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Antonio stood outside the barn door which was slightly ajar and gulped looking around no one knew he was here, having snuck out when Félix fell asleep in the middle of reading a book if they knew he was here he would be in big trouble. Under one arm he held a plush jaguar "Señorita Mirabel?" hesitantly he pushed the door open the rest of the way and he entered "Mirabel?" jumping when the voice came from behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Mirabel stood in the door way arms folded "You're supposed to be at Casita. What do you want?"
"I..came to see you. Abuela is mad at everyone. She got really angry when she heard your name. It was scary. I don't understand." tears forming "I told her you came to see me get my gift and she starting yelling, Tía Julieta cried. And then Casita started cracking and and-" he couldn't speak anymore through the sobs.
Has fate hand delivered this chance to me? Mirabel thought before smiling and kneeling down to pull Antonio into a hug "There there, it's okay. I'm sorry I got you in trouble." she rubbed his back comforting him but over his shoulder a satisfied grin spread across her face. Her acting like this is just going to help make my job easier and easier oh Alma Madrigal you have no idea.
"Mirabel?"
"Yes, Antonio?"
"Isabela said you were my prima. Is that true?"
Mirabel was stunned into silence for a moment "Yes..it's true. I was a Madrigal once."
Antonio pulled back in shock "So the story you told me about...about the Madrigal who didn't get a gift...that was you?"
"Yes it was me. They stopped loving me, they pushed me aside all because I didn't get a gift." Mirabel pulled herself to her full height and looked down at Antonio her face darkening "Abuela was ashamed of me and do you know why you were even born?" a grin that was almost twisted across her face "Why to replace me of course, I overheard Abuela talking Pepa into it. Abuela needed another child to prove the magic was strong." something took control over Mirabel as the grin got wider until she looked almost demented "You know what happened the night you were born? They threw me out, ripped me straight from my mothers side." she pointed to her face "You see my face? That precious candle did this to me! It took away my vision, my family and my they...THEY ABANDONED ME!"
Antonio slowly backed away eyes wide and trembling with fear as with each step he took back, Mirabel took one forward. "M-m-m-irabel..you're s-s-s-caring me." his back hit the wall "D-d-don't hurt me..p-p-please."
Mirabel came to a stop "I'm not going to hurt you Antonio no matter what Abuela says. I want to keep you safe." she reached out to put her hand on his shoulder "I just wanted to know what happened to me. I knew you would find out eventually with you being such a clever boy and all. Kneeling down again she grabbed his chin making him look her in the eyes "I'm going to save you, Antonio."
"Save me from what?"
"You'll understand when it happens" she squeezed his cheek. "I'm sorry I frightened you I was just very angry and didn't think about what I was doing. But you understand don't you?" her voice dropped into a patronising tone.
Antonio nodded dry tears staining his cheeks "I'm sorry that happened to you, Mirabel. I wish you could have a door too." he threw his arms around her "I'm sorry they were mean to you." he whispered. He looked down to the plush jaguar he was holding and had an idea "Mirabel?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to have this." he placed the plush into her hands "So you can cuddle with it at night."
Mirabel looked down at small plush a rare genuine smile on her face "Well aren't you just the sweetest boy. Thank you." Alma really doesn't deserve you, don't worry I'll save you. She pulled him tight I won't let her destroy you to.
"Antonio."
Mirabel didn't even need to turn to know it was "Ah, Dolores. Welcome to my humble abode, you get used to the smell of donkey and manure after a while. Then it's really not that bad."
Dolores approached them "Mirabel what are you doing with him? I could hear both of you out here. Antonio did she hurt you?" pushing Mirabel to the side she frantically began searching Antonio for injury.
"Lolo, I'm fine." Antonio pushed her off "Stop fussing over me. I came here to see Mirabel, she is my prima."
"Dolores, did you really think I would hurt him? Surely you don't think that low of me."
"I..no..I'm sorry..."
Mirabel stood up "So I hear there was trouble? Because of what I did? I'm sorry I didn't want to make things worse, really I didn't."
Dolores closed her eyes "No...it's not your fault..Abuela..she just doesn't get it. She never sees..me."
Nodding in understanding Mirabel grabbed Dolores's hand "I know how it is, Dolores. It's how I felt for 10 years. Everyday I would wake up and hope she would look past my lack of a gift and love me like she used too." Mirabel smiled sadly "I never stopped loving my family, you know? I don't have a gift to help my family..but I love my family even if they don't want me."
"I guess I never thought about how you felt..I remember holding you when you were just a baby and I wonder just where did it go so wrong?"
"You know exactly where it all went wrong, Dolores. Abuela is where it went wrong. Start thinking for yourself. It's wrong you know it's wrong. I miss what we used to have Dolores. I missed YOU." Mirabel was surprised when arms were thrown around her.
"I'm sorry, prima. Lo siento mucho."
"Abuela is the one who should be sorry Dolores. Make them her you." it's..been so long..I've missed you Lolo...I really have. Mirabel was surpried when the barn doors starting swinging open and close rapidly and loud crash of thunder echoed through "Hmm..was it suppose to storm today?"
"Antonio! Dolores!" The distant sound of Pepa's frantic voice reached them.
Ah that explains it "You both better go, before she comes up here. I would hate to see how Abuela would react if she knew about this if just mentioning my name sends her into a rage. Thank you Antonio for your generous gift I'll keep it close" holding the jaguar plush close to her heart "And remember this is our little secret."
"Yes...Antonio..lets go." Dolores gave Mirabel a sideways look as she pushed her baby brother out of the barn "Goodbye, Mirabel just stay away from Casita..please if not for our sake than your own."
"Of course of course." Mirabel watched as the blurry figures moved further and further away. A smile spread across her face "There's no turning back for either of you you're both mine...and I'll set you free. One day I will have my family back."
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"So where were they?" Alma asked as Pepa led both her children through the front door of Casita.
"We just went for a walk, Abuela. Antonio wanted to see how many different animals he could find. I was with him the whole time." Dolores answered glancing at Antonio he realised what Dolores was doing and quickly nodded.
"Uh-huh. I saw birds and capybaras and frogs and-"
Alma chuckled "Alright, just next time let someone know you're going. That goes for you too Dolores it's for own safety."
"Yes, Abuela." the siblings answered in unison.
"Good, now run along."
Dolores started walking up the stairs only to be pulled aside by Camilo.
"Where did the both of you really go Dolores?" he whispered once he was sure everyone else had left.
"I don't know what you mean, we went on a walk just like I said." Dolores tried to move past but Camilo held her back.
"Are you sure that's all?"
Dolores couldn't look her hermano in the eyes she knew Camilo would freak if he knew they were with Mirabel. "Ok...I just needed some time to myself. I found Antonio on my way back I made the story up so Antonio wouldn't get in trouble for wandering off alone. There was enough trouble this morning."
"You're lying to me, Dolores. You been acting off and the way you defended Mirabel being here his morning.." Camilo's eyes widen in sudden realisation hit him "You went to see Mirabel didn't you?" when Dolores's eyes widened in shock Camilo knew he was right. "What were you thinking going near her?"
"She's...not that bad.."
"Not that bad? Come on Dolores. She isn't the same Mirabel I shared a nursery with theres something dark in her. Even the candle felt it thats why it scarred her Abuela said-"
"What if Abuela is wrong?"
"Dolores you talking with Mirabel has already caused trouble...'
Tears formed in Dolores's eyes "But...she is the only one who understands.." she whispered so Camilo couldn't hear.
"What was that?"
"Just talking to myself..."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"No it's something."
"Just drop it Camilo! Leave me alone!" Dolores broke free and ran into the safety of her room before the sobbing could start.
Camilo could only stare after her in stunned silence. What the heck just happened he wondered. Was this Mirabel's doing? What was she putting in her head? Was Mirabel trying to turn her against the family? What sick game was Mirabel playing?
He knew what he had to do-he was going to that barn.
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"Juli...can we please talk?"
Julieta didn't even turn around instead remaining focused on stirring something in a bowl "About what Agustín?"
"Us mi amor. We have been drifting further and further apart. I know I haven't exactly been the most supportive-"
Julieta cut him off "Tell me something I don't know. You expect me to just forgive what you have done? The way you stood there and agreed with them to take our bebita away?"
Agustín tried to pull his wife into a hug only to be pushed off "Julieta...I'm worried about you. I know you miss Mirabel but you're neglecting Isabela and Luisa."
"Like it's my choice!" Julieta threw down the spoon she was holding "Even I'm not cooking for the entire family I'm cooking for the whole town. And if I do have free time Isabela is always with Mamá and Luisa is working sunup to sundown. When do I get a chance Agustín?" picking up the spoon she continued stirring "In a way I have lost all my daughters but at least with Isabela and Luisa I get to see them at mealtimes."
"Juli..I'm sorry I didn't realise..do you want me to speak with Alma-"
"No." Julieta cut him off flatly "Mamá can apologise all she wants, make all the promises she wants but I won't forget what she did nor will I forgive. Mirabel could die alone in that barn and she wouldn't care. When that door disappeared so did the love Mamá held for her. Then she took her away from me all together and you let her-" getting right in Agustín's face now "YOU LET HER! You are so scared of Mamá you stood back and didn't even defend your own wounded daughter." turning back to the food she was preparing "Just leave me I can't deal with you right now." try as she might she couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
"Juli, mi vida.."
"Leave me."
"But.."
"Por favor."
Agustín sighed in defeat and turned away muttering "lo arruiné todo.."
Neither Julieta or Agustín noticed the new cracks forming.
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Review responses
World'snumber1scaredycat: Alma/Abuela snapping is exactly what Mirabel wants, let her drive them away and straight to her. Mirabel knows how to mess with her head.
KaliAnn: That's wanted Mirabel had planned along, make Antonio see just how much the family was hiding from him. Now he knows the truth it just makes it easier for Mirabel. Now Antonio will question everything the family tells him.