In the district of Magdalena, Peru, the heavy city air mixed with the dust floating between the narrow, crowded streets. The yellowish glow of the streetlights flickered weakly, casting shadows that seemed endless. Valeria, an 18-year-old young woman, wandered along the worn sidewalks, trapped in a cycle that had left her marked, without hope. After her mother Raquel's death, Valeria was forced to live alone on the streets, where prostitution was her only means of survival. The nights were longer than the days, filled with pain and humiliation, and every face that looked at her seemed to be a reminder of her lonely reality.
That afternoon, after a particularly long shift, Valeria was returning home. The noise of cars and distant voices were like an echo in her mind. Just as she passed a corner, a car stopped beside her. The brightness of the headlights dazzled her for a moment.
—No, I'm done with my shift. Find someone else to please you —Valeria said, keeping her gaze low, trying to hide the exhaustion evident in her eyes.
—I'm not here for that; I came for you —responded a soft voice, one that seemed different from the others.
Valeria, with some disdain, looked up at the car. It was a young man, Ruwi, accompanied by a woman who smiled kindly as she opened the door for her to get in.
—Hello, I'm Camila, and he is my boyfriend, Ruwi. What's your name? —she asked with a calmness that felt strange to Valeria.
Despite her discomfort, Valeria answered reluctantly:
—What do you want from me?
Camila's face reflected a touch of compassion as she explained that in their home, Ruwi helped people find God and inner peace. But Valeria found it hard to believe those words; her life had been a constant struggle against the harshness of the world, not an encounter with the hope of spiritual change.
—I'm not interested in those things. I need to go home to rest and continue with my life —Valeria replied, opening the door and feeling her distrust grow.
However, before she could walk away, Ruwi handed her a small piece of paper with his home address: "Carlos Pareja Paz Soldán, 154 San Miguel." Valeria tucked it into her pants, intrigued by a vague sensation, as if something was beginning to change.
As she walked through the dark streets, the crunching of stones beneath her shoes echoed in her ears. An old man crossed the street, walking slowly. Suddenly, a car sped by, and without thinking, Valeria rushed forward to help him avoid the accident.
—Are you okay? —Valeria asked, the cold of the night now replaced by the warmth of her action.
—Yes, thank you, child. I don't know what I would have done without you —replied the old man, his eyes filled with gratitude. Although he tried to give her money, Valeria firmly refused.
—I don't need the money; you need it more —she said, feeling an odd peace as she watched the old man walk away with a smile.
Upon arriving home, the air was dense, as if the walls themselves were watching her. Memories of her mother flooded her mind, and sadness, like an unstoppable wave, enveloped her. She closed the door behind her, the dull sound resonating in the emptiness of her home, and went straight to her room. There, in the shadows, her mind began to drift into a sea of memories and emotions.
She lay on the bed, overwhelmed by sorrow, taking a bag of marijuana and a bottle of alcohol. The smoke from the drug mixed with the heavy air of the room, creating a dense and oppressive atmosphere.
That night, as Valeria drifted into sleep, the old man she had helped earlier watched her from afar, in silence. Suddenly, an intense light enveloped the house, radiating from the outside and filling every corner with an indescribable warmth. It was the presence of Jesus, who watched over Valeria as she slept.
—She is perfect to be the new chosen one —Jesus said, his face calm, his gaze full of compassion.
In her dream, Valeria found herself in a vibrant garden, filled with flowers that glowed intensely under the sunlight, with fresh and comforting aromas. The wind blew gently, as if the whole place was alive and full of peace. Looking around, everything seemed unreal, as if the place had been taken from a heavenly dream.
—Where am I? What is this place? —Valeria asked, confused, seeing the splendor of that garden so different from her everyday reality.
A warm and gentle light appeared out of nowhere, surrounding her with an inexplicable peace.
—Valeria, Valeria —the light whispered, its voice like a melody that resonated deep within her soul.
—Who are you? What do you want from me? —Valeria asked, terrified and vulnerable, feeling a strange mix of serenity and fear.
—Do not be afraid, Valeria. You have been chosen to face demons —the light responded, taking human form. The figure that materialized before her was Jesus, dressed in white and red robes, his face full of kindness and serenity.
—I have seen you, Valeria. All your suffering has ended —Jesus said, with a deep and comforting voice, surrounding her with a sense of calm.
Valeria, despite the warmth of his words, felt deep uncertainty.
—I am a prostitute. How can I be your chosen one? —she responded, feeling the weight of her reality crushing her.
Jesus, with a gentle and compassionate gesture, touched her shoulder.
—It's not about being worthy or not. I do not look at sins. I know you can change —he said with a hopeful smile.
As Valeria tried to process his words, Jesus offered her an angelic sword, which shone with a pure light, as if it were a symbol of the strength she could find within herself.
—This will help you in your mission —he said, handing her the sword with confidence.
Valeria woke up abruptly, her breathing accelerated. The air in the room was cold, but the light of dawn was beginning to filter through the window. When she looked at her bedside table, she was stunned to see the sword in her hands. The same sword she had seen in her dream.
The reality of her situation struck her hard. Her life could change. The light of redemption had already reached her, and although the path would be arduous, with that sword in her hand, Valeria knew she could face the demons that haunted her, both internal and external. The future, though uncertain, was now full of possibilities.