Thugs were taking turns punching Paulson when one of their phones rang.
“Si?” he asked, answering it.
Paulson tried to look up.
“Entiendo,” said the thug into the phone.
He hung up and punched Paulson. The Ranger’s head was fuzzy but he could tell that his chair was now being drug. They stopped dragging him at the top of the stairs to the basement.
“La Muerte wants you to lay low for a while,” said the thug.
Paulson had his back to the stairs and tried to look over his shoulder to see the darkness below. The thug pulled a gun and fired into Paulson's chest. Then he kicked Paulson down the staircase.
“Pinche gringo,” said the thug.
Trucks sat outside a dusty stone building. The old Spanish mission was once long abandoned. It was rumored to be haunted so very few ever went there. It was no issue for Señora Ecsed. Since she took up residence, it became known as the Black Mission. She sat on her throne with Hijo standing beside her. Ojo stood in front of her. The crow cawed inside a covered cage at her feet.
“Is it done?” asked the witch.
“It is,” said Ojo, closing his phone.
Señora Ecsed thought to herself for a moment. The crow kept cawing and she kicked the cage.
“Knock it off,” she told the bird. “Your friend will be here for you soon enough.”
“It’s a shame to waste him like this but he is too much of a liability. Last thing we need right now is the Americans sniffing around,” she said.
“Dam white boys are too much trouble,” said Ojo.
La Muerte nodded.
“Are the men in place?” she asked.
“Si, My Lady,” said Ojo.
“Make the call,” she commanded.
On a rooftop overlooking the plaza in Rio Blanca, a man stepped to the edge. He lifted an RPG on his shoulder and fired on the nearest truck.
Inside the church, Ximena and Father Suarez jumped with explosion.
“What was that?” she asked.
More explosions and gunfire erupted from outside.
“Take Sarah to the back!” shouted the priest.
Out in the street, soldiers hid behind trucks and wherever they could find cover. Men on different roof tops fired at them with guns and rockets. The priest looked through one of the windows to see fire and smoke rising from the rest of the town. Ximena got Sarah to Father Suarez bedroom and laid her on the bed. She reached again for the ring, but before she could touch it, Sarah woke and grabbed Ximena's wrist.
“I think she wants you to leave that alone,” said Father Suarez from the doorway.
Sarah released Ximena and Ximena backed off.
“Sorry. I just wanted to know who he was,” she said.
“Who?” asked the priest.
“This Eric that she knew when she was young,” said Ximena.
“How do you know about her when she was young?” he asked.
“The ring. I saw her calling this Eric guy's name,” replied Ximena.
Sarah just turned her head to the ceiling and stared up, tears welling in her eyes.
“I'd just drop it if I were you. Her secrets are hers to keep. If she wanted someone to know anything she would have said something a long time ago,” he said.
At the Black Mission, Señora Ecsed uncovered the cage with the crow. She opened the door and quickly grabbed the bird before it could react.
In the church, Ximena collapsed and screamed in pain. Her arms seemed pinned to her sides.
“What's wrong?” asked Father Suarez.
“It's the witch,” said Ximena.
She saw a vision of La Muerte through the Crow's eyes.
“Hello there. Obviously I know what you are and how to control you. So what you are going to do about it?” asked Señora Ecsed.
“What do you want?” asked Ximena.
“Oh, a lot of things. But for now all I you need to do is come for your little bird,” she replied.
Señora Ecsed squeezed the crow tighter. Ximena felt the pain.
“You are very pretty. Too bad you’re already dead,” said Señora Ecsed.
“Go to hell,” said Ximena.
La Muerte laughed and released the Crow, ending the vision. Ximena gasped for air and sat up. Father Suarez knelt at her side.
“What happened?” he asked.
“She has my bird remember? As undead as I am, it's kind of an Achilles heel. It's probably how she got control of the other one,” said Ximena.
“The one like you?” he asked.
“Yeah. I gotta go,” she replied.
Ximena stood up.
“You’re going after her? Even if she can control you?” he asked.
“Don't have much of a choice,” Ximena replied.
“Then she'll have two of you running around doing her dirty work,” said the priest.
“Well, sitting around here isn't going to do any good and I don't have a better option,” said Ximena.
Sarah started knocking on the wall close to the bed. When the priest and Ximena looked at her, she waved them over. Father Suarez sat at the edge of the bed while Ximena knelt on the floor.
“Sorry. I should have gone with you,” said Ximena.
Sarah rolled her eyes and grabbed Ximena wrist. Ximena had a vision of a young Sarah skateboarding across a rainy street. Before almost being hit by a car a man in a black trench coat ran into the street and saved her. The man turned away from her as Sarah complained about how she could have made it.
“I wish it would stop raining,” she said.
“It can't rain all the time,” said Eric.
The vision changed. Ximena sat at the edge of the bed with Sister Sarah facing her, sitting on a chair. They were in the room alone.
“What's going on?” Ximena asked.
“Sorry for all the drama, but this is the only way we could talk,” said Sarah.
“What the hell? You talk?” Ximena asked.
“No, stupid. You’re in my head,” said the nun.
Ximena looked around still confused.
“Oh. Who was that Eric guy?” she asked.
“An old friend. He came back just like you,” said Sarah.
“So you knew what I was the whole time?” Ximena asked.
“Pretty much. I also expected you to have things pretty well wrapped up by now,” said Sarah.
“Easy for you to say. I was just a lawyer before this. I'm still figuring things out,” was the response.
“Eric was just a musician,” countered Sarah.
Ximena tried to say something more but Sarah interrupted.
“Look, this isn't going to end until you do what you’re supposed to do. Stop playing around,” she said.
“So how do I finish this?” Ximena asked.
“If guns blazing won't win the game, then change the game,” Sarah replied.
Ximena was silent.
“Stop over thinking things and use your instincts. Just release your stranglehold on life and live it!” said the nun.
Sarah then got up and walked away into the darkened hall. The vision ended and Ximena snapped back into the real world. She was still kneeling next to Sarah who had lost consciousness again.
“What happened?” asked the priest.
“She changed the game,” said Ximena.
Ximena left the room without another word.
“What the hell does that mean?” asked Father Suarez.
He got up to follow Ximena but when he entered the chapel she was gone. He took a frustrated breath and walked back to Sarah.
“I don't know what you told her but…” he started to say as he entered the room.
Sarah was gone. She left a note on her bed. It read,
It's not a good day to be a bad guy.
“Crap,” said the priest.
He walked back into the church and knelt before the old iron votive stand. Only a few of the small candles were still lit. He put a new candle on the stand and lit it. Alejandro Suarez began praying for this friend and for his town. He heard someone walk up behind him. Strangely, he did not feel threatened.
“You know, my daddy used to say every man’s got a devil. And you can’t rest ’til you find him,” said the man standing behind the priest.
“Is that so?” asked Father Suarez.
“Actually, my father didn’t say that. I’m quoting someone. He was my devil. Well, one of them anyway. Funny thing, I wasn’t there when he said that,” said the man.
He knelt by Father Suarez and lit a candle.
“I worry about her too, you know,” said the man.
The priest opened his eyes and looked over at the man. He’d never seen him before but somehow he knew hum.
“You’re Eric, aren't you?” he asked.
“I was. And I still am,” said Eric.
“You just missed her,” said the priest.
“I know. But I’m not here for her,” said Eric.
Father Suarez looked puzzled.
“Did I miss something? Am I dead?” he asked.
Eric laughed.
“No. You are not dead,” he said.
“Then why are you here?” asked the priest.
“Someone somewhere thought you needed some comfort and words of wisdom. And I was available,” said Eric.
“You were available?” asked the priest.
“It’s best not to think about it too much,” said Eric. “My time is limited and honestly, I’m not entirely sure how all this works. Anyway, I’m here to let you know that your faith is recognized and appreciated,” said Eric.
Father Suarez was taken aback. Eric sensed it.
“All this had you questioning your faith. You don’t have to. This community needs your strength and compassion more than it needs the vengeance of others,” said Eric.
“You know that is a little weird coming from you, right?” asked the priest.
“I’m just the messenger. Why restless souls are allowed to come back is something I can’t answer. But I think those like me help clear the way for people who are better at helping the living. At least that is what I hope,” said Eric.
“Can you tell me if Sarah will be alright?” asked Alejandro.
“I hope so. But her life is in her hands,” said Eric.
“Will you watch over her at least?” asked Father Suarez.
“Unfortunately Sarah is not my assignment. A better angel is with her. You can tell Sarah that Shelly says hi,” said Eric.
More gunfire erupted outside. Father Suarez turned his head for a moment.
“Is this really how it must happen?” asked the priest.
When he turned his head back, Eric was gone.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vv8AYCBAk
