Alondra continued down the path, which sometimes had a few steps, because it was so steep, between the towering pines and firs that blocked out the morning light. In the background she began to descry a plain where the shadows of other buildings, mostly made of stone, could be guessed. As she crossed the trees that blocked the path, a large ivory–colored hemispherical dome emerged imposingly, supported by a geometric metal structure. It could have been about twenty meters high and a diameter of about sixty. Alondra moved closer and began to feel a sound of air going in and out inside the dome, as if the building was breathing. When she strained her ear more, she realized that this breath sounded feminine. Upon reaching the wall of the dome, which strangely reminded her of the great tower – perhaps simply because of the external metallic structure – she observed that many bodies were visible inside. They formed circles in the same shape as the dome around the center. Although only seated silhouettes were visible, it could be seen that in the center of the dome there was not a central pole – it was completely supported by the external structure – but rather a person with open arms and head thrown back. Alondra began to circle the dome very stealthily, knowing that her presence would most likely be detected in the next seconds. She understood that if they had put her in a room, dressed her, left the door open, and done her no harm, it seemed unlikely that they wouldn't expect her to be there sooner or later. Turning around the building she found the front door, shaped like a simple slit, as if the weathered fabric of the dome had been ripped open and left to dry like an autumn leaf. Alondra decided to risk simply showing up at the door, but no one turned around or acknowledged her presence. She entered. Some of the women in the back rows looked at her blankly. They did not try to communicate with her, or give her indications, nor did they make gestures to her. There were about a hundred women sitting breathing together around the central figure. She was a woman about the same age as Alondra. She could be about forty years old. And she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman Alondra had ever seen. Her straight black hair was pearled with silver strands and it cascaded down her back. She was strong and solid like Alondra, taller, slimmer and more graceful. Her lips were full and intelligent, with the look of being able to express all kinds of emotions. Her long, straight nose led to an equally clear and calm brow, which seemed free of unnecessary thought. Her long, bushy, dark eyebrows were authentic Chinese script strokes, and her long, wide eyes were closed. Alondra held her breath because of the impression of her before the whole picture, and because the synchronous sound of the great bellows that formed all the women in the room made it difficult for her not to be aware of her own breathing. After a couple of minutes, and seeing that her presence didn't seem to produce any kind of reaction, she sat in the last row and tried to keep up with the rest of them. She noticed that they all wore similar clothes to hers, although they differed in color tones and certain accessories. There was women of all ages and all types of aspects. Alondra had never been around women to breathe. The only time she'd been in real physical presence with more women had been that first trip to Bamboo, and she'd left before she'd had to interact socially with anyone. Although she continued to feel the same, without having the desire or the spirit to be part of whatever this was, she understood that her life could be at risk if she didn't. She had quite a contradictory feeling of calm and danger, and then she heard:

 

–Come.

 

The woman in the center of the circle had spoken as she continued with her eyes closed, her arms outstretched, and her face looking up at the sky, but all the others turned to Alondra and looked at her urgently, as if to say: what are you waiting for? Alondra stood up embarrassedly and some of them withdrew to create a path to the center between the round ranks. She walked up to the woman, who closed her arms in a very simple way, resting her hands one on top of the other on her belly, gently dropping her head down to look straight ahead. She opened her huge, slanted blue eyes, and simply said:

 

– Welcome.

 

Instantly, all the women stood up very casually, chatting animatedly, and quietly and informally left through the slit shaped door. Alondra stared at the woman who had just welcomed her for two seconds. She smiled confidently.

 

– Do you like the clothes? We have put the one you brought to wash.

 

– Yes, thank you... this…

 

– Are you comfortable in the room we have given you? A colleague has recently left. It is one of the best!

 

– I appreciate it. Um…

 

– You will have to walk down here every day for almost everything, but... well, that's why young people live up there.

 

– Oh, I see. Allow me to ask... is this the community of Las Identes?

 

– Sure – she said magnanimously –. We are Las Identes del Pico de la Miel, and now

you are one of us.