It never rained in Los Angeles, until then. The sky was heavy and swollen with rain, and the streets were empty. Of course they were. Everyone was mourning the loss of Gabriel Reyes…Their hometown hero, the Blackwatch Commander and Overwatch co-leader. Their hero was gone, and the whole west coast felt the blow. The world had been sunken into a depressing slump of terrorism and pain again, and everything was hopeless.
He was dying, and he knew it. He could feel the very cells in his body being pulled apart one by one. Whatever that swiss-miss did with her fancy ass ray made him…off. He didn't feel right. He felt like he'd been forced to stay awake for days now, his bones ached like he had. The squirming bundle in his arms didn't make this any easier on him either. His son, Andres, would have to make due without him. His hard caramel eyes glanced to the whining boy, face hidden from the cold rain by the dingy blanket. He himself, had only been wearing a black, rain soaked hoodie.
"Ahh…dios mio…kid…please" he muttered, trying to keep him quiet.
He didn't know how long his body or mind would stay together so he had to act fast. He knew one of the houses had a couple that would look close to his son. He'd scoped it out before just in case. He stopped at the doorstep, cradling the tiny bundle in his arms as he kissed his little head, tiny chocolate brown eyes staring back in curiosity as he gently set down the bundle and attached the note."Remember mijo...Daddy loves you." With that he kissed his head again and knocked on the door before running off into the night, the couple surprised yet worried about the note that was left behind.
Dearest Strangers, Please accept this little outcast son of mine trusting with God's help that he may not be found. Please take care of my baby as I can not do it myself. I give it in charge of you. You do not know me...But you know of me. I do not have much time left...I don't have time left in what is left of me. I do not know if I live or die. If I live I hope to claim it some day. This is my son. Please...Take him somewhere they can't find him. Keep him safe. Please. His name is Andres...Andres Reyes. I am not able to write any more...This is goodbye. G. Reyes
Andres had heard the story a million times by this point and could only roll his eyes at his elderly mother. Her hair was peppered with strands of white and she didn't have full use of her limbs like she used to.
"Mama please. I know you fucked the mailman. You don't have to keep lying."
"Andres it is true. On my grave your father was Gabriel Reyes."
"Si and pigs fly."
Andres was thirteen years old now, sassy and full of Latino spirit. His mother only shook her head with a smile. She could see the hero of Los Angeles in every way, especially the stubbornness. It was Día de los Muertos and she had a small sugar skull in her hands.
"Andres. Help an old woman up. It's almost sundown."
"Si mama."
He walked over, helping her up and walking with her to the statue of Gabriel Reyes. He never understood why she did this every year but it made her happy. It kept her mind intact. Papa wouldn't be home for another hour anyways. She kneeled down at the statue and left the small confection at the base as she made a sign of the cross and prayed. He watched her and helped her up when she was done before she headed home. He wouldn't admit it but he did spend a little extra time at the statue nowadays. He sighed and put his hands in his pockets, staring up into the statue's hardened face, touching his own. He wondered what the man had been like. Was he a kind soldier like everyone said or the hardened betrayer of Overwatch that was always told in old news articles.
"Couldn't be. Heh."
He brushed a few strands of wavy dark chocolate hair from his face and rolled his eyes. Well a prayer probably wouldn't hurt would it? He kneeled down in front of the statue, his dark blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black skinny jeans illuminated by the candles placed around the statue with carnations scattered by children. It almost looked peaceful. He made a sign of the cross and folded his hands, his eyes slipping closed.
"How do I do this...Where do I even begin? Mama says you're my dad but that can't be right...Could it? Why would a dead guy leave a baby on a doorstep across the world in his hometown when he already died! It doesn't make sense. Well...Nothing in my life's made sense but that isn't the point. I just...I want a sign. I want something that makes sense. Something to show why I'm here. Why I'm alive. I want to know who you were. I just...I want a si-"
He felt a shiver go up his spine as the air became heavy, causing him to cough. He tried to open his eyes only to be met with complete darkness, the streetlamps and even the candles having lost their light. A few carnations seemed almost suspended in the air. It was hard to breathe. He turned his head around, looking for any signs of light only to be met with a figure cloaked in black with a bone chilling mask of white like a bird of prey.
" s."
"Oh dios mio!"
" w.""But I- Gck!"
Something hit his chest hard, covering him and causing him to sputter and cough, covering his nose and mouth along with shutting his eyes. When he could breathe again he uncovered his mouth and slowly opened his eyes. The candles were still out yet the streetlights were fine. Children ran about the square and people seemed to be laughing and full of joy. Had he daydreamed it all? He touched his chest lightly and felt something he hadn't felt before. He held it up to his eyes and tried not to feel the chill again. It was a Blackwatch pendant, scuffed and slightly distorted as if it had been through a blast. He got up quickly and ran his fingers through his hair as a girl around his age saw his look of terror and walked over.
"Andres? Are you okay?"
"E-Eh? Si. Si. I'm fine."
"You look white as a sheet! Are you sick?"
"Y-Yeah. That's it. Lo siento Carmen. I uh...I have to get home before papa."
He raced home, seeing his mother at the stove cooking. He approached quietly and took a calming breath.
"Mama? Tell me everything you know about Gabriel Reyes."