I run into Cássio again in the coffee room. Despite his reckless lifestyle, he was trying to devote himself to God.
"Ana, I prayed for you this weekend—at church, on my knees before God! My angels told me that you genuinely want what's best for me and that your prayers are powerful. Please keep praying for me. It's very important."
"I had stopped, but I'll start praying for you again," I reply warily.
"Thank you! I have to go now—I have a meeting in a little while."
He says goodbye with a kiss on the cheek.
One night, while praying for him, I saw, in my mind's eye, a tall specter standing beside him. It turned its head, looked directly at me, and started moving toward me.
"Leave in the name of Jesus!" I rebuked it.
I thought it had gone away, but the following night, sometime before dawn, I woke to the sensation of someone lifting my leg.
I don't want to see it! No—I've changed my mind. I do want to see it! I thought in a flash.
The specter had exposed teeth. It stared at me while gripping my ankle. I was afraid it might climb onto the bed and lie on top of me. I rolled onto my side and pulled my leg free from its grasp.
"You need to pray!" an angel shouted.
"No! I'm too tired. I'm going back to sleep! God, please take care of me!" I pleaded.
The next day, I realized the specter was still hovering around me. It remained hidden—among the furniture, in the rooms, in the shadows... always concealed, as though waiting for something. I called my mother.
"Why are these spirits black?" I asked curiously.
"They aren't black, Ana. They're spirits without light, so that's how we perceive them," she explained.
"I see."
"God is love. They have no light because they have no love. And they have no love because they do not have God."
"A spirit that has love shines, doesn't it?"
"Yes. God's love creates light within them—and within us as well. We can't see it with our physical eyes, but our spirits can."
I remembered when Zarú went into the light. The love that had awakened within him made him shine, and the angels came to carry him away. The memory still moves me.
"Changing the subject, do you remember that new gift God gave me?" I asked excitedly.
"I don't. Which one?"
"The one that was like a weapon for protection."
"Yes, now I remember."
"Ever since I received that gift, my spirit rises whenever an entity comes near me."
"With it, you can defend yourself against the snares of evil. It's a wonderful gift."
"I was so happy when I received it. I'm going to bed now, Mom. Pray for me. Love you."
"Always. Sweet dreams. God be with you. Love you too."