Looked Like An Angel

By Denise

I woke and Luis was gone. I guess he didn't want to have breakfast with me this morning. I laughed to myself. I got out of bed and started to get dressed when there was a knock on the door. I opened the door and Anna was standing there. "Well, good morning, Anna."

"Good morning, Señora Vargas."

"Will you stop calling me that? Just call me Julia."

"Yes ma'am. Do you want me to help you dress?"

"No, I can manage."

"Well, I brought you some hot water, if you need it."

"Yes, thank you, I do need to freshen up."

She pushed the cart over to the bath area and placed the pitcher of water on the table. "Do you want me to stay?"

"No." I smiled as she walked towards the door. "Hey, Anna, I am sorry for yelling at you yesterday."

She turned around. "Oh, it's okay."

"No it's not, I had no reason to yell at you."

"Thank you."

"I want us to be friends."

"I would like that too," she smiled.

"Anna do you know if Señor Vargas is still here?"

"I think he left early this morning."

"Okay, thanks."

She left me alone, so I could go bathe myself and then I got dressed.

***

I wanted to get my letter written to Emily, to tell her about how wonderful it was living here with Luis. So I found my stationary and then went down to the library and sat down at the desk and began to write. I soon finished it, addressed it and then stuck a small version of my wedding picture into the envelope, so she could see what Luis looked like.

I sat back in the chair and thought about Luis. Wondering what he was doing right now. He had opened up some wild thoughts and feelings in my mind. For a Christian woman who was brought up with certain beliefs and values, he had changed the way I think. I wanted to know more about him and myself. I sat there looking around the room; I knew there had to be something in here that could help me learn and understand. So I got up from the chair and looked around the room and noticed there was a set of encyclopedias. I took the one with the letter 'H", off the shelf, and opened it. I was surprised to see it was written in English. So I opened to the page that said "the Human Body" and found it had drawings of my body and his. Oh now I will know what these things are called. I began to read and then a voice called my name. I looked up with embarrassment. It was Sara.

"What is wrong, dear?"

"Oh, nothing." I quickly closed the book. "Sara, you scared me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in here."

I picked up my things as I headed for the door. "Sara, I am going into Santiago to mail my letter."

"Well, you shouldn't go alone. Why don't you take someone with you?"

"Yes, I should."

I went back to the bedroom and put the book into a drawer. And then went to invite Anna to go with me.

We went down to the stables to see if Pedro would give me a ride into Santiago and he said he would take us.

***

Anna and I arrived in Santiago 45 minutes later. Pedro parked the carriage under a big shade tree to wait for us, while we went to the post office and then went shopping. I wanted to find the perfect gift for Luis.

We were ready to leave and started heading towards the carriage, when a woman stepped in front of us. "Excuse me," I said politely and tried to go around her.

"Hello, Julia." She moved over to keep me from passing her. "It's good to see you again."

"What do you want?" I looked into her face. "Oh. Hello, Bonita."

"So you do remember me."

"Yes we met on the ship. What do you want?"

"I was wondering if you got married?"

"I was married three days ago."

"That's great, you do look happy."

"Yes, I am very happy."

"I would be happy, to have a rich man; like him."

"I really don't care about the money. I am satisfied to be his wife."

"I saw you two together."

"You did?"

"At that restaurant last evening."

I looked down at my wristwatch. "I have to get back home, it is getting late."

Then I looked behind me and saw two men standing behind me. One grabbed my arms while the other grabbed Anna's. I screamed as Bonita put a cloth over my mouth and then tied it in back of my head. Then they tied my arms together with rope. One of the men opened the door of a building that was nearby and pushed us through the door. Once inside, we were forced into two chairs and then we were tied together. "Now we will see how much Luis will pay to get you back," she laughed.

***

Luis arrived home after a long day, looking forward to another incredible evening with Julia. He quickly went to his bedroom to take off his jacket, vest and hung up his hat. He just came out of his bedroom, on his way to find Julia, when Sara came up behind him.

"Don Luis."

"Well, good evening Sara." Luis turned around with a smile. "Where is my beautiful wife?"

"Julia isn't here!"

"What?" His smile slowly faded. "She isn't here?" He feared something was wrong. "Where did she go?"

"She and Anna went to Santiago to mail a letter and to do some shopping. I am getting worried - they have been gone a long time."

Luis glanced down at his pocket watch. It was 5:35. "What time did they leave?"

"It was after lunch."

Then Pedro came rushing in. He was out of breath and unable to speak.

"Pedro, calm down." Luis placed his hands on Pedro's shoulders.

"Señor Vargas. Oh Lord! Something has happened!"

"What Pedro, what happened?"

"I took Señora Vargas and Señorita Anna into Santiago. Then about two hours later I saw them coming back towards the carriage. One minute, I saw them talking to a dark haired woman…then I heard a scream and then…then they were gone," he sobbed.

Luis couldn't believe what he was hearing. "They disappeared?"

"Sí."

"Did you go look for them?"

"I didn't know where to look. I wanted to come home to tell you. Oh Señor, I'm so sorry."

"Pedro, calm down. This wasn't your fault." He looked at Sara for comfort, trying to control his emotions. He then looked back at Pedro. "Take me to Santiago."

"Now? Don Luis, It will be dark soon," Sara warned. "Why not wait until morning?"

"No, I can't wait, Sara, I have to go…I will go alone…if I have to."

"No Señor, I will take you."

"Thanks, Pedro." Luis went back to his bedroom to change his clothes.