Chapter 3
That afternoon, after school, Leo ran to the kitchen where his grandmother was preparing tea. His hands trembled slightly, but this time it wasn't from fear—it was from excitement and curiosity about what he had experienced during the day.
"Grandma… I saw something again," he said, trying to sound firm. "The backpack… it floated on its own, and then… it seemed to respond to my words."
His grandmother stopped stirring the tea and looked at him with her deep, knowing eyes. She sat down across from him, took his hands, and sighed.
"Leo… this isn't coincidence or imagination. What you perceive is Cursed Energy."
Leo frowned.
"Cursed Energy? Like ghosts?"
"Yes and no," his grandmother said. "Every fear, every legend, every popular belief can accumulate and take form. Mexico is full of them. Some are harmless, some mischievous, and some feed on human fear. You are different, Leo. You can see them, feel them, and… if you learn, control them."
Leo swallowed hard.
"Control them? How am I supposed to do that?"
"With patience, observation, and practice," she replied. "Not all spirits respond the same way. The signs will tell you: the temperature changes, the air feels heavier, your skin tingles, you hear whispers… and sometimes, even objects react. All of that is active Cursed Energy."
Leo nodded slowly, recalling the levitating backpack, the books falling, and the whispers in the yard. It all fit together.
"So… I can… influence them?"
His grandmother smiled faintly.
"Exactly. But you must be careful. Not all spirits will be influenced. Some are mischievous, others dangerous. And the more fear exists around them, the stronger they become."
Leo remained silent, processing the information.
"And why can I see them, but others can't?" he finally asked.
"It's a gift of our family," she said. "Some have it from childhood, others develop it with training. But the important thing isn't just seeing them—it's understanding them. You must learn to read the signs, to tell the difference between a harmless spirit and one that can cause harm."
His grandmother stood and went to a cupboard, pulling out an old, dust-covered notebook.
"This is a record of spirits and legends our family has compiled for generations. Each spirit has habits, preferences, and… weaknesses. Study this and start recognizing patterns."
Leo took the notebook carefully. The pages were filled with drawings, notes, and symbols he could barely understand. But something inside him stirred: a sense of purpose, of responsibility.
"Grandma… what if something stronger appears?" he asked, a thread of fear in his voice.
"Then you won't be alone," she replied, glancing toward the door. At that moment, a gentle breeze swept through the kitchen, making the curtain dance. "Our family has always worked as a team. You will learn to control your gift, but you will also need allies. And remember: never underestimate what a legend can do when someone truly fears it."
Leo shivered. His grandmother was not only teaching him to see spirits; she was showing him that an entire world of forces could change, distort, or even destroy themselves if not handled carefully.
That night, before going to sleep, Leo studied the notebook. Among drawings of mischievous spirits and notes about La Llorona and El Charro Negro, he noticed a pattern that caught his attention: the more fear people accumulated around a legend, the stronger and more dangerous it became. It was as if people's belief fed the cursed energy.
Leo lay back on his bed, reflecting on everything he had learned. He understood something crucial: his gift was not just a skill, but a responsibility. He could see what others could not, perceive the energies lurking in every corner of Mexico, but he could also make the difference between a mischievous spirit remaining harmless or becoming dangerous.
A faint whisper reached his ear, so soft he almost mistook it for the wind:
"Leo…"
The boy shivered and looked around, but there was nothing. He smiled to himself. He knew his life had changed forever. His fear remained, but now it was mixed with something more powerful: curiosity and determination.
That night, as he turned off the light and closed his eyes, he promised himself that he would learn to control his gift, study every legend, understand every spirit, and one day face the unknown with courage. Because Mexico was full of secrets… and he was destined to discover them all.