Ok, so since I've managed to fail at updating on Saturday for a few weeks now I've decided to change my update schedule to every Sunday. It's not that big of a change, but it gives me all of Saturday to write (which I need since school is still a thing and procrastination is my worst enemy).

Nothing else to say here, just wanted to let you know.

On with the story!

…

"Who are those two?" Marco asked Mamá Rosa. He hadn't been introduced to the two remaining members of his dead family, and he couldn't quite place their names on his own.

"He," she pointed to the tired-looking skeleton, "is your Papá Manuel."
"Why does he look so…drained?"

She smiled sadly. "He's…had a long life." She seemed to be choosing her words carefully. "Living with Mamá Gabi for so long took its toll."

"...Oh." Marco hadn't thought about it much before, but Manuel was an accident. Gabriella probably wasn't that happy to be stuck with a child she didn't ask for. And her bitterness probably wasn't the best for said child. "What about the other one?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.

"He's your Tío Andres," Mamá Rosa explained, gladly accepting the abrupt change. "Mamá Gabi's brother."

They were about halfway across the bridge before he could see their destination.

Marco stared in awe at the vibrant city that lay before him as his pace slowed. He'd never seen so much color in one place! The buildings almost seemed like they were stacked on top of each other, with each layer being more modern than the last. What seemed like millions of lights shining throughout the city made the towers stand out brilliantly against the dark coat of night. Even the creatures (alebrijes?) inhabiting the beautiful city seemed to glow!

Was this the Land if the Dead? But it felt so…alive.

"Marco!" Tía Violeta snapped, finally noticing him lagging behind the small group.

Marco tore his eyes away from the beautiful city, sending a deadly glare her way. "Coming," he grumbled, begrudgingly catching up with the group. He pulled up his hood as he got yet another shocked stare. He doubted that the makeup would fool any of the skeletons, but maybe they wouldn't stare so much.

The family entered a line of skeletons waiting for reentry, offerings in their arms. It didn't take them long to reach the front.

"Welcome back, amigos!" the arrivals agent greeted them cheerily. "Anything to declare?"

Marco was pushed to the front of the group, and his hood was pulled down, revealing his ears.

"Just a thief and a stolen guitar," Mamá Gabi hissed, her grip tight on his shoulder.

The agent's jaw dropped in the most literal sense.

…

The family was escorted through the Marigold Grand Central Station. Violeta and Gabriella went back to mumbling to themselves, Andres now joining them. He seemed a bit more enthusiastic about whatever they were talking about. Manuel followed closely behind his mother. He didn't contribute much at all to the conversation.

"Why don't we just get rid of this blasted curse, ay?" Tío Andres suggested, his melody rising to more of a mezzo piano.

"Idiota!" came Gabriella's harsh tune, louder than she had intended. She spared a quick glance at Marco before lowering her voice once more.

Marco couldn't catch all of what she said after that. Only pieces. Something along the lines of "Do you want him to hear us?" from what he could gather. He scowled. So they were talking about him. They seemed to be debating something, but what? And why couldn't they tell him about it?

He jumped a bit when he felt a hand clamp onto his shoulder, stopping him from following the family just as they entered the Department of Family Reunions. He relaxed once he realized it was Mamá Rosa.

"Marco," she sang, the notes short but quiet. "Promise me that you won't give them the guitar. Alright?"
He tensed at the urgency in her voice. "Wha-"

"Promise me," she repeated, accenting every beat. "Alright?"

"A-alright," Marco stuttered quietly. "I promise. But why-"

Mamá Rosa shook her head. "Not now."

Manuel stopped and turned slowly, apparently having heard them.

Mamá Rosa gave him a pleading look. "Don't," she mouthed.

His tired and clouded eyes shifted to the ground, thinking it through. He looked to his mother and winced. His gaze returned to Rosamaria. He gave a simple nod and continued forward without a word.

Mamá Rosa gave a sigh (but she didn't have lungs…?). "That was close…Now," she started. "Let's catch up before they get suspicious."

They silently caught up with the rest of the family.

Marco had more than a few questions. Why couldn't he give the guitar to his family? Why did Mamá Rosa seem so desperate about it?

"Veracruz family?" an agent called.

But they probably wouldn't be answered any time soon.

…

For those who don't know, mezzo piano is a musical term that means "moderately soft."

Sorry for the lateness of this one, it's my own fault.

See you next Sunday!