The police were swarmed all around the hospital, asking everyone questions about what on earth had taken place but no one they questioned could give them an answer. At least not a logical one. So the building was under investigation and the patients had to be moved. Words could not describe how relieved Andrea was to find that despite all the destruction her brother's condition had not worsened but after that fiasco the poor girl decided then and there that she'd never leave Carlos again as long as he was comatose. She had moved into the building where he had been moved and T.J having confessed his love to Andrea, along with his desire to have a life with her moved in as well. Of course they would sleep in separate bedrooms until she said otherwise. Manny and Frida were exhausted from the night's events and decided to go home before anything else chaotic happened.
"Mom?" Manny called when he walked through the door. "Mom? Mrs. Mondragon? We're back."
"They're not here." Frida said. "They went out shopping and later my grandma talked your mom into going with her to bingo night. They should be back around ten."
"Well I hope their night out was better than T.J's and Andrea's. Safe to assume that what happened tonight will definitely be a date that those two will never forget."
"True but in the end it worked out." She said. "And it was a lot better than our first date."
"When did we have a date?"
"Remember? We were standing on top of that tall building and I told you how I felt about you. You rejected me and I almost fell to my death."
"Oh...Yeah." He said embarrassed. "You know I don't think that should count as a date. Especially considering I didn't even know it was a date when it happened and by the way what the hell were you thinking refusing to undo the seal on my powers while you were dangling there?"
"I said I was sorry. I had gotten my heartbroken, I was emotional and I...I guess I didn't want the person I loved to keep risking his life for me if he didn't feel the same. It's waste."
"Just because I rejected you doesn't mean that I don't care. After all I was never in love with Zoe but I still cared a great deal about her."
"Yeah I know." She sighed. "You cared about her alright. Enough to blame me for her death."
"I know and I was wrong to do that. It was just the grief talking and to be honest I don't blame you for that. I never blamed you. I...I blame myself for what happened."
"Why?"
"Because I wasn't there to help her. I've never been there to help her. She's suffered so much worse than I did and she needed someone to be there. She saw me as her only friend, comfort, and compassion. But what did I do when she had feelings for me? I ran. I ran like a coward and I cut off all contact with her. Maybe I couldn't have given her the kind of love she wanted but I still could have remained her friend."
"Everybody makes mistakes but I'm certain you're not responsible for her death or what she suffered with."
"But I could have done something to help her."
He looked down in shame. He wasn't sure if he'd ever forgive himself for not being there for Zoe. She was very special to him and she was the first person he could ever relate to. The first person who could understand how difficult it was to be the a child of human and paranormal being. To know the pain of being rejected by both sides of their species. However her pain would always be so much worse than his because while he knew what it felt to be loved by someone, she didn't. Zoe's mother didn't love her like his loved him. Maria saw her child as a blessing and doted on him but Carmelita saw hers as a curse and she abused her. Which only made his cowardly abandonment all the more terrible.
Frida could feel his guilt and distress. She gently placed her hand over his which provoked him to look up at her.
"I know how much her death hurt you but I think she forgives you."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because I...I.." She started to look guilty herself. "I know I shouldn't have but I...I told her the real reason why you broke up with her. That you did it because you can't afford to love anyone that way because your heart is your weak spot. I'm so sorry. I know I promised I'd never tell anyone but I thought that-"
"It's okay." He assured her. "I'm glad she knows. Because now she understands that I chose not to love her to be cruel. I just wish that I had the courage to tell her myself."
"She knows. She knows and she understands and that's all that matters. Truthfully I'm just grateful that her death didn't do as much damage to you as I thought."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I had this notion that Zoe was your true love or she would be if your heart wasn't such a fragile area. So when she died part of me was scared that it would grieve you so much that you would...That it would be too much for you and you'd...You'd..."
"Kill myself?"
"Stupid I know. I realize that. You wouldn't let guilt and grief get to you like that. You're too strong to succumb to suicide."
"Uh..." He said looking away from her. "I wouldn't say that."
"What do you mean? Oh God have you ever been suicidal?"
"No. But..." He still refused to face her. "I've had to deal with a lot in my life. A lot of stuff that would break anyone and how it never broke me I'm not sure but...Let's just say that there's someone in my life who means a great deal to me and if...If that person was to die...If that person was to be taken from me for good...I...I don't think I could go on living...I think that would finally break me."
"You're talking about your mother right?"
He didn't answer.
"Look you don't have to worry about her anymore. She's safe now and with you again. No one is ever going to take her from you like last time. I won't let them."
He still didn't respond.
"Do you need some time alone?"
He nodded.
"Okay. I'm going to get ready for bed."
She went upstairs to her room and changed into some sleepwear. After reading for half an hour she felt the need to check on Manny because she couldn't shake the feeling that he was holding something back during that conversation. That he was hiding something from her. Now he had a right to his own secrets but after what he said earlier she was beginning to fear that he was secretly having suicidal thoughts.
She got up from her bed and opened the door to her room but someone was already there. Behind the door and standing in the hallway or rather floating in the hallway was someone who Frida had seen many times. She had seen her in her dreams and once before in this ghostly form with her hair flowing all around as was her white dress. It was Catarina, her ancestor.
"Hello Frida." She said.
"Oh no." Frida said. "If you're here then that means trouble is not far behind."
"Calm yourself nothing horrifying will take place anymore this night. May I come in please?"
"Uh..Sure. Have a seat...If you can."
"I do not need to sit."
She floated into the room and Frida carefully closed the door.
"So um...Not that I don't love a sudden visit from a member of the family but why are you here?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
The spectral young woman became silent for a moment and just stared at Frida.
"How interesting." She said.
"What?"
"I was told that there was a great resemblance between us but I never really noticed it til now. Indeed out of all my descendants you're the only one who bares my exact likeness...Well almost exact likeness. I never had blue hair. Still is it strange considering how distant we are from each other but then again it is the same with Arturo and Manny. Those two could twins if they were the same age."
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? Family genetics?"
"Not quite. I wanted to explain to you the full extent of what Manny meant by those words."
"You heard that?"
"I am an angel. I hear and see everything that takes place on earth and I make it my mission to pay extra close attention to members of my family while they still live on this planet. Anyway your fear and concern for him is warranted but you're fearing the wrong thing."
"I don't understand."
"When he said that he would be broken by the death of that person in his life who means the most to him you presumed it meant he would kill himself if such an awful fate was to pass. And perhaps he believes that as well but you're both wrong. That's not how he'd break."
"But he said he wasn't sure if he'd be able to go on living."
"In a sense something in him wold most likely lose the will to live in that case."
"I'm still not getting the point of this."
"Let me ask you something Frida. Did Manny's father or grandfather ever marry a demon?"
"No. His grandfather married a spirit and his father married human."
"Yes and his ancestor fell in love with an angel. Me and the end result of that was that demon became the first one to reform and live as a spirit. Then there's you."
"Me?"
"The apostle, the holy woman, the angel born into a human body. Out of all the people in his life you are Manny's constant and most dear companion. Can you see the pattern? It is no coincidence that Rivera men often find themselves involved with women of purity or goodness. That is because we keep them from going completely dark."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Rivera family started out as demons therefore demon's blood will always flow through their veins and even if they choose to be a spirit or are born half human there will always be the prospect that they can give in to their ancestral darkness and turn demonic. But in cases like Rodolfo and Manny something keeps that demonic urge away and while Jorge is in fact a demon by choice he still has some standards. Something keeps them from going completely evil, something drives them to want to do better, something reminds them that despite their origins they still have the potential to be good. That something is us."
"Us?"
"The women of that family who give the men the one thing that lived without for many centuries. Love. In the beginning when the Rivera family were just demons they knew nothing of love. No one loved them and the females they mated with were either unwilling or just seeking to marry into a higher rank of demon class. They didn't know what love was, love, selflessness, forgiveness, compassion, these were all foreign concepts to them because none had ever been shown to them by anyone human or demon. But then I met Arturo and despite what he was I found myself loving him unconditionally. So much so that I actually gave my life for him, I put him first, I valued his happiness and well being over my own and that was something no one had ever done for him before."
"No one? Not even his parents?"
"No. I gave him what he and his ancestors had been without from the moment they were created and by doing so he himself learned how to love. He loved me and wanted to be with me so he reformed and changed for the better. Because he knew he could not have me so long as he harbored darkness in his soul and from that moment on it was like that for the lot of the Rivera men. Many of them took wives and lovers who's hearts were caring and selfless enough to love them unconditionally despite their flaws and in return for that love they do not deprive themselves of all their goodness. Dora, Maria, Santiago's wife, Lilith, you, and myself we cannot help but love the Rivera men because it's women like us who are willing to recognize the deep rooted pain these men carry within and see their potential goodness."
"Wow...That actually explains so much."
"So now you understand how important you are in his life. Manny has done many deplorable things and granted many have not been intentionally yet you still find it in your heart to forgive him and to believe that he can still be good. He is considered a pariah to countless people and beings but neither his species nor what the world thinks of him matters to you. So many see him as a blood thirsty monster or out of control mistake of nature but you see him for what he really is. A lonely and sad boy who just wishes that someone could accept him. You accept him, always have, since the beginning. Other than his parents, no one has ever loved him and stood by him in the way you have. So if you were to suffer the same fate as Zoe, Manny would break."
"Break how?"
"Both the human and spirit in him would die leaving only the demon to takeover. You're the only thing in his life that's ever remained constant. The only thing the reminds him that not everyone in the world is cruel and unfeeling toward him."
"I...I...I never realized he cared so much."
"My dear it goes far beyond care but I suppose you'll never believe that part until he confesses it to you."
"Confesses what?"
"I'm afraid I cannot say anymore because my time here is limited and I must now go. But remember this, as long as he has your heart the darkness can never have him."
Her final words before disappearing into a bright light.
