THE LIGHTS FLICKERED TO LIFE with a dull hum as the group trudged into the apartment. Alejo sauntered to his bedroom collapsing onto the worn bare mattress not even bothering with the pile of clean sheets he swore he would make the bed with.
Lola rifled around in the fridge for something to drink.
The humble apartment was far better off than when Santiago first arrived. The dirt and grime had been scrubbed away. The stench of rotting food and mold had been replaced by the lingering chemical fragrance of cologne. Most of the dilapidated furniture had been replaced with thrifted pieces carefully curated by Marisol.
Still, it was obvious Eliana was not impressed.
“This is your home.” Finely plucked brows raised over scrutinizing eyes.
“It’s Alejo’s place, I’m crashing here for now.” He stretched out across the sofa, he motioned to the recliner. “You can have a seat.”
She pointedly ignored the offer, “Our window to question them is closing Santiago.”
“They’re in police custody.” Santiago did not understand the urgency they had blown up cop cars, injured the police. The boys in blue did not take too kindly to anyone turning their people into kalua pork.
“Those weren’t some random vagrants, they belonged to one of the families.”
“The families.” He repeated, glancing over he spotted Lola with a similarly confused expression.
She looked at him pitifully, “They didn’t tell you anything did they.”
Tersely she circled around the recliner, crossing her legs and raised hand snapping to get their attention. “Come, I don’t like to repeat myself.”
Alejo groaned rolling off the bed. Lola wedged herself between Santiago and the end of the couch closest to the woman.
“The hell,” Santiago scooted, he leaned over to whisper. “Thought we couldn’t trust her.”
She murmured back. “I may have misjudged the lovely lady.”
“Who’s thinking with their dick now.” Santiago smiled smugly.
“The families are a loose term that those of us born into magic understand. It is in reference to the numerous lineages that stretch back centuries in all corners of the world. What sets them apart is their power, wealth, age, and influence. It will only be a matter of hours before they exit holding without so much as a slap on the wrist.” Eliana plucked at a snag in the fabric of the armrest, “Those of the families are not subject to the same rules that define the lives of those without. They live in a different world entirely. One that even those with magic are not necessarily privy to.”
The Gujarati with their illusions and the Aripho tribes mastery of elemental magic being foiled by a couple of children was not going to go without recourse. While law enforcement would do little, the punishment they would face at the hands of their family for their failure would be more than enough to humble them.
It made a little more sense to Santiago why Rose was so adamant about secrecy and some looming danger. At least if she had given him something to go on, he could have known what to look out for.
Santiago sighed, “Great a bunch privileged rich assholes with magic.”
“Guess we better get to the hospital. I can ask my sis if she can find his room.” Said Lola.
A loud rap at the door quieted them all. In one brisk move Eliana glided over to the door. Pulled it open to reveal the stout older woman. “Rosenia.”
“Eliana if you hurt him—” Rosenia started.
“What are you doing here?” Santiago was exasperated by the woman’s insistence.
Rosenia shoulders slackened in relief, “You’re alright. I heard about the attack.”
“You need to leave.” Santiago said flatly.
Eliana smirked.
“You find this amusing.” Rosenia snapped harshly, “He is in real danger and instead of pulling him away from it you’re letting him run headfirst into it.”
Rosenia knew that she had lost the boy's trust yet it did not mean she had no responsibility to protect him from Eliana. He did not know the true nature of the woman Rosenia knew all too well. The Calaveras only understood one thing. Violence.
“It wouldn’t be a danger if the boy had been trained properly.” She spat acidly at Rosenia, “What’s done is done. Now is not the time for cowering and hiding. Leave now.”
Rosenia tilted her chin up defiantly, “You’ve already killed one Santiago, I won’t let you take another.”
Santiago staggered forward and caught himself on the doorframe as the woman blew past him.
Rosenia knew she would take the bait. She was as ill-tempered as she ever was. Unable to control her rage like a child throwing a tantrum.
In a blink the two had made it across the corridor. Eliana had the stout woman by the throat, she growled. “How dare you, if it hadn’t been for your meddling he’d still be here.”
“Is that what you’ve told yourself all these years?” Rosenia smiled up at her, “You wicked vapid girl you haven’t changed one bit, still bitter he didn’t choose you.”
Eliana was beautiful and charismatic. It was hard enough for wizened adults to resist her charm. Santiago was a boy who was seeking answers that she dangled in front of him like a rabbit with a carrot.
Rosenia had to make him see her for what she was.
The crimson glow in Eliana’s eyes pulsed under the skin of her face. She squeezed tighter even as her palms began to sizzle against the woman’s scorching skin.
She snarled as she flung Rose away to fan her scorched hand away from the heat.
Rosenia stood unfettered by the outburst. “Santiago, please. Her selfishness and lust for power cost your father his life. I can’t stand by idly and let it take yours.”
“You withered old hag, speaking on things you understand nothing of.” Eliana hissed, she stalked the space between Rosenia and Santiago like a feral cat. “Where was the selfless Rosenia when Vicente fell? That’s right you holed up in your hovel, cowering from the fight. You claim to have been his friend but when he sought out your aid you betrayed him!”
“Lies!” Rosenia snapped a burst of flame across the carpeted hall and sent Eliana darting out of its path. “A black widow like you spins them as easily as breathing.”
The energy exuding off of the elder witches was palpable. Potted plants resting out on the window sill withered, the edges darkened and some ends started to catch. The lights both inside and out flickered erratically the televisions audio began to warp with a static buzz.
“They gonna burn this shit down man. I ain’t got insurance.” Alejo fanned at the fire alarm in the hall.
Santiago's gaze moved between the two, “You say it’s her fault. She says it’s your fault. Who killed my father?”
Their attention turned back to the boy whose hairs once stood on end began to settle. The flames evaporated leaving behind a line of blackened rug.
Rosenia replied. “The Calaveras.”
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He looked at Eliana, she let out a long breath. “That much is true. It was my blood that ended his life but know one thing, I never would have done anything to hurt Vicente.”
“How can I believe that?” Santiago’s features softened, looking every bit the hurt boy that he was.
“Because even though he was gone. I respected his wishes. I stayed away from your family. From you.” She replied earnestly, “If I wanted to take you like some child snatching monster, she makes me out to be, then I would have. Do you think your mother could have stopped me? Rosenia knew nothing of you until now. If using, you was all I needed, what purpose would it serve?”
Eliana walked over to the boy.
Santiago shrugged her off, “I need both of you to go. I need time to think.”
He was not sure there was enough time to process what he had heard. Both of them were full of nothing but lies and secrets. It felt like he was simply a pawn in their game of petty vengeance against one another.
He refused to take any part in it.
Santiago disappeared back into the house. Alejo closed the door behind him.
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Santiago groaned in the man’s rib cracking embrace. It had blindsided him when Alejo told him Bennett had come looking for him. He expected to get chewed out by the burly man. He was not sure he liked this much better.
“Clearly the whole ‘if someone jumps off a bridge’ metaphor did not land with you.” Bennett slapped his back sending the boy staggering forward. “You ever do some shit like that again I’m going to break your legs.”
Santiago shrugged, “At least this time I didn’t die. I call that growth.”
“Come on, kid. Let’s grab a bite.”
Rich wood furnishings dominated the space from the polished oak floors to the sturdy tables and chairs, lending a sense of timeless charm. The walls were adorned with vintage photographs and art pieces that celebrated the history of the establishment. Soft, dim lighting casts a warm glow from the wrought iron chandeliers that dangle from the ceiling.
Booths along the walls offered a sense of privacy even amongst the bustle of the central area filled with larger tables and families filling the seats. The staff moved seamlessly around the room to attend to patrons.
The unmistakable aroma of seared steaks permeated the space. The smoky charred fragrance intermingles with the sizzling butter and herbs wafted from the open kitchen.
Santiago tilted his head back taking in the notes of roasted garlic, caramelized onions, and a hint of freshly cracked black pepper making his mouth water.
Soft background music played a blend of jazz and soulful melodies with the din of conversation and laughter from other patrons.
All jokes aside Bennett was overjoyed the kid was there standing in front of him. When Bennett had learned he took a swan dive off a bridge, it gave him a panic attack. Bennett could not even bring himself to see him like that in the hospital.
The shock of the kid nearly dying, again, woke Bennett up. He had been so driven to find the kid and whisk him away from the dangers that abounded. He was as delusional as Rosenia and Thompson.
It was not within his power to stop the journey the kid was on now. It never was.
Acknowledging Santiago’s strength was not an admission of his own weakness. It was difficult to wrestle with that truth. Yet it was the truth.
He needed Bennett.
Santiago did not need someone to fight his battles for him. He needed someone to show him how to fight. To show him how to protect himself and the people around him.
Bennett would help him in any way he could. Then he would have to trust that Santiago learned well enough to do it on his own.
Afterall the kid wouldn’t be a kid forever. That was more apparent than ever now that they were face to face.
A few months had passed since Bennett saw him. All the roundness in his boyish face has nearly gone, replaced by a defined jawline with patches of freshly shaved stubble. He was taller now, his lean build filled out.
He looked good. He looked healthy.
Santiago rubbed at the back of his neck. “I didn’t think you’d be looking for me.”
Santiago felt bad. He honestly thought Bennett would have been glad to be rid of him. He did not do much else other than give the old man a hard time
“I never stopped looking for you, kid.” Said Bennett.
Santiago chuckled, staring down at the table. “Sorry.”
There wasn’t much else he could say. He was still annoyed that Thompson had not mentioned anything about Bennett looking for him. Santiago would have at least given the man a call instead of having him spend months tracking him down like a missing person.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Bennett leaned across the table, his voice low, “Are you okay?”
Santiago frowned, the boy always had sad eyes and Bennett could see the turmoil in the depth of forest green. “I don’t know anymore. I’m just tired.”
“Of the powers or the people?”
“Both, I guess. Nothing good has come of having these damned powers. It’s like no one can tell the fucking truth. Everybody is so full of shit!” Santiago said, lowering his head behind his hand realizing the restaurant had quieted with his outburst catching other diners' attention.
“Y’all can mind your business. Okay, he’s a brooding teen let him get through his bit.”
“Fuck you,” Santiago laughed, “I’m being serious.”
“I am too. Kid, I'm going to tell it to you straight. Everything, and I do mean everything at this age feels so much bigger than it is.” Bennett plucked an onion ring from the basket crunching into it. “Now to be fair most kids don’t have to live sixteen of General Hospitals storylines at once, but you’ve always been an overachiever. “
“You watch General Hospital.”
Bennett pointed a finger at him, “Don’t screw around about my soaps boy.”
“You get what I mean though.”
“I do.” Said Bennett, “I also know you got a big choice ahead of you.”
“I am guessing you have an opinion.”
“Of course.”
Everyone did. They all thought they knew what was best for him. Santiago only ever heard people telling him what he should or should not do. No one cared about what he wanted.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Fuck ‘em both.” Said Bennett flatly, shoveling another scoop of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“Damn, tell me how you really feel.”
“Rose means well but she's a compulsive liar. Eliana does not mean well and should be in a padded cell somewhere.” Bennett shook his head, “Ultimately the choice comes down to what kind of future you see for yourself Santiago.”
“I guess I never really thought I’d have one.”
It was not like he was suicidal. He liked being alive just fine.
The rest of the world, not so much.
The number of times he had nearly died even before actually dying was a lot more than what Santiago figured a normal person would experience.
“I know. I also know how scary it is to look forward when you could barely deal with the present. That’s all about to change, kid.” Said Bennett, “I want you to think about something for a second.”
Santiago met his gaze, his brow furrowed as he waited expectantly.
“Everyone has been talking about what could happen with those powers. Everyone is saying that they are too much for you.”
Santiago nodded.
“Fuck what they say you know why?” Bennett reached across the table and tapped the medallion. “There was a man who came before you. Who held that power. A man that commanded fear and respect that has people shaking because of what he gave to you. He chose you. He gave up his life so you could have it. To keep you safe. To give you a chance at life.”
Bennett said, “Do you think he did that so you can have someone else decide how you live it?”
Santiago remembered the warmth in those brown eyes on the face that was not his own, the warm smile as he looked at him. “No.”
“Whoever if anyone you decide to side with, know that I am still going to be here.” Bennett extended his fist across the table.
Santiago’s mouth curled into a small smile before he raised his own fist. “Hope you don’t regret that old man.”
“I regret a lot of things, kid. Being there for you ain’t one of 'em.”
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Santiago laid across one end of the sofa on his stomach absently watching Alejo flip through channels. On the other end Lola sat nails clacked against the plexiglass screen of her phone, her legs draped over his. They had all spent the day melting into the furniture. For his companions it was to avoid aggravating the scrapes, bruises, and swelling they had from the fight.
Santiago was fine.
He had always healed fast. Never thought anything of it. He realized now all those times he had fallen out of trees, crashed out on his bike or skateboard, and gotten into a consistent stream of brawls only to walk it off was far more unnatural than he once thought. After a nap any aches and pains would vanish.
Never could remember a time when he got sick.
While he had not been aware of it his powers had always been there. It protected him.
There was one thing that bothered him about it.
Santiago’s powers had brought him back from the dead. His father would have had the same powers.
How did he die? Why didn’t the power protect him? Why did he decide to give these powers to Santiago instead of saving himself?
Clearly there was a limit to what these abilities could do.
Santiago wished desperately that he could ask his father.
A stinging spread through his face and a tightness formed in his chest.
He pushed himself upright to lean against the back of the sofa.
Lola kicked him lightly for moving. “He’s thinking.”
Alejo shook his head, “That’s never good.”
“I’m thinking,” Santiago smiled, “Road trip.”
“Huh?” Alejo’s confusion stood in contrast to Lola’s excitement.
“I’ll call Marisol. Alejo’s bucket can barely make it up the block.” Lola said, as she hopped to her feet.
“You don’t even know where we’re going.” Alejo called as the girl ran to the room and slammed the door. “When did she move in? Who says she could stay here? I didn’t.”
Santiago patted his shoulder, “Lake Arrowhead.”
“He says, like that explains anything.” Said Alejo.