Mi Amor - Oscar 'Spooky' Diaz/On my block Story

25

———— beginning of season 3 ————

I woke up in the dead of night, startled by voices. I could feel Oscar shifting beside me, getting out of bed, and slipping into the living room. Groggy and a little annoyed, I checked my phone—2 a.m. What on earth could he be doing at this hour?

I slipped on one of his oversized shirts and quietly followed him. When I reached the doorway, I saw Oscar leaning casually against the sideboard, sipping a beer. Cesar and Jamal sat across from him on the couch, deep in conversation. As I got closer, I caught bits of what they were saying.

"He's been dead for decades," Oscar said, a trace of doubt in his voice.

Another mention of death. I'd had my fill of that today.

Jamal shook his head. "I don't think she would've told us he was alive if he wasn't."

Oscar looked at him, expression stern. "I don't think you know what she would or wouldn't say."

Jamal laughed dryly. "'Cause that bitch be bonkers?"

Oscar's tone hardened. "I wouldn't say that about her. She's not someone to disrespect. But there is one way to find out if she means what she says. Let's see if Lil' Ricky's really dead."

Cesar frowned. "What are you suggesting?"

Oscar's eyes narrowed. "We dig up his grave."

Jamal looked genuinely thrilled. "That's exactly what I was thinking. I have the perfect bag for this."

Oscar smirked, as Jamal ran off to get whatever gear he had in mind.

Taking my cue, I walked in, crossing my arms as I looked at Oscar. "So I'm dating a grave robber now. Just perfect."

Oscar turned, a little sheepish. "Hey, mi amor. Sorry we woke you."

Cesar shrugged. "Technically, they're not robbing graves. They're just... looking."

I raised an eyebrow. "Right. And that's supposed to make it better?"

Oscar stayed serious. "We have to know if she's bluffing, or if Lil' Ricky's really out there."

"Who's 'she'?," I said, processing.

Cesar glanced at Oscar, then back at me. "Cuchillos. Oscar's boss."

He went on to explain how this dangerous boss had kidnapped the crew. Since they found the Rollerworld cash, she thought they'd be able to track down Lil' Ricky, a founder of the Santos gang who was supposedly dead but maybe wasn't. And now Oscar was going to dig up his grave to find out.

I took a breath. "So, what happens if you don't find him?"

Cesar's expression grew serious. "Let's just say... she made it very clear she'd be disappointed."

It felt surreal. Just before I'd fallen asleep, I'd joked in my head about them being kidnapped. And now, here I was, finding out that it was exactly what had happened.

Jamal returned, bustling with energy, a bag of supplies in one hand and a full-body suit slung over his shoulder. "Check this out!" he exclaimed, grinning like a kid on Christmas.

"I'll come and help too," I declared, fueled by a mix of concern and adrenaline.

Oscar cut me off immediately. "No, you won't."

"Why not?" I shot back, feeling a surge of defiance.

"Because Cuchillos didn't kidnap you," he explained, his tone serious. "That means she doesn't see you as part of this thing, and that's good. I want you as far away from her attention as possible. She's dangerous, and I can't risk her doing something to you if your crew fails to find Lil' Ricky. You're safer out of it. Promise me?"