This chapter has been "Expanded and Enhanced"


Location: Cromwell, New Zealand

Olivia MacLaren sat at her desk sorting out her files, many new bookings for their wedding venues. She worked at a high-rated Vineyard in Central Otago. As she was sorting out her most recent client's booking the phone rang, which she answered immediately.

"Hello, Olivia MacL-"

"Olivia," the voice of the front desk receptionist interrupted. "The police are here, they want to speak to you"

"I'll be right over." Olivia hung up the phone and stood up feeling a sense of dread as she walked out of her office. She walked over to the front desk and saw two police officers one male and one female. Olivia approached the two officers.

"Olivia MacLaren?" The female officer asked

"Yes that's me," Olivia said as she shook both officer's hands

The male officer sensed her nervousness "Don't worry Mrs. MacLaren You're not in any trouble at all. We need to ask, is Todd MacLaren your son?"

"Yes, he's my son." Olivia answered, "What happened?"

A short while after a shrill scream cut through the silence of the Vineyard's office everyone immediately stopped their work to see what happened, some employees poked their heads out of their offices towards the reception desk. In front of the reception desk, Olivia was on her knees being held by the receptionist, with tears streaming down her face.


Location: Land of the Dead

Todd didn't know how long he was weeping, it could've been years for all he cared. Todd sat back up and put on his gloves and after drying his eyes, put his helmet back on, he stood up and walked toward the new arrivals gate, he didn't know why but he hoped no one was there to bother him.

Yet those hopes were dashed as soon as he stepped on solid ground as loud "whoosh!" alerted a few skeletons manning the Arrivals Gate. A female skeleton wearing a blue uniform approached him slowly, "Hola" she greeted with a sad smile, "How are you feeling?"

"This isn't happening," Todd said quickly while gripping the sides of his helmet, tears still falling from his eyes. "This just isn't happening"

The smile fell from the skeleton's face "Lo Lamento, (I'm sorry) but I'm afraid it is happening, How old are you?"

"I-I-I'm 19" Todd stuttered

The female skeleton brought her hand to her mouth as her eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, let's go inside and find your familia"

'Familia?' Todd thought to himself 'My familia is still alive! and I'm never going to see them again!'

"I don't have any family here" Todd whispered in sadness as his breathing quickened. the realization began to hit him once again.

"That you know of," the skeleton said trying to remain optimistic while reaching for his hand "Now let's get you inside and -"

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Todd screamed finally reaching his emotional breaking point. He pulled his hand away and began to run away.

A guard quickly stood in front of him only for Todd to punch him in the jaw so hard it flew off. Three other guards began to chase Todd. He made his way to a busy street where he froze, trying to plan his next move.

"HE WENT OVER HERE!" a voice called out from behind

So much for that! Todd ran over to a two-story building where a pipe extended to the roof and quickly began to climb up, he just got to the top before being spotted. Wasting no time he began to run and jump along the rooftops. Todd noticed that he was a bit more flexible and lighter on his feet. Todd continued free running over the rooftops until he came to a particularly large gap with an overhanging pipe on the other side. Todd overestimating his ability he jumped and only managed to get a finger on it, he landed on a pile of boxes before falling flat on his back with a heavy thud in the middle of a dark alleyway.

His tactical leg pack popped open and a small locket with a red ribbon key landed on the ground next to him. Todd slowly sat up and grabbed the locket before opening it inside were three small pictures of his mother, father, and step-sister.

Todd leaned against the wall and put the locket back into his leg pack before burying his head in his knees. He had no family here, his mother and sister would no doubt be absolutely devastated.

Do they know?

Will they be alright?

All of these thoughts swarmed his head he removed his helmet and goggles and put them aside before crying into his hands.

He was all alone.


Current time, Location: Cromwell, New Zealand

Charlotte pulled her car into the driveway. She checked her phone and saw 12 missed calls from her mother along with 32 text messages, quickly she exited the car and made her way to the front door. A police car and her mother's car pulled into the driveway as soon as the squad car stopped her mother staggered out of the back seat, eyes completely bloodshot with tears streaming down her face.

Charlotte dropped whatever was in her hands and ran over to her mother who collapsed onto her knees, Charlotte pulled her into a hug.

"Mom! what's wrong what happened?!" Charlotte asked with worry in her voice.

Her mother tried to explain but ended up saying an incoherent amount of words. She turned to the female police officer for any answers.

"I'm so sorry," the officer said with sorrow in her voice "But you're brother passed away"

Almost instantly tears formed in Charlotte's eyes as she hugged her mother tightly.


Todd didn't know how long he was sitting in that ally, minutes? hours? Days? it could have been any amount of time. He sat there, staring at the locket for a little while longer before slipping it back into his leg pack. He peered out of the ally and saw skeletons and occasionally alebrjie walking passed, all going about their day. He felt a scene of dread hit him; he would have to try "live" in this realm. At least he had some experience in this realm, not many could say that...

Todd's mind then replayed the adventure that he had a few years ago. It almost made him smile. Once the memories faded back into his subconscious, his mind then ask one question. "How am I even here?" It made no sense.

He cast his mind back to his first visit: Miguel and Todd were told they had till sunrise to escape, they made it out by the skin of their teeth. He was told that if he didn't get out before sunrise he would die because his soul wasn't compatible with the Land of the Dead. A light bulb went off in his skull: His Soul!

Todd quickly took off his helmet and his shirt, his eyes widened at what he saw. Floating in his ribcage right where his heart would be was a bright, golden glow. Todd didn't know what it was but he deduced that it was the very thing keeping him there, as one: he saw the same glow pulsed through his body the first time he was here and it really hurt. And two: in the final few hours of his first visit, it was the only thing keeping him alive.

He quickly put his shirt back on and as he did so, he noticed the color of his Motocross suit and helmet had a completely different color scheme. The new color scheme was white, and gold with some black tints. His helmet's goggles were now tinted gold. He noticed that the Silver Fern was now tinted gold, The Southern Cross on the side of his helmet was also gold with black borders. His once red greaves were now gold. The entire color scheme reminded him of a certain guitar. Todd silently wondered how he didn't notice it before, perhaps his mind was too preoccupied with arriving in the last place he expected.

Todd stood up and dusted off his gloves and began making his way to the entrance of the ally, as he did so he heard a faint noise behind him, and he quickly turned around.

Todd's eyes widened. "... Dante?" he whispered. The multi-colored, winged alebrije looked at him with saddened eyes, Todd took off his helmet and set it gently on the ground. Immediately Dante ran up and jumped into his arms, whining sadly.

"Aww it's ok buddy, it's ok" Todd said softly as the dog nuzzled him. Dante then jumped out of his arms and looked up at him as if asking him to follow, Todd taking the hint followed him out of the opposite end of the ally. After exiting the ally there was a clearing and from somewhere behind him there was a loud roar. Todd turned around and saw a huge cat alebrije touching down in front of him, Papita walked up and nuzzled, while letting out a small chuff. Todd rubbed her cheeks and chin and for a short time forgot all about his sorrow.

"It's really great to see you guys," Todd said through tears of joy.

All of a sudden Todd let out a long yawn, he realized just how tired he was. Papita walked over to the side of a nearby wall and laid down on her side and her wing opened up. Todd slowly walked up and laid down against her stomach. Dante crawled underneath Todd's arm and snuggled against him, feeling safe with his two alebrijes by his side.

Todd still had many questions but for now, at least they could wait. He readjusted himself before slowly falling asleep.


Hey everyone sorry for the long wait I've been focusing on my other fanfic. cheers for understanding. See you soon.