Agatha started, changing the subject. — "And you know what I like to do most?"
"What?"
"I love to take a bottle of whatever I have, throw it in the water, and let it chill all day. So, on ridiculously hot nights like this, I have something cold to drink."
Rio chuckled softly.
"Sounds smart."
"I learned it from a camp buddy in summer camp," Agatha explained. "She’d dip a bottle of tequila in the lake and make delicious margaritas."
"Sounds fun," Rio said, the smile still present in her voice.
"Are you looking at the fire?" Agatha asked after a moment of silence.
Rio glanced back at the distant flames, her eyes fixed on the hypnotic glow.
"Yeah, I am."
"I love how they look at night. During the day, it’s just smoke, but when the sun sets… you can just lose yourself. "
"It’s really beautiful," Rio murmured.
Agatha’s voice came soft, almost a whisper.
"I’m glad you’re here."
Rio felt her heart race with Agatha’s words.
"I feel the same. Everything is better with you."
"I don’t talk to other watchers the way I talk to you," Agatha admitted. "Not in the same way… you have something, Rio Vidal."
Rio felt the heat rise in her face, she really liked Agatha.
"Maybe we could go out at the end of the summer, what do you think? Grab a beer or something."
"I’d love that," Agatha replied, her voice carrying a smile that Rio could almost see.
"I can’t help but think how nice it would be to talk to you without the radio. Just hear your real voice, no static. I keep fantasizing about what you’re like, how you smile, how your expression changes with every little thing you do," Rio said, still watching the fire, her heart pounding.
"I fantasize about you too, you know? Sometimes I wonder what you smell like. I think it must be something like the forest, like I imagine." Agatha’s voice was soft and low, as if telling a secret.
"What color are your eyes?" Rio asked, almost without realizing it.
"I think one day you’ll find out."
Day 51
"Are you really going to fish without a license?" Agatha's voice came through the communicator, incredulous.
Rio rolled her eyes, knowing Agatha couldn't see.
"It’s just one fish…" she replied, as if justifying a major crime. "And I found this rod that someone left behind a few days ago. Must be a sign from the universe. Besides, I’m tired of the same things I have to eat."
"Oh, sure, the universe sending signs to encourage minor crimes," Agatha retorted, sarcasm in her voice.
Rio shrugged, her feet sinking slightly into the damp sand by the shore.
"You know how it is, Agatha. Desperation calls for desperate measures."
A tired sigh came through the radio.
"Okay, I won’t tell anyone about your transgressions."
Rio smiled triumphantly, but her satisfaction didn’t last long.
"Actually…" Agatha continued, and Rio could sense the change in tone. "I just remembered hearing reports of bears roaming around that area near the lake. Could you take a look around, search for tracks, and let me know if you find anything?"
Rio froze, her gaze now quickly darting between the trees around her.
"Bears?" she asked, her voice a bit louder than usual.
"Yes. With the fire to the east, you know how it is. The animals get agitated."
"Sure, no problem. Just… remember me fondly when I die, okay?"
On the other end of the line, Agatha laughed, a sound full of warmth and calm.
"You’re such a drama queen."
"I’m serious! I can’t believe I’m going to leave this planet as bear shit," Rio replied, taking a cautious step back, her eyes still scanning the area.
"You’re not going to," Agatha reassured. "But thanks, Rio. Let me know if anything comes up."
Rio huffed, setting the fishing rod down and starting to search for tracks.
Day 62
“Agatha? Are you awake?” Rio asked, holding the communicator in her hand.
The heat was unbearable. She was wearing only an oversized blouse and panties, strands of hair sticking to her face due to sweat. The clock read almost 3:00AM, and the darkness was pitch black, with heavy clouds of smoke covering the sky.
“So... you can’t sleep either?”
“No,” Rio replied, shifting uncomfortably in bed. “It’s too hot for that.”
The sweat stuck to her clothes, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
“I used to wish summer would last forever… so I wouldn’t have to face life outside. But now, I guess I just wish it would end soon… so I could see you .”
“God, when I can finally take a bath and drink a cold beer, life will be worth living again.”
Agatha laughed on the other end of the line. “So... have a beer?” Will it be on our date, the one you asked me to go on a few nights ago?
“Maybe.”
“What will it be like?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just imagine... I walk into the bar, see a pretty girl in the corner. What would you be wearing?” Agatha’s voice dropped dangerously low.
“Hmm, I don’t know... Maybe with my fancy green button-down blouse?”
“Would you wear that fancy blouse for me?”
Rio swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise even more.
“Yes, I would for you.”
“Good girl,” Agatha purred, and the sound made Rio’s body shiver. “Then I would come over to you, sit next to you. I would be wearing a short black dress, the one that shows off my curves. Can you picture it?”
“Uh-huh,” Rio replied, not trusting her voice. Her mind was flooded with images... a faceless woman, but so incredibly familiar. Agatha. Hers Agatha.
“Well... we would start drinking. I like watching your mouth while you drink it.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off you,” Rio confessed.
“Yeah, I’d love that. I can imagine a drop running from your mouth to your chin. Do you know what I’d do with that drop, Rio?” Agatha’s tone was husky.
Rio shifted on the bed, rubbing her thighs together.
“What would you do?”
“I’d lean toward you, catch that drop with my tongue, so close… I wouldn’t leave a trace behind.”
Rio’s breathing was ragged.
“Then, I’d resist the urge to kiss you… the urge I’ve been feeling since the moment I laid eyes on you. The urge I’m feeling now. ”
Rio let out a sigh, unable to hide how much Agatha’s words were affecting her.
“Would you let me?”
“What?”
“Would you let me kiss you?”
“Yes, Agatha” Rio practically moaned Agatha’s name, her mouth dry, her body begging.
“Good girl,” Agatha murmured. “Then I would kiss you... deep, slow. I would enjoy the taste of your mouth as if it were the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. Would you like that?”
“Very much.”
“Then I would pull you by the hand to a nearby bathroom.” Agatha paused, her tone changing, deeper, more intense.
“What would you do to me?” Rio gasped “in this bathroom?”
“Oh, Rio... I wanted to do so many things to you... Maybe I would take you home... but I want you so much, for so long... that I couldn’t wait any longer. Can you feel how much I want you?”
Rio couldn’t take it anymore. The ache in the center of her legs was becoming unbearable. She brought a hand to one of her breasts, squeezing gently. Rio let out a moan, unable to hold it in.
“Are you touching yourself?” Agatha asked, her voice full of command. “You're not supposed to touch you yet, we're at the bar, remember? I'll touch you when I want to.”
Rio let out an almost pathetic moan, stopping immediately.
“Good girl. Now, answer me... Can you feel how much I want you?”
“Yes... “Rio answered, her voice muffled by desire. “So much.”
“Oh, darling... You have no idea... Then, we'd go into the bathroom, and I'd pin you against the door, my whole body pressed against yours. Every part of me would make you feel how much you belong to me, and you'd let me, wouldn't you?
“Yes, Agatha. Please.”
“So needy... be patient, princess , we'll get there” Agatha murmured, her voice hoarse. Rio felt her body hot, about to explode.”I’d trail kisses all over your neck... I'd bite you, I'd mark you so everyone knows who you belong to, would you like that, darling?”
“Yes, please.”
“Imagine my hands on your waist. Can you feel it?”
Rio hesitated, but then she reached down to her waist, her touch tentative and delicate.
“Yes, I can.”
“I would hold you there, firmly but gently. Now, put your hands on your waist and squeeze. I want you to feel what it would be like.”
Rio obeyed again, placing her hands where Agatha indicated. She could have sworn she felt Agatha’s hands on her, not her own.
“Good… now I would open your pretty blouse, carefully, so as not to ruin it. I would run my hand over your stomach. Can you feel it?”
“Yes, I can,” Rio replied, her voice shaking as a soft moan escaped her lips.
“That’s right, good girl. Now, gently, I would remove your bra, exposing your skin. Can you feel the cool wind against it? Can you feel me pressed against you?”
Rio ran her hand over her stomach, imagining what Agatha was describing.
“Yes,” she replied, the sound coming out almost like a moan.
“Good. Then, gently, I would cup your breasts in my hands, feeling the weight of them. So soft, so perfect… Now, place your hands on them, darling. See how soft they are.”
Rio, trembling, put the communicator aside as she did as Agatha commanded. She squeezed her own breasts and let out a moan that sounded almost pathetic.
“Slowly” Agatha’s voice echoed through the communicator, gentle, almost like a whisper.
Rio adjusted the strength of her movements, obeying.
“That’s it… like that. Do you like it when I touch you?”
“Yes, I do… I love your hands on me.”
“Good girl. Now, can you imagine my mouth on your breasts, sucking, marking you? Your skin feels so soft under my mouth.”
Rio sighed deeply, heat and desire taking over her body.
“I would ask you to mark me, so I could remember the next day. I want to feel you for days” Rio said, her voice dripping with need.
“God, baby, you’re going to be the death of me” Agatha moaned, her breathing getting heavier. “Now, I would move my hand down, feeling your skin to the waistband of your panties, pulling them down… Can you feel my hands on you, caressing you?”
Rio let out a pitiful moan, her fingers trembling as she followed what Agatha described.
“Yes, please, Agatha… please.”
“Are you wet for me?”
“Yes”
“How much? Bring your hand to your pussy, check it out, and tell me how much you want me.”
Rio brought her fingers to her intimate part, trembling as she felt her soaked panties, so much so that they were already dripping down her thighs.
“I’m dripping for you, Agatha. Please…”
“Good girl. Now, imagine my hands touching you, caressing you. I would run through your wet folds, feeling how much you want me. Can you feel that, darling?”
Rio slid her fingers through herself, breathing heavily.
“Yes”
“Do you want me inside you? Do you want me to fuck you? Do you want to scream my name? Can you feel me pulling you close, my mouth on your neck, your legs between my thighs, can you feel how wet I am for you?”
The idea was too much for Rio's mind
"Agatha, please... I can't take it anymore," Rio begged, her voice breaking.
"You beg so beautifully... Now, imagine my fingers entering you, slowly, feeling you. God, you're so tight. Can you feel how tight you are?"
Rio followed the instructions, guiding her fingers inside, she was so wet that easily entered, the long-awaited fulfillment, Rio let out a desperate moan.
"Agatha... more, please..."
Agatha's breathing became ragged on the communicator, and Rio could hear her moaning, Agatha was also touching herself , it sent a wave of pleasure throughout Rio's body.
"I would fuck you so good, baby. Can you feel your body rubbing against the door from how hard I fuck you? Can you feel how hard your pussy grips my fingers? You're so perfect, such a pretty girl."
"Agatha, I'm so close." Rio moaned desperately.
"You're going to cum for me, aren't you?"
"Yes... I'm going to cum for you."
"Good girl. Cum for me, baby." Rio moaned loudly as she climaxed, her body shaking and her mind clouded by the intensity of the moment. She fell onto the bed, exhausted, her eyes nearly closing.
"Rio?" Agatha's voice came softly, almost caressingly.
"Yes?" Rio replied, her breathing still labored.
"Good night, my dear."
Day 73
"Then... the fire is getting worse," Rio commented over the communicator, her eyes fixed on the flames to the east. The fire seemed bigger than in the last few days, a beast growing as the wind blew.
"Yes, I can see it too," Agatha replied "They're trying to contain it, but without much success. Some areas are under control, others not so much. And by the way, I have a task for you today."
"Oh, really? What is it?"
"There’s a campsite south of your map. It’s been deactivated for years, but people are worried that there might still be something flammable there. Can you check it out?"
"Sure, boss. You don’t ask, you command."
"Hmm, so obedient," Agatha teased, her voice low, almost a purr.
Rio felt her face heat up, even though she was used to Agatha’s occasional flirting. Since that night when they had gotten closer, no other conversation had taken the same turn, but even Agatha's subtle provocations made Rio blush.
"For you, always," Rio replied with a smile that Agatha, unfortunately, couldn't see.
She put on her boots, grabbed her cap, and adjusted her backpack before heading out the door. The sun had already risen, and the heat promised to be suffocating. The path was relatively close, but Rio had never been in that part of the map before, which made the walk a little adventure.
The terrain was familiar to her now, the sound of branches cracking under her boots, the smell of the forest mixed with the scent of burnt wood. The fire had passed through there recently, leaving behind a trail of ashes and charred logs.
"I found the site of the controlled burn," Rio reported over the radio. "It seems safe to pass through here now."
"Yes," Agatha replied. "Normally, they wouldn’t prioritize putting out the fire so close to the river, but I think they were afraid it would cross and threaten Tower Two... now that someone lives there."
"Reassuring to know that my house was the reason," Rio commented with sarcasm.
"Oh, you're well protected, trust me."
Rio kept following the directions on the map, crossing denser areas until she spotted the campsite entrance. An old sign with faded letters read: Campeche Camp.
"I’ve arrived," she informed through the communicator.
"This campsite has been around since the 50s," Agatha explained.
"Something about scout camps always bothered me," Rio commented, looking at the abandoned cabins, already falling apart. "Grown men supervising kids... it never seemed right to me."
"You’re right," Agatha agreed. "Be careful with the structures; they’re really old."
"Careful, huh? It’s almost like you’re worried about me," Rio replied with a mischievous smile.
"Maybe I am," Agatha responded, her voice soft on the other end.
Rio explored the site, finding rusted cans, collapsed cabins, and remains of long-extinguished campfires. Everything seemed to have been abandoned in a hurry.
"I missed you," Rio confessed after a few minutes of silence. "I know you’re busy with this fire thing, but I really miss hearing your voice."
Agatha sighed.
"I know, sweetheart. But I promise that all the free time I have is yours."
"I know that," Rio replied. "But I want more."
"Greedy."
"For you," Rio murmured, biting her lower lip to hold back a smile.
She kept rummaging until she found something on the ground, partially buried in the dirt: an old, torn magazine.
"There’s something here. It looks... oh my God. It’s a Playboy," Rio said, holding back her laughter. "Some teenager must have been very disappointed when they realized they lost this."
Agatha laughed over the communicator.
"Playboy, huh? Sounds just like your type."
Rio threw the magazine aside, feeling her cheeks warm. Even though Agatha wasn’t beside her, it felt as though she could feel the other woman’s eyes on her.
"Not exactly," Rio retorted, still blushing.
As she walked further into the campsite, she spotted a massive tree, standing out from the others.
"There’s a giant tree here," Rio commented. "It looks different from the others."
"Yes," Agatha confirmed. "It was planted by someone, it’s not native to the area."
Rio smiled, an idea forming in her mind. She crouched down to pick up a sharp stone and started carving something into the thick trunk of the tree.
"What are you doing?" Agatha asked, curious.
"Putting our names here," Rio replied. "A+R. At least on this tree, we can be close."
The silence on the other end made Rio furrow her brows, thinking the communicator had failed.
"Agatha? Are you there?"
"Yes, yes, I’m here," Agatha replied, her voice slightly trembling. "That... that’s beautiful. I wish I could see it."
Day 74
"Hey, what are you doing?" Agatha's voice sounded through the communicator, curious.
Rio was on the balcony of the shelter, her elbows resting on the rusty railing, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The sky, tinged with orange and gray hues, seemed swallowed by the flames. The fire, relentless, advanced more each day.
"Watching the impending death approach," Rio replied, her tone resigned. "It gets closer every day."
"Don’t be dramatic," Agatha retorted, with a light laugh to disguise the tension.
Rio let out a long sigh, the dry heat of the air almost suffocating.
"I think they’ll have to evacuate everyone from here," Agatha commented after a pause. "Or you’ll be right, and we’ll all turn into barbecue."
"Even if we don’t stay the whole summer, they’ll have to pay us, right?" Rio asked, concern reflected in her voice.
"I don’t know... Probably."
Rio shifted her gaze to the fire in the distance. The glow seemed to pulse, alive, threatening. The smell of smoke was almost constant now.
"Do you know what I just got?" Agatha asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"What?"
"One-fifth of a Major Bueno tequila from the cove."
"Are you drunk?" Rio asked, a smile forming for the first time that night.
"I’m getting drunk. It’s different."
"Sounds like a good plan."
"Well, if we’re going to burn to death in the flames of hell, I want to have one last drink," Agatha said, joking, though there was a melancholic sincerity hidden in her words.
Rio let out a soft laugh, though her eyes were still fixed on the fire. The sight was hypnotizing, as if the flames were dancing in a macabre spectacle.
"I wish I had one of those drinks with me..." Rio murmured. "And you too, here with me."
"Uhh, I like that idea," Agatha replied, her voice slightly lower, almost a purr.
Rio closed her eyes for a moment, letting the silence between them fill the suffocating night. The distant crackling of the fire was the only soundtrack.
"Agatha?" she called after a while.
"Yes?"
"It’s going to be okay, right?" Rio’s voice trembled slightly.
Day 78
Rio pressed her hand against the windowpane, feeling the hot and oppressive temperature against her skin. The smoke outside was dense, heavy like a wall that swallowed everything. The air, laden with the bitter scent of burnt wood, seeped through the cracks, making it hard to breathe. On the other side of the glass, the forest that once seemed alive, pulsing, had turned into a chaotic scene. The trees, which used to sway gracefully in the wind, were now motionless, like charred skeletons, wrapped in ashes falling like dark snow.
The landscape no longer seemed real. The gray smoke concealed the horizon, blending the sky and earth into an indistinct curtain. The night’s silence had been replaced by a constant, unsettling sound: the distant crackling of the flames and the occasional snap of branches succumbing to the fire.
"I heard news that they’re going to evacuate the area," Agatha said over the communicator, her voice muffled, almost tired. "The fire can no longer be controlled."
Rio didn’t take her eyes off the window, trying to see beyond the suffocating curtain of smoke.
"It’s about time," she replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "Agatha, what I see out here looks like a horror movie scene. I can’t see anything anymore. It’s like the world has ended."
On the other end of the line, Agatha let out a sigh, sharing the same unease.
"I know... It’s the same here. The smoke is so thick that even the sunlight seems to have given up on shining. Have you started packing?"
Rio finally stepped away from the glass, her hand leaving a foggy mark on the surface. She looked around the small room, her suitcase partially filled with the essentials.
"Yes, there’s not much left."
"Great. We’ll probably leave tomorrow."
Rio looked back at the forest. Even though it was just a blur of ashes and shadows, she could swear it seemed to be looking back, like a dead entity, but still aware. The hot wind brought a distant sound , maybe the rustling of falling leaves, or the scream of a tree disintegrating in flames.
She swallowed hard, the weight of the moment settling onto her shoulders. It wasn’t just the end of the season; it was the end of everything the forest had ever been.
"Agatha?" she called, her voice low.
"Yes?"
"I hope there’s still something left to come back to. Someday."
Day 79
Rio watched the inside of her tower for the last time. The place that had been her home for 79 consecutive days was now in disarray. Boxes were scattered across the floor, her backpack was ready by the door, packed only with the essentials. The chaos outside seemed to have invaded her home.
She looked out the window. The sky was tinged with a sickly orange, not the warm kind of dawn she used to love, but a suffocating color, like the harbinger of impending destruction. In the distance, she saw the outline of a helicopter cutting through the thick smoke, hovering over the island like a predator.
"Did you see that helicopter?" Agatha's voice echoed through the communicator.
"I saw it. I’m finishing packing my bag," Rio replied, trying to keep calm in her voice.
"They’re evacuating people already," Agatha said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Rio looked down at the floor.
"The Vidal fire is causing problems, huh?" she commented, a sheepish smile touching her lips.
"Yeah, they couldn’t control it. It’s probably going to be one of the biggest fires ever recorded. I bet they’ll rename it after this."
"Too bad."
"Yeah. Listen, you need to go to the meeting point. It’s north of your tower, at the highest point, after my tower. The helicopters are already evacuating people who’ve made it there."
Rio nodded, even though she knew Agatha couldn’t see her.
"Okay, boss. I’m on my way."
"Rio?"
"Yeah?"
"Be careful."
Outside, the heat was suffocating, almost unbearable. Every step felt like an effort amidst the devastation. The forest that once thrived was now a cemetery of charred trees. The smell of burning wood was embedded in everything, and the sound of the fire was deafening, mixed with the whistle of the wind carrying dangerous embers.
Rio checked the map one last time, confirming the path. Holding the compass firmly, she moved forward, her feet following the route she knew by heart, but now it seemed unrecognizable.
The communicator crackled again, bringing Agatha’s voice back.
"Hey, are you close?"
"I’m near. I can see your tower from here."
"The helicopters are here, but they’re rotating. They want me to go with them."
Rio’s heart tightened. The fear of Agatha leaving her there, alone, began to root itself in her mind.
"Wait for me," her voice came out low, almost a whisper, filled with plea. "I want to go with you… and what if they don’t come back?"
"They will come back. It’s their job."
"Just... please, wait."
"Okay, I’ll wait."
"Agatha?"
"Yeah?"
"If you really have to go..."
"I’ll wait for you."
Rio quickened her pace, the sound of planes passing overhead, probably dumping water to contain the fire, was a constant reminder of the gravity of the situation. When she reached the top of the hill, she spotted the cable car that connected her tower to Agatha’s. This time, it was working.
So this really was an emergency problem, huh?
Rio rushed onto the gondola, the hot wind messing with her hair as Agatha’s tower drew closer. The structure seemed almost identical to hers, except in better condition.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs leading to the tower, she hesitated. What if Agatha wasn’t there? What if she had left without her?
Taking a deep breath, Rio began to climb the steps, one at a time, her heart heavy in her chest. When she finally reached the top and looked inside the tower, her greatest fear came true.
The place was empty.
For a moment, Rio stood there, frozen, staring into the emptiness, feeling as abandoned as the forest burning around her.
Rio could feel her heart drop as she realized Agatha was gone. Still, she forced herself to enter the tower. Each step felt heavier, as if the place exhaled the emptiness Agatha had left behind. She couldn’t let the tears overtake her now, but the pain in her throat was starting to burn.
Looking around, she saw Agatha’s bed, perfectly made. Beside it, a small cage, clearly for a rabbit. "Señor Scratchy," Rio thought, remembering the little pet Agatha had mentioned so many times. In the corner, a bottle of tequila thrown on the floor seemed like an echo of the casual conversations they’d had.
When she approached the table, she noticed a drawing carefully placed on it. It was simple, almost childish, made of sticks, showing a girl standing, with the name "RIO VIDAL " written above in large, clumsy letters. Next to Rio’s face, "happy eyes" was highlighted.
The lump in her throat tightened, and tears began to silently roll down her face. On the table, there was also a partially filled crossword book and what seemed to be the remains of rabbit food.
In the corner, a remote-controlled radio connected to a headset caught her attention. A small red light blinked, indicating it was active.
With trembling hands, Rio placed the headset over her head, taking a deep breath before speaking:
"Hello, is anyone there?"
Her voice came out low, almost a whisper.
"Hi, it’s me." Agatha’s response was clear, filling the silence of the tower. Hearing it, Rio’s tears flowed even faster down her cheeks.
"I see you made it to the spot," Agatha continued.
"Mm-hmm," was all Rio could reply, swallowing her sobs.
"It shouldn’t be long before the helicopter returns."
"Okay."
"There’ll be an interrogation, like always in situations like this. Lots of questions."
"Shit."
"Yeah. I’ll also have to figure out what I’m doing next summer that isn’t this."
Rio’s heart tightened even more.
"You’re not coming back?" Her voice cracked, exposing the fear she tried to hide.
"No."
"I’m not either… I don’t know what comes next."
"Let’s do this: why don’t you choose for me and I choose for you?"
Rio sniffed, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to escape.
"Sure, why not? Maybe you’d make a good psychologist since you gave up teaching."
"Are you kidding? You spent ten weeks with me. God knows how much therapy it’ll take to undo this experience."
Rio laughed, even through her tears.
"You’re a good listener, I think."
"Thanks, I try."
"I mean, you definitely still have some things to learn at psychology school. Like... a lot of things."
"Noted."
God, Rio would miss her so much she might die.
"And me?" Rio asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think you should go visit your mom. Then, you can figure out the rest. Maybe put that typewriter to use and write about this. Give me a sexy accent or something."
"Okay."
"But you need to go see her, Rio. You came here to leave your memories behind, but they’re still right in front of you. "
"You’re right. I’ll move on… but... I thought you’d come with me."
The silence on the other end was devastating. Rio felt the implicit refusal crush her chest.
"Agatha?"
"Yeah?"
"What’s the color of your eyes?"
A brief silence followed before Agatha answered:
"Why don’t you turn around and find out?"
Rio’s heart raced. Agatha couldn’t... could she? Slowly, she took the headset off and turned around.
All she saw was an explosion of blue, not like the ocean she had imagined before, but like the sky on its clearest day, like that flower she found in the forest, bright and unique.
Agatha’s eyes were blue.
"I would love to move on with you, sweetheart."