Many moons ago, on one of those winter nights when the cold penetrates to the bones, the rural house Mas Torrencito, a XV century farmhouse in the heart of the Empordà, was quiet.
Outside, frost covered the fields and the murmur of the nearby stream was barely audible. Inside, on the other hand, the fires in the fireplaces crackled and the heating was working at full blast.
It was one of those nights when you don’t feel like going out at all. We had only two guests staying with us, which is normal for that time of year. Most preferred to stay indoors rather than venture out on those icy roads.
I was in the kitchen with Mire, my partner, while Meme was in charge of serving dinner. Everything was going smoothly until, suddenly, the front door opened and two guys appeared.
Meme called me immediately, and almost at the same time, the dogs-Mastin, Moms, Maky and the rest of the pack-ran down the stairs and started barking like there was no tomorrow.
-Oh,my God! I said quietly, looking at Mire, ” If they’re customers, they’re going to be scared.
-I’m telling you… what a way to get off with these rascals.
I went down to the foyer and met the two strangers. The dogs were surrounding them, sniffing them, but not doing anything to them. Still, one of the men had an expression of obvious discomfort.
-Could youlock them up? he asked in a tense voice.
–No. They are at home.
-It’s justthat my friend doesn’t like them very much –
–Well, this is a house where dogs are free. Not only mine, but also those of the clients.
They looked at each other, as if they were not amused by the answer.
Butthey don’t do anything, do they?
-Well... they don’t usually. -I replied with a faint smile. How can I help you?
The one who seemed to be calling the shots spoke up:
–We are late getting home and need to spend the night. Do you have rooms?
–Yes, sure. One or two?
–One will do.
Up to that point, everything seemed normal, but the next thing made me frown.
-How manycustomers are there today?
Why was he interested in that? The question sounded strange to me, and even more so coming from someone who had just arrived.
-Todaywe have four rooms occupied, plus you if you decide to stay.
-Ah... I only saw three cars in the parking lot.
-Someclients will be dining out.
He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but nodded.
-Will you show methe room?
-Ofcourse, follow me.
As we climbed the stairs, I explained to them how the bar worked, the breakfast schedule and some details about the house. But the funny thing was that they were closely followed by Mastín, Mamás and Maky. They kept an eye on them. Manuela, on the other hand, was with other customers, oblivious to the situation.
When we arrived, I showed them the room. They seemed pleased.
–We like it. We will have dinner and breakfast here.
–Perfect. Before we go down to dinner, I need your documentation.
The man in the lead frowned.
What do you want it for?
-Well... I imagine you’ve been to a hotel before, ” I said, crossing my arms. -I said, crossing my arms, ” What’s the first thing they ask you after you say good evening or good morning?
There was a brief silence. Then he nodded with a forced smile.
-Ah… okay.
At that moment, something told me that that night was not going to be as quiet as it seemed.
After the two strangers reluctantly handed me their documents, they went downstairs for dinner. I stood for a few seconds in the hallway, watching them walk away. Something about them didn’t add up. I couldn’t tell exactly what, but my instinct told me something was off.
I returned to the kitchen, where Mire was still preparing dishes and Meme was organizing the orders.
–Well? -asked Meme without stopping moving the spoon in the pot.
-Theystay.
–Yes, and did you have a good feeling about them?
I shrugged my shoulders.
-I don’tknow… they asked too many questions.
-Too many?
I told him about the number of clients, about the parking lot… Meme clicked her tongue and shook her head.
-Oh, oh, oh, oh… how bad this smells.
I left her to her thoughts and returned to the dining room, where the two men were already seated. They greeted the other customers with broad, exaggerated smiles and soon attempted to engage them in conversation.
-Good evening, gentlemen. Said one of them, raising his wine glass. Nice place, isn’t it?
-It’sbeautiful. -replied a couple at the nearest table. It’s the second time we’ve been here.
-Ah, how nice… where are you from?
The customers responded politely, but the conversation took an awkward turn when the strangers started asking too many questions.
Andwhat do you do?
-Do you livefar away?
-Did youcome alone or with your family?
As Meme would later tell us in the kitchen, the situation became increasingly uncomfortable. These were not normal traveler’s questions, they seemed more like an interrogation. Meme, with her keen intuition as a good gypsy, soon noticed that something was not right.
-I don’tknow, boss… but these people are not here for rural tourism, I can assure you that.
I folded my arms in thought.
-Have you noticed anything else unusual about them?
-Look, clients don’t talk about work or their private lives with strangers, especially not in a place like this, where everyone comes to unwind.
He was right. Clients came to relax, not to be interviewed.
I discreetly peeked into the dining room. The two men were still chatting, although most of the customers were already responding with monosyllables or strained smiles. No one felt comfortable.
It was then that Mastiff, Moms and Maky reappeared, strategically lounging around the strangers’ table. They kept an eye on them.
And that’s when I knew that if those two came with bad intentions, the dogs would be the first to know.
The atmosphere in the dining room was still awkward. The two strangers kept asking questions, and although they tried to look friendly, their smiles were too forced, too insistent.
It was then that one of the customers, a middle-aged man who was with his partner, leaned over to Meme and whispered to her:
-Hey, excuse me… could you take the dogs?
Meme looked at him in surprise.
–Why? Are they annoying?
–It’s notthat… but they’re too close to our table, ” said the woman with a nervous laugh, as ifshe didn’t want to offend. -The woman said with a nervous laugh, as if she didn’t want to offend. And it seems that… I don’t know, that they are watching these two.
Meme turned and surveyed the scene. Mastiff, Mamas and Maky had not moved an inch since they had settled on the ground. They weren’t fussing, barking, or growling… but they weren’t looking away from the two strangers either.
The strangers, noticing the conversation, seized the opportunity:
-Yes, yes… the truth is that we are not very used to dogs so close to us while we eat.
Meme frowned. She didn’t like the situation one bit, but nodded with her characteristic half-smile.
-Well, if they are so uncomfortable, I’ll take them up to the kitchen.
He whistled softly and snapped his fingers. The dogs obeyed instantly, but before moving, Mastiff let out a low snort, like a low growl, almost imperceptible. Meme noticed the reaction of the two men: one of them swallowed saliva and the other tried to hide his discomfort.
Without another word, Meme took them with us to the kitchen. As soon as she walked through the door, the gypsy woman shook her head and muttered:
-Theycome for what they come for….
I turned to her.
–Did the tarot card confirm it for youor did you read it in the coffee grounds? -I joked, trying to relieve the tension.
But Meme didn’t smile. She looked at me very seriously.
–I don’t need tarot. These guys didn’t come to rest. They came to watch.
I remained silent. Something in his tone gave me goose bumps.
And the worst part is that I knew I was right…. TO BE CONTINUED….
From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs be with you!!!!
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