A Mexican ghost story

Going back in time by a few minutes, just after the masked man's game ended, the bus arrived at the playing hall.

The bus driver of the bus already present, lifted his cap up in confusion as the doors opened and everyone began to get off the bus. "Why's there another bus? We're the ones tasked with last-shift duty," he thought as Vonnie leaped out of the bus and smiled as she stared at the playing hall.

"They're playing... I didn't miss it!" she creepily giggled as she began heading towards the doors.

Goaded by Fernanda and Urraca, Iori, Mimoko, and Barbro were quickly rushed off the bus, where Chihuahua ordered them to wait by the fountain up front. Dusk had begun to set in, and with barely anyone around at the venue, the atmosphere had suddenly become dark and creepy.

"And how long are we supposed to wait here?" Barbro growled.

"Until Chi says so," Fernanda snarled back.

Iori smiled and nodded as she took a seat on the rim of the fountain, but beneath her normal grin, she was on guard. "That Chihuahua bitch, she's the one that sent my danger sense through the roof. Thanks to a slip of the tongue, I know she's got muscle under those plain clothes. And speaking of plain, she's really going all out on the "plain look". That's something you only do when you don't want to stand out in order to move under the radar. Oki-kun's the same. I've never heard of that bitch either, but I guess I'm only versed in shit that finds it's way to the Japanese aboveground and underground news. And of course, the guard dogs are keeping a careful eye on us, clearly possessing some form of training. Shit, this is probably going to be a mess," she thought.

Eventually, Chihuahua arrived with Tristin, and began her spiel.

"Now, you must have many questions, questions which I'm sorry to say, will not be answered. There is one question I will answer though; you are all here in order to become my newest assets."

All three girls reacted differently. Mimoko reacted with fear and shock, Barbro with fury, and Iori, a simple raise of the eyebrow.

"So ya want some drug mules, right? And who exactly are you?" Iori snickered.

"Why just a humble librarian from Chihuahua, Mexico."

"Oh, then why should we agree to be mules for some lame-o librarian? Or are you asking us to dress up as mules for a children's storybook corner?"

"Oh, now that IS an interesting way to interpret things. I'll have you know though that librarians are quite resourceful and keepers of information of knowledge. Knowledge and information... The key weapons for increasing the odds of victory in any battle. So allow me to impart some knowledge on you three; how familiar are you with Mexican ghost stories?"

The three shook their heads as an eerie smile began to spread across Chihuahua's face.

"Then let me tell you of three of the most famous ones, along with some backstory on the current state of Mexico. First, the latter. It's no secret Mexico is largely influenced by the various drug cartels that operate within it's borders. In the past, there were many, until the DESPER came... Now, there is but one... Huesos fantasma..."

Iori's gaze narrowed. She had heard the name. In underworld circles, Huesos fantasma was said to secretly be the one cartel that controlled all the others, however, those were nothing but rumors.

"Your shift in gaze, you're aware of the name, and the rumors surrounding it... And if I were to say they were true?"

"You're still just a librarian, recruiter at best," Iori retorted.

"Nerves of steel. But the story is not even through it's prologue yet. Huesos fantasma, are you aware of how it got so powerful?"

The atmosphere was getting tense. Fernanda, Tristin, and Urraca were all in formation, preventing any escape, with Chihuahua herself advancing slowly from the front.

"Cartels are full of some of the roughest and most dangerous individuals to walk the planet, they also tend not to get along well with other gangs. So answer me just who and how they could be united under a single banner?"

Mimoko trembled and hid behind Iori as Iori and Barbro stood firm. Yet despite her terrified state, she could guess the answer to at least the latter half of the question.

"DESPERs."

Chihuahua smiled and shook her head. "No. Not DESPERs... But it was chess related..."

Now Barbro began to get a little nervous. "Then you're not Desperados?"

"We have some under our belt, but the main brass... This brings me back to the former; are you familiar with any Mexican ghost stories?"

Iori scowled as her hand trembled ever so slightly.

"So you aren't... The let's start with the most popular one, La Llorona..."

"It's so sad! In a fit of rage, she cast her own children into the river, never to be seen again. To this day, she still searches for them," Tristin cried as she buried her face into her hands.

"Then there's La Planchada."

"Best healer on the block. At my hospital, patients say they see a nurse dressed straight out of the 1930s that heals em' up perfectly, but when they ask about who it is... No records! And when the check the cams... Nothing," Fernanda chuckled as an eerie smile spread on her face.

"And then there's La Pascualita. In Chihuahua city, there exists a wedding boutique known as La Popular Store. In it's window, there once stood a mannequin garbed in a beautiful white wedding dress."

"But that mannequin wasn't originally a mannequin. It was a girl set to be wed, but the bite of a spider killed her. Devastated, her mother had her embalmed, and passed her corpse off as a mannequin," Urraca growled.

"And every time a taxi passed by, the mannequin was said to come to life, for you see, the one she was to be wed to was a taxi driver. Now, with all that knowledge in your brains, answer me just who could possibly force every Mexican cartel under the sun to unite under a single banner? The answer..."

A mighty gust of wind sprang forth, causing Mimoko, Iori, and Barbro to shield their eyes. When they opened them back up, they recoiled in horror. The four Mexican women now stood before them, their skin white as bones and painted to look like sugar skulls, while their eyes glowed an unsettling deep blue.

"The answer is the paranormal, for not even the most violent cartel member can raise a hand against a ghost. Now, shall we continue our talks, ladies?" Chihuahua menacingly smiled.