The story is set in Pampa, a small, forgotten Andean town, where the young, shy and unsociable peasant Crisilda lives in a state of virtual prison because of the unhealthy jealousy of her brother Fortunato, a well-known and prosperous businessman with notable influence in the area, who watches helplessly as several murders occur without the authorities taking action. But the situation changes when Jorge, a cattle rancher who tries to help Crisilda, arrives in the town.