“Live for today, your chances of tomorrow are slim."

Antonio’s story is set in Tijuana, Mexico. He plays a key role in La Santa Muerte, but his fate remains unclear. In this second part of the trilogy, we explore the events of La Santa Muerte from his perspective.
Antonio is a bright, sporty, and attractive sixteen-year-old in his last high school term. His home life is bleak; his father and two brothers are dead, and he lives with his mother and younger brother. The mystery of his family's tragic past looms over him. Despite being a popular student and captain of the basketball team, he often disappears without explanation. His friendship and love for Maria anchor his story.
The story begins in a rundown tenement in Tijuana, where he lives with his barely alive mother and relies on the local deli owner for food. At school, he plays on a national league basketball team, gaining popularity and leadership. His friendship with Maria sparks jealousy and threats, but they eventually become lovers.
Antonio meets two men who warn him to stay away from Maria, intimidating him. Confused, he disappears for the first time after school, feeling mortal danger from men wanting to silence him about his father. He gets drunk at a bar, fights, and is beaten and taken outside the city where he's threatened and tortured. The police intercept, and he escapes unharmed. Back in Tijuana, he finds Maria at the Festival.
He explains he can't reveal where he's been but cares for her and remains loyal. It hurts him that she doesn't trust him, but he understands why. Isolated, he examines his conflict; he wants to tell the truth but fears it will hurt Maria and his family.
He plans to infiltrate a gang to understand them but knows it’s dangerous. After escaping one night, he returns home, where his mother barely recognizes him. Angry about her condition, he decides to fight back but wants to see Maria first. While on the run, he cautiously contacts her for a secret meeting, but she misses him. On his way home, he is captured by the gang again, beaten, and dumped in Tijuana, where he is found and taken to the hospital.
He ends up fighting for his life in A and E and sees Maria there who is visiting her mother. He warns her off and he pushes her away. He doesn’t believe that he can have any kind of future now either with or without her.
The police take Antonio to a correction center, where he meets 15-year-old El Nino, a desperate juvenile delinquent. Inspired, Antonio begins to regain his health and is released early. Given clothes and money, he returns to Tijuana but is intercepted by Maria's dangerous cartel uncle, who tortures him until he agrees to work for them, hoping to gather information to sabotage them later. He befriends a producer's son, Marcello, but their friendship is cut short by his bosses.
On the run, he struggles to message Maria, who sought him in the correction center. One night at a bullfight, he thinks he spots her. Daily, he serves some of the West's most wanted men and observes their allure among growers. We learn about those profiting from illegal drug production and distribution.
Antonio discovers the connection between Pablo and Pedro Rodriguez and learns the truth about Maria’s father. This scene parallels the story of Jesus and the paralyzed man, with the powerful Sinaloa cartel boss serving as a god-like figure. After being brutally injured in a gang fight, Antonio expects to die but is spared while the mob calls for his lynching. He secretly plots his escape and gains their trust, leading to a run to Tijuana and the border. This is his chance to connect with someone who can help him get a new identity and leave the country—taking Maria with him. Maria learns about his father's battle against drug cartels and feels justified in loving him. She agrees to leave illegally, even with the option to wait for legal departure due to her upcoming college enrollment in the USA. Antonio hopes to continue his father's fight and bring his mother to safety across the border.
Despite knowing the dangers, they aren't careful and, an hour into their journey, are forced off the road. Antonio is shot by Maria’s father and uncle. Maria convinces them he’s dead, allowing her to take him to safety. He’s badly injured, and while doctors are uncertain of his recovery, Maria stays by his side. Within 24 hours, American soldiers arrive at the hospital with a warrant for both their arrests. Maria complies, and once in the helicopter, they reveal they need Antonio's help. They land at a San Diego hospital, where Antonio is taken for intensive treatment. Maria is freed, confident he will survive.