"So are you like immortal or something?" Frida asked Manny the next day.
"No. I can be hurt but not as easily as a human."
"Are spirits and demons immortal?"
"Not exactly. Spirits and demons are meant to roam earth for many years until they're ready to move on."
"When will that be?"
"For spirits, once they've done enough good in the world but for demons, it's when you know who decides they've caused enough trouble on earth and throws the book at em."
"Are there angels?"
"Yeah but they prefer to stay up in paradise and work for the big man. Actually in the beginning it was just demons and angels but some demons who were born demonic wanted to be good. So after they renounced Satan, God decided to grant them a second chance and turn them into celestial spirits who do good deeds on earth."
"Was your father like that?"
"Most likely. Spirits and demons can't be killed unless you hit them in their weak spot."
"What's that?"
"It's kind of like an Achilles heel. Every spirit and demon has an indestructible body but there's one small spot where if striked can cause the spirit or demon to die."
"Do you have one?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"Sorry but spirits and demons never reveal their weak spots and that goes for half spirits too."
"Is it your eye?"
"No. What makes you say that?"
"There's a scar there."
"Oh that. I was born with that. It's kind of like a birthmark, a sign to let the world know I'm Rodolfo's son."
"Cool. Hey wait a minute you said spirits were once demons. Does that mean you could change into a demon or half demon?"
"Yes but only if I use my powers for evil. Spirits have a small seed darkness inside their hearts from their demonic ancestors which will grow if the spirit reverts to their evil ways. If that happens then the darkness will consume their hearts and they turn back into demons."
"What kind of powers do you have?"
"The strength, speed, and senses of a predator. I heal faster than humans but not than spirits. And invisibility. "
"I wish I had powers."
"I hear ya. I wish I wasn't half human."
"And what's so wrong with being half human?"
"Humans are weak and can barely do anything."
"I beg your pardon! I'm all human and I am not weak!"
"Whatever you say Senorita."
"For the last time it's Frida! Not Senorita, not Princesa, Frida."
"Take it easy I'm only joking."
THUMP!
"What on earth was that?" Frida asked.
"I don't know. It came from outside."
"Let's check it out before my parents get back."
They went outside, Manny used his hearing to follow it. It came from the woods. During the walk they saw a lot of fallen trees and broken stones. In the mist of it they saw a boy laying on the ground unconscious, scratched and bruised.
"Manny look!" Frida pointed out.
They went to investigate, he looked their age. His hair was black, his skin was pale, and he was wearing tribal clothing.
"Is he alive?" Frida asked.
Manny listened for a pulse and then sniffed him.
"Yeah and judging by his smell he's human."
"Let's get him inside and fix him up."
They laid him on her couch and got out the first aid kit. After they bandaged up his body he started to stir.
"Wha...where am I?" He asked. "Who are you?! Get back demon!"
"Whoa! Calm down! I am not a demon!" Manny said. "My name is Manny Rivera, my friend and I found you outside."
"Are you a human? Or a spirit?"
"Both actually and I think I should explain that later."
"Are you alright?" Frida asked.
The boy smiled excitedly when he saw her. He looked at her like he had been stranded in a hot desert for years and she was a pool of water that he had stumbled on to. Frankly it was a look that Manny didn't like.
"Yes I think so. Could I get some water?" He asked her.
"Yeah." She went into the kitchen.
"My what a beautiful companion you have there, I wonder if she's betrothed." The young man said.
"Be what?" Manny asked.
"Intended? Promised to?"
"..."
"To be married."
"Oh. I don't think- Hey wait a minute! Why do you ask?" Manny asked suspiciously.
"Here we are." Frida handed him a cup of ice water which he quickly drank.
"Thank you. You are an angel of mercy."
"Oh...well thanks. I'm Frida and who are you?"
"My is Tulio Julian the second but my friends call me T.J. I'm from a tribe of spirit helpers who live in Peru. My father was a shaman there and I trained to become one so I could communicate with the spirits and demons, learn their ways, and predict their next moves."
"How did you get over here?"
"My tribe was destroyed by an evil demon named Sergio. He wanted to steal this." He pulled out an old book with a hard leather cover from his shirt. "This book reveals the location, powers, and weak spots of all demons and spirits, my father was trusted with protecting it. When he refused to give it to him Sergio killed my father and destroyed my village. I managed to escape on a boat which brought me here. I set up camp in the woods where I was nearly killed by this repulsive demon who smelled like the rear end of a goat."
"El Oso." Manny sighed.
"My goodness. That must've been terrible." Frida said.
"It was and after all the horror I've been through I could really use a hug."
Frida hugged him, T.J hugged back but then he slid his hand down pinched her bottom.
"Hey!" Frida cried shoving him off.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Manny growled and almost transformed but Frida punched T.J hard in the arm.
"Ow!" T.J groaned rubbing his arm. "What? My hand slipped."
"Right." She said in disbelief. "That aside do you have any place to stay?"
"You better! Because you're not staying here!" Manny declared.
"Don't worry I have an uncle who lives here. But this place is very new to me and I was wondering if you would mind showing me around tomorrow?"
"Sure." Manny said. "Meet me in town tomorrow morning and bring proper clothes,"
"Here you might need this." Frida said giving him some ointment. "So you don't get an infection."
"Thank you dear lady. Tell me Frida are you a virgin?"
"Uh..." Frida blushed. "Well I...I...Yes...Why do you want to know?"
"Because to become a shaman I must prove I am a worthy man. One way to prove it is by compensating with a good hearted virgin." He slid his arm around her waist. "If you do this I can fulfill my father's dying wish."
"Hands off witch doctor!" Manny said pulling her away from him. "The only thing you want to fulfill is leachery."
"I'm not a witch doctor. I'm a shaman there's a big difference man."
"Whatever but don't even think about laying your perverted hands on Frida again."
"Oh I beg your pardon. I didn't know that she was already promised to you."
"Huh?!" Manny gasped.
"What?!" Frida cried.
"Then again you both look pretty cute so it's no surprise that you two are to be married."
"Married?!" They cried in horror.
"Yes. You are in love with Frida aren't you Manny?"
"Oh no! No! No! No way!" Frida said.
"You are way off! No! No! I would never in a million years ever...I mean...She's just some weird girl who's hiding me." Manny said.
"Weird?! Excuse me! But who ate a sardine can out of the dump two days ago?!"
"Hey I bathe everyday and eat like a regular human like you want! And it takes all my will power not to kill you're deranged hell hounds! I have changed how I live! What do you want from me woman?!"
"You know if she's hiding you, you could be more nice to her." T.J suggested.
"Thank you! Do you have any idea what it's like living with this guy?"
"I could trade places with him if you want."
"Dream on leech." Manny said.
"I don't know he's a lot nicer than you." Frida said.
"You wouldn't kick me out!"
"She might if you're not more kind." T.J said.
"Exactly. You should be more kind to me."
"Like this." T.J squeezed her waist.
"Ahh! Get your hands off me!" Frida screamed.
"I told you not to touch her!" Manny growled.
"Okay, I'll back off. I'm sorry, I disrespected you Frida and I thank you both for your kind hospitality. See you tomorrow Manny."
He then went outside.
"What a creep." Manny said.
"He maybe creepy and perverted but he could be useful."
"How?"
"That book he carries, it might come in handy if another demon attacks."
"So we keep him close?"
"No. You keep him close to you and away from me."
"Deal."
The next morning after Frida went to school, Manny went into the town to meet T.J. He found him on the room of a building. He now wore a red and black t-shirt and black jeans. He was looking through the window.
"What are you doing up there?" Manny called.
"Shhh! Be quiet. I'm doing research."
"What?"
"I want to learn more about where I live so I am studying the people here."
Manny read the sign on the building. Gymnast's lockeroom and bathhouse.
"You creep! You call this studying!" Manny shouted. "Research! Yeah right! Just an excuse for you to peek at girls in the bathhouse!"
The girls inside heard him and saw T.J at the window. They screamed.
"How dare you!" One shrieked.
"Pervert!" Another screamed.
"Filthy beast!"
"Peeping Tom!"
"Take this you disgusting toad!" One of them threw a bar of soap at his head.
"Hey! Ow! Ladies! Where's your compassion?"
"Get him!"
More bars of soap, brushes, and razors were thrown at him. One of them threw a hair dryer which knocked him off the roof.
"Boy you really are a pervert." Manny tisked.
"I am not a pervert! I happen to be a skilled shaman who merely just wanted to study the youth and beauty of Miracle City."
"Yeah like anyone believes that."
"Okay I admit it I'm a perverted womanzier but give me a break. Where I come from girls don't even show their ankles. I need something for my hormones."
"You're really pathetic you know that."
"Oh what so you're not attracted to women?"
"I'm attracted to women I just don't spy on them and grope them like some dirty little creep."
"I don't believe that! You're fifteen and a boy! You have to had done something."
"Buddy I was born in a catholic church and raised by nuns I don't think I could do that stuff even if I wanted to. Also I've sworn off any romantic relationship."
"What are you a priest?"
"No. It's just that spirits and demons don't fall in love. They don't believe in it and consider it a weakness. I've already got one weak spot to worry about and I don't need another one."
"Half human and you have a weak spot? Tough break."
"So how come you and your dad lived like tribal people but your uncle lives here?"
"Both my father and uncle lived in Miracle City but my father took a trip to Peru were he discovered our tribe and learned their ways. Eventually he met my mother, had me, and decided to stay there. What did you say you're name was again?"
"Manny Rivera."
T.J opened his book and flipped through the pages. Hmm...Rivera, Rivera."
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to find out more about you...strange you're not in here. Who was your spiritual parent?"
"Rodolfo."
"Rodolfo? The Rodolfo? Are you pulling on my leg?"
"No. Look it up."
He flipped a few pages back.
"Rodolfo." He read. "Son of the puma demon Jorge. A white panther spirit known to be strong, fearful, and cruel but also just, fair, and good. Defied his evil father to become a spirit who would serve as a guardian to humanity. His weak spot is his left shoulder which is always covered. Fell in love with a human and fathered a half human son."
"Wow. That book is good."
"Man I never thought he was the spirit dumb enough to have a halfling."
"I resent that."
"Sorry. It's just he always seemed so strict and willing to follow the rules. I guess even he couldn't resist a beautiful woman."
"Could please not make it sound like my father was a perv like you. It's bad enough he was so ashamed of me that he left me."
"I don't know if that's the case. It says here he's very merciful and loyal to his family. In fact he once saved his father from getting shot in his weak spot."
"So?"
"So if he was willing to save his father who was a demon which is the natural enemy of spirits next to angels why would he abandoned you just because you're half human?"
"I don't know. My mother said it was for my own good but she explained why. She said I was too young to understand."
"That's what all parents say but I seriously doubt you're old man left because a shame."
"Well the only person who knows that for sure is him and God knows where he is."
Not to far from them stood a white panther watching them with guilty eyes.
"I'm closer than you think Hijo. I hope someday you can forgive me." He thought.