Under the Crimson Moon

Maria

I'm a 23-year-old girl living in a remote village in the Amazon, and I'm quite well-known among the locals here.

I've been told that I'm a very attractive girl, and people often notice my beauty. I have short hair, shoulder-length, and it's brown, the same shade as my eyes. My lips are full, and my skin is tanned. I have well-defined curves and I'm always alert to everything happening around me. Some say I have the attention of an eagle, but in reality, I'm just naturally observant, constantly watching what's going on, both in front of me and behind. I like to wear comfortable clothing, including a white short-sleeved t-shirt and a necklace made of red stones that resemble rubies. I typically wear a green skirt and sandals, and I carry myself with confidence.

I share my home with my grandmother, Elizabeth, who's a wise 75-year-old lady always offering me valuable advice. She knows our village, Palmeira Vermelha, like the back of her hand.

Moreover, I have a talent that's highly regarded in our village – photography. I've been honing this skill over time, and I always have a camera hanging around my neck. Whenever I come across something intriguing, I can't resist taking photos of it. That's why I pay such close attention to my surroundings, always on the lookout for new and captivating subjects.

I've never left my state, but I need to support myself and make a living, so I often leave the village to work in another city as a photographer. People frequently ask me to capture special events, especially weddings. Although I've dreamed of exploring the world, sometimes I think about staying in Palmeira Vermelha because of my deep love for the Amazon, even though it faces political challenges.

One morning, around five o'clock, I woke up, as I usually do. I was off duty that day, so I took a moment to observe my wooden surroundings – the bed, furniture, walls, and ceiling. I put on my sandals, walked to my room's door, and found my grandmother, Elizabeth, peacefully sleeping in her bed. She's 75, with white hair, wrinkled skin, a slightly upturned nose, and light brown eyes. I smiled at her and searched for my camera, which I remembered was in my room. I put it around my neck and looked out of the window. The sky was transitioning between dusk and dawn. I smiled at the vast celestial body and spoke to myself, "I'm going to take several pictures. I hope to find something inspiring." I was eager to discover what the day's first photos would reveal, hoping to find something unique deserving of recognition.

I left the house and started walking through the village. Some people were still asleep, while others were already going about their daily tasks. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling out, "Maria!"

I turned quickly and saw a young girl who appeared younger than me. She had short, curly hair that reached her shoulders, blue eyes, and tanned skin. She was wearing a gray t-shirt and a blue skirt, typically opting for summer shoes. She looked at me with a warm smile on her face.

"Hi, Heloisa," I greeted her with a shy smile.

"Are you heading out to take photos?" Heloisa inquired.

I nodded in response, still smiling at her.

Heloisa was a friend of mine, 18 years old, and she had a knack for crafts.

"Can I join you?" she asked.

"Of course, if it's not too much trouble," I replied.

Heloisa shook her head, still wearing that friendly smile.

"I'll come with you, no problem," she assured me.

I agreed, happy to have my friend accompany me.

Soon, the two of us set off, walking towards the forest in search of something inspiring. As we walked, I asked Heloisa about her craft.

"How's your crafting going?" I inquired.

"I'm looking for new inspirations, but this time, I want to make dolls for children," Heloisa responded. "You know I want to start my own business in the future, right?"

"Yes, I know, and I'm sure you'll get there," I said, sporting a supportive smile. I always aimed to encourage those around me with their projects, especially my best friend, Heloisa.

The sun was slowly rising, accompanied by the cheerful sounds of singing birds. Heloisa and I could hear their melodies clearly as we ventured into the Amazon rainforest. We found several beautiful things to photograph, and I was excited because I loved photography, especially with my friend by my side. Yet, I still yearned for something more. I wanted to capture something beyond our understanding, perhaps even a spirit. I examined the photos I had taken so far, but I wasn't entirely satisfied. Heloisa noticed my contemplation and asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, but I think I'd like to find something that defies our comprehension," I responded.

Heloisa was intrigued by my words and wondered what I was referring to.

"Like a spirit?" Heloisa questioned.

"I don't know, but I want to discover something that truly amazes me and that I can share with everyone," I replied.

Heloisa understood my sentiments. We were still deep in the forest, and who knew if we'd come across what I was hoping for.​Maria

I'm Maria, a 23-year-old girl living in a remote Amazon village called Palmeira Vermelha. I've always been known for my beauty - short, brown hair that matches my eyes, full lips, and tanned skin. People often say I have the attention of an eagle, but in truth, I'm just observant. I wear comfortable clothes, a white short-sleeved t-shirt, and a necklace with red stones that resemble rubies, paired with a green skirt. Sandals are my choice of footwear, and my posture is confident.

I share my home with my wise grandmother, Elizabeth, who knows every corner of Palmeira Vermelha. My village values my talent for photography, and I carry my camera wherever I go. I'm always on the lookout for captivating shots, paying attention to my surroundings.

Despite my desire to explore the world, I remain rooted in Palmeira Vermelha, drawn to the Amazon's beauty. I've never left my state, but my work as a photographer keeps me busy, especially with requests for weddings.

One morning, I woke up early, as usual. The room, like everything in our house, was made of wood. I glanced at my grandmother, peacefully sleeping, her white hair and wrinkled skin a testament to her age.

I retrieved my camera and gazed out the window, the sky transitioning from dusk to dawn. With excitement, I murmured to myself, "I'm going to take several pictures. I hope to find something inspiring."

Leaving the house, I strolled through the village. Some were still asleep, while others began their day's work. A familiar voice called my name, Heloisa, my 18-year-old friend who loved crafts. She wanted to accompany me, and I gladly agreed.

Together, we ventured into the Amazon forest, seeking inspiration. Heloisa had dreams of starting her own business, and I had no doubt she'd succeed.

As the sun rose, the forest echoed with the cheerful songs of birds. Heloisa and I found many beautiful subjects to photograph, yet I yearned for something more profound, something beyond our understanding, perhaps even a spirit. Heloisa noticed my restlessness and asked if everything was alright.

I explained my desire to find something truly extraordinary, something I could share with everyone. Perhaps, even a spirit hiding in the depths of the forest. Heloisa understood, and we continued our search, uncertain of what we might discover in the heart of the Amazon.