The Magical Misadventures of Marco Diaz

The Truth About Ren

The three had stopped for the night in the middle of a small clearing. Ren carefully laid Salia, who had fallen asleep in his arms, in a bed of grass and sat just a few feet from her. Marco sat next to Ren, giving a big yawn. They sat in silence for a while before Marco finally spoke up.

"What did you mean when you said you swore an oath to protect Salia?"

Ren grimaced before replying, "A long time ago Salia's parents were killed by pirates who had raided her village. The last thing her father did before dying was to make me promise never to leave Salia's side and to always protect her. So that's what I meant when I said that."

A wave of sadness washed over Marco, "Did a lot of people die in the raid? Is that where you and Salia met?"

"Yes, lots of people died that day," Ren answered, "I had known Salia for a while before that happened. When I was sent here I found her village, and her parents welcomed me with open arms. But that was a very long time ago. Salia was just a toddler then."

"So you are a lot older than her?" Marco questioned.

"About ten years older."

Marco quickly did the math in his head, "So, if you've been here for eighteen years, and you are twenty eight now, like you told me before, that means you were nine or ten when you came here."

Ren nodded, "Right."

Marco frowned, "You were just a kid. Why would Hekapoo do that to a kid? That isn't right."

"Hekapoo doesn't care about what's right," Ren shook his head sadly, "When you break the rules regarding the scissors she punishes the perpetrators all the same, even if they are just a child who doesn't understand the rules. It isn't right, but it's fair. She treats us all the same."

"I didn't understand that there were rules either," Marco sighed, "Man, I really messed up."

"I did too, but I am glad in some ways that I did. I never would have meet Salia otherwise."

"You really like her, don't you?"

Ren looked away, his already blue skin turning bluer as he blushed, "Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah, kind of," Marco had to hide his laughter.

Ren sighed, lowering his head, "Its not like it could ever happen. Not only am I ten years older than her, but I'm a monster and she is a human. It would never work."

Marco's smile disappeared. He suddenly felt bad for his friend, had he always felt this way? "Don't say that Ren! It could work."

"I don't know, she doesn't even feels the same."

"You don't know that," Marco argued, "She could. Why don't you ask her?"

Ren gave a forced smile, "You are one of those glass-half-full types, ain't ya?"

Marco shook his head, "No. I'm realistic. Look, I know how hard it is to love someone who doesn't seem to like you back. Back at home, there is this girl named Jackie. I've liked her for years and years, kind of like you and Salia. But I never had the courage to even talk to her. One day though, that changed. She's one of my best friends back at home now, and well, I guess you could say my girlfriend."

Ren sighed, resting his head on his hand, looking over at the sleeping girl, "So, you're telling me that if I just tell her, it will all work out?"

"It doesn't hurt to try."

Ren laughed, "Now you're sounding like my older brother."

Marco reached into the pack he was carrying for Salia, pulling out a canteen of water. "You have a brother?"