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Fan Fiction
Los Angelitos Chapter 6 - By Rei Nokato
Published by Rei Nokato on Monday 16th May 2005, and added to the D.O.D. database on Tuesday 7th June 2005
These are the diaries of Pugsy and Bibi Peligiano, two angelitos who made their journey across the Land of the Dead. These are the entries compiled during their time crossing over.
‘Til Death Do Us Part
Extracted from the Diary of Bibi
It’s been two and a half years since our party of four arrived in Rubacava. Yes, a whole two and a half years.
Although Mr. Banderas’ sprouting was a while ago, it only seems like yesterday we watched him leave. Pugsy hides his feelings about it with efficiency these days, but I think the memories still haunt him.
Zach and Han’s parents have not yet made their appearance in this port town, as they had promised their children. However, that didn’t pose a single problem of accommodation for us.
Pugsy and Zach returned that morning in the automat about half an hour after sunrise. You see, the kind receptionist told us before finishing her shift that we were permitted to sleep in the back room until we discovered proper housing in town. As one could imagine, we were very pleased. It ended up that we took refuge there for roughly a year, before we decided it was about time we found ourselves some quality sheltering somewhere else.
The receptionist’s name was Petra. She asked me time and again why we were not supervised, and what happened to our parents. She actually believed, judging from our friendly attitudes towards one another, that my twin and I were siblings to Zach and Han. She seemed to feel sorry for us as well. Not that I minded though; I felt sorry for us too.
During that year we lived in the back room, we were given jobs as janitors. The pay wasn’t sufficient, but at least we were being fairly rewarded with a place to sleep. A bit of cash for spending on food there was included with the package.
Of course, that isn’t all we preoccupied ourselves with. Whenever we weren’t on duty, we’d split up and search about Rubacava. Usually when in groups, I would logically travel with Han. We look as if we connect with each other, as Pugsy and Zach have grown so fond of each other that they are absolutely inseparable at present.
That blasé year was soon over, and Petra announced we were moving out. Another soul wished to purchase the land from the owner. She was reluctant when becoming unemployed, but happy she could finally spend some time planning her trip to Puerto Zapato. She continued to provide us food and a place to sleep in her apartment.
The ex-receptionist was overjoyed to meet up with her boyfriend one day, who had deceased long after her.
Another year passed, yet still no sign of Zach and Han’s parents. We were deeply disheartened. Petra had left us her apartment and a stack load of money when she left on a ship with her partner. She had offered to buy tickets, so we could join her. However we had no choice but to refuse; if Pugsy and I had gone with her, it would have meant leaving our friends behind.
We stuck to the rules Petra had laid out previously for our own safety: Be inside the apartment by no time later than sunset, under no circumstance were we to enter a club, and by no means were we to cause any ruckus during the night, unless we enormously wanted to risk our lone freedom.
In a matter of six months, the automat had been converted to a thriving nightclub. We were curious to see what the new owner had done with the place. Sadly, according to Petra’s guidelines, that could not be accomplished without our individual stash of money turning up discovered by the authorities.
The Calavera Cafe is probably the busiest nightclub these days, its customers ranging from the elder to the young and hopeless. It’s no surprise the old owner was bought out; it was obvious to onlookers that the new owner had dubbed large riches into refurbishing the lot.
Anyhow, the young one of the clan and myself would trek the uncharted docks of Rubacava, observing the backdrop; including events such as when ships arrived, slamming boardwalks out of each door to release its passengers, and perceptibly when they departed as well. It was exceedingly spectacular to view the port town from the wide concrete courtyard beside where the automat had once stood, especially whilst the sky began to darken; lights of cruise ships blinked on, lamp posts illuminated the structure of the large bridge beneath the gigantic emerald blimp, and nightclubs opened their doors to all clientele, whether they be sailors from the union, visiting souls stopping on their way to the Ninth Underworld… Or, along the bottom half closer to the docks, even bereted beatniks appeared for the excitement.
Rubacava seemed to have a will of its own. Things kept to schedule at all costs, and nothing stood in the way of frequently departing cruisers. Souls are constantly on the move there, very few deciding to settle in for a small period to do a bit of sight-seeing.
When it comes down to it, Rubacava is the town that never died.
--
Pugsy and I have learned that nothing lasts forever, and tempting fate on our last night spent in Rubacava was the worst thing we ever did. Instead of sticking to our usual curfew, we chose to disobey and sashay to the docks, our group separating into the regular two.
An hour of overtime gave us enough of a chance to spy on a few affluent and wealthy guests, and to listen in on a few conversations relating to Puerto Zapato; renowned as the port every soul ventured for if they wished to locate the Ninth Underworld.
“Han?” I softly addressed my friend as we began to head back to the apartment. We had never in our afterlives been in the midst of nightlife, with no one snapping at our heels to hurry home. We were quite game that evening.
“What’s up?” The angelito beside me shuffled slowly to a halt.
“I wanted to ask…” I hesitated for a moment, my vision quickly averting to the ground. “What if… we don’t see your parents soon?” I mentally hit myself for asking such a stupid question as Han also stared at his feet. “I mean… What if your parents have gone ahead? They may have boarded a ship, thinking you guys may have gone on one. After all,” I placed a soothing hand on his shoulder, “It has been two and a half years.”
The youthful youngster glanced at me, suddenly determined in tone. “Look, they said in their note they’d be here. They probably haven’t arrived in Rubacava yet. I mean… it took us ages to get out of the Petrified Forest. It was up until Zach and I met you and your brother that we were completely lost.” He gave a nod, as if his explanation had resolved everything. “Our parents are here, and they’re looking for us. I just know, OK!” He blurted out frantically as I opened my jaw to utter a reasonable argument.
How could he have known his parents were in Rubacava? A fair possibility is that they were sprouted… but I didn’t fancy putting that forward; not until I anticipated for Han to hate me, which I highly doubted would be anytime soon.
I considered Han’s dispirited expression before I said more. “I’m sorry. I guess Pugsy and I are just tired of waiting. It would be different if we were looking for our parents as well,” I frowned, “But unfortunately that isn’t the case.” Han unexpectedly gave a small nod in agreement.
“We must be a real burden to you guys… I’m sorry.” He massaged his neck. “If only we had arrived here sooner…” He turned to me. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Huh?”
“Can we find Zach?” He whispered, folding his arms to warm his bare hands. “I want to talk to him.”
I nodded, putting an arm over him. “Sure. It’s getting late anyway.” I added as an afterthought, casting a momentary stare at the darkness yawning over the docks.
“Yeah, it is.”
I solidified belatedly, an unfamiliar voice sounding at the rear of me. It had been awfully calm, almost inaudible. I shuddered, noticing Han hadn’t made a single remark on it. I abruptly picked up our pace, steering my juvenile friend speedily around each corner as it came.
“Bibi, what’s the rush?” Han panted as we reached the staircase leading up to town. A fretful glance on my part was all it took for him to look around and gasp.
“Someone’s following us!” He hissed, tugging obstinately at my scarf.
“Who!” In this case, we thought walking faster was the better alternative.
“A man! I’ve never seen him before!”
The coldest trepidation hit me and an icy chill spread throughout my marrow. As if in a nightmare, my legs started feeling like lead, as though we’d never get away from the stranger. I dared not take a look backward, in case it earned our stalker the upper hand and enabled him the chance to bar us.
Pugsy! I thought silently, urgently, wanting to cry out and grab hold of my brother. But I couldn’t let my guard down; not while it was only Han and I.
Asserting myself as the eldest angelito, with one hand I clutched Han’s shoulder and maneuvered him so he hid in the wake of my figure. I spun around, my firm fists guarding my face.
“Who are you!” I shouted, trying my best to disallow my voice from dithering. “Show yourself!” Adjusting my stance to some extent, I could feel Han’s lithe form shivering on my back.
The eerie silence that followed was excruciating. My vision swiftly scanned the surroundings. Every motion seemed to halt as I caught a hint of someone’s silhouette, leaning against a wall.
I grunted, indicating to the unknown that I could perceive him. An inexpressible sensation overcame me; I was being closely watched from beneath those shadows. Han flinched when the man finally conversed.
“The Peligianos.” He said, shaking his head. He smirked as he dropped a cigarette and wiped it into the bitter cement. “Never did I think you’d have made it this far. Oh well,” the man walked forward cautiously, mocking a notion of a shrug. “I guess taking you two on board wouldn’t hurt. After all, you did escape the D.O.D. last time.” He appeared to be talking generally to himself, saying precisely what was on his mind.
“How do-?” Before I could finish my sentence, I was dragged down by Han’s grip as another figure leapt out from the side and attempted to grab him. I huffed, dismayed; we were encircled by a shady faction composed of three thugs, including the tallest man who stood before me. My whole focus had centered on the derogatory stranger the entire time. The gentleman advanced a solitary step closer. The dim beam showering from a street lamp exposed the majority of his facade.
I screamed. A domino on the back of each hand.
My hand grasped the end of Han’s scarf. Briefly looking at each competitor, I tugged my friend out of the arms of his captor with a terrified yell. We sprinted up the length of a dock in the opposite direction, punching past the other predators.
“Can you fly!” I shouted, stifling sobs of fear. Han tried to speak, but he was reduced to tears. “Hold on!” I wrapped an arm about his waist, pressing him to my side. Almost toppling off one side of the dock, I beat my wings furiously, stopping me from falling into the water. Han buried his face into my shirt, unable to bring the courage to look down.
The gangsters observed my flight in awe; all except for the killer of Mr. Banderas, who wasn’t in the least staggered by my actions.
I realised after a minute I wouldn’t be able to maintain distance from them for much longer; the dock on the right was too far away, and I would have ended up having to drop Han if I intended to flutter there. You could say I froze in midair, grinding my teeth at the effort of remaining airborne with Han’s weight.
The stranger in the trim tuxedo laughed, meticulously humored by my endeavours. “Ha, you kids just don’t know when to give up, do you?” He jeered, craning his head to watch me. “Look, how about you just come down here and we’ll work something out.”
I shook my head irately. “Make me!”
He heaved a sigh. Withdrawing his hand from his pocket, he designed a gun at me. I gave a small cry at this; my wings jolted slightly and I found my height was decreasing. I couldn’t get out of his sights. He maintained a steady target, his finger caressing the trigger and ready to fire.
“Come down.” He instructed coolly, cocking the hammer to earn extra effect on my behalf.
I’m not sure what I was hoping to accomplish when I started pleading with him, asking for my release. His finger inclined a tad.
“Now.” His vehement tone must have alarmed my wings into conformity. They drooped as I rested my feet once more on the wooden boardwalk.
The man replaced the weapon into his coat. He made an absent-minded motion to the other thugs as an order to take us away. It seemed like he had something else more imperative planted in amongst his corrupt thoughts.
I showed no sign of revolt as one of the strangers draped me over his shoulder. Han was in apparent shock.
--
Less than an hour later, the thug released me. He had walked into the storage area in the hull of a luxurious cruise liner alongside Han’s captor.
We were hurriedly gagged and bound by numerous strands of wire. Why wire? The question was quickly answered as I scuffed to be more comfortable. I yelped, the wire nagging painfully against my tired wings.
When they at last finished tying us up, we were provisionally put it into paper sacks. I believe they moved us into another cargo area that was on a low guard by officers. I found I couldn’t emit the slightest sound with the tightened restraints on, and struggling to be free merely caused immense pain so I thought better of it and remained stationary.
“Now you two, the both of you,” One man whispered as I was removed from the paper sack. “You’ll be locked in here for about an hour, until the ship leaves dock.” The men took a wary glance at an officer nearby who seemed perfectly oblivious to our kidnapping. I wanted to call out, but then again that wasn’t feasible. “Someone will come and open the crate, so don’t panic, OK?”
Was he trying to console me?
“I know… this has been quite an experience for you children.” What was he saying? “I only hope for the best, and that you stay out of harm’s way.” He held my hand, his grip gentle. “If Mister Hurley raises a hand to you, you know what I want you to do?” I congealed, somewhat disgusted, when he rubbed my cheek encouragingly. “I want you to fight back. I want you and… your brother, and your other friends to feel your anger.” I shifted away, despite the abrasive wire.
“Get away from me.” I snapped as he tried comforting me again. What was he? Crazy?
The men shook their heads in unison, grinning at us. Something made me look at them closer… they weren’t sarcastic, mocking grins…
“Don’t worry hon’.” My captor winked at me, and moved to my ear to whisper almost soundlessly. “We’re the good guys.” For the first time in ages, I smiled.
“Thank you.” I said softly, the cloth strung around my mouth muffling my voice. There were no other words to depict how happy I was to know there were people out there fighting for cases like ours.
“Your friends should be here any minute. Be brave, angelitos.” I nodded silently, so touched by his altruism.
A few moments after the men closed the crate, it was slid open again to let in Pugsy and Zach. Unlike the previous cronies, their captors just leered at us for a second before sealing the box shut.
--
Yet another hour passed. Most of it was in silence.
Our group of four has been reunited, which is a relief. Although we are prisoners now, I continue to be hopeful; those men were double agents, and that meant bad news for Mister Hurley (whom I have guessed to be Mister Banderas’ murderer). If they knew of our treatment, they must have known of my special agent’s sprouting, which is why they were following our progress disguised as Mister Hurley’s thugs to observe from a distance.
Zach cursed vociferously when a loud thud rocked our crate. Echoes of a horn had brought me to the conclusion that the ship was beginning to set sail.
I sighed, the wire irritating my arms. Swinging my weight a little, I managed to slant back on to the inside of our ‘cell,’ lacking atrocious pain.
It is going to be a long trip.
To be continued…
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