GRIM FANDANGO 2
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
In a few seconds, they were there. Manny and Meche stepped off the Number Nine Express Train, and onto a concrete platform, then looked around. Everything they saw was beautiful. Nothing like the stuff in the dirty Land of the Dead, which they had just left, finally, and brought all the souls who deserved to come with them. There were trees all around them, and they were all colorful, and pretty, unlike the trees in the Petrified forest, which both Manny and Meche had had the displeasure to experience walking through.
The buildings around them were all so peaceful. Unlike the big ugly skyscrapers of El Marrow. And the water was all clear, clear as glass, and totally refreshing and delicious, unlike the disgusting ocean outside of Rubacava, which Manny and his large demon friend, Glottis, (who had recently decided to remain in the Land of the Dead) had spent hours underneath. Looking back at all this was not fun, but looking forward into the future seemed extremely relaxing.
Seemed. Little did they know the troubles they would soon be facing. The last thing Manny and Meche noticed about this wonderful place, was the man standing in front of them. He wore a black tuxedo and white shirt. A black bow tie was around his neck, and he had a grin on his face, on which he wore a monocle. He nodded. "Mr. Manny Calavera?" he asked, then turning his head to face Meche. "Ms. Mercedes Colomar?"
Manny and Meche both nodded, with serious looks on their faces, although both felt like bursting into smiles. The man's grin turned into a smile. "I've been notified of the little catastrophe back in the Land of the Dead. And of both of your parts in bringing Hector Lamanze to justice, and helping all of the Lost Souls to get what they deserve."
Suddenly, several men in orange outfits, (plus two winged little boys) hopped (and flew) out of the train. The man paused, then continued. "I assure you, nothing like that happens here." Manny wished that the man would say that again, only without the big lump in his throat, and looking into his eyes. "So why don't you walk this way, and I'll show you to your homes?" the man turned, then walked through a stone archway into the little village.
The houses were all made of different materials, some that Manny had never seen before, whether in the Land of the Living or of the Dead. But everything looked amazing together, and Manny and Meche couldn't keep their eyes off of it all. First they came to Meche's house. "I'll see you later, Manny, after I get settled in." she smiled and winked.
Manny could barely stand how beautiful that wink was. He smiled and waved. "Goodbye, Meche." And she walked inside, and the door shut. Unlike mostly every door in the Land of the Dead, that door made no noise when it shut. No creaks at all. They continued to walk, but when they reached Manny's house, Manny turned to the man. "By the way, Mister…" he looked down. "Uh…"
"Frelos. Carlos Frelos." replied the man.
"Yeah, there's something that troubles me." said Manny, fidgeting.
"Hector Lamanze? He was a great leader, yes. Because of all he has done, we have sent an agent back in a train car to get him."
Manny suddenly had a horrible feeling. "Alone? In the Land of the Dead? How will he get back?"
"He has a special suit on, so the guard will know to let him back into the portal." said Carlos.
"Okay," Manny said, not half realizing that this was not okay.