Doña stares at the well-dressed man. A brief hint of shock and fear washes across her face. Regaining her composure she lets out, “No. You have the wrong place.” Mila is shocked by her grandmother’s response. It isn’t like her to turn anyone away.

The man leans back to examine the old dirty numbers over the door frame. “No, this is the place.” He smiles at the woman, taking a bold step into the threshold. “Please señora, I’ve come such a long way, I don’t think I can come any other time.” He pulls out a thick wad of cash from his coat pocket. “I promise, I’ll pay you for the inconvenience.”

Mila’s jaw drops. She has never seen so much money. “Abuela, thats so much money.”

The old woman watches the man suspiciously as he takes another bold step into the small dank apartment. “It’s late. Why don’t you come back tomorrow.”

“Disculepe, but it has to be know. I can’t come back tomorrow.”

The old woman lets out a sad sigh. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a few bills. “Mija, why don’t you go down to the 15th and get some refrescos and snacks. The best you can find.”

“Pero,” Mila starts to protest but her grandmother shoots her a stern look. “Okay, I’ll be right back.” She grabs the money and disappears down the hallway.

“Please take a seat,” she points to the empty chair across from her.

“Gracias,” the man smiles as he sits. He pulls a cigar from his coat pocket and cuts it over the table. Crumbs of tobacco fall over the old wooden table. He raises the cigar to his lips but pauses inches from his mouth. Offering the cigar to this host, “Where are my manners?” His voice slick and confident fills the room. “Would you like one?”

The robust tobacco aroma makes her salivate. She takes it and reaches for the lighter.

“No no no, you can’t ruin a fine cigar like this with lighter fluid!” He snaps, quickly lighting a match. He leans over the table, extending the small flickering flame towards her. She hesitates, watching the man carefully before leaning in. She fills her mouth with its sweet relaxing smoke. Her eyes involuntarily close as she savors the taste.

“It’s a good cigar,” the man says, breaking her trance. She opens her eyes to find the man already puffing at his own. “Its because it was made with real tobacco. None of the synthetic stuff they sell in stores. The guy who grows it…”

“Why are you here?” Doña Guille interupts.

The man pauses for a second. Cigar smoke rises around him slowly. He clears his throat. “Right, straight to business.” He takes a slow drag from the cigar before letting the smoke slowly leave his lips. “My name is Gonzalo Molina. I am the head enforcer at the Ministry of Magic, and you Mrs. Cardenas, are a hard witch to find. You are hereby under arrest for the practice of witchcraft. Please come peacefully as any resistance will result in death.”

Doña Guille freezes for a moment. She almost drops her cigar. “You have the wrong person…” Her voice shakes.

The man chuckles. “You’ve been doing this dance long enough to understand that once I come, it’s over. Whether you say you are or aren’t doesn’t matter because I know you’re a witch. I didn’t get to where I am by knocking on the wrong house at the middle of the night, and I am sure as hell not starting today.”

The old woman remains frozen. The cigar burns slowly in her hand. “You shouldn’t waste that. Those are hard to come by.” The man says, taking a long deep inhale from his. She lifts the cigar and takes a nervous puff. It no longer had any flavor.

She lets out a sad exhale. “Leave her out of this. She doesn’t have any magic.”

“It doesn’t work like that.” He ashes the cigar on the table where a small mound has begun to build.

“Then…” she chokes. “Let me be the one to tell her. Let me prepare her.”

“Sure!” The cigar had almost reached his fingers. He smashes the nub onto the table, extinguishing its flame. Smoke rises from it furiously as it leaves behind a trail of soot. The man smiles. “If you promise to come peacefully, I’ll be waiting by the entrance tomorrow morning at 8.” He stands abruptly. The chair scrapes against the metal floor. “Just remember, its over señora. There is nowhere left to run. You can either come peacefully, or we’re hunting you down.” The man drops a wad of cash on the table. “Thank you for the reading.” He turns to leave.

Just then, Mila walks into the room with two bags full of snacks and drinks. “Oh,” she lets out in surprise as she is greeted by Gonzalo’s departure. “Are you already done?”

Gonzalo smiles and pats her head lightly. “Si mija. Your grandmother is remarkable.” The man disappears down the corridor. Mila turns to her grandmother puzzled.

Doña Guille remains frozen in place. She has gone pale. “Abuela?” Mila lets out, realizing her grandmother’s condition.

The old woman snaps back to life, “Close the door!”