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Chapter 1: Wrong Turn

Marimen Lourdes was being driven by her parents in the family station wagon.

She was playing in the back seat with her pet cat.

"Marimen, please be quiet back there," said her mother. "Your father is trying to concentrate. I think we made a wrong turn on our way to a new place."

"No we didn't," said her father. "I'm sure we'll find it soon."

"I wish I didn't have to go to a new place," said Marimen. "I'm going to miss my friends."

"The fresh air in Mexico will be good for you," said her father. "It's not smoggy here like in San Francisco."

"You'll make new friends" said her mother. "You're good with people."

They passed through a tunnel into a valley. On the left was a sign, "Welcome to Miracle City."

"Miracle City?" said her father. "I didn't think we were close to there. I used to have an Grandfather Jorge who lived here, but he disappeared about thirty years ago."

"Let's find somewhere to ask directions," said her mother.

"There's a place," said Marimen. "The diner. We have food."

"That doesn't sound very appetizing," said Mr. Lourdes. "But I'm feeling really hungry."

"Me too," said Mrs. Lourdes.

"There's something super weird about this place," said Marimen. "I'm getting these vibes. Let's go back."

"Don't be silly," said Mr. Lourdes, something Marimen heard every day.

They parked the car and entered the diner. It seemed deserted.

"Is anybody here?" asked Mr. Lourdes.

"There's a buffet set up on the counter," said Mrs. Lourdes. "I'm going to have some food. It smells delicious."

"Maybe you shouldn't..." said Marimen.

"Don't worry," said Mr. Lourdes. "We'll pay for it. I have cash if they don't take credit cards."

Her parents grabbed plates and eagerly loaded them up with fried chicken, sausages, and corn on the cob.

"Have some too, honey," Marimen's mother said to her.

"I'm not hungry," said Marimen. "All right if I play outside? There's some grass calling me to roll in it."

"Don't go far," grunted her father with his mouth full.

Marimen played by herself, rolling in the grass as shadows began to fall.

A young brown-haired girl about her age ran up to her. She had a serious, worried expression.

"What are you doing? You can't be here when it gets dark," the girl said. "Get out of San Maripilar!"

"What?" asked Marimen. "Why?"

Strange shapes began to emerge from the forest and headed down the road past them. Some were tiny, and some were huge. None looked completely human.

"You shouldn't be here," said the girl. "I'll distract them while you run for it."

"I have to get my parents," said Marimen.

She went back inside the diner. Her parents had knocked down more food and they were eating it right off the floor.

"What are you doing? Something way, way weird is going on and we have to get out!" Marimen called to them.

There was no answer but grunts. Before Marimen's eyes, both of them turned into pigs.

"This is just a bad dream! Just a bad dream! Wake up, Marimen!"

Marimen turned and ran. She raced up the road toward the tunnel, but it had filled in. As she turned to look for another way out, she raised a hand and discovered she could look right through it.

"Ooh, nightmare! Go away, nightmare!" Marimen said.

When she turned, the girl was there again. She had a small piece of chocolate in her hand.

"Eat this," she told her.

Marimen shook her head. "Uh-uh."

"If you don't eat it, you'll disappear," the girl said.

Marimen decided she had to trust her. She took the chocolate and ate it.

"Now you're solid again. Try to touch me," said the girl.

Marimen gave her arm an uneasy poke.

"That worked," said the girl. "Now come with me."

"What about my parents? " Marimen said, babbling.

"You can see them again, but not yet" said the girl. "Right now, we have to sneak you into the Botanica Spa."

"The Botanica Spa? What's that?"

"It's a bathhouse and retail store, run by Zoebaba. I work there. You'll need to get a job there too, to be safe in this place."

"This is so weird, but for some reason I trust you like a sister," said Marimen. "Let's go."