💜Snippets💜 - Urban Legend (Pt 2)

     Urban Legend (Part 2) 

Mia's POV

By this time, the night had become cold and I couldn't tell whether Tanya was shivering from the night's gale or the ghastly tale.

"Well?" I prodded her, "You ok?"

"Uh, yeah I guess. You sure it's just a myth right? Because..." 

Tanya paused for a second and I caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes. The same way she looked at me after I asked her to explore an old cobweb filled tunnel with me for the sake of adventure. That's when she told me she had arachnophobia,

"Never mind, can we go back to yours."

"We'll be alright Tay." I nudged her reassuringly. "Remember that time your Mama pretended to be ghost, and I freaked out because abuelita kept telling me stories of la llorona?"

Tanya broke into hysterical sobs of laughter, "HOW could I forget?!! The look on your face was gold Mia. Pure gold! You screamed so loud, the neighborhood got a scare!"

"Yeah," I grinned sheepishly, "the point is, you were there for me. You found me in the attic and even you knew the good lot of creepy crawlies that can be found there. But you came to get me and calm me down. You're one of the bravest girls I know!"

"And who are the others?" Tanya asked quite amused.

"Well, there's myself..."

"Oh Mia, other than you!"

"I've got to admit. Only two others -- my Mama and my abuelita. But that's not what I'm trying to say. If I believed anyone could face the myth straight up, it would be you." 

I think it's notable that at this point, even I was half out of my wits. But, being the stubborn girl that I am, I refused to acknowledge it. I guess that's just the way I was brought up. I put aside my worries so that I can care for the people beside me. Tanya calls it the 'Hero Complex', but to be honest, I don't think it's that extreme. In my opinion, I have to be strong, not only for myself, but for everyone around me. Yes, sometimes I do bottle up my emotions for fear of burdening others with it, but I've started working on it after my other bestie Agent told me that it's not good for my mind and body. Truthfully speaking, I wasn't always like this. 

When I turned 7, my Mama and Papi got me a little baby chick for my cumpleaños and I loved the furry thing with all my heart. One day, while we were playing outside, my little chick who I had named Chica Amarilla fell into a nearby ditch. The poor thing was frightened out of its feathers and shivering from the cold by the time I got her out. Until that point, not all hope was lost, but I made a grave mistake when I ran inside to get her a towel. Unbeknownst to me, there was a predator on the prowl - an alley cat. As soon as I was out of sight, the cat swooped in. 

For days I thought that my poor Chica had run away in a daze and would soon return to me. That was until my little brother recounted how his friend saw an alley cat the other day with a yellow item dangling from its jaws. The cat dropped whatever it was carrying and made a quick getaway after being shooed away by the boy's father. It was a little chick. They tried to save it but it had already lost too much blood. At first I was skeptical, certainly it could have been another fated chick. But it so happened that that very chick was damp and shivering too, as if it had been doused in water beforehand.  

I only came to know through my parents that I had never grieved for Chica Amarilla. I don't even have any recollection of my reactions from the moment my brother told me till a few hours later. It's like that time period is completely blank, as if erased from my memory and not refilled with another. Funnily, not even my parents seem to remember what happened in that short span of time. Only abuelita claims to know, but every time we ask her, all she does is smile mysteriously. Anyways, my parents say that I became very protective and started to obscure my feelings only after that incident.

"Awww, really?" Tanya hugged me instinctively while I looked towards the trees, just in case. 

"Ok man. Really. You have GOT to STOP that!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Stop what?" 

"Would you please not stare dramatically off into the middle distance like that? You're making me feel worse."

"Ohhh, that. Wait. Did you just... DID YOU JUST QUOTE LARRY DALEY?!?!?!"

Tanya smirked at me and did a flawless hairflip. She then flexed her fingers and stretched casually before letting out a huge yawn.

"Oh no you don't T. No sleep for you tonight."

"Mia please! It's been a long night and I'm really, really tired."

I took one look at her and sighed exasperatedly before asking her, "Do you want tickles or tango?"

"Tango. The last time you tickled me... Let's just say I won't be letting that happen anytime soon."

I laughed wickedly before playing a few of my favorite songs from my 'Jus Vibin' playlist. Tanya was on her feet first, I'm guessing to avoid the tickles. I took her hand and we danced together underneath the stars as the flames of the fire cackled upwards, high and mighty.

Alejandra's POV 

I shook my head and smiled. It was just earlier that day that I retold the Urban Legend to my nieta and nieto. Every year I add a bit onto what I tell them the previous year so that it is intriguing and remains a mystery. Mia is growing up very quickly. I understand she doesn't believe me and I don't blame her. Sighing heavily, I pulled my cover up to my chin and lay down on my side so that my aching joints would harmonize and find peace for a while. With thoughts lingering on my late husband, I fell asleep under the light of the crescent moon.

Where am I? I was still wearing my large blouse and skirt from when I slipped into the covers, but I wasn't in bed. Instead, I seemed to be standing on a dark and lonely road. I tried to walk but hesitated seeing that instead of a usual body half made of mist, I was complete. Also, I was a younger version of myself, 26 to be exact. I smiled knowing that this was the age at which I had first met my husband and that's when I saw him.

"Enrique!"

My husband, who appeared to have been searching for someone, looked straight at me and paused. He stood still for a few moments and then came running down the street. 

He planted a kiss on my forehead and said, "Alejandra, mi amora! I missed you so much sweetheart."

"Me too Enrique, me too. You disappeared for a while?" 

I held his hand, not wanting to let go. Ever since he passed away, he comes into my dreams every now and then to make sure I'm okay and because he misses me.

"Yes dear, I've been busy, but I just couldn't wait any longer to see you." Saying so, he pulled me into a hug. 

I smiled into his chest and sighed. He pulled away after a few minutes but held my hand.

"I need to show you something." His facial features were taut and I couldn't help but notice the tiredness in his usually shining eyes.

"Is that why we're here?"

Enrique nodded. He started walking down the street and tugged me along.

"Are you sure this is safe?" I asked.

Normally, I'd find myself with a half-misty body, drifting along a sort of heavenly highway that lay between mountains and valleys of sunlit-pink clouds, or at least something that resembled clouds. Enrique said he created it just for me as it reminded him of the romantic getaways he used to take me to, but I'm pretty sure this beautiful haven existed before he did.

He smirked delightedly and winked. "Yes Alejandra. But only because I'm with you."

"Silly boy! Are you saying I can't fend for myself?!"

His eyes widened in shock as he giggled and said, "No, no my dear. Sure you can. You can take on a lion and become Queen of the Pride."

"Just a lion? Try again."

"Yes, yes. I do forget every once in a while that I married a woman who once had world domination plans on her mind."

I kissed his cheek and he blushed furiously, turning a bright shade of beet red. We continued the rest of our walk in silence, pausing every now and then to give each other warmth under the grey clouds and cold wind. There were hardly any buildings along the way, only rubble. It was a moonless night and a street-light every few hundred meters persisted in giving me just enough light to see my hands. We walked a long way before Enrique pulled me to a stop. 

Right in front of us stood a huge mansion, overgrown creepers twisting all around it and into its windows. During the day when the sun shone it's brightest it may have looked like a welcoming place, but in the darkest of nights it stood its ground threateningly and I was really grateful to have my husband beside me.

"It's been abandoned, the council of course. Lorena is no match for them and my time here is running out."

"Ok then, why don't you find someone else. How hard can it be? Or just train Lorena a little harder, then you'll be free of the responsibility."

"I wish I could, I really do, but Lorena's not the one. She's trying hard, but this is not her fate."

He pulled me towards a nearby park bench and sat down. He looked at me thoughtfully, as if trying to find the best way to explain. 

"If the one I choose is not ready, they will be cast in despair and madness because of their inability to cope."

He sighed and went on, "Recently, I found the heir."

"Well that's great isn't it! You can train the new heir and then finally spend more time with me once you're done. Soon, we don't need to worry about the mysterious council and its ways ever again."

"That's the catch dear... It's our very own Mia."

I nearly fell off the bench in surprise. Of course Enrique caught me, but that's a story for another time.

"But, but" I spluttered, "She doesn't even believe it! Now she's the next chosen one? How am I supposed to make her understand?!!"

"Calm down Alejandra. Espera un segundo... You're glowing?" 

I looked down at myself and indeed I was glowing, the faint aura of pale yellow clashing with the gloominess of our surroundings. An involuntary smile twitched at the side of my lips as I noticed Enrique's growing horror. Realization dawned in his eyes.

"Why cariño? Is it wrong to be an angel?" My eyes glinted with light sarcasm.

He ignored my remark and closed his eyes exasperatedly before muttering, "No, NO! Now's not the time! " 

He held onto my hand tighter, and tried to get rid of the aura as my once solid body slowly started turning misty. Now I was starting to get a little nervous. This wasn't normal, I couldn't see my feet anymore. I zoned out, slowly watching the aura getting brighter and brighter, I didn't even realize that Enrique was talking to me. The last words I remember hearing were 'Just try! Only you can make her understand before it's too late.' And with that, everything went dark.

Mia's POV 

My Mama did not expect to wake up to two bleary-eyed teenagers ringing her front door at 6 AM in the morning. 

"Mia? Tanya?" She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Come in, come in. I was just about to make myself a snack."

She glanced at Tanya, "What would you like hija?"

Yes, my mom considered Tanya her daughter ever since she figured out that Tanya wasn't like the other girls who bullied me at school for being a little odd. I was quite timid during my first few years at school in Seattle and I hardly talked much, only quietly observing. 

"Swich."

"Huh?"

"Suwich."

"Mia, what is she trying to say?"

"Sunwish. El Sunwish."

By this time, my Mama was wide awake and rolling her eyes at our deliriousness. "Two sandwiches coming right up. Remind me to never let you both do an all-nighter ever again."

We grumbled sleepily as my Mama practically dragged the two of us the dining table and plonked us onto chairs. We ate our sandwiches quietly in a half-dazed state before stumbling into my bedroom, where I promptly fell asleep.

I finally came around at 4 PM. After much yawning and stretching, I noticed my Abuelita fidgeting at the door. She was just about to leave when I scrambled up to her, making sure to not wake Tanya in the process. 

"Abuelita? Do you need something?"

She patted my head affectionately. "Si querida mia, I must confess I've been wanting to talk to you."

She looked quite nervous and I wondered why. My abuelita was NEVER nervous, emphasis on the never. 

I followed her into our living room and waited for her to get comfy on the sofa. She closed her eyes and spoke slowly.

"Mia, do you ever.... Do you ever try to recall what happened when... When your Chica died? Do you remember anything?... Anything at all?" 

I frowned, deep in thought. "I try to abuelita, but I just can't seem to remember, no matter how hard I try. Even Mama and Papi don't remember what happened. Is it important?"

My grandma smiled softly at these words and patted my head. "You won't remember hija, but I certainly do. You had a righteous anger - a thirst for righting the wrong, a feeling that was so strong you couldn't think straight. All you wanted to do was avenge your poor Chica, against whom I do not know. Now although this may seem normal, your feelings and emotions were beyond the scope of a normal 7 year old."

I was startled when a still sleepy Tanya sat down beside me and yelped as she mirrored the shock registered on my face.

"Must you always go around scaring other people?!!"

"You look like you've seen a ghost. For real this time."

"Children, children, pay attention for this is only the beginning."

Tanya and I comfied ourselves as abuelita went on.

"Your grandpa and I decided that we would contain that memory for a while, to see if you could control yourself later on and you did. You have not shown such a rage since then."

"Wait a second... Abuelita?! How come you're here?! Am I dead? Does that mean you're dead as well?"

"Pray tell me Mia, can you hear yourself? I am a part of the living just as much as you are."

"Oh, then how do you talk to Grandpa?"

Abuelita closed her eyes and smiled to herself before saying, "Now, now, Mia, let us pay attention to the question I asked you. You are like no other and you must understand this."

"Like no other? That doesn't make sense."

Abuelita nodded before sighing and continued, "Your abuelito knew you were a special one Mia, far from the normal kind. He always knew. You are a part of the Kingdom and it pains me how much I need to tell you in such little time."

My eyes nearly popped out and Tanya wasn't in a much better condition.

"You mean that Legend thinga-ma-jig?" Tanya blurted out.

My Abuelita looked at me sternly and asked, "What have you been telling her nieta?"

"Just whatever you've been telling me" I mumbled at the floor.

Tanya noticed the tense silence between us and decided to interrupt.

"So grandma, why is it known as an urban 'legend' if it is real and happening right now? And how is it 'urban' if this story supposedly took place in a village?"

"Ah yes, I knew my girls were smart. Well, it was considered a myth as it seemed supernatural and unbelievable. Humans tend to isolate themselves from something of potential danger, or from something abnormal, and let me tell you that something like this is a heap of both. Hence they titled it as a myth, hoping that it would no longer haunt them. As the words 'myth' and 'legend' are quite similar, over time, the word 'Legend' took over. It's amazing how beautiful and unique the creation is, yet humans foolishly refuse to acknowledge the existence of something like this." 

The last sentence was directed at me but I was too busy trying to connect a lot of missing links in my mind to notice.

"As for why it is urban, the story may have taken place a long, long time ago, but the silver cab and it's driver still remain at present. And Mia?"

I broke out of my trance and looked at my Abuelita.

"You'll know what to do when the time comes. I'm sure of it."

I started pacing and rambling as a flurry of emotions passed through me. "But why me Abuelita? Why couldn't it be someone else? I don't even believe any of this and yet here I am, trying to register so much craziness, my mind just might explode." 

Abuelita's expression softened at these words, but she regained her composure within a second. 

"You're a special girl Mia."

"Yeah, I heard you the first time." I shouted. "Why am I special grandma? Why not the other inhabitants of Earth? Or are they too lowly?"

My blood had started boiling and there was a lot of anger coursing through me. My Abuelita looked shaken but I didn't care. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. 

"You have direct links to the Kingdom and it's Council. You are the heir."

"WHAT? HOW?"

"You're adopted Mia. You don't exactly belong in this world."

"You're joking Abuelita, tienes que serlo."

My grandma shook her head slowly, still maintaining eye contact. "Your Mama Carmen and Papi Javier used to be childless. Your grandpa was a very mysterious man at that time and one day, he brought in a baby girl."

I reeled and if it wasn't for Tanya's amazing reflexes, I would have hit the ground. All this time and my parents never bothered to tell me. How many other things were they hiding from me? Was my name a lie? The entire world seemed to be an illusion now.

"What about Diego?"

One look and I knew for sure. He wasn't adopted, I was. He wasn't a part of this doomed quest thing, I was. I slowly got up and walked out of the room, oblivious to Tanya's callings and bumped into my 'Mama' who had had come to see what the commotion was about. 

"Carmen," I said coldly, "when were you planning to tell me I was adopted."

It was a statement, not a question. I was hurt. Did they not trust me enough to tell me? Why would they keep something as huge as this from me? I didn't want to hear her reply so I kept walking and reached the door. Just as I reached for the doorknob, I heard a loud clatter and paused. My 'Mama' had dropped the tray of cookies she had been carrying and was probably staring at me in shock. I couldn't care less and slammed the door behind me.

Tears finally escaped when I reached my treehouse. My 'Papi' built it for me when I was just a kid and I spent most of my time in the secret lab we built together. Each year, he would give me a little gift as an addition to my lab. The treehouse was mine and not even Diego got something as cool as it. I guess they really were happy when grandpa brought me to them. I must have been their world, and I still was. But at the moment, I was overwhelmed with emotions and I wasn't thinking straight. I heard a noise and then realized it was just Tanya, she must have run out right after me.

"Mia... I... I'm so sorry."

I looked at her quizzically through blurred eyes.

"I just.."

I patted the space on the bed next to me as she threw her hands in the air as a sign of surrender and sat down. A few moments passed before she spoke again.

"I'm calling Agent. He'd know what to do."

She patted my back and smiled before dialing Agent. It was already late and I wasn't sure Agent would be able to come, but that guy sure is full of surprises. He came right away and not wanting to deal with my emotions, I drifted into a restless sleep as Tanya quickly filled Agent in about what my grandmother had told us.

It wasn't so dark when I woke up. The moon was high and gleamed brightly. Some are scared of werewolves and other creatures that come on full-moon nights, but tonight, there was something else I was far more worried about.

"Tay...Tay?..." I whispered. My blood was running colder by the second. 

She whimpered in her sleep and turned over. 

"Tanya. Quick! Wake up." The words almost caught in my throat.

I shook her awake just enough so she could see what was right outside the treehouse. In the darkness of the night, stood a silvery-grey cab with a ghostly pale figure behind the steering wheel.