Chapter 1 - The Gathering of the Guardians
The rain began to fall lightly over the courtyard of San Miguel de Allende, mixing with the puddles Brenda had created with the garden hose. The flashing red and blue lights from the police cruisers cast eerie, rhythmic reflections against the centuries-old stone walls.
Officer Ramos, a stern man with graying temples who had known Diego’s father for twenty years, stepped over the shattered pieces of the clay pot. He didn't look at Brenda; his eyes were fixed entirely on Teresa, who was shivering under Diego’s soaked designer jacket.
"Get the paramedic team in here now," Officer Ramos barked into his shoulder radio. He then looked at Diego, his expression softening with deep respect. "Licenciado Mendoza. We received the live broadcast link from your associate in Mexico City. I am deeply sorry we didn't arrive five minutes sooner."
"You arrived exactly when the law needed you, Captain," Diego said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, calculated register. He carefully lifted his mother from the wet stones, holding her fragile frame against his chest. Her grip on his shirt was weak, but she had stopped trembling. The terror in her eyes was slowly being replaced by the realization that her son was finally home.
Brenda stood frozen as the woman in the dark blazer—Dr. Elena Gomez from Adult Protective Services—stepped forward with a digital tablet, documenting the scene.
"This is a mistake!" Brenda suddenly shrieked, her voice cracking as she tried to back away toward the kitchen door. "Teresa fell! She was having an episode, and I was just trying to clean up the mess she made! Diego is twisting this! He wants this house because he's greedy!"
Dr. Gomez didn't look up from her tablet. "The video metadata shows a continuous five-minute stream of you intentionally directing a high-pressure stream of water at a non-ambulatory stroke patient while verbally abusing her, Ms. Salazar. The camera doesn't lie, even if you do."
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Two officers stepped behind Brenda, the metallic clink of handcuffs echoing sharply across the patio. As they secured her wrists, she glared at Diego, her face twisting with pure venom. "You think you’ve won, you arrogant bastard? Your father left this house to me in his final will! I own this land! Your lawyer tricks won't change the signature on that deed!"
Diego didn't answer. He carried his mother past Brenda without a single word, leaving the monster to be dragged out through the heavy iron gates into the rain.
