Chapter 17: Calm in the Oasis

"It's time for me to show you your new home, " Mike says, standing up.

"Let's go."

Eduardo approaches Iñaki and shakes his hand. It's a warm greeting. Iñaki takes a few seconds to recognize that feeling again; human kindness.

"My apartment is next to Maria's, if you need anything you can find me there."

"Thank you."

Mike walks out the door and Iñaki follows him with Rambo at his heels and Sofia in his arms.

"We're on the fourth floor," says Mike going up the stairs, "Eduardo and Maria are on the third, Martina and Victor on the fifth. The rest of the floors are empty."

"Why aren't you all together?"

"I asked the same thing when I arrived...Eduardo and Víctor are in their "real" homes. When they started bringing people, they were assigned apartments on every floor. At one point all the houses were occupied. Today only the apartments of those who came this far are."

"I still find it strange."

"Me too...talk to Victor."

"He's in charge?"

Mike stops in front of the 4th D and pulls a key o