Chapter 6
"Requiem"
As Manny jumped from one roof top to another, tears fell from his eyes. Frustration, malaise, and desperation filled his thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about what he had done and how he would make Django feel the same pain as him!
"That bonehead! Why did he jump out of the way of my claws?! It's not like I was aiming to kill the bastard!" Manny mumbled to himself as he hurdled across the city, scrambling to organize his subconscious.
It wasn't long till he had found himself near the layer of Sartana of the Dead. Without hesitation he flung himself to the front entrance of the large abandoned prison. Not a moment later the large metal doors slowly creaked open. A very short skeleton bandito stepped out warring what appeared to be a tattered butler's uniform. It gestured to the young hero to step inside, only to be rewarded with a punch strata to oblivion by the vengeful tigers rage, the bandito however still waved a goodbye with its disembodied hand regardless.
"Where is she?! Sartana, I know you're in here! Come out so I can talk to you about your nephew!" Manny yelled, simply to be replied with a "No."
"No? What do you mean, 'No'?"
"Simple, No." the disembodied voice replied. El Tigre looked around the dark dungeon looking prison with little result. He walked deeper inside passing the mountains of gold coins and jewels till he reached the buildings center where a cracked wooden chair sat in waiting.
"If you don't come out soon, I will start demolishing your home till it's nothing but rubble; I don't think you would want that now would you?" El Tigre threatened in hopes that the he would earn a response.
"No. Why would I care if you destroyed this entire building anyway hmmm? I was just starting to leave this old, decrepit place for good when you came in through the door. En Dois nombre, I don't want to be here when he starts coming for me." The voice replied with a hint of genuine fear in its voice.
"Leaving?! Wait, why?! Who would be stupid enough to walk in here ready to fight you?" Manny stopped for a moment to think about what he just said. "Oh, ha ha, right."
"But who is bad enough to make you run?" He asked curiously.
"Django, he came walking in like usual and then started attacking my banditos. At first I thought he was trying to blow off some steam but then he started to look at me. I laughed of course but before I knew it, I was on the ground defenseless. He told me he was only keeping me alive so that I could give a message to you, Rivera. 'Before you know it she will be gone from your life, and so will everyone else.'"
"What's that suppose to mean?!" El Tigre demanded.
"Like I would know, but I did what I needed to do. If you had to ask me though, I wouldn't leave Ms. Suarez alone at night." The voice then cackled, which echoed throughout the building till it was silent.
Tigre knew Sartana was gone now and that it was a mistake leaving Frida alone. Manny raced to the double doors leading to the moonlit sky, disregarding his fear of what will happen when Fridas father sees him. He ran passed the pile of bones which was still waving goodbye till it saw the hero disappear into the maze building. It then started to drag itself off into the building picking up peaces along the way.
At the hospital, Django walked through the front door paying no heed to the worried chief of police who was too busy arguing with the nurses to see his daughter. Thanks to this distraction however, Django was able to walk passed everyone with ease. In no time, he had reached Ms. Suarez's room and cracked open the door to find the unconscious girl lying asleep in her hospital bed, tubes and wires attached to her body.
"Sleeping soundly when the world is so close to falling apart around you. It shames me really to allow such an extravagant creature go to waste for some flea ridden hero." Django scoffed. He then lifted her of the bed and into his arms as he unhooked her from the life support machines.
"You know she needs those machines right?" a shaded figure spoke from behind. It then walked out of the shadows to reveal the tall tanned skin man. His wardrobe had changed however from the casual jeans and t-shirt to a suit and tie.
"You sure know how to make an entrance, Miguel. It doesn't matter now; she won't be much different from me soon enough anyway so why worry about the small things?" Django laughed sinisterly as he moved passed the man and into the hall way of the hospital, making his way towards the stairs leading towards the roof.
It wasn't long till the alarm went off notifying everyone of Fridas disappearance. Django paid little attention to the situation and proceeded to the top of the stairwell.
"Miguel, you mind getting your hand dirty again?" The skeleton teen questioned, not even looking behind him to see if the man was even near. But without hesitation, Django was given his answer.
"As you wish, master." The voice replied.
Moments later, screams of horror and fright filled the building. Django opened the door to the roof top into the moonlight of a beautiful full moon. He then laid the sleeping beauty on the ground, lasing her arms across her chest as though she were being put to rest. He then situated himself next to her and leaned in close placing his right hand on her cheek and the other over his heart.
"I beg for your forgiveness mi vida, but I must hurt you in order to shatter El Tigre and finish my plan. Nothing personal, but business is business." Django grinned and leaned in closer.
"STOP!" A voice cried. Manny, landed on the roof of the Hospital and ran towards the young skeleton creature. Suddenly he found himself winded unable to breath. Before him stood the tall figure with his fist firmly implanted into Manny's stomach.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that for you see my master is not done finishing his ritual." Miguel said with a calm soothing voice.
"Who or what are you?" Manny said weakly.
"Why, I am but a humble servant." Miguel grinned.
"Right on schedule El Tigre. I was waiting for you to come back from Nana Sarltana." Django chimed.
"How did-" Manny was interrupted.
"Because, Tigre, it was all part of the plan. Now you will know what it is like to lose it all before your eyes." Django smiled devilishly and turned away to face Frida again. He leaned in close one more time without any intent to stop.
"NO! FRIDA!" Manny cried as he tried to break free from the tall mans grip, but it was too late. Django's lips touched Fridas then broke apart from one another. Blood covered her lips as though she was bit. She then opened her eyes, her skin pale and cold. She looked towards Django.
"Mi…. mi amor?"
Stay Frosty!