Urban Shadows: The Vigilante of La Merced (Part 1)

First time writing a story about a teen vigilante called Alebrije. (Mexican vigilante)

“I have heard the saying before, ‘No one is perfect in this world. Forgive people for not knowing better and learn to move on. But what if I choose not to? What if instead I want to take revenge?”

“Mr. Micheal, don't you regret hurting all those people as the coyote vigilante Alebrije?”

“I don't.”

“Why is that?” 

“Ok, I get it. You're a therapist; you're doing your job, but those people were not innocent.”

“Well then what in the world shaped you into the person you are today?”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“What made you into a 15-year-old boy who's facing the consequences for killing people?”

“Those people weren't innocent; they were hurting the weak and defenseless. Let me explain how I became Alebrije.”

It started in late spring. I was staying in La Merced, one of the most dangerous areas in Mexico. La Merced is known for being one of the most frightening locations in El Centro. My mother worked long hours. I never really saw her. My dad was nowhere to be seen. I was okay being alone because there was a small garden behind our house. I would sit for hours playing and reading stories about the DC Heroes. It became a solace place despite all the dangers that surrounded me. My life was almost perfect until one night in my room, I woke up to the gunshots in my house. As I was getting out of bed, my mom ran into the room.

"Hijo, we have to go now," she said, her eyes full of fear as she quickly gathered my stuff and shoved it into my backpack, "Apurarse,” hurrying me out the back door. Running through the garden, we ran amidst a din of shouts and footsteps that were closing in, enhancing every urge inside me. My heart was beating out of fear as we emerged onto the perilous streets.

"Mamá, what's happening?! I asked, barely managing to keep her pace. "Where are we going?!"

She glanced back at me with a pale face of worry and whispered, "We have to get out of here before it's too late." With every step, the brutal truth of our once peaceful existence crumbling under the weight of violence seeped into my consciousness, planting terror of survival within me.

We reached the street and found it blocked. Subsequently, we entered an alley, only to encounter yet another dead end. My mom placed her hands on my shoulders and shook me to face her. "Hijo, I am sorry I couldn't give you better, but now all I can do is protect you from whatever comes your way," she said, her voice quivering with fear. "I need you to hide out of sight, and don't come out when you hear gunshots or screaming; stay hidden." 

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words sinking in, and then I found a small space to hide. As I crouched down, The shrieks of sirens, breaking glass, and shouting voices intensified, sending shivers of terror down my spine. Abruptly, a deafening explosion shattered the air, then eerie silence enveloped the scene like a suffocating blanket. Remaining hidden, I cautiously peeked out and witnessed a group of armed men fleeing from a body lying on the ground, with blood pooling around it. My breath caught in my throat. I knew what happened, and I knew I had to stay hidden until it was safe to come out, but the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks: They killed my mom… I was officially alone.