Furia
At the age of 21, without warning, Marvin disappeared. I grieved his departure and blamed many for driving him away, myself most of all. One night, while reading The Borrowers by Mary Norton, a favourite novel of ours, a scrap of paper slipped out of the pages and onto my lap. On it were scribbled the words I need to find myself. I kept that scrap of paper close to me and searched through every book I could think of in the hope that I would find more messages, more clues that would lead me to Marvin’s whereabouts. But alas, my search was in vain. For those who know Marvin intimately will tell you that he was no lover of literature. In fact, I’m not sure that he had even read The Borrowers but in those lonely days it brought me some cheer to think that he had.
Months later, whilst doing some private research, I chanced upon an interesting article about a masked wrestler who went by the name of Furia de Oro. This person was causing quite a stir in the wrestling scene of Bolivia. I didn’t have any knowledge of wrestling, but I could see that the masked wrestler was none other than Marvin. From what the article reported, he was pretty darn good in the wrestling ring. He was like an animal. I didn’t tell a soul about my discovery, and I took it upon myself to bring Marvin home.
I tracked Marvin to a wrestling club called La Olla La Carne. Once there, I slipped quietly amongst the shadows and waited outside the dressing rooms, ready to confront Marvin. I could hear the crowds chanting, Furia! Furia! Down the end of the corridor, a door opened. Out into the light stepped Marvin. He strode down the corridor in silence. Not a sound could be heard except for the faint squeaking made by his boots. I pulled myself back against the wall as he walked past, so close that I could touch him. I stepped out of my hiding spot.
“Marvin.”
Marvin stopped. My heart was pounding so fast in my chest I thought it would explode.
“So you have found me,” he replied in a deep voice.
“That is true enough. But the question remains, have you found yourself?”
Marvin turned around slowly. “I found myself, oh yes, did I find myself. With this mask and these boots, I have found who I truly am, and I am strong!” Marvin raised himself up to his full height and flexed his muscles. It was indeed a fearsome sight.
“It’s time to come home, old friend,” I said, and outstretched my hand. “Come with me.”
“Come? With you?” Marvin bellowed, and laughed a deep laugh that echoed throughout the corridors.
“I will do no such thing. I am where I am supposed to be. Do you hear that?” he asked, pointing to the end of the corridor. “Those people are calling for me. Now get out of here, little man, lest you feel the wrath of Furia de Oro!”
With those final words Marvin turned and walked down the corridor. Defeated, I walked through the fire exit and into an alley way. It started to rain, and I pulled up the collar of my coat as I searched for shelter. Finding none, I crouched by a dumpster and wept bitter tears and all the while I could hear the crowds chanting, Furia! Furia!
