Juan used to be the pride of his family, with a stable job and a happy life with Claudia. But his wife’s death changed everything. He became a single father, working while caring for Diego.
During the day, he took him to the daycare near his office, and when he returned in the evening, he bathed, fed, and put him to bed. Every day he followed a strict schedule, trying to fill the void in his heart.
One weekend morning, while picking up toys in Diego’s room, he found him standing in a corner, his face pressed against the wall, not moving or making a sound.
He was surprised, but thought that children sometimes behaved strangely and didn’t think much of it. He left the room and continued with his chores.
The next day, the scene repeated itself. In the afternoon, when he returned from work, he saw Diego in the same position, motionless, not responding when he called him. He reassured himself, thinking, “Every child develops differently, it’s probably nothing.”
But on the third day, the behavior no longer seemed accidental.
Every few hours, Diego would go to the corner, press his face against the wall, and remain motionless for several seconds or more than a minute, then walk away as if nothing had happened.
The boy’s silence began to worry him. He wasn’t being stubborn or mischievous; he seemed absorbed by an invisible world.
Juan tried calling him, making noises, or bringing his toys closer, but Diego didn’t respond. His concern for his well-being began to grow. Since Claudia’s death, Juan had lived in a state between wakefulness and sleep, trying not to collapse. He decided to observe him more closely.
One night, when Diego again stood facing the wall, Juan gently approached and sat beside him. In the dim light, he heard the boy whisper three words: Continue reading…
