A/N: I know this story plot has been going around for a LONG time, but I couldn't resist posting this. I will try to make this story as diverse from those other ones as possible, because honestly I get sick of seeing this type of story plot too. The same type of fanfic posted over and over gets really really annoying, so hopefully this story is as far from that as it could possibly be.
No promises.
Here we go.
He almost forgot what stepping into this room felt like. The people around, covering every inch of the building. The yelling and arguments passed between the different groups. The lighiting, kind of bright and dim at the same time. He never thought he would see this place again, and yet here it is.
The familiarity if this room makes him cringe and smile at the same time.
He sits down in one of the chairs, where the security guard behind the desk pulls up a file of him on the computer. Her eyes bounce from him to the computer screen to him as she shuffles with the papers in her hands and sits down across from him. She breathes out a sigh before finally looking him in the eyes completely.
"Alright. Let's get going," she says, a hint of fake pep in her voice. She stares at him. "Name?"
Still smiling, he says, "Miguel Rivera."
Her eye twitches, then both of her eyes widen. Miguel ignores her suprise for the time being and averts his gaze from her face. A few seconds of silence pass before she clears her throat.
"Age?"
"22." Miguel looks at her again and tries not to notice her face dropping, even though he knows why she's so upset. Coming to the Land of the Dead at that young of an age saddens everyone. Miguel had already been here once, ten years ago, but that time was dfferent. That time he was able to go back to the Land of the Living easily. Now he can't return. Now he's stuck here, but that doesn't really bother him, not that much. Since he's familiar with this place, it doesn't alarm him as much as it used to.
He almost misses it when the guard picks up the phone sitting next to her computer. "Sí. Contact the Riveras immidiately."
Chatter is heard as a response, though Miguel can't make out any of it. He perks up slightly when he hears a very recognizable voice heard from the other side moments later.
Héctor's voice. Tinged with worry, and noticeably frantic. Mamá Imelda's voice can also be heard as well, containing a faint tone of anger.
Miguel leans back in his seat and crosses his arms when the security guard puts down the phone. "Your familia will be here in a few minutes, Miguel," she tells him.
Miguel just looks toward the door to the office and nods without responding, trying to make sense of the feeling of his stomach dropping and his heart lifting at the same time.
"He's in here, Señor Rivera."
Héctor nods and steps inside, his eyes darting around the office expectantly. His eyes land on the figure in one of the desk chairs, and at first he's confused. He steps closer slowly, trying to get a better look, and when the man turns his head in his direction, that's the moment recognition strikes Héctor and comes to him all at once.
The hairstyle is almost exactly like his, though a little neater and more controlled with almost no strands out of place. The suit the person is wearing is a bright red, with a matching sparkly sombrero on top of his head. For a change, he doesn't have his guitar next to him, but that's not Héctor's concern right now. The figure also has the same thin build as Héctor does, more tall than he is wide.
And then there's the face. The eyes that would usually be shining with warmth and passion are narrowed, an amused smirk to match his eyes upon as well. The voice... that doesn't sound like him either.
"Hola, Héctor. Good to see you."
Happy, but also cold.
Héctor just stares but inside his mind is racing, realizing just who this person is.
Miguel.
It feels like ice has covered Héctor's bones as he speaks. "What are you doing here?" he asks with a slight tremble in his voice.
Miguel gives a light laugh. "You're not happy to see me?" He flashes Héctor a smile. "I thought you'd be more excited."
He steps closer, and Héctor holds up his hands. "Miguel, this isn't a joke," he says firmly. "How'd you get here? What happened?"
Miguel frowns and sighs. "I don't know."
"Tell me the truth, Miguel." Nervousness turns to annoyance as Héctor narrows his eyes and crosses his arms.
"That is the truth. I don't know what happened." Miguel shrugs. "I guess it was just bad luck or something."
Héctor glances to the security guard sitting at the desk, who shakes her head and walks over to him.
"He wouldn't tell me a thing," she whispers.
Héctor just turns back to Miguel, who flashes him a sheepish half smile. Héctor strides ahead and leads the way out of the office, Miguel following close behind as Héctor tries to gather his thoughts, how to break the news to everyone without them getting too upset.
Good? Bad? In between? What do you think? Personally I think this is better. It is kind of the same, but mostly different. I guess. This is the first chapter. Let's see how this goes.