A storm raged across the Encanto bringing with torrential rain and hurricane winds sending everyone running to secure all doors and windows in town. At the centre of the Casita courtyard Pepa remained collapsed onto her knees sobbing. Her daughter...her Dolores. Raising her head she screamed at Alma "HOW COULD YOU?! YOU SENT HER AWAY!"
"She betrayed us, Pepa." Alma tried to keep her voice calm "I knew something was up...Mirabel is even more evil than I thought. Turning one of our own against us for her own gain."
"WHAT HAPPENED TO FAMILY STICKING TOGETHER?!"
"Pepa stop screaming at me right this-"
"OR WHAT?! YOU'LL THROW ME OUT TO THE STREETS TOO?!"
Félix's attempts to calm her down were fruitless as the storm increased in intensity.
The rest of the family were huddled together watching the scene unfold as they got battered by the storm. Julieta broke free kneeling down the other side of Pepa "I know how you feel Pepa." she glared up at Alma "I lost my daughter too." Guilt filled Julieta, was this her fault? She was the one who requested Dolores look after Mirabel. Oh dios Dolores lo siento mucho. I never meant for this to happen.
Pepa put her arms around Julieta sobbing into her side "I'm sorry, Julieta.." she whispered "I understand now...I understand. I am sorry.."
Alma looked across the courtyard as a strong gust of wind sent a large vase crashing to the ground, it's pieces flying in every direction. In the distance the crash of fallen tree rang out across the town "Pepa. Stop before you destroy the whole Encanto!"
"Calm down, hermana..por favor. For me.." Julieta whispered looking over at Félix "And for Félix...your sons." placing a hand on her sobbing sisters back "And for Dolores and Mirabel..we'll get them back. I promise we'll get them back." the three quickly ducked their heads as a chair was blown right towards them landing with a thud a few feet away "But we can't if you destroy the town..think of them Pepa. I can heal any injury that they sustain but the last thing they need is a tree falling into their roof. Please."
Pepa nodded and with the shushing of Julieta and Félix the storm began to die off slowly and steadily.
Leaving Pepa with her esposo Julieta stood up to face Alma "You see her? That's the pain I felt when you took Mirabel away. Only difference while Dolores is a grown woman. Mirabel was a child-she still is a child. Do you realise what you have done?"
"Everything I do..is for the better of this family." Alma replied coldly "Mirabel is a threat..and now she has corrupted Dolores...she poisoned her mind. Dolores is just another Mirabel now..if we keep her here we might as well keep Mirabel herself here. I wish it could be different but Dolores is too far gone to be saved she's tainted." turning around and walking up the stairs "Tomorrow you ALL are going into town and helping with the clean up..no doubt there will be damage." without another word or looking back she entered her room slamming the door behind her.
Julieta shook her head in disgust walking back to her sister who was running out of tears to cry "Come on Pepi. Let's get you to bed." supporting one side of Pepa as Félix supported the other "Dolores will be fine, I promise one day we will bring them both home. This madness has to end."
Pepa just nodded silently having cried herself into exhaustion not being able to bring herself to even look at Dolores's door as she was guided to her own and into her room door closely softly behind them.
Camilo gave Isabela a look of disgust "I hope you're happy." he snarled so only she could hear him.
"Dolores...bought it on herself." Isabela spat back "She knew the rules. Abuela says..."
"Oh get a grip, Isabela. Now we have two family members in exile thanks to you and your big mouth."
"Are you forgetting the fact they kidnapped me?"
Camilo rose his eyebrows "You have no proof of any kidnapping. Yeah you saw them together but that don't prove your kidnapping story. Abuela hates Mirabel already and adores you so of course she'll take your side."
"Why would I lie about that?! Luisa-" she turned to her sister who been watching everything in silence "You were with me. Tell him."
"I...don't..know." Luisa stammered "We were walking and I told her I'm headed back...I thought she wanted more time alone when she didn't follow..she must not of heard me."
"Why would they want to kidnap you? What would Mirabel have to gain? What would Dolores gain by helping her?" Camilo asked "Seriously, what?"
Isabela dodged the question "Dolores hit me in the head!"
"Wow I am so jealous of Dolores right now, wish I could do that." Camilo spat.
"How dare you!"
Luisa put herself between the two cousins "ENOUGH!" guilt was eating at Luisa. She was just as guilty as Dolores and Mirabel but here she was, still here. While Mirabel and Dolores now lived as outcasts in exile. She looked up to Alma's door. Alma's actions tonight had sealed the whole family's fate, Mirabel and Dolores would be closer than ever. Abuela you made the biggest mistake of your life..and if you want to hurt either of them...you'll have to get through me first and when the time comes I'll be standing on their side.
Isabela shoved past them going up the stairs slamming the door behind door the sound echoing throughout the halls Agustín squeezing Luisa's hand before going after her.
"Camilo...can I sleep with you..please?" Antonio begged "Please..I don't want to be alone."
"Of course..come on lets get you to bed it's late." Camilo took a hold of Antonio's hand "It's going to be okay."
"I want Dolores back." Antonio whined.
"I know..so do I hermanito."
Bruno watched the brothers disappear up the stairs and out of sight "I never meant for this to happen..this was never supposed to happen." he stammered Bad Luck Bruno does it again..the vision showed none of this. Could our actions...changed the future? Was the last vision just a warning of what could happen if we weren't careful? Bruno paced back and forth Mirabel's scars..she ddin't have scars in the first vision..and I saw nothing about Dolores working with her...this is not the future we meant to live. Bruno looked up his tower, he didn't want to but he had to see. He had to have another vision.
"Tío Bruno?" Luisa reached a hand out to him "I know you're thinking this is your fault, but it's not."
"If I never showed that first vision none of this would of happened!" Bruno began pacing again "Mirabel got treated like she did because of me. Mirabel was blinded because of me. She gets treated like el diablo because of ME!"
"It's not your fault." Luisa repeated "You know exactly whose fault it is. It's Abuela's treatment of Mirabel that sent her down this path. Abuela pushed away Dolores leaving Mirabel to pull her closer." Luisa staggered as her mind registered how exhausted she was "Night, Tío Bruno...just remember it's not your fault." with a sad smile she retreated to her room. She should of protected them better..she failed. Again.
...
Dolores awoke with a groan blinking she took in her surroundings reminding her last night wasn't just a dream. She was banished. An outcast. Exiled.
"Morning." Mirabel's voice greeted her "We'll have to do a little cleaning in here thanks to Hurricane Pepa. But just a little bit of debris."
"Wonder how the rest of the town faired." Dolores stood up "We had to scurry to close our windows. Don't think Mamá has ever been so upset in her whole life." she shook her head. She really should of seen it coming though. Shortly after falling asleep both of them were jolted awake by the storm raging outside. The unlatched barn door swinging so wildly they both thought it was going to come off it's hinges. All sorts of debris blowing through the the windows. It was a rush to latch the door and secure all window shutters before huddling together in a corner and wait it out.
"That tree sounded so close I thought it was going to crash through our roof." Mirabel handed Dolores a broom "You get started while I feed the donkeys. We have no food so it's skipping breakfast for us."
"Tell me about it.." Dolores shuddered taking the broom "It's weird though...the volume...wait."
"What?"
Dolores tilted her head trying to hear something "I...my...gift is gone."
"You sure?" Mirabel paused grain bucket in hand.
"Yes! I'm not sure how it happened but I'm so happy. I'm free. I'M FREE!" Dolores laughed louder than she ever had "Oh finally relief...I been waiting years for this." spinning around to hug Mirabel "Gracias! Gracias!"
"You're..welcome?"
Dolores smiled pulling Mirabel's hood down "Sorry it's just..you have no idea the relief I feel. I broke free from Abuela's control-I'M FREE."
"You're living in exile." Mirabel pointed out "You're very joyful for someone who ripped away from their family I would expect some crying or something. I know I cried"
"I know I know..." Dolores began sweeping "But don't you see? This helps us in the long run. Abuela is showing her true colours. She'll push everyone straight into your grasp. There's no turning back from here, even Casita knows that I would say Casita is on our side even if it doesn't seem like it. Abuela won' t learn until it's all gone. "
"All gone..thanks to us." Mirabel laughed "You have a point, Abuela has no idea what she has done does she? Let's just hope she doesn't banish anyone else to me otherwise someone will be sharing with a donkey." she joked.
"Abuela wouldn't dare to try with Luisa."
"Does Luisa have that in her?"
"For you...yes. "
"It's okay to cry you know." Mirabel fed the last donkey and leaned again a wooden beam.
"And later I probably will but right now I'm too ticked off at Isabela to do that."
The barn door swung open as Alma stormed in Pepa and Julieta behind her holding blankets, pillows and food. Pepa looking like it was taking everything in her power not to unleash another storm. Clearing her throat Alma glared at her two disowned granddaughters "I spoke with Señor Pérez, I informed him Dolores is will be staying here from now on as well. He isn't in any place to refuse, from all the help the Madrigals' have given him for years. So really no point hiding."
"Aww, darn." Mirabel pretended to be disappointed "We were so looking forward to playing hide and seek." earning a laugh from Dolores.
Alma frowned "What exactly are you two doing in here?"
Mirabel didn't move just stared at the three visitors "She's sweeping and I'm standing here. What does it look like, genius?" putting a smile on her face "Hola Mamá, Tía Pepa. How lovely for the both of you to drop in."
"How are you today Mira?" Julieta ignoring her mother's glare.
"Oh just jolly..really. I see you bought blankets."
"They are the ones off Dolores's bed..."
Dolores placing down her broom walking over "Don't worry about me, Mamá. I'll be fine."
"Dolores...this is no way to live." Pepa was holding back tears as she passed over the bundle.
"Mirabel been living like this for five years." Dolores reminded everyone taking the blankets.
Mirabel chuckled "Yeah and look how I turned out. They call me La Diabla del Encanto. Wonder what name they are going to give Dolores." turning her head over her shoulder "Hey, Dolores what do you want your name to be? Something to match mine?"
Dolores realised what Mirabel was doing, purposely trying to wind up Alma to provoke her into snapping in front of Pepa and Julieta. I see prima..lets have some fun. "Don't know, don't think anything will beat La Diabla del Encanto. I'm jealous." laughing she took the basket of food off Julieta with a nod of thanks.
"It is pretty great isn't it? What do you think Abuela?"
"It's fitting..you are a she devil." Alma spat.
Mirabel let out a mock gasp of delight "Why thank you! I do try you know. A curse here, a curse there maybe a few sacrifices thrown in."
Dolores appeared back behind her snickering "Be careful, Abuela she might 'taint' you." the two burst into laughter.
Alma growled under her breath turning to Pepa "See? Look what Mirabel has done to your daughter." anger fuelling her further when saw saw both Pepa and Julieta were snickering "It's not funny."
"Well I find it funny." Mirabel smiled still leaning on the beam she adjusted her weight "I find it real funny."
"No one asked you for your opinion, Mirabel."
Mirabel scoffed "Rude. I live here, you're in my home. Show some respect, hmm?"
"I will never show respect to the likes of you." Alma gave her a look of disgust "You ruined Dolores. You evil selfish brat."
Mirabel moved off the beam and began walking towards Alma "I'm selfish? Funny I'm not the one using my own family as my personal slaves. You're nothing but a selfish entiled hypocrite." she came to a stop a few feet away crossing her arms "You hated me because I'm giftless therefore no use to your army of slaves..funny thing...so are you."
"I hold the candle." Alma protested
"Yeah about that...that's not a gift. Any idiota in this town can stand there and hold a candle." she walked over to the small table to grab the candle there before walking back smiling posing as Alma holding the candle in her grasp "Look at me everyone, I'm Alma Madrigal and I can hold a whole candle by myself."
At the sound of both her daughters and who she once considered her granddaughters laughing at her Alma snapped reaching out she put all her strength into striking out letting all her frustration and built up anger out she hit Mirabel across the head. She watched Mirabel fall to the floor like a sack of potatoes ending with a dull thud. She glanced sideways as her daughters look at her in horror "I..." she turned back towards where Mirabel lay motionless. Last thing was expecting was for Dolores to jump between her and Mirabel sending her stumbling back with a harsh slap that left her face stinging.
"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER! DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH HER AGAIN!" Dolores stood there panting "Does it make you feel good? Hitting a blind child? What kind of coward are you? Can't handle a little joke?" taking a deep breath she turned away kneeling down next to Mirabel relived she was breathing normally with no visible injury "You know she is weak. You know it doesn't take much to actually take her down. What if you killed her? Would you be proud of yourself?'
"The blow wasn't anywhere near hard enough to be fatal, stop being ridiculous." Alma rubbed her stinging cheek as Pepa and Julieta snapped out of their state of frozen shock and pushed past her joining Dolores "She'll be fine."
Julieta glared up at her jumping to her feet hitting Alma across the head just as Alma did to Mirabel, Alma stumbled back but managed to keep her balance. "There! See how you like it then! You had no right to touch my daughter, it was just a joke. She is right you ARE a hypocrite, you push us to work ourselves to bone and you just stand there. I swear if ever see or hear about you landing a hand on ANY of my children or Pepa's children again I will unleash the fires on hell upon you am I clear?" now getting into Alma's face "I'm not a little girl anymore Mamá. Try me. I dare you." she turned to look over her shoulder watching Pepa and Dolores successfully rouse Mirabel looking back at Alma "How about every you do to her, I do to you doubled?"
Alma didn't answer just turned her head away and backed off as far as she could. That evil brat did this on purpose. She provoked her so could play victim.
"Well?!" Julieta demanded.
"I'm..sorry." Alma forced out through gritted teeth.
Julieta just huffed and turned away.
Mirabel groaned "Again with the head." she rubbed her forehead "Every time.".
Dolores helped her sit up placing something in her mouth "Here."
Mirabel chewed and swallowing sighing in relief when the pain faded letting Dolores pull to her feet and fix her glasses before swinging around to face Alma "You. You truly are a coward." edging closer "You want me to be your monster?" one step closer "You want me to be your villain? I'll be your villain." Mirabel lost all control as she advanced her face that that look that was become too familiar-the look of pure insanity. "You loved me once. But all that went away because I didn't get a stupid gift. i spent five years of my life trying to earn your approval. And what do I get?" she was right in Alma's face now.
"Dolores..." Julieta whispered "Mirabel...her face." she looked over at Pepa who was covering her mouth in horror "What's wrong with her?"
Alma called out "Look at her face! Evil! She's a demon I told you."
"Shut. Up." Mirabel spat "I am speaking." her face being fuelled with hatred "All I ever got was neglect. Pushed aside, kept as a prisoner. Yet the Mirabel I showed everyone was always so happy and positive. Why?" she took a pause "I'll tell you why. All I ever wanted was your approval, all I wanted was your love. I hoped one day you'd see past my last of a gift and love me again and you'll change back to who you were before. But now I know you never changed. You just got found out for who you really are."
Turning her head smiling at Dolores before facing Alma again "You really thought telling me I could destroy the miracle would be a good idea? Wouldn't me knowing I have such power be the last thing you would want me to know? But oh well because of your own stupidity, your own selfishness..would you mind joining me over here Dolores?"
Dolores nodded and walked over Julieta and Pepa followed her having no idea what was going on, half amused at seeing Alma so frightened of someone of Mirabel's size and half terrified themselves.
"As I was saying, you know I already plan to destroy your little candle. Dolores here agrees with me we will all be better off, mark my words Alma Madrigal. You won't know the day. You won't know the hour. But we will come for you." Mirabel let out a chuckle that sounded sinister "Isn't that right, Dolores?"
Dolores nodded as she placed her hand on Mirabel's shoulder "As long as that candle burns, you will never see us." she smiled "Congratulations, Abuela your plan to throw me out has backfired on you."
"Dolores?" Pepa reached out for her daughter "Destroy the miracle? What is this?"
Exchanging a quick glance who nodded and mouthed 'tell them' she turned back to Alma "I know about the vision Tío Bruno had about Mirabel. Cracks in Casita that whole business. I overheard everything that night ten years ago." she pointed to Alma "You wanted to throw out a five year old little girl. Then you proceeded to neglect that little girl until she broke. But even that wasn't enough for you was it? Look at Mirabel. LOOK AT HER. You made her this way."
"Y-you knew all this time?" Alma stammered.
"Yes, and I let you lead me to believe Mirabel was the monster. I should have seen it sooner. Justice will be served."
Mirabel reached up to stroke the mark on Alma's face with her fingertips "And the best part? You can't stop me." turning around with a laugh "Oh Mamá, Tía Pepa I am so sorry you have to hear all of this. But you can thank Abuela for what I've become."
Julieta was shooing off clouds that kept forming over Pepa's head as the faces of both sisters were filled with a mix of horror and shock. Neither of them had seen this dark side of Mirabel before.
"Mira...mi mariposa.." Julieta extended a hand out to Mirabel who took it barely recognising her sweet baby girl in the face that looked back at her, but she also knew hidden under the pain and suffering, under all the trauma her little girl was still there waiting to come home again.
Dolores walked over taking Pepa's hand "Neither us wanted it to be this way, but this is what fate has handed us."
Alma shook her head "You threw your life away Dolores all for nothing, you let Mirabel ruin you-"
Mirabel dropped Julieta's hand as something in her snapped and spun around nearly losing her balance "GET OUT!" her voice boomed "GET OUT!" she began trembling breathing becoming heavy.
Dolores was immediately at her side "Shh..shhh..it's okay..look at me." she turned Mirabel so she was facing her "You'll be okay.". She pulled Mirabel into an embrace.
"She's unhinged!" Alma pointed at Mirabel she didn't get to say anything before Dolores looked up at her glaring with as much hate as she could muster.
"You heard her." Dolores hissed "Get out, you threw us our of your home now we are throwing you out of ours."
Alma scoffed "Come Julieta. Come Pepa, lets leave the two outcasts they belong together." without waiting she left slamming the barn door behind her.
"Does she want me to start another hurricane? Cause that's how she gets me to start another hurricane!" Pepa folded her arms as a crash of thunder came from above her head "And now I'm thundering."
Dolores was still trying to calm down a hysterical Mirabel "Why was she even here? To rub it in?"
"She insisted." Julieta shook her head "Dios sabe por qué. Should of known it would cause trouble."
"We meant what we said, about the miracle. We don't need the gifts, not if this is the price." she gestured with head down to Mirabel now quiet "My gift is gone, since I'm not a part of the Madrigal's anymore. Abuela controls the candle..it was responding to her."
Pepa's hand flew to her mouth "That...that explains why your door went out."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled." Dolores smiled "I hated my gift, always have. It was a curse. But now I'm free. I can be as loud as I like without causing myself pain."
"I never knew...oh Dolores I'm sorry..I think we all need to sit down and talk."
"I agree." Julieta was staring at Mirabel in concern "We have a lot to discuss."
...
Agustín took a deep breath as he walked towards Félix sitting back to Dolores's door "Cuñado?" he slid down beside him "I know how it feels, to lose a daughter like that."
"At least I tried to defend Dolores! You basically handed Mirabel over!" Félix snapped before his face fell "I..didn't mean.."
"No you're right, I didn't defend my daughter and now I live with that regret. It's been five years since she spoke to me. Julieta can't bring herself to look at me. Mirabel probably hates me and she has every right too, I'm the father that failed her. Dolores stood up for her while I stayed silent." placing his head in hid hands "If I could turn back the clock and stop Mirabel from going after that candle I would. I would spend more time with her, steer her away from this dark path."
"You can't change the past amigo, but you can try and fix things. Go see Mirabel, she sees Julieta on the regular doesn't she? And it's not like I'm going to snitch. I'll be seeing Dolores, Alma be damned. Pepa will be going I can promise you that."
"She probably wants nothing to do with me."
Félix slumped back "You don't know unless you go and try, lets face it Julieta won't forgive you until she knows Mirabel does."
Agustín sighed "That's what I feared." looking over at the door "How are Camilo and Antonio taking it?"
"About as well as you think, Camilo blames Isabela."
"I wish I could say what she did it..but I just don't know."
"What a mess we are living, neither us were expecting this when we married into the Madrigal's." Félix slapped Agustín's shoulder "Go see your daughter, or better yet come with me. She will be wherever Dolores is so you might as well talk with her otherwise she'll just sit there and stare me down the whole time. Everytime I see her she is just staring at me and not going to lie brother. It's creepy."
Agustín nodded "I guess I have to face her at some point."
"That's the spirit!"
For the first time in five year Agustín would be face to face with his youngest daughter.
Wherever or not they can make peace with each other other is another matter entirely.
...
Mirabel laid with her head on Julieta's lap staring up at the ceiling, across from them Dolores rested her hand on Pepa's shoulder. All four cramped together in the stall "I really wish I could of seen you slap Abuela." she laughed after hearing the story "You left a mark that's for sure."
"She had it coming, she hit you." Dolores played with Pepa's braid smiling softly "Than you went totally loca."
Julieta sighed "Seeing you like that scares me, hija. It really does."
"I didn't mean to scare you Mamá." Mirabel mumbled.
"I'm not scared for me, I'm scared for you. I didn't know..."
Mirabel sadly smiled up at Julieta "How would you know?. Don't blame yourself, I don't like it when you blame yourself."
"I just wish there was something I could do..."
Mirabel sat up "There is..all I ask is when the time comes you stand on my side." looking over to Dolores she corrected herself "On OUR side. Stand against Abuela. Help us break the curse. The miracle was supposed to help the family but it's breaking the family. Everyone is miserable." she dropped her head onto Julieta's shoulder.
"I will always stand by your side, Mirabel. You are my miracle, you're my little survivor who beat death. You and your sisters mean so much more to me than any candle, we got the magic but we lost your Abuelo to get it. I would of much rather grown up with my Papá than with magic gifts and a sentient house." pausing to rub her daughters cheek "I love you so and I just want you back."
"You both have me too." Pepa squeezed Dolores "I can not stand up against my own baby girl or my sister." reaching her hand out towards Mirabel "I know our relationship has been strained and I know I didn't help your suffering if anything i helped contribute...but our chat had me thinking..made me see everything in a new light. And if Dolores trusts you, I trust you."
Mirabel took the offered hand "You did hurt me, but I know now you just were seeing it from Abuela's eyes. But now you opened your own, and I hope once this is over you'll love me like you used too."
Pepa choked back a sob as aunt and niece fell into an embrace causing Dolores to let out of a squeak of delight. "We can start again mi sobrina." chuckling she added "Oh and you'll be glad to know I stopped watering the farmer's crops." laughing again when Julieta and Dolores flashed her a look of confusion.
"Just be careful." Dolore's voice the silence that had fallen over them "Mirabel has a target on her back for many of the townspeople. No doubt I have one now."
"If anyone tries to do anything to either of you..." Pepa growled a storm cloud forming over head.
Dolores shooed the cloud away "We know Mamá." standing up she picked up the ruana she wore last night putting it on "I guess I better look the part." she joked pulling the hood down "How do I look?" flashing a grin at Pepa and Julieta "It's Tío Bruno's old one."
"You look ridiculous" Mirabel responded with a snort.
"I'm dressed exactly like you."
"Yeah but mine is actually the right size." Mirabel tugged at her clothing "See?"
"Wait, how did you even get that?"
"Stole it. Stole quite a lot over the years actually. When you're just trying to survive you can't afford to be above such crime. Besides the town already hated me."
Dolores crossed her arms "And how do you deal with being caught?"
"Easy. Don't get caught in the first place."
"PEPA! JULIETA!" Alma's voice boomed from the distance.
Julieta looked over at the barn door "It's Mamá. We should go Pepa before she comes back here and there's another..." glancing at Mirabel "Incident." she kissed Mirabel's cheek "I'll see you later mi amor."
Pepa hugged her daughter "I'll see you soon as well. Just stay out of town today. Everyone is out cleaning up."
"We will, te veo pronto." Dolores returned the hug and watched them leave. Plopping herself back down "See, told you we will be okay."
Mirabel hugged her knees "You know..never thought it'll be to to stand up to Abuela like. You were always so quiet and withdrawn."
"Yeah, well when the whole world is always at maximum volume and your own voice booms inside your head you learn to stay quiet. Why cause yourself pain?"
"Well now you can be as loud as you want."
"I know! And it's going to be great! I can finally be normal."
Mirabel gave a short laugh "You call living in a donkey barn as an exiled outcast helping get revenge on your Abuela normal? You and I have very different definitions on the word."
"You know what I mean."
Mirabel flopped onto her back "I do wonder how the others are doing."
...
Luisa threw the fallen tree off the path a grunt wiping the sweat off her brow, behind her Camilo and Antonio were picking up smaller sticks and branches to throw into a pile. The storm last night bought down some trees and scattered debris around the town but luckily no buildings suffered major damage. Some parts of the roads remained underwater as the town began the clean up. What she really wanted to do was go make sure Dolores was alright but with Isabela standing there watching them she was stuck, she knew her sister would run straight to Alma.
Camilo kept glaring at Isabela "You know, you could help. Least you could do, it's your big mouth that caused all of this."
"Abuela told me to supervise over here, and that's what I'm doing. It ain't my fault Dolores turned traitor. I'm the victim here, I was the one who was kidnapped." Isabela snapped back.
"And you still have no proof of any kidnapping!"
Isabela just huffed and turned her head away.
"Still it was harsh for Abuela to make the public announcem ent about Dolores, that she is no longer part of the Madrigal's and not to give her the respect for one. Telling all the shopkeepers to deny her and Mirabel any service." Luisa commented.
"Again, Dolores brought it onto herself. She made her choice." Isabela stared at her hand as if it the most interesting thing she has seen "Mirabel is dangerous and Dolores is too by association."
Luisa had to turn away so no one saw the flash of anger on her face. She's our baby sister Isabela..don't you remember? How could you have come to hate her so much based on the words of Abuela? She's wrong! she wanted to open her mouth and scream at her older sister but for Mirabel's sake she kept her mouth shut. Whatever plan Mirabel had she wasn't going to ruin it.
"I like Mirabel." Antonio spoke up for the first time since they arrived "She's nice. I don't know why everyone thinks she's bad. Her scars make her look a little scary but she isn't mean."
"Stay away from her, Antonio. She is bad news." Isabela pulled Antonio towards her "She'll just end up hurting you."
Antonio shook his head "Mirabel wouldn't hurt me, she's my prima."
"She's just trying to trick you."
Camilo shook his head he would be lying if he said he didn't miss Mirabel, didn't miss what they used to have. Dolores's voice rang in his mind. You can have her back Camilo. It's not to late to repair that friendship, she still cares about you. She is waiting for you. He wasn't going to let himself llose his sister, so he might as well try and patch things with Mirabel at the same time. Just one very important detail he had to remember.
Don't get caught.
...
Bruno held the slab in his hands, Mirabel stared back at him standing of the ruined Casita. He managed to recover the pieces after Mirabel smashed it and placed it back together. What was this even supposed to mean? Tilting the slab he was startled when the image changed to show Mirabel happily standing in front of an intact Casita, Alma's arms wrapped lovingly around her shoulders. Two possible outcomes? Never before had he has seen a vision with two possible paths. How could he of missed this? If he did would Mirabel still be here?
Placing the slab down he entered his vision cave, he didn't want to but he had to know. Performing his usual ritual before taking a deep breath "Alright..Mirabel..let's see..". Eyes glowing green as sand blew around him and images flashed in front of his eyes. His head began swarming with dizziness as a nauseous feeling filled his stomach. He had to stop.
He snapped out of the trance as the green slab formed in his heads, looking down at it he nearly dropped it with horror. The image this time was different, the ruined Casita was the same but in front of it stood Mirabel her image now bearing the scars, a sinister grin on her face . Her hands clutching the candle shrunk to nothing more than a stub and a tiny flame that burned weakly.
Bruno's eyes scanned the next person in the image-Dolores. Hand rested on Mirabel's shoulder with a matching expression. Why? Why did they look that way? What is going to happen between now and then? True he didn't really know what Mirabel was like these days. But Dolores? Quiet and shy Dolores?
Standing across from them was Alma. Face full of fury, Bruno supposed she was screaming at them. What happened? How did they get a hold of the candle? Desperate Bruno tilted the slab in every direction hoping it would change, but the image remained the same.
Never before had Bruno seen the future get altered so drastically. He sank to his knees still staring at the image. No matter what Luisa told him, he felt like this was his fault. He should of never shown that vision not until he looked into it more.
Dolore's banishment had sealed their fate. He messed up, they all messed up and they'll be paying the price. Mirabel and Dolores will see Casita fall.
And there was nothing anyone could do to stop them.
Julieta and Pepa now the true extent of the damage done to Mirabel.
Dolores takes Alma hitting Mirabel very personally.
Alma gets a well deserve slap.
Dolores lost her gift but she's happy with that.
Next chapter we delve into Alma's mind and see her motives for her actions. Fun times ahead.
My next story after this is complete Alma will be a good person, I don't think she is an evil character in the canon she was just misguided and redeems herself.
Hope you all enjoy these longer chapters. Yeah I don't know where the sudden improvement came from either.
Review responses
Z-King: She has no idea how much she screwed up here
World'snumber1scaredycat: Alma made a huge mistake. Mirabel is winning and she hardly has to lift a finger.