Tap Through The Beat

Reveal

Miguel and I released Hector as soon as he calmed down and went to the stands to place the guitar he played back.

Before Miguel and I could even comprehend what was happening, Mama Imelda ran past us and literally jumped into a startled Hector.

We both watched them wide eyed before Mama Imelda blinked and scooted away and Hector merely pulled her away in arm's length.

"I forgot what that felt like..." Mama Imelda said as she pushed back her hair shyly. Hector rubbed his arms nervously "You...still got it" The two stared at one another with smiles on their faces.

As much as I hate ruin the moment, we were running out of time.

Miguel and I coughed to get their attention. Mama Imelda snapped out of her trance and quickly grabbed the petal from Miguel's hand and handed him the photo.

"Miguel, I give you my blessing. To go home, to put up our photos and to never -"

"Never play music again" Miguel said solemnly. Mama Imelda stopped for a second before she spoke "To never forget how much your family loves you" Miguel looked at her in surprise as did I.

Hector went up from behind Imelda and grasped her shoulders "You two are going home" Miguel and I smiled at one another before Miguel made a move to touch the petal.

"You're Not Going Anywhere!"

A voice spoke and I was suddenly shoved away from Miguel as Ernesto grabbed him by his jacket. Mama Imelda yelled and made a move to strangle Ernesto but this time he was ready and managed to push her away before she could get closer to Miguel.

"Imelda!" Hector screamed in shock as he went over to help his wife up. Ernesto began to slowly drag a squirming Miguel towards the edge of the building where it was a hundred or more than feet drop. The Gonzalez and the rest of the Riveras appeared from behind as they slowly advanced towards Ernesto.

"Stay Back, Stay Back!" Ernesto warned, waving one of his hands. I saw Dante made a dive and grabbed one of Miguel's shoes and I quickly dove in for his other shoe and we tried to pull him back.

"Dante! Angelita!"

Miguel screamed and Ernesto roughly pulled Miguel's jacket in an attempt to fling Dante away. Dante quickly let go but I held on and the two of us landed on our backs.

"Ernesto Stop!"

Hector said before another flash of gold took hold of his body and he fell down in pain. Imelda quickly went to his side "Leave the boy and the girl alone" Hector said painfully.

Ernesto looked at Hector with crazed eyed "I worked too hard Hector. Too hard to let them destroy everything" Tio Javier screamed at him in desperation.

"They are just Children!"

Mama Silvia motioned to Tia Rosita of the camera beside her and she quickly adjusted it before nodding to Tia Victoria as she pressed the on button.

For everyone to see Ernesto's dark secret to be revealed.

"They are threats! You I'd let them go back to the Land of the Living with your photo? To keep your memory alive?! No!" I scooted away to gain enough distance before taking off one of my shoes.

"You're a coward!"

Miguel angrily shouted and Ernesto scoffed "I am Ernesto de la Cruz, the greatest musician of all times!" Miguel stood up and looked at him squarely.

"Hector's the REAL musician, you're just a guy who MURDERED him and stole his songs!" The audience gasped and began whispering to each other.

Angered, Ernesto hauled Miguel up by the shirt and sneered at him as Miguel struggled "I am the only one whose willing to sacrifice everything to seize my moment.. Whatever it takes" Ernesto said with a crazed smile.