The Bewitching

The narrative returns to Alba’s family farm in 1908. Alba and Arturo ride to the stables. Valentín informs them that Tadeo has not been in that morning, and Alba’s worries mount. Arturo is sure that Tadeo cut himself shaving or on the broken pitcher they found on the floor, but Alba worries that something terrible has happened. Valentín organizes a search party, but they only find Tadeo’s horse, alone near the river. The entire family heads into town to speak to the mayor and the townspeople. Rumors begin to swirl that Tadeo was the victim of witchcraft—that he is neither dead nor alive, but bewitched. Arturo scoffs at these stories, but Valentín believes them and suggests having a ritual cleansing performed. Alba is in favor of the cleansing, but Arturo is not. They argue about it, but later share another fraught moment of sexual tension. Before bed, Alba hears the eerie sound of an unidentifiable animal screeching. The next morning, the family wakes to find Tadeo’s horse outside, dead.

The narrative returns to 1998. Noah greets Minerva at the door. They chat briefly, and then Minerva gets to work.