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Fan Fiction
Los Angelitos Chapter 5 - By Rei Nokato
Published by Rei Nokato on Friday 25th February 2005, and added to the D.O.D. database on Tuesday 1st March 2005
These are the diaries of Pugsy and Bibi Apligianno, two angelitos who made their journey across the Land of the Dead. These are the entries compiled during their time crossing over.
Loving, Wondering, Learning, Yearning
Extracted from the Diary of Pugsy
We’re here. After so much toil and struggle, we’re finally here.
Zach and Han decided to come along with us three days ago. I think having more than just Bibi to talk with inspired me to work harder in finding the exit to the Petrified Forest. I’m guessing this theory to be correct, for when nightfall came upon us the day we met the two brothers, we came across an abandoned gateway. No one was at the tollbooth, and there were no traps and such to stop us going through, therefore we travelled straight on.
I felt the happiest I have ever felt in my whole afterlife. Looking at each side of me, I noticed as we moved further away from the accursed Forest the way the trees became more spaced between each other. Sooner or later, there were no trees to be seen in the deserted vicinity that was the long and dreary path between the Petrified Forest and Rubacava.
Yes, a clear path was at last guiding us. Our party of four walked in silence for most of the way, but that was no problem for me; I’d rather consider my own personal thoughts than talk about things that were uncertain to me. For instance, I remember my sister unwisely bringing up the subject of food. Zach and Han didn’t seem stirred at all by the fact they no longer owned stomachs. As a matter of fact, neither did Bibi or I. But I’m just saying that most topics brought up could really only be discussed among the living rather than the dead.
It all comes round to Mr. Banderas though, no matter what conversational matter we select. I briefed Zach on my travel agent's sprouting, and how his contract killer is stalking Bibi and I.
"So... you're on the run, is that what you're saying?" Zach inquired, his head canted sideways.
"Yeah," Said Bibi. "It seems that we weren't supposed to leave the DOD... with Mr. Banderas." She sighed hopelessly at this particular point. "I guess... if Pugsy and I had thought it over carefully, we could have easily predicted that something horrible was to happen in consequence to our travel agent's actions. Therefore... he wouldn't be... the way he is." Bibi rubbed her eyes, apparently becoming teary.
Anyhow, despite our recollected memories of Mr. Banderas, the trip to Rubacava was satisfying enough. No longer was there the threat of flying spiders and flaming beavers hunting us down for dinner, and no more were we forced to tolerate the sight of scorched skeletons on the roadside.
I haven’t seen a perfectly cloudless sky since one of my last days of being alive…
Today, that was what the azure above reminded me of.
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Our family had driven to a cove to have a wonderful picnic, the water’s surface being as blue as blue, tree branches alongside the brook swaying gently in the calm current of air. I believe our Uncle was with us as well, laughing as he watched his only niece and nephew swimming in the shallows of the creek.
“Pugsy, quit it!” Bibi whined constantly on that particular day, as I continually sprayed her with water, to her annoyance.
My clothes were so messy, so muddy. It’s rather a surprise that I can remember such details, even after I’m dead.
-
In the dead of night, our tired party came across an automat. The fog surrounding it was thick, so we chose to take refuge inside.
“How can I help you?” A sleep-struck woman said as we wiped our feet on a ‘welcome’ mat. She lazily flicked out a pen, as if it were a routine she had repeated for a long time. Yawning, the receptionist slid open a draw, began shuffling through papers until she found a certain sheet, and then discerningly shoved it shut.
“Uhm,” Zach cleared his throat, “Would you like our names?”
The woman gave a weak and tired smile. “No, dearie. Just your order.”
“Order?” She nodded. “We… don’t want to order anything.” The eldest of our infant group fumbled with his scarf.
The receptionist blinked. “Oh, okay.” She continued smiling, no discouragement hinted on her features. “Why don’t you five take a seat in the waiting room then.” She rearranged some papers and started filing. “Our manager will arrive in about an hour. Make yourself comfortable until he arrives.” With her pen, she gestured behind us.
We turned about to see a lovely den in the corner. There were a couple of plush seats, the rest were ordinary office ones. A fire blazed proudly beneath the mantelpiece and it warmed the room considerably.
When we had all found ourselves a seat, Han and Bibi taking the comfy armchairs, Zach gasped unexpectedly.
“Five?” He whispered to himself. “There aren’t five of us, what’s she talking about?” He counted himself, his younger sibling, and the twins. That was only four, and I tardily got the point. “Excuse me for asking, Miss,” Zach called out to the receptionist, who’s head bobbed up in response.
“Hm?”
“But did you say there were ‘five’ of us?”
The woman, who seemed in desperate need of forty winks, glanced us over. “Why, yes. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m quite sure there was a man standing behind you young ones.” There was a short pause, as the rest of us exchanged looks, before she laughed and gave a shrug. “Haha, I must be seeing things.” She looked back to her work, shaking her head. “Honestly, I need to request shortened shifts once in awhile.”
Bibi and Han were too tired to be bothered, I think. Zach and I, on the other hand, come what may know the woman hadn’t been hallucinating. Something funny was going on.
“I’m going outside.” Zach spoke after ten minutes. Yet again he straightened his jacket and scarf as he walked towards the door.
“Wait up.” I said quickly. “I’ll come with you.” The eldest nodded silently.
The two of us dawdled down a set of stairs to several misty docks, eager to learn more of our current location. The air, though foggy was nowhere near humid; it seemed to send chills to the bone marrow. There was a light breeze lifting sails and flags dotted about the place. It was simple to tell time was close to morn’, for as icy as the wind appeared, there were luminescent rays beginning to radiate the pale grey skies and warm the tense, frostbitten ambiance.
We managed to find ourselves a bench to sit on; one that overlooked the endless horizon that stretched out to sea. It was rather odd to observe such a sight. I never in my right mind would imagine seeing a lovely transitory scene like this, especially not in the Land of the Dead. Before watching that quiet, awe-inspiring sunrise, I had believed that death meant the end of not only life, but also beauty in itself.
Zach gave a calm sigh, his eyes softening at the panorama before us. “It’s amazing how, no matter what the situation, sunrise always tries its best to stun its spectators.”
There was a diminutive pause as I glanced at him. I couldn’t understand why it did either; perhaps nature, as it owns an eternal cycle, has an indescribable rarity theoretically existing merely to inspire humanity. I stared back at the glowing sphere with wonder and admiration.
“Well,” Zach assumed a definitive tone. “Time we headed back to the automat. The manager’s probably arrived by now.”
I agreed noiselessly, looking down at my feet. I… couldn’t stand up.
“Pugsy?” The eldest came back for me when he realised I wasn’t at his tail. “What’s the matter?”
“I… I-”
“You sure you’re O?”
At that, my final nerve befell stricken. I burst into tears right there and then. Zach fell back as I hurriedly clutched at his chest, wrapping my arms tightly about his emaciated figure. His jumper was so soft; his warmth somehow consoled me.
Zach’s eyes widened. His arms stuck to his sides for a second. My bawling was too much to bear, let alone ignore. He comforted me, his hands petting my back lightly.
“Ssh… ssshh, it’s alright.” He wasn’t uncomfortable from my distress; I think it was from experience of having his younger brother that he could soothe me with such ease and calm. “I know you miss them…” He whispered into my ear, resting his chin on my shoulder. “I know you yearn to be alive…” He sniffed, struggling to keep himself together. “I know you wish you were with your Mum… and your Dad… and everyone else who has passed you.” He rubbed my back, petting my head peacefully with his other gloved hand. “We haven’t got the choice, Pugsy. You know that… and so do I.”
Hence, Zach influenced me, more than anyone could possibly comprise, in a single minute. Through effortless words, he had explained to me the fact that things did not always occur to suit our personal liking. We cannot control fate, no matter what the cause. But I trust that events happen for a reason.
Mr. Banderas had notified to us how rare it is to see children as young as ourselves in the Land of the Dead. Maybe our premature deaths took place for a reason; perhaps someone truly needs us…
To be continued…
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