At the very moment that the accused reaches his final destination, the place of execution, Palacio Valdés makes it clear that everything has been a dream, a nightmare: «Una mano ruda sujetó por un instante mi cabeza; un lienzo cubrió mis ojos; sentí mucha apretura en la garganta, y... desperté. El cuello de la camisa me estaba apretando de un modo extraordinario. No hice más que soltar el botón y quedé otra vez profundamente dormido» [A rough hand held my head for a moment; a blindfold covered my eyes; I felt a great crush in my throat, and... I awoke. The collar of my shirt was choking me in an extraordinary way. I did nothing but unbutton it and fell once again into a deep sleep] (Aguas fuertes 282).