Honestly, I have no idea where I am going with the story. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Quick Info: In this version, new arrivals to the Land of the Dead feel what happened to them, if anything, from the Land of the Living for a little while. So, Miguel is going to be in pain and mostly stumbling for a little while because his right leg was badly hurt. Also, skeletons can't starve to death, but do eat and can feel hunger pains. I'm just evil…

Land of the DeadPOV 3rdPerson

Miguel opened his eyes to find he was standing on the flower bridge halfway between the living and dead world. He looked around confused before he felt it. His eyes closed tight and grabbing at his shirt, he let out a groan. Miguel looked down to see he was a skeleton. He noticed that his shirt was basically shredded and both it and his jacket were coated in blood. His capris were torn up and also covered in blood. Instantly, the memories of what just happened came flooding back and he collapsed in shock. "I'm… dead?" Miguel whispered. Tears rolled down his now skeletal face as he climbed to his feet. Looking down, still crying with one hand over his chest, Miguel slowly stumbled towards the arrival gates in a daze.

There were a few people ahead that had just arrived before him. He zipped up his jacket and put his hood up, waiting silently. As he neared the front, he began to fear what everyone would think, especially his dead family. Soon it was his turn. The lady behind the desk was smiling an overly cheerful smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. As she called for the next person in line, her eyes turned sad and her smile faltered for a second. She realized that it was the living boy that stood before her, but this time he was here to stay. Seeing as he was now fighting back tears, she tried to make this as quick as possible. With a sad smile, she asked the same questions she asked all new arrivals.

"Hello, sweetie. I have just a few questions to ask you before you can go in," She started. Miguel barely looked up to acknowledge this, he was still in a daze of shock and pain. She continued, "Could you tell me your name?" Shaking now, on the verge of a breakdown, he answered, "Miguel. Miguel Rivera." She typed that into her computer and his information came up that she needed to verify and asked, unwillingly, "Age?" "13," said Miguel, fighting back tears. She tried to hide a wince at how young the kid was still. She really did not want to ask this next question that had an obvious answer, but it was part of the job. "Cause of death?" Miguel could no longer hold back the tears. "I-I… was stabbed," he answered. She knew that question was not necessary, but part of her job is to make sure that the arrivals knew the basic information about themselves before letting them wander around the city.

"Okay, Miguel. Here is your family's address. I wish you luck," she said with a sad look as she handed him a little index card with his family's home address on it. She pressed a button and allowed Miguel entry. He did not look at the card, just put it in his pocket and started stumbling through the gates. He did not make it far when a colorful dog crash landed at his feet.

Page break

Hector was playing in a plaza surrounded by people. Pepita and Dante were chasing each other when Dante stopped. Hector had just finished a song and was packing up to go home for dinner before Imelda decided to come find him with her shoe in hand. Then he noticed Dante staring ahead and whining. "This can't be good," Hector muttered. And with that, Dante took off running. His wings were flapping and at first, he had trouble taking off. Then he was in the air, panicking. Hector threw his guitar onto his shoulder and took off after the flying dog.

He followed Dante to the arrival gates and saw him crash land at a kid's feet. Wait, a kid? Dante jumped up licking, nudging and whimpering as he tackled the boy and knocking his hood down. Miguel let out a chuckle. "I missed you too, Dante," said Miguel. He hugged Dante, who in turn curled protectively around the boy then stepped back. Hector, in shock, took his guitar and bent down to gently drop it. He then started to walk forward. Miguel noticed and looked up, "Papa Hector?" Miguel started crying again. He got up and stumbled towards Hector, who was now silently crying too. As he tripped, Hector caught the boy and quickly embraced him. Miguel returned the hug and they stood there a minute like that.

They got a lot of pitying looks from everyone around them. Many of which recognized the living boy, but knew now was a bad time, so they continued walking by. Hector looked down at Miguel and studied him for a second, noticing the bloody clothes. "Kid," Hector started, finally finding words, "What happened?" Miguel looked up at him, then around them and said, "Not here." Hector nodded and took the kid's hand. Hector picked up his guitar and they started walking towards a much less populated area, into a little garden with no people around. Dante ran off to play with Pepita again. Hector noticed Miguel was stumbling, tripping and even limping some. This was worrying to him, he cared a lot about this kid and hated seeing him like this.

He guided Miguel to a bench and they both sat. Hector set his guitar down, and Miguel leaned against him and he put an arm around the kid. Miguel was shaking, trying not to cry. "I-I… was walking home. I-It was getting dark a-and I took an empty street. I didn't know I was being followed," Miguel was now crying again. Hector looked down at him in shock for a moment, then tried to comfort him, "Hey. Es okay, es okay…" Miguel continued, "I remember being thrown into an alley, a-and… The man, h-he pulled a knife. S-said he wouldn't kill me if I was quiet… Why didn't I just stay quiet?" He was crying even harder now. Hector was beyond shocked, he had no words. He drew Miguel closer and into a tight embrace. Did his grandson really blame himself? "Mijo, es not your fault. It'll be okay…" However, he knew it would be a while before his grandson would be okay again. He noticed just how young and small his grandson still was.

"I tried to get away. I tried to call for help. He threw the knife at me and into my leg," he said as he pointed to his right leg where there was slices in the bones. "A couple came running into the alley to help, but the man chased them away," Miguel was having trouble breathing at this point. "Ay, mijo! Kid, es okay. You're okay Miguel." Hector tried to no avail to calm him down. He didn't know whether to be angry with the man or sad for his grandson. Now, all he could do was hug Miguel and try to calm him down. "A-and then…" Miguel stopped and decided it would be easier to just show him. At first Hector was confused when he moved away and took his jacket off, then he saw the many cuts into Miguel's bloody shirt.

They both knew that he didn't need to explain further. "Remove your shirt…" Hector wanted to see the damage done to the kid's bones. Miguel took his shirt off. Hector saw the many cracks and scratches in Miguel's rib bones. They would fade eventually, but would be painful and visible for a while until then. He put his shirt back on. Hector got up, he was furious. He turned away, shaking with anger and punched the wall behind them. He noticed Miguel flinch. "Sorry. Es not you, kid…" he said sadly. Miguel just nodded. He tried to stand up but collapsed. Hector caught him, "I got you." He looked up and realized how late it was, with a sigh he said, "Come on, kid. We should get home." Miguel looked up in fear. "I don't want to face the rest of the family either, but we don't have much of a choice," Hector commented, "Either we go to them, or they come find us."

Miguel sighed, but nodded. Knowing the kid wouldn't make it far on his own feet, Hector picked him up and carried him, forgetting the jacket at the bench. Oddly enough, the kid didn't protest. Hector was both relieved and worried by this. Halfway home Miguel fell asleep.

End Ch. 2

Well that was a slightly longer chapter. I know I am dramatic. Oh well. Not entirely sure what to put next. Just wanted to get this one out there. I'm actually trying to focus on the Land of the Dead, probably won't mention the living much.