SHORT TALE: A NON-TOLD TALE

Luisa Fernanda Suzunaga Reyes

Publicado en Capital Letter No. 2

Octubre de 2002

Today was the strangest day of my life; let me say just a strange day. As every Halloween I gave a party in my residence, which the most important people of the city was invited to; yes, it's true, they aren't kind people, but they are powerful and important, something much more worthy. All in the party was normal, drinks, cigarettes and smiles; it was surely the best party I've given. But something strange happened when it finished. After the last guest had gone - a man whose name I don't remember, but I do remember how much money his family has- a new person arrived, he was disguised with a black tunic and that's how it started. 

Who are you?

I am you, but I'm alive.

What do you mean? Am I dead?

Yes, your soul has gone, and now it's with me; you changed it for Money, future and sad vain happiness.

No, when did I do it?

The day you stopped being a child, the day you preferred to have a decent life in front of society rather than looking for your nirvana in simple things; in the green the trees have, not in the green of dollars and the fine cocktail glasses.

I am dead, what am I going to do? Who is going to keep my fortune if I

don't have anybody to give it to?

Do you see? you are worried about your fortune, not about not having anybody. Did you really think you were alive?

Yes, I feel it; look I can touch my face with my hands.

it's true, you can touch your face, but can you feel your soul?

Souls can't be touched.

I know that, that's why I say feel. You can feel your soul if you see inside yourself with your eyes closed. See if you can.

See inside myself and with my eyes closed, that's impossible!

It's possible, but it can only be done by people who are really alive, or

dead people as you call us.

No, / can't, am I dead?

Yes, you are. It's true you can walk, smell, touch, feel and see, although no more than what is in front of you, namely, more people who are dead in life. But you are dead, you are.

Can I live again?

Of course you can, you just have to kill your body, that allows the others to think you are alive. And how?

I don't know, you are the one who has to find the correct way. I'll do that!

And I did it, while I burnt my money, and my residence; I also burnt my body and my life. And so that man and me stopped talking, since, as you know, dead people really don't talk.