Pov: Miguel
I looked at the form the woman was reading. It was all quiet around me. I couldn't hear her words. I couldn't hear the phones or typing. At least I couldn't until she snapped her fingers.
"Miguel… this man is Javi. He's the special case worker. He will ask you some questions and then look after you until your family has been informed." She said.
The man knelt down. He had a detective like outfit on, and his bigote was a bit bushy but not too bushy.
"Hola. Can you hear me?" He asked.
I slowly nodded my head.
"Your name is Miguel Rivera?"
I nodded my head.
He looked at the woman and back at me.
"Can you follow me?" He asked.
I slowly stood up and felt my "body" move.
"You will get used to it Mijo." He said.
I followed him and we walked into a private office.
"Take a seat kid." He said.
I walked over and sat down. He poured a cup of coffee and sat down, holding a file.
"You are doce years old?" She asked.
"I- I would've been trece in tres months…" I said.
He wrote down something on the file.
"I know this will be dificil but… can you tell me how you pasado?" He asked.
I felt the pain in my stomach all over again.
"I…I was walking home from the plaza… I was performing. It was late. There was a man… he… he…" I began to tear up.
"Oh Mijo it's okay. He is not here." He patted my shoulder gently.
"He held me by the neck and thought I was his esposa and then he… the knife…" I held the space that was my stomach.
"Calmo, calmo, you don't have to say anymore." He said.
"I didn't even get to say goodbye…" I said.
"Says here that you have family here. However it is Dia de Muertos and I need to finish filling this out. You can stay here until your family returns." Javi said as he got up.
"Señor?" I asked.
He looked at me.
"Why can't I go see my family? It's Dia de Muertos like you said."
He looked down.
"You see Miguel, you may have died… but your body must still be buried. That's the rule when passing. We've had cases like this before, which is how we know this. You can try to leave, but even if your photo is on the offrenda, you cannot go back, Mijo." He said.
I looked down.
"I will be back momentáneamente." He said as he shut the door.
I looked at my hands and just… I still couldn't believe it.
Where's Dante? Where's Mamá Imelda?
…where's Héctor? Did he make it?
Pov change: Héctor
We ran back over the flower bridge as fast as we could. When we made it to the return station, the guard was confused.
"Oi calmo calmo, What is it?" He asked.
"We must get to Los Recién Llegados." I said.
"Los Recién Llegados?" He asked.
Imelda took off her shoe, which he noticed.
"AIY okay okay, come through." He said.
We ran to the New Arrivals and went up to the first person we saw. A man who was drinking coffee, looking at a file.
"Disculpe." I said.
He looked at us.
"Sí?" He asked.
"We were wondering if a young boy arrived recently?" I asked.
"His name is Miguel." Julio said.
"This high." The twins showed his height.
"Loves to play the guitar." Rosita said.
He looked back at his file.
"Listen to me bigote. Is my great great grandson here or not?!" Imelda aimed her shoe.
The man shut the file.
"Follow me." He said.
We followed close behind as he walked back to an office. He was outside the door when he stopped.
"Too many people might be a bit too much for him. Do any of you think he might know you?" The man asked.
We all looked at each other.
"I'll go." I said.
"Relation?" He asked.
"Great great grandfather." I said.
He opened the door and I saw the hair, I saw the white undershirt. He looked down and was crying.
"Miguel?" I asked.
He looked straight up before looking at me.
"H-Héctor?" He asked.
"Ay Chamaco…" I said.
He hopped out of his chair and ran towards me, hugging me tightly.
"Héctor…" he cried.
"It's okay Chamaco, I'm here." I said.
"I-I didn't know if I was able to save you… and then… and then I…" he began to cry again.
"It's okay Chamaco, you're coming home with us."
"I didn't even get to say goodbye…" he said.
I helped him up and slowly walked towards the door. I opened it and the others saw him. Before they could react or say anything, I raised my hand and shook it.
"Imelda, can you please look after him for a second?"
"Héctor?" Miguel asked.
I looked at the man.
"I just need to have a quick chat with Héctor. He will be out in treinta seconds." The man said.
Miguel let go and stood next to Imelda.
We walked in and he offered a glass of tequila, which I refused.
"Listen Héctor, Miguel has been through a rough one. Besides the fact that he's a kid, he was murdered the day before Dia de Muertos, so he can't even see his familia tonight. I've looked over his file and observed his behavior. He has depresion and is showing signs of síndrome de estrés post. I suggest that you keep him close and make him feel loved." He said.
I nodded.
"What's your nombre?" I asked.
"Javi Tuchano." He said.
I hugged him.
"Thank you Javi." I said.
He patted my back.
"You should go, before Miguel gets nervous. If he starts acting up, bring him here." He said.
I nodded and we walked out. Miguel quickly ran up and hugged my leg.
"Come on Chamaco, we're going home." I said.
We all left the New Arrivals and began our walk home.
