STREETS WERE A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLORS as the cars streaked by. Skyscrapers formed a constellation of sparkling windows that cast a warm glow against the night sky. Towering arches stretched out ahead, the silhouette outlined by the illuminated sky.

Rushing traffic filled the air with the audible hum of engines that rumbled down the road. The lights of cars and skyscrapers cast an unnatural glow across the surface of the dark rushing water of the ship canal beneath.

Cool night breeze brushed against his face as he moved swiftly across the bridge. Eyes focused on the slim figure up ahead the lights flashed against her blonde hair as she fled.

Guadalupe was still a distance away.

Between the adrenaline and drugs, she was not feeling any of the pain and exhaustion that was taking hold in him.

If it was not for the unfortunate woman who was on a late-night stroll that his mother collided with he would not have been able to close the distance. They tumbled to the floor in a tangle of limbs.

Lupe flailed like a wild animal as she attempted to extricate herself from the stranger.

She spotted his approach and clambered over the railings.

“MOM! STOP!” Santiago boomed.

“No! Get away!” She wailed and scooted along the railing. “You’re not real. You’re not real.”

“Mom, please.” Santiago’s voice cracked, “Look at me!”

Guadalupe pulled her gaze away from the water. She trembled as she gripped onto the metal banister.

“You know me.” Santiago urged, “I know what you saw. I know about dad. I know he had powers. It’s what saved me.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Lupe’s mind raced.

Santiago could see as the gears turned.

Desperately she tried to understand.

Guadalupe breathed. “He protected you.”

“Yes,” Santiago smiled, tears welling in his eyes, extending his hand. “Now let’s go home.”

She steadied herself and leaned back immediately regretting the glance at the water below.

Turning back to face him Guadelupe gave a shaky nod.

In an attempt to make a move back over the railing she lost her footing.

Guadalupe fell back, hands grabbed at the metal bar. The woman lacked the strength to hold it.

He lunged forward to grab her and missed by inches.

Without a second thought he dove over after her.

Guadalupe’s screams were drowned by the wind.

Santiago’s hand clamped onto her wrist to pull her to him as they plummeted into the depths of the canal.

If the frigid water was not enough, the fall from the bridge made it feel like a cement block to his back. He blacked out. For how long he did not know except it was not long enough for him to run out of air.

Still pressed against him was Guadalupe limply. He knew he had to get them back to the surface. He knew he could not let go of her or he would never find her in the endless void that surrounded them.

Santiago’s body would not move. Could not move.

The water was frigid. Numbed every part of him, freezing him into place. Paralyzed.

His only thought was to not let go. Even then Santiago was not sure if he still had her once the feeling left his hands.

He could not see. He could not feel. He could not breathe.

Icy water burned in his nostrils like battery acid. Pressure against his chest sent stabbing pains through his lungs that begged for oxygen. Ribs caved under the pressure and forced what little oxygen he had left out. In came the salt water that forced its way down his throat harsh as sandpaper.

Desperate for air all that came was more water which filled his lungs until they were fit to burst.

When the pain finally began to ebb as the blissful sensation coursed through his body. A last ditch effort of his nervous system to send him into a painless sleep.

Santiago knew it was over.