Having appeared on Best SF through stories in Interzone to date, Rivera now finds himself appearing in the esteemed Asimovs, with a quality story that looks at faith and religion and how it is impacted by First Contact. The story progresses through the viewpoint of a young woman who has lost a lot (everything in fact) and for whom a pilgrimage might offer a fitting end to her life.

Flashbacks fill in a lot of detail, painful detail for her, and the story/flashbacks become staccato as tension is raised until she teeters on an edge, having to make a decision. Which is where the story started…