Chapter 5:

(Dolores POV)

I called out to the balcony, "Señora Guzmán!" Mariano's Mamá came out. "Dolores?" Tía Julieta looked up and held up a basket, "I might be able to help." Señora Guzmán ran downstairs and opened the door letting her inside. I stayed by the cart with Tío Augustine listening to everything. I tried not to but, I couldn't help but hear everything.

"Por favor Julieta, can you help her?" Tía Julieta waddled over to the bed. She ruffled through her basket and took something out. I could hear Marino's Abuela take a small bite. Tía Julieta sighed, "I can't heal her, but that should take away the pain." "Why can't you help Abuela Señora Madrigal?" Mariano asked. Tía Julieta managed to kneel down as the fabric of her dress shifted, "My magic can only do so much. I can heal and I can take away pain, but I can't stop this. This is a part of life."

I brought my hand over my mouth. It had to be wrong. It was unfair to Mariano and his family. I couldn't believe this was happening. I continued to listen carefully as I closed my eyes tightly.

"Mariano," his Abuela called for him. I could hear him leaning against the blanket of her bed as the fabrics shifted together. "Abuela, please don't go." His voice was cracking and he was clearly upset. "Mariano, it is my time," she started. "No," he cried out but she shushed him, "Mariano. Remember the future that we talked about." There was a pause before she continued, "I want you to have everything you want. You have such a big heart Mi Corazon, don't lose it. I'm sure one day that special girl will realize it too." "Please Abuela," she shushed softly, "I love you. I love all of you." I heard her heartbeat slowing down until it approached a steady stop a final breath left her lips and then silence. Everyone around her began to cry as their heart rates increased rapidly. There were cries out for her to wake up and that her skin was cold to the touch.

I turned to Tío Augustine and had tears in my eyes, "Sh-Sh-She didn't make it." He sighed and let his head fall into his hand. I thought about it for one more second, "What time is it?" All the hours had been blending together and I wasn't sure what day it was anymore. He took out is pocket watch, "It's 4:37 a.m." I nodded my head. She was the first person I had met who had died and I could still hear her last breath echoing in my ear. I wasn't sure if I could handle that also happening on my birthday. Tía Julieta made her way downstairs and back to the cart, "Do you want to see Mariano, Dolores? He may need a friend." I nodded my head and went to go knock on the door but I stopped myself and turned around. I felt hollow inside as I sat back down in the cart, "I think that he needs his family tonight." Not to mention that Isabella would probably be more helpful then I would. Tío snapped the reins as the donkey pulled us back to Casita. I looked up at the balcony and saw Mariano. I turned and faced forward looking down at my lap.

The sun rose as we rode back to Casita. I saw Mamá and Papa standing angrily by the front door. A storm cloud was over Mamá's head. "Dolores, where have you been? We went on your room to check on you and you were gone, no note, you didn't tell us." I looked over at Tía who placed a hand on my shoulder before going over to them, "Pepa, it isn't what you think." "Don't you start Julieta. She is my daughter and she was out for all hours of the night and she didn't tell me." "Pepa, Dolores heard someone in town in trouble. She got me and we went to help them," she said. She leaned in closer and whispered, "Señora Guzmán didn't make it."

Mamá stopped and the storm cloud stopped thundering and turned into a soft drizzle. "Mija," she came closer and wrapped her arms around me, but I was feeling numb. I didn't react in anyway. She leaned back and looked at me, "I'm really tired Mamá, can I go to bed?" She nodded her head, "Of course mija. Don't worry about your tasks today. I'll take you to the Guzmáns later." I nodded my head and began making my way up the stairs. I heard all of them whispering about me worried.

Abuela came out of the kitchen and looked up at me, "Where are you going Dolores? You still have to perform your chores?" Mamá turned to face her, "Mamá, she is going to rest for a while. She is not going out to the fields today." "No, that is not how this works. She must go out there everyday. It is the only way to keep our family and the town safe." I whispered, "Señora Guzmán is dead." "What are you saying? Speak up child." I turned to look her in the eye, "Señora Guzmán died. Can I please go to bed?" Her mouth hung open as she gave me a soft nod. I turned and continued up the stairs.

Suddenly Isabella's door opened. "Dolores," she smiled as she handed me a wrapped gift, "Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry about forgetting yesterday, but I had this gift waiting for your birthday. Then last night it got late and I knocked on your door and you didn't answer. I figured with your good hearing if you didn't answer you must have been asleep." She rushed through her explanation offering me guilty smiles intermittently. I sighed and looked back as everyone was quiet as they looked up at me. This wasn't how I wanted them to know that they forgot. I turned back forced a smile for Isabella, "Thank you." I took the gift, "I really do appreciate it Isabella. I'm going to lay down for a bit." I went into my room and closed the door listening to what was going on downstairs.

"What is going on?" Isabella asked. I heard a heavy sigh coming from Abuela, "Isabella we have some very bad news." I heard Isabella's breath quickening, "What is it?" Tía Julieta stepped in, "Mija. Señora Guzmán, Mariano's Abuela. She passed away early this morning." Isabella gasped, "No." I heard a collective silence over everyone before someone started going up the stairs, "No hija. We need to give her time" Abuela spoke. "She needs me," Mamá spoke. "She needs to learn how to grieve. This is not going to be the last time she hears something like this." "But," Mamá started. "Pepa, no. We must prepare to visit the Guzmáns. Everyone get ready and get the kids ready we will go later today."

I sat on my bed listening as the news spread across town. The buzz of news was ringing in my ears. Every time I tried to close my eyes I heard the sound of her heartbeat slowing down and her releasing her final breath. I didn't understand why I had to have this gift, it was too much hearing everything all the time. It was all interrupted as I heard a knock on my door. I didn't respond but, they opened the door and sat down next to me. "Chiquilla," I looked up at Tío Bruno. I threw myself into his embrace, "I-I heard e-everything." I whimpered. He stuck my hair and held onto me, "I know, I know." I looked up at him, "I couldn't help her. I got Tía Julieta. She was still alive when we arrived, but I couldn't do anything to help." He nodded his head, "I know chiquilla. You did everything right, but Julieta's gift can't keep someone alive when it is there time. It's a part of life and it is no one's fault." I nodded my head as my breathing was getting more under control.

I looked up at him, "C-Can we see the Guzmáns?" He nodded his head, "Yeah, everyone is getting ready and we are going to go later today. The entire familia. Why don't you get dressed?" I nodded my head and went to get dressed. I put on my black dress and black shoes. I went downstairs where everyone was standing and I joined them as we went to the Guzmáns home. I rode next to Tía Julieta in the cart with Isabella, Luisa and Camilo while everyone else walked. People were beginning to make the rounds to their house coming to pray with them. This would go on for a week before her official funeral mass and burial would happen.

We entered their house quietly but all eyes turned to face us, like they always did when we went anywhere as a group. The adults began going to the others and Isabella and I searched for Mariano. He was still upstairs in the room with his Abuela along with a few others who were praying in the room. I knelt down at her bedside and clasped my hands together. Isabella knelt down beside me. I could hear people shuffling in and out of the room but, I stayed still in my spot. I looked up at Mariano and next to me at Isabella and let out a long exhale. I tapped her shoulder, "Mariano looks like he could use a friend." She looked over at him and nodded her head. She stood up and took a step forward before looking back at me, "Aren't you coming too?" I shook my head, "I think he needs you more than me." she looked like she was going to argue but closed her mouth and nodded her head. She went over and knelt down beside him reaching out to hold onto his hand. I could see the scene unfolding in front of me as he looked up at her and she gave him a small smile. I took a breath and stood up to leave the room. The house was buzzing with the whispers or everyone that was here that I could feel my head spinning. I went downstairs and saw all the adults with different members of town.

I went to the corner were I sat quietly. I didn't know why I wanted to come before because now all I wanted to do was leave. Every noise in the room was screaming in my ear as I lost any control I had. I looked and saw Abuela. She had wanted me to go out earlier, maybe I could go now. I waited until she walked away from the conversation before I approached her. I gently tapped on my shoulder and turned to face me, "Dolores." I took a breath, "Can I go walk the perimeter? I will listen for any danger that may be approaching." She looked around the room before nodding her head. "I will tell your Mamá. Be home before dark." I nodded my head and left the house.

I knew that everyone was going to be coming in and out throughout the day and I needed to be able to hear my own thoughts rather than everyone else's discussions. I went to Casita and grabbed a shawl before walking out deep into the farmlands. As I listened to the rain falling down softly on the grass below, I heard things from outside of the mountain-range. I moved closer when I heard a loud noise like a firework, but it was daylight. I tried to focus on the sound moving deeper into the woods when I started hearing people crying out. I heard flames roar and people scream. My breath was heavier as glass began to shatter and I fell to my knees. I heard babies cry loudly and then suddenly stop, that was when the women would cry even louder. They weren't near the mountain but, I couldn't help but continue to listen. I heard more of those loud noises until horses rode away beyond where I could hear. I listened for any other noises but it was completely quiet.

I didn't know what caused all of it but, I knew something really bad just happened. Was this going to be my life? Hearing terrible things happen all the time and not being able to do anything about it. I heard Señora Guzmán was in trouble but I couldn't help. I just heard whatever the scene was outside of Encanto and that was all that I was able to do listen. I looked around and I was deep in the forests of Encanto. I didn't even mind. I could hear the village and they were all mourning with the Guzmáns, outside the mountain I remember the sounds of the desperate cries of the people who were out there.

I just wanted the world to be quiet, but it was never going to be quiet. I would hear every horrible thing for the rest of my life. Even when what I heard wasn't terrible, it was so loud. My own voice echoed within my mind. I shut my eyes as I heard every argument, every act of violence, every terrible sound repeatedly playing. The noises of what was going on around me were layering over it placing me in the middle of the chaos. I stayed still not even attempting to find my way back. I let myself lay down looking up at the sky through the leaves of the trees. I remember Abuela mentioning that Abuelo had died before we got our miracle and were protected within Encanto but, she never explained why. I closed my eyes and released a breath pinching the fabric of my shawl pulling it closer together to keep me warm.

I felt my shoulder shake as my eyes opened. I must have fallen asleep, I opened my eyes and saw Tío Bruno, "Ay, Chiquilla. You scared me." I sat up and looked at him, "What happened?" He sighed, "I went back to Casita to check on you and you weren't there." I looked at him and he was covered in sand, "Did you have a vision?" He nodded his head, "I saw you sitting out here alone. I figured I could bring you home before la famila came home." He dusted himself off and held out his hand, "Come on lets go home." I nodded my head. We began to walk home when he asked, "So why did you go into the middle of the forest?" I shrugged, "Thought I heard something." He looked over at me, "What did you hear?" I shrugged again, "Nothing interesting." He stopped and looked at me, "What is wrong Dolores?" I just smiled, "I'm fine." He opened his mouth to argue but I interrupted him, "Can we please go home. It's getting cold." He nodded his head, "Alright." We got back to Casita before the familia and I went to my room. "Chiquilla," Tío Bruno started but I just sighed, "Tío. It is nothing that you did. I'm just having a long day." He nodded his head, "Well promise me you will talk to someone. Even if it isn't your favorite Tío." I nodded my head not sure if I actually would.

- one week later -

We all sat in the church as mass began for Señora Guzmán's funeral. I sat next to Tío Bruno who held my hand the entire time. Everyone had been so busy with helping the community that he was the only one that realized that I had been retreating further into myself. I looked over at Mariano who was somehow holding himself together. Isabella told me that he stayed in the viewing room for his Abuela for as long as his family would let him everyday. He hadn't spoken a word in the last few days. I waited for the mass to be over so that I could get out of here. My head was pounding against my skull.

Suddenly Mariano stood up and walked over to the casket, "I'll make you proud Abuela." He whispered. I took a breath and watched as everyone began to file out. I stood up and went over to him. I hadn't talked to him since I got my vision. I went over and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned to face me, "Dolores." I softly spoke, "I'm sorry for your loss. She was a great person and a great member of the community." He nodded his head, "Thank you." I went to walk away when I heard him whisper, "Thank you for coming that night." I turned to face him, "You asked for my help. Of course I came." He opened and closed his mouth before nodding his head. I saw Tío Bruno waiting for me at the back of the church, "Let's go home chiquilla." I nodded my head and we walked home together.