I led Acat farther along the road. She really wants to meet Maya and won't stop bothering me until she sees her. But, I'm worried what she will do when she finds her. "Zatzy?" Acat asked, glancing a concerned look at me. "Why won't you tell me what the matter is?" She paused, flying next to me with the wings she created from her tattoos. For being just tattoos, they are weirdly physical. "Why won't you tell me? You can trust me, can't you?"

"Yes, Acat, but...this isn't your problem. It's just something that I have to worry about."

"How come?" she asked.

"Because, I don't want to worry you with what's wrong in my mind."

"Come on, Zatz!"

"No, Acat! This has nothing to do with you!" My voice rose, out of my control. She stopped all together, and floated there. "This has something to do with that Teca Princessa, doesn't it?"

"Acat, lo siento," I tried. I didn't mean to make her upset. It's just that...this is my business and I don't want anyone to help me with it. "Zatz, answer me. You can't apologize to change the subject." Her voice became gruff. "Why do you assume that?" I asked.

"Because, ever since you received this mission to bring her back to Mictlan, you've been acting strangely; unlike yourself. I have a feeling that it has something to do with Maya." She flew closer to me and gripped my collar. "Tell me, Zatz. Tell me the truth."

"Why the sudden interest in me all of a sudden?" I asked, returning her with a question. "Why do you suddenly care what's happening with me all of a sudden? You only got with me because Mictlan told you too. You brought out my rebellious side and you are just with me to please Mictlan. You never cared for me before, so why now?"

Acat didn't answer. Instead, she just gripped my collar tighter. "If you don't have an answer, then let me go." Acat looked down for a minute. Her grip loosened on me but tightened before I could get away. "Zatz..." Her voice faded. She had no words to say.

I grabbed her hand and began to push it away before she looked back up at me, pulling my hand off of hers and pulled me in closer. "Zatz, please listen to me. You and I both know the truth why we're together. But...I have grown closer to you. I...I like you now, Zatz. Before, it was just orders, but now, its free will. Listen Zatz," she shook my arm, "just tell me why you're acting different. Tell me the truth and I'll leave you alone if you want."

She let go of my collar and grabbed my other arm, pulling me closer to her. "Tell me the truth, Zatz, and I'll leave you alone. If you want, I'll never see you again. I'll leave our relationship and I'll never think about you again."

"Acat, don't," I said. "There's no point in hurting yourself to help me."

"I know you don't want this relationship, Zatz." Acat just ignored me. "But, please, I beg of you. Do tell me what you are so worried about. Do tell me, why are you acting so differently. Tell me and I'll stop bothering you. I'll leave you alone."

"Acat-"

"Please, Zatz!" Acat said, putting her and my arms down. She didn't loosen her grip though. "Tell me what's bothering you!"

"Acat! Stop!" I yelled. The only way she seems to listen to me is when I raise my voice. I don't like doing it but it's the only way I can get her attention. "Acat, stop, please!" Her grip loosened but she didn't let go. "There is no point in hurting yourself to help me! It's not good! It's not healthy! If you just listen to me, for once, you'll understand that I hear you!" I paused to take a breath.

"I know you care for me, Acat. But, I just don't feel the same way! But there is just no point in breaking your heart to tell you the truth! I just can't do that to you!" An argument I've built up from a long time ago rose to the top but I tried to ignore it. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but I have to tell her how I feel. "Acat, I'm sorry, but I don't want you hurting yourself to help me! It's just not right! I know you like me and you know that I on't feel the same way! If we aren't obliged to be together then-"

Suddenly, my anger died down. I saw the look in her eyes; the look of sadness and hurt. Her hands had let go and I only just noticed. How could I do this? How could I let my anger take over? I sighed. "Acat, look, I'm sorry, but, being in this relationship isn't helping me. I get you know that but, I don't want to hurt you in return. I just don't feel like we can work together anymore." I began to float away. "Lo siento, Acat. Lo siento."

I stopped in front of Luna Island. My heart sank. I wasn't trying to hurt Acat's feelings. I wasn't even trying to yell! But, all that hurt built up inside of me over the years bubbled up to the top and I just blew it. I lost my top. I have to make it up to her. But, I can't right now. I hurt her too much. She would start yelling at me if I came back and I would just make things worse.

I tried to enter the city, but, I couldn't. My body was paralyzed into the forest outside the island. I turned away from it. Why can't I do anything right? I couldn't bring Maya to Mictlan and I yelled at Acat and I can't even enter Luna Island. What did I do wrong? Why do I live like this? Why do I mess up everything I do?

I even lost Mama because of me! Mama died because Papa wasn't allowed to have a child with a mortal! But he broke the rules and I got Mama killed! I gripped my head in anger and sat in a large tree. Why? Why does everything I do fail? Why does everything I do always turn out wrong? Why does it have to be this way? Why am I tested so much?

Am I going to hurt Maya too? With me being around her, will I hurt her too? I hurt everyone else I get close to! So Maya could be next! Why do I get tested so much that it hurts? Why do I live like this? Even when I decide to help Papa, everything still goes wrong! What did I do to deserve this? What did I do to live like this?

A colony of bats flew next to me, taking form of...Papa. "Zatz? What's wrong, mijo?"

"Papa, I can't do anything right!" I cried. "I made Acat, I'm not even sure if she's mad or sad, and Mama died because of me and now Maya might get hurt and it's all my fault! I can't live like this, Papa!"

Papa moved closer to me and sat next to me. "Zatz, calm down. Mama didn't die because of you. She died for you. She loved you very much and she didn't want anything to happen to you."

Those words broke everything inside of me. I started to cry, but I couldn't help it. I tried to stop but they just kept coming. Papa leaned closer to me and I rested my head on his chest. "Papa, how are so sure of that? How do you know Mama died for me?"

"Your mother loved you very much, Zatz. You look more and more like her everyday. Your Mama knew the risk of having you, mijo. She knew that Mictlan would come after her. But you were born anyway. She saw you for the first time and instantly fell in love." Papa paused for a second before continuing. "She gave you this bracelet," he handed me the bracelet I didn't even know I lost," because she loved you, Zatz. Do you know what that bracelet is?"

I shook my head. "That bracelet is a family heirloom. She wanted to give it to you when you came of age, but, she decided it would be best to give it to you then. She wanted you to have a piece of her with you, forever. Your Mama was very brave and didn't fear Mictlan."

Papa stopped talking and I looked at the bracelet in my hand. It is weathered own in color but most of it is preserved. I gripped it and held it close to my heart. "Papa, gracias. You don't know how much I needed that."

"You're welcome, Zatz. That's what I'm here for." Papa hugged me, wiping some of my tears. "You're welcome." He moved away but I grabbed his arm. "Papa, stay. A little longer. Please."

"Sure, Zatz. I'll stay as long as you need."