The Darkness and the Past

Chapter 2

The Darkness and the Past

AN: Wow, guys! I'm blown away! I never predicted that this story would take off like this! I'm really happy that you like the first chapter so much. Doing something different seems to have been a good idea. Thanks for all the appreciation and the follows, I feel like I'm not saying this often enough.

So... we already know that some horrible person has dared to put his hands on our dear Miguelito, which I feel horrible about (and kind of not...) and that is not something the Riveras are not going to stand for! We will learn a little more about this mystery man and how Miguel's family reacts to the disappearance of their boy. Starting from Chapter 3, the woman from the graveyard will step into the spotlight too.

I want to thank you all for your support and patience you always have while waiting for my stories. But now, no waiting required anymore! Let's go sleuthing with the Riveras! Onwards to Chapter 2, my fellas!

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X

The red van was parked close to one of the walls surrounding the park, in a way that it was mostly covered by the stringy leaves and twigs of a willow growing over it. With the added darkness of the night, if someone would have decided to take a walk, coming across this place, he would not have noticed anything out of the ordinary. But how naive they would be...

A man was casually leaning against the wall, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. He wore a black vest over an orange shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. His black hair was cropped short. The sun had further tanned his brown face which might have been called handsome, had it not been for the icy look in his eyes and the aggressive scowl tugging at his chapped lips. A bruise was starting to heal around his left eye. It was obvious that he had gotten into a fight not long ago, but his general appearance told everyone that he had not been on the losing side of it. The man pushed up his sleeve on his right arm, revealing an impressive tattoo of a three-headed snake coiling around his forearm.

He sighed and muttered something unintelligible under his breath, letting his eyes wander up and down the street. A few minutes later, another man emerged from the shadows and silently stood beside him. The two gave each other a curt nod. Then the newcomer leaned forward and said: "You better have a good reason to make me do all of this..." The first man chuckled darkly and looked the other guy over. He was a little smaller than him and thin, but didn't look unhealthy. His tanned skin was as smooth as a mirror, his shoulder-long black hair carefully parted in the middle. Dark eyes looked back at him calmly. He wore a business suit, which suggested an important rank. The snouts of three snakes were barely visible over his closed sleeves.

"Your debts with the State Prison have been taken care of. I'd suggest you stay off their radar for a time though. Do you have the... package?", the businessman quietly asked. "Don't worry, hermano. They'll leave us alone. And yes, I got him. Catching this mocoso was easier than shooting a stray cat.", his companion answered. His Spanish accent was slightly noticeable when he spoke. "Hmm... I've told the company that I would take a one-week absence. Is that enough for you to... well, get done with him?", his brother informed him. His accent was barely noticeable. "Of course, Joaco... Although I would rather have more time. I will make him pay for everything he has done to our name... I will avenge the injustice he caused to great-great-grandfather. Now where is Manny? He should be here already! We have a timeline to meet... ", the criminal hissed and rubbed his muscular arms to get warm. "How am I supposed to know? At least he knows where to meet us...", Joaquín grumbled.

Just when Joaquín was about to take his phone out of his pocket, a figure appeared at the end of the road. It waved at them and broke into a jog to join them. Seconds later, a young man was standing before them. He gave the brothers a nod and greeted them: "Hey, guys! Ramón, Joaco... Sorry that I let you wait. I still had to close the shop after helping a couple choose their wedding rings. That took forever..." Emmanuel or Manny was the youngest of the brothers. He was also clothed in a simple black two-piece suit, like his older brother, but which didn't look as expensive as Joaquín's. Just like his elders, he sported a three-headed snake tattoo. His dark brown hair was carefully combed and styled up with a little gel. Out of the three, his brown eyes held the most warmth. "Remind me why are we here again, please...", Manny asked. He had heard the rough outlines of his brother's plan over the phone, but he wasn't sure to have heard right...