3

The Factory was totally in ruins, the concrete walls had huge cracks and holes that

could even be passed through them, moss grew around and some pieces of the wall

were in the floor. Isabel entered, observing the ceiling with holes everywhere, allowing let the sunlight filter, all was covered with a great layer of dust, and in the air there was a strong smell of stagnant water and rust in that place forgotten by man. "It must have been abandoned for more than a century," Isabel muttered. The floor was covered in dust, as well as glass bottles and all kinds of trash. With each step, there was an echo that resonated throughout the place.

Isabel explored every corner of the factory, but in each area she only found abandoned machines, dust and more rust. It was clear to her that the origin of what she was looking for, it wasn't there.

Climbing some stairs in very bad condition, Isabel climbed to the roof of the factory. From that height, she could see the entire forest and its surroundings. In front of the dam was a small lake, in the middle of it a tree with white leaves could be distinguished. Isabel, she approached the shore from the roof and supported her hands on a railing whose yellow paint had almost completely faded. As she got closer, she could make out more of what appeared to be a mansion, but the

trees around it made it difficult to see it fully. Curious, she Isabel climbed onto the railing clinging to a long tube that protruded upward. Despite having climbed on the railing to get a

Better seen, she still couldn't see much, leaning forward and holding on tight, she managed to fully see that place that was hidden in the sea of trees. But suddenly the tube she was holding began to give under her weight as she bent; causing Isabel to slip and fall.

Clinging tightly to the railing, Isabel was suspended in midair. Looking down, she

She realized it was a fall of at least four stories. With a great effort she tried to climb up to to save herself, but her arms did not have the necessary strength, and although she was trying to it was useless. Isabel was in trouble, she knew if she fell from that height she would die, and asking for help in that abandoned place was absurd, she must think into something and fast. Supporting her foot on a small crack in the wall, she tried to push herself up for better support, however, her arms gave way from fatigue. And she slipped falling Filled with fear, she closed her eyes to hope for the worst. But Suddenly, she felt someone hold her arm tightly. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the face of a young man. His eyes were a stranger midnight blue, and his hair was black.

The mysterious young man lifted Isabel to safety. For a moment, Isabel stared at the

person who had saved her. She was wearing black cotton pants, a white shirt with

sleeves gathered to the elbows and black straps. But there was something in the elegant manner of dressing of the young man what caught her attention was his lack of

shoes, his bare feet made his elegant facade disappear almost immediately.

- Are you fine little girl? - asked the mysterious young man, while Isabel continued

looking at him in amazement. His heart was still pounding with fear, which is why, Isabel, she couldn't articulate a word.

- You're hurt? - said the mysterious young man approaching Isabel and taking her bleeding hand- Does it hurt?

Isabel looked at the blood that mixed with the dirt that came out of her hand, and when she saw the mysterious young man again, she made a gesture of I shook my head, jerking her hand away from her.

- Come with me, I'll clean your wound- said the mysterious young man, gesturing for Isabel to follow him.

Suspicious, Isabel followed the young man through the factory, and as he walked two

steps behind him, she watched him. She wondered what he was doing, in that

abandoned place, and why she dressed in such an elegant way, but she did not wear

shoes. She believed that he was really rare.

- ¿Why aren't you wearing shoes?- I ask, Isabel somewhat nervous, breaking the silence. It was not the best question, however, it was the only thing she could to formulate at that time.

- I don't like to use them- replied the mysterious young man without stopping

walking, nor will he look back.

Leaving the factory they entered the sea of trees until they approached the mansion that Isabel had seen from the roof of the factory.

In front of the mansion, it was noticeable that like the factory, the vestiges of time had passed it. The walls had lost their color that at some point were white, a lot the glass in the windows was broken or cracked. But even though time visibly shepassed through that place, Isabel thought that this archaism, and its deterioration, gave it a unique and wonderful look.

Who lives in that place? - Isabel asked.

- I- answered the mysterious young man, opening the entrance door.

They both entered the mansion. Although the exterior was almost in ruins, the interior

of the place was clean and tidy, maintaining its original shape. Isabel she marveled at seeing so many sculptures and paintings. The marble floor was white, and it was so gleaming that she could almost see her reflection. Isabel, she followed the mysterious young man into a large hall. In the middle is

she found a long wooden table, with room for almost fifty people "a banquet table" she thought.

Take a seat wherever you want- said the mysterious young man, after disappearing from her room leaving her alone.

Why would he be living in a place like this himself? Isabel wondered, was it really unusual. No one in town had mentioned that there was an abandoned factory, much less a mansion in which someone lived.

This was all a mystery. And, although the most logical thing was to run hence, something inside her told her that she was not in danger, nor that the young man that he saved her from her would hurt him.

The mysterious young man returned with a first aid kit, took one of the dining room chairs and sat across from Isabel. He opened the box and started taking out bandages, alcohol and cotton. He took Isabel's hand and began carefully to clean her wound, while she made a great effort to bear the pain.

- It hurts much?- asked the mysterious young man.

- No ...- she exclaimed, Isabel closing her eyes-. What are you doing in a place like

is?

- I already told you, I live here.

- Yes, but ... I mean ... What are you doing here alone? From what I've seen there is no other living being apart from you, unless you are a ghost, or really I died in the fall and now I'm in some kind of dream or something.

The mysterious young man smiled as he finished bandaging Isabel's hand.

- What if it was the ghost thing, would it scare you? - asked the mysterious young man smiling.

- If so; no, the truth would surprise me, but it wouldn't scare me. but I know you're just kidding me

- I see, you are something peculiar - said the mysterious young man giving him a

smile-, but unfortunately, I'm not a ghost. I live here because there is no other place I can go.

The way he had said the last thing caught Isabel's attention, but when she saw his

her gaze from her, something inside her told her it was better not to ask.

- Now it's my turn to ask you, what are you doing here? - said the mysterious young man.

- He's coming to find a melody.

The mysterious young man looked at Isabel with a confused expression; he did not do it

understand what she was saying.

- Melody?

- Last night from my room I heard a beautiful violin melody coming from the forest, I thought if he came here; could find the origin, also that of a hideous roar heard at the end.

- Well, it's your lucky day, you have the origin in front of you.

Isabel looked at the mysterious young man with a mixture of surprise and

bewilderment.

- Do you play that tune?

- Yes.

- Could you play now? - Isabel asked, with a pleading look full of hope.

The mysterious young man smiled and rose from her chair.

- Sorry, but that will not be possible at this time.

- !Why not?!

Immediately Isabel's illusion turned into disappointment.

- It's starting to get dark, and surely they must already be worried about you, you better

I'll take home.

Isabel looked through the window, and seeing that the sun was shining brightly intensity, she looked confused at the mysterious young man.

- What are you talking about? The sun has not yet set- said Isabel, pointing to

the window-, you see, I think you have bad eyesight.

-I see it, but let's say that time passes differently in this place. Come with me, soon

you will see for yourself.