Gods and Demons by Selenia Paz

Author:Selenia Paz [Paz, Selenia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: la llorona, el charro, mexican folklore, children's books with ghosts, spooky stories, ghosts and vampires, middle grade fantasy, aztec mythology
Publisher: Snowy Wings Publishing
Published: 2018-10-30T07:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

El Charro took his place at the tip of the triangular formation.

“Go ahead and place your machetes down, farther away near that tree,” he said, pointing to a tall pine near Mazapan.

Natalia and Miguel placed their machetes side by side, their hands slightly touching as they did. Miguel pulled his hand back quietly, his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. El Charro watched them carefully, rubbing his chin slowly to hide his smile.

El Charro continued, “One of the best ways to block is by using the outer part of your arm, the part where you can really feel the bone. This will help you resist the weight of your attacker. You can use either one of your arms to block. Both arms are capable of blocking attacks that are coming from either side.”

El Charro raised his right arm up above his head, then quickly moved it to the left to block an invisible attack.

“Do not be afraid. Your arms are stronger than you think. He began to walk toward them slowly. “Even if you do not want to hurt anyone, even if you never pick up your machete, always be prepared to block.” Suddenly, he slid over to Miguel, lifted his arm up in the air, and brought it down. Miguel raised his left hand up quickly, his arm taking the blow. He stumbled back, but he did not fall.

“Very good, Miguel,” El Charro said, straightening.

“Wow,” Natalia said, “that was cool. I didn’t even—”

El Charro spun around, bringing his arm down above Natalia, who raised her right hand up and pushed back on El Charro’s arm. She jumped back, prepared for another surprise.

They spread out even further apart, using some of the pine trees to hide themselves. El Charro, using his sombrero, began to disappear and appear instantly behind them, trying to catch them by surprise.

As the sun began to slowly dip in the sky, La Llorona stood. “I think it’s time for a break,” she said.

Natalia and Miguel placed their machetes back in their sheaths. El Charro reached into the leather bag attached to Mazapan’s saddle and brought out two leather belts. Handing one to Miguel and one to Natalia, he said, “You can attach your machetes to that belt if you’d like. That way, if you need them, you can quickly draw them. However”—he paused, looking at them—“do not feel that you have to use them. We will be with you, to protect you. You do not need to attack anyone if you do not want to. I simply...” He stopped, looking at La Llorona, who was watching him carefully. El Charro sighed. “I simply wanted you to have something you could defend yourselves with, por si acaso.”

“The sun will soon be setting. I think it’s important to take this time to rest, and eat the food you brought from the mercado.”

Miguel and Natalia sat next to each other on the blanket, taking out their food. Miguel unwrapped his torta and Natalia peeled her tamales. They placed a small piece of foil on the blanket for the cat, who nibbled at the meat.

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