Chapter 26 - The Guardian Capitán
Through all the chaos, Capitán, our large, noble mixed-breed dog, had been quietly watching.
During Valeria's reign of terror, the dog had often hidden in the laundry room, terrified of her sudden kicks and screaming fits. But now, with the monster gone, Capitán’s entire demeanor shifted.
That evening, as the boys sat on the living room rug watching cartoons, Capitán walked over and laid his massive, furry head directly onto Leo’s lap.
"He likes me, Grandma,"
Leo giggled, gently stroking the dog’s ears.
"He loves you, Leo. He always has,"
I smiled, sitting in my armchair.
I noticed that Capitán no longer wandered the house aimlessly. He positioned himself strategically. When the boys ate at the table, Capitán sat firmly between them and the kitchen door, watching the entrance like a silent, furry sentinel.
When Carlos carried the boys upstairs to bed, Capitán followed right behind them.
May you like
I walked past their bedroom later that night and saw the dog curled up at the very foot of Mateo’s bed, his dark eyes fully alert in the dark.
Capitán had witnessed the abuse just as I had. He had shared his bowl with them in the darkest hour. Now, he had appointed himself their permanent, fiercely loyal bodyguard. No one would ever touch his boys again.
