Dolores walked towards the spot Mirabel was supposed to be, pushing her worry back with chuckles. Mirabel was fine..she had to be. Dolores will find her under her tree, give her a 'scolding' and the two would laugh about it before Mirabel jumped into her next venture of mischief.
Walking closer she saw it..the blood. "Mirabel?" she whispered stepping forward her foot hovering mid air. "Huh?" she bent down to pick up the pair of glasses "Mirabel?" she looked around "MIRABEL! WHERE ARE YOU?" moving forward her heart nearly stopping when she saw what lay in front of her "Mirabel?"
Mirabel lay in front of her bloodied...eyes half shut..and she wasn't moving.
A scream filled the air as Dolores threw herself next to the the younger girl "She's dead...she's dead...she's dead.." she told herself over and over hoping she would prove herself wrong. She stared at Mirabel's chest pleading in her mind to see it rise and fall..it didn't. "No...no..don't leave me Mirabel please...you..promised me...promised them..." desperate to find a sign of life Dolores pressed her ear against Mirabel's chest to listen for a heartbeat-silence. "NO NO!" she placed two fingers on her neck trying to find the pulse what was not there. The reality hit Dolores and she let out a wail of grief.
Mirabel was dead.
"NO! NO! SHE CAN'T BE DEAD! NO! THIS ISN'T FUNNY MIRA! WAKE UP! PLEASE! COME BACK TO ME!" her screaming turned into pitiful whimpers as she grasped Mirabel's cold limp hand "She's..dead...Mirabel is dead..dead..gone..never coming back..dead.." she shouldn't of let her go alone "I'm sorry..I'm sorry..I didn't protect you..that was my duty and I failed it.." Dolores sobbed into the lifeless body "I'm so sorry..forgive me...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..I'm sorry.." reaching out with her hand she fully closed Mirabel's eyes for the final time "Rest now Mira..your suffering is over. Be free...you'll never have to feel pain again."
Who did this to her? Who? Was she in a lot of pain? Did she suffer long as she died?
Barely being able to see through her tears now she picked the limp Mirabel up, she wasn't going to just leave her laying here she'll take her home until she figured out what to do. She would have to bury her. Should she let the others have a chance to say goodbye? Wait was that even a question? Of course she should, oh she was going have to be the one to tell Julieta of Mirabel's death. She swore if it was the last thing she ever did she would find Mirabel's killer and make them regret ever even looking in her direction. She would kill them.
That walk back seemed so much longer but soon she found herself making her way through the door with her sad load, even the donkeys were quiet it was as if they knew. Dolores gently laid Mirabel down in the stall she seemed even smaller in death. Kneeling down next to her Dolores made her promises "I promise I'll avenge your death..and I'll see our plan through..I'll do it for you...I promise...I promise" pressing her forehead against Mirabel's "Goodbye, Mirabel...you were loved more than you knew." taking a shakey breath she picked up Mirabel's favourite blanket covering the body with it.
Dolores went numb just staring down at motionless lump in front of her as if she could bring Mirabel back to life if she did it long enough.
The sound of the barn door banging rang in her ears, but she couldn't look away. Mirabel was dead. It wasn't fair. Why was everything so unfair?
"MIRABEL!" Alma screamed storming in "Dolores! Where is she?! She attacked Isabela!"
Dolores looked up meeting Julieta in the eye as she came up behind Alma "Mirabel is dead."
All colour drained from Julieta's face "How..how...no...no..."
"Dead?" Pepa didn't even try to control the cloud just turning her gaze to..oh Dios was that a body under that blanket? Mirabel's body?
"She was...murdered."
Julieta not wanting to believe it dropped down at Dolores's side holding her breath as Dolores pulled the blanket back. A choking sob escaped her when she saw her youngest daughter..bleeding..motionless...reaching her hand to touch her..cold. "No..no..." she felt for a pulse-nothing. She listened for a heartbeat-silence.
The scream could be heard across the Encanto.
Dolores shot up tears streaming down her face "Mira...no...no..no..." she kept repeating herself over and over "No...no...no...no..no"
"Dolores? Why are you crying? Why do you keep saying no?"
Dolores turning to face Mirabel-the alive Mirabel sitting up a look of confusion on her face "I...it was just a dream...I'm sorry did I wake you?"
"No. What was the dream about?"
"Don't worry about it, okay?" Dolores smiled sadly "How are you feeling?"
Mirabel smiled "I'm fine, feel like I missed a half a day though."
"That's because you did." Dolores chuckled softly "You were out stone cold not even Abuela coming in and screaming for you woke you. Your mother healed your injuries..so I just let you sleep. Do you want to talk about what happened?"
"I was just sitting under my usual tree, getting some sun on my face. Isabela waltzed up, I tried getting her to see the truth about Abuela but instead she just started screaming about how she wishes I was dead..how everyone would be happier..I snapped Dolores..I just snapped. At the time I wanted her to suffer...to feel what I do..and I enjoyed it...I actually enjoyed it..."
"Oh Mira..." Dolores moved over to place her hand on Mirabel's back.
"Then Isabela got me off..but she didn't take the chance to run she pinned me to the ground and started attacking me. She knocked my glasses off so even if I could find the strength to get her off I couldn't see a thing. All of a sudden I felt this tightening around my throat..vines or something? Isabela was trying to strangle me..but guess she had a change of heart and released me and finally ran off. I managed to stand up and walk a few steps feeling so tired...after that next thing I know I'm waking up here with you crying over me." Mirabel slowly shook her head "I don't know what twisted version of events Isabela told them but that's what happened." she gave a sigh "I know I messed up big time but Isabela is no innocent victim either. You believe me right?"
"Of course I believe you, before I left..well got thrown out I got so close to snapping at Isabela..she's just so irritating at times. Problem is it's your word against Isabela's word and we all know which one of you Abuela will believe." Dolores shook her head in disgust "She's supposed to come back some point today..she demanded answers yesterday but I played it off you were more seriously injured than you actually were and I couldn't wake you. They all fell for it. Still amazed you slept through it all."
Mirabel leaned her head on Dolores's shoulder "And when she comes back...then what? It'll be a waste of time. That witch will never believe me. And what about everyone else? They'll probably turn against me now."
"I'm sure now the shock of it all had worn of..everyone will be more prepared to listen to you. Both our mothers were pretty upset last night...understandably Isabela just turned up injured and bleeding..and with the way you been acting..I guess I can see their point of view. As far as they know you were just going insane and Isabela was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I know you would never just randomly decide to attack Isabela of all people. I don't you don't get along but there's people in town that I know you would go after first."
"You right, Isabela and I don't get along. But I wouldn't want to kill her. But..knowing I was in control...that I had power over her..that she was in fear..that for once I was the one inflicting the pain. It made me feel good...I liked it. Knowing that for once someone else was experiencing what I have to, knowing someone else was feeling my pain. I couldn't stop. I wanted to see her suffer for once..and..."
"And?"
"I can't take it much longer Dolores...the abuse...I can't...I don't know how much longer I can hold back. This town...I want to make them feel my pain...I want to make them suffer. I want to show them no mercy just like they showed me none. I want to make them pay! They don't deserve to live their happy lives after what they put me through! What they did to you! They turned their backs on you! I want to give them a reason to fear me."
Dolores put her arms around the trembling Mirabel. I'm afraid she's too far gone now..I'm too late...it's just a matter of time. Curse you Abuela! Curse this town! And they betrayed me...they betrayed me. Overnight they went from being my friends to treating me as the enemy. If Mirabel is the villain..then so am I. Dolores narrowed her eyes thinking what the could possibly lay ahead. The Encanto will pay for what they have done to them. If it meant following Mirabel down a path of evil..so be it if that's what it took to protect her that's what she'll do. They bought it on themselves.
"Dolores?" Mirabel whispered.
"It'll be okay...I know I keep saying that but I promise it will be okay. If Abuela tries to do anything to you...she'll have to get through me first...and as for the town..well they'll get what's coming." feeling something in her pocket she pulled out a pair of glasses "Oh...right. I can't believe I forgot." she placed the glasses on Mirabel's face cupping her cheeks forcing her to make eye contact "Listen to me, you're not alone. You don't have to go through this on your own."
"I just can't take this...I'm wearing so thin. I can't take it...I can't take it...I CAN'T TAKE IT!"
"I know and you shouldn't have too."
"You and me against the world, right?"
"Till the end, hermanita."
A gentle knocking came from the door "Mirabel? Dolores? You two awake? Can we come in? Please?" Julieta's voice reached them "I have food..please unlock the door we just want to talk about yesterday."
"We?" Mirabel muttered "Looks like it's trial time. Oh well let them in Dolores." raising her voice "Just a second, Mamá!"
Dolores unlocked the door opening it "Buenos días Mamá, Tía Julieta...and Abuela I guess..." moving out the way so they could enter "Do forgive us..we haven't had time to clean up yet just ignore the dry blood. Wasn't expecting you so early."
"Well I want to get this out of the way." Alma replied "Julieta and Pepa believe all this to be a misunderstanding. But I'm not so sure."
"I agree let's get this out of the way so you can leave. The only reason we are having this talk is because Isabela is a liar but fine." Mirabel leaned against a wooden beam "Do telll me Isabela's tale of woe."
Pepa held up her hand as Alma opened her mouth to speak shooting her a look that said 'just stay quiet' and turned to Mirabel "Isabela came home yesterday wounded, nothing serious looked worse than it was. Her claim was that you attacked her for no reason and tried to kill her. She had to fight you off just to escape. And she said Dolores saw what happened and encouraged you."
"Dolores wasn't even there."
"That's what I said yesterday!" Dolores interrupted "All I saw was her" pointing her thumb at Mirabel "unconscious body leaving me to carry her back here wondering what happened."
"So you got the Isabela version of events, how about we get the true story?"
Julieta gave a small smile "What happened mariposa?"
"I was just minding my own business sitting in my favourite spot and who decided to grace me with her presence but Princesa Perfecta Isabela. I was just talking and she starting screaming about how she hates me bla bla bla. Then she decides to scream in my face that she wishes I was dead and if I was dead everyone would be happier." she paused as she heard Julieta muffled a gasp "I won't lie, I did hit her first. I won't lie, I snapped. But come on I mean I'm sure plenty in town wish I was dead but at least they have the decency to not scream in at my face. But my own sister nonetheless does."
"What happened after that? How did you get hurt?" Pepa jumped in before Alma could.
"She punched me in the stomach and threw me off. If she just wanted to escape she could of ran off then, but she didn't. She pinned me down and starting beating me, glasses knocked off so I couldn't see a damn thing but oh that wasn't enough. She had to use her stupid gift to summon her little vines to wrap around my throat and tried to strangle me to death. Seems a bit extreme to me I mean..death is pretty permanent isn't it? And then she just ran off and left me there. Not sure how long it took for Dolores to find me. But that's the story, Isabela isn't the innocent little victim she made herself to be. Punish me all you want I am not going to call myself completely innocent I know damn well I threw the first punch but you have to punish her too. She nearly killed me with her stupid gift." she looked around "Where is she anyway? To coward to face me?"
"Isabela didn't want to come, she is refusing to speak to anyone. You both have two different stories.." Julieta knew she would have to pick between her two daughters she turned to her sister "Pepa what do you think? Mirabel's story seems more complete."
Pepa stared into Mirabel's eyes then into Dolores's "Mirabel is telling the truth. I can tell when someone is lying you know I do that's why you brought me you said it yourself Mamá..explains why Isabela has been refusing to look me in the eye. I should of known. This was a waste of time, Isabela provoked the fight. It got out of hand. Neither are innocent but you can't punish one and not the other."
"Thank you, Tía Pepa. I get it I'm Mirabel and everyone always assumes the worst. I don't get along with Isabela..won't deny it. But to just randomly decide to kill her? Come on. I love this family. I always have. It's the family that didn't love me." she glanced over at Alma "Expect Abuela, she don't count I hate her."
"Why didn't you believe me last night? I told you I wasn't there which made Isabela's story impossible." Dolores asked "I don't understand..."
"I'm sorry mi amor, I didn't think...call it shock even if Mirabel did do it..I should of known you would never lie to me. Forgive me?"
Dolores nodded hugging her mother "I forgive you..I just don't get it..why did Isabela lie?"
"Dolores..really? You expect Señorita Perfecta to admit she screwed up? Give me a break. First she beats me bloody, then she tries to strangle me then just leaves me laying there. Not even I'm that evil to do that to my own sister." Mirabel tutted "But I guess she more like Abuela than I thought...heartless."
Alma was about to leave when she heard Mirabel's comment "Heartless? Me? You should be grateful I showed you mercy!"
"Mercy? You call this MERCY?! Am I supposed to thank you for simply letting me live? For letting me suffer in agonising pain because my face was BURNING all alone? You have a sick idea of mercy if that's the case. No matter what I do I'll always be wrong won't I? If I do something you call me a demon who just wants to ruin the family, if I stay to myself you get suspicious and say I'm up to something." Mirabel took a step forward "You say I'm turning everyone against you...and I must say..I'm very pleased with myself for that. Keep doing what you're doing..and I must thank you for sending me Dolores. It has proved very..beneficial. And you wanna know what's fun?" Mirabel looked over her shoulder snd gave Dolores an amused smirk "I have more influence on this family than you think so let that thought keep you up at night." she chuckled "Oh and one more thing look down for a moment."
Alma looked down in confusion "What on earth are you talking about-" was cut off by her own pain as a fist connected with her nose and a crunch was heard letting out a startled gasp as she put her head to her nose pulling it back to see blood.
"You have no idea how long I wanted to do that.." Mirabel inspected her knuckles chuckling as Dolores pulled her back hiding a smirk "And I must say..felt good..real good..."
"Mirabel..." Julieta forced the small smile "That's enough please. No more you'll get yourself work up again."
"SHE BROKE MY NOSE!"
"Be happy it wasn't your neck.." Mirabel muttered quietly so only Dolores could hear.
"Here." Julieta pulled something out of the basket she was holding "Maybe it's best you leave."
"If you're waiting for me to say sorry. We'll all die of old age before I do, just saying."
Alma glared at the snickering Mirabel nose now healed "I really don't like you..."
"Yeah, we all figured that out years ago. You know Abuelo Pedro would be really disappointed in you...to see what you did to his family. He died so you can use your children and grandchildren as slaves. Sad."
"Don't you bring my Pedro into this!"
"I bet he is looking down at you in disgust. He died for what exactly? For two of his granddaughters to be living in a donkey barn?" Mirabel leaned back against her wooden beam "Is this really the life he wanted for us? Then again maybe you always been this way so he let the soldiers kill him just to get away from you. Though if you ask me..should of been you. I bet Abuelo wouldn't treat us like this."
"SHUT UP OR I'LL-"
Mirabel laughed "You'll what? Go on. Hit me." at those words Dolores moved closer towards Alma "Cause Dolores here tends to take that very personally."
"Juli..." Pepa whispered into her sisters ear "Things are going to blow if we don't get Mamá out of here." raising her voice "Don't you dare lay a hand on either of them, Mamá. Just go, you got what you came for."
"Yes...run along." Mirabel smiled "There's nothing you can do to me."
Alma nodded stepping back "Isabela should of killed Mirabel.." it was a slip of the tongue something that should of never been said out loud. Something Alma meant to say in her own head. But those words had four pairs of eyes locked onto her, the stunned silence broken by the storm cloud above Pepa's head that was getting bigger by the second. Alma's face fell seeing the fury fill the faces of both her daughters. She glanced over Dolores who...wait was she snarling? Her eyes moved to Mirabel who was no longer looking at her but instead was now kneeling on the ground holding her own head muttering something.
Dolores followed Alma's line of sight and upon seeing Mirabel plopped herself down next to her. Her anger at Alma could wait, Mirabel needed her. "Mira?" she could now hear what she was saying.
"Can't take no more...can't take no more...can't take no more...she wants me killed...they made my life hell...make them pay...make them see it my way..." Mirabel looked up at Dolores "I...can't...no more Dolores...no more playing nice. They want me to be their villain...I'll make them regret that choice." her gaze moved to Alma as something in her mind snapped and with a scream she jumped up so suddenly it startled Dolores next to her and launched herself at the elderly woman and wrapped her hands around her throat "I HATE YOU! FEEL MY PAIN! SUFFER LIKE YOU MADE ME SUFFER!"
Alma's eye's rose in fear now her life was in Mirabel's hands, desperate she used her hands to pull at Mirabel's trying to get them off her. I knew it...I knew it..this girl is evil...she's psycho...she's going to kill me. Alma gasped in relief when the pressure suddenly vanished blinking a few times she had to hold onto the wall to keep her balance. Glaring at her attacker now being restrained by Pepa and Julieta on either side "Did you see that? She tried to murder me out of nowhere! She's crazy! EVIL!" she glanced over to Dolores who watched everything with a smirk of amusement on her face "Glad to see you enjoying this Dolores, you're more like her than I thought. You're both the same."
Dolores tilted her head "So I'm evil now huh? If Mirabel is evil and we're the same. Guess that makes me evil too."
"Let..me...go..please.." Mirabel pulled against the hold on her "LET ME GO!"
"Let her go." Dolores ignored Alma standing in front of Mirabel "Let me...please.."
Pepa and Julieta just glanced at each other both still too stunned the speak, with a nod they released their grip on Mirabel.
Mirabel took the chance to push past everyone and out the barn door.
"MIRABEL! COME BACK! WAIT!" Dolores went to follow her but Alma moved into her path "Move. Now" Dolores's voice was cold.
"You were happy to stand back and watch her try and kill me..stood back and watched her break my nose. You're just like her, nothing but evil. You you-" she found herself being shoved back. Alma could only stare as that smile that became so familiar on Mirabel's face briefly flashed across Dolores's.
"When I say move. You move." as she walked out the door she paused and looked over her shoulder glaring directly at Alma smirking "Mirabel should of killed Alma." with a squeak she turned around to track down Mirabel. Knew it...saw this coming...of course it would be Abuela to send Mirabel over the edge...of course it would. If this is the path we taking now..well this is the path we are taking. Town already thinks I'm evil just for hanging around Mirabel anyway will make no difference.
Pepa watched her daughter's retreating form "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!' she unleashed her fury onto her mother "CAN'T YOU EVER JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT?!"
"You know Mirabel hasn't been well." Julieta kept her voice low but full of anger. "Dolores was helping her trying to stop something like this from happening. But now because of you we have lost the both of them I saw Dolores's face, there's no turning back for them there is no helping either of them." Julieta took some deep breaths "You only ever saw the worst in Mirabel! You never gave the kindness in her heart a chance to grow. You wanted her to become a monster so you could be right. Well I hope you're happy with what you have created."
"I didn't make them..I didn't mean to say-' Alma began looking down at the floor "PEPA! YOU'RE FLOODING THE PLACE!"
Pepa glanced down seeing the puddle of water steadily growing with a cry of frustration and shoved her way past "We will finish this later."
"Where are you going?" Alma called after her.
Pepa paused and looked over her shoulder "Where do you think? I'm going to go find my daughter..and my niece." she walked off in the direction she saw Dolores run muttering under her breath "Clear skies..clear skies..."
Julieta just shook her head in disgust "Just remember...we didn't have to pull Mirabel off you." without another word she picked up the food basket she dropped in her rush to stop her daughter strangling her mother and walked out the door "I'm going to look for my daughter, I don't care what you think anymore."
Alma was left alone. Mirabel...damn that girl everything was fine until she had to start whispering into the family's ear. Mirabel's words rang in Alma's head I have more influence on this family than you think. Of course, it all made sense. Both Pepa and Julieta would seemingly disappear for hours just like Dolores used to. They knew...they knew what Mirabel and Dolores were doing. They openly admitted it in front of them. And yet...
In a way Alma could understand, Mirabel and Dolores were their daughters. But why didn't they see what they have become? Ok she was wrong about Mirabel attacking Isabela unprovoked though she would say it was a huge overreaction and she admits she does not approve of Isabela's actions simply removing Mirabel's glasses would blind her giving Isabela the time to flee. And yes she shouldn't of wished Isabela had killed Mirabel she admits she went to far with that one. But the look in Mirabel's eyes as she had her hands wrapped around her throat she had never seen such hatred..it terrified her..it was as if she was looking into the eyes of the Devil himself. Dolores was just going to stand there and watch it happen if anything Dolores looked like she was enjoying it..hoping Mirabel would kill her. Alma knew if Pepa and Julieta weren't here she would be dead. Mirabel would of killed her and probably would feel no regret.
She made her way back to Casita glancing left and right as in expecting Mirabel and Dolores to suddenly appear out of nowhere. Tonight..tonight she will have a sit down with her daughters. She supposed she would have to make apologises even if they ain't exactly sincere. She wasn't how long she had until she lost them to Mirabel's control completely..she had to get them back. They had to see..surely they had to see now. They saw with their own eyes Mirabel has no problems in trying to kill, until Mirabel and Dolores were stopped no one was safe.
For who knew who would be the next target of their wrath.
It didn't take Dolores too long to catch up with Mirabel and now they both sat hidden away at the edge of the Encanto, someone would have to be really looking for them to find them. Dolores stared at the town in the far distance a look that was a mix of anger and amusement on her face. She must admit she didn't think Mirabel had it in her to try and outright kill their abuela. But Dolores would admit if anyone deserved it..well Alma Madrigal did. And if Mirabel didn't beat her to it...well no one talks to her prima/adopted hermanita/adopted hija like that and gets away with it. No one. She glanced over at Mirabel who was calm but with a smirk on her face "So..we'll be doing this?"
"Yes...this town has gotten away with it long enough. After going through hell for five years it's time I collect my debts. Karma is knocking. I was just a child...there's no forgiving that." Mirabel growled "And how quickly they turned on you all on the word of Alma Madrigal. They rejected, disrespected and neglected us! And in doing so...only created what they were trying so hard to stop."
"What's the plan?"
"One by one we will deliver justice. They had their turn..now it's our turn. They want to fear us?" Mirabel chuckled "Let's give them a reason to." she glanced at Dolores "Though not all..Señor and Señora Pérez shall not be harmed. We do owe them so much after all. And the Guzmán's of course...such kind people. The children...I would rather die myself than cause harm to a child though maybe I could get into their heads a little...nothing to drastic...just plant some doubt about Alma Madrigal in their minds."
Dolores nodded smiling "So Abuela can watch as piece by piece her paradise crumbles? And we can watch the town realise their actions do indeed have consequences?"
"Exactly."
"Works for me." Dolores mused "Question..were you really going to kill Abuela if our mothers didn't pull you off?"
"Yes...yes I was. And no I would of not felt remorse. If I killed Isabela? Yes, she's an entitled princess who lives in a fantasy world and right now I can't stand her for what she did..but if she died at my hands I would live with the guilt. Abuela on the other hand...no remorse...no guilt...but I am glad I was stopped."
"You are?"
"If I had killed her today we wouldn't get the satisfaction of making her watch as we destroy her precious miracle, would we?"
"Fair enough point."
"Question for you, were you really just going to stand there and watch me do it? Seems like you were entertained by it. Or would you of stopped me if it was just us and her?"
Dolores shrugged "If I'm honest...if you didn't jump up and beat me to it I would of done something myself. I can't believe she said that. I was more worried about if you would hurt yourself or collapse with exhaustion on me again. I know I can always get something to heal you with but I would rather not have to. Luisa likes to joke about me fretting over you like an anxious mother but she ain't wrong."
"And I know Mamá appreciates it. As do I." Mirabel laid back onto the grass "Funny thing..this thing..you and me all started the night of Antonio's ceremony really. And orignally I wasn't going to go..never even occurred to me until Antonio came up to me the morning of telling me all about it and wanting me to come see him get his gift. Thats when the idea came to me..perfect opportunity."
"Ah..so Antonio was the evil mastermind all along huh? What a plot twist." both girls laughed "Do you think the Encanto knows just what's coming their way?"
Mirabel shook her head in amusement "No..and that's what makes it so much better. All I can say is I hope they enjoy their peace while it lasts. Enjoy their precious Encanto while they have it. Because of what they have done we will not stop at Casita..." a sinister grin spread across Mirabel's face.
Dolores understanding where this was going a smile that matched Mirabel's spread across her face "We are going to.." the two looked at each other as they spoke in unison.
"Destroy the Encanto."
...
"Dolores!"
"Mirabel!"
"How did they get so damn far so damn fast." Pepa grumbled "Seriously, where did they go?"
Julieta shook her head "It's like they vanished into thin air, their footprints just suddenly vanished, we been all along this river and through town it's as if they don't want to be found."
"I just can't believe Mamá! I know I haven't said the nicest things about Mirabel myself...but come on...that was over the line..I swear I was this close to throttling her..but Mirabel beat me to it..." Pepa folded her arms "And if I didn't Dolores would of..she's really changed..I'm starting to really wonder if after all this time I'm only starting to know the real Dolores now she's free from Mamá. Now she is not bearing the burden of her gift or living in Isabela's shadow..no offence Juli."
"None taken. I know believe me I know..Mamá gets to spend more time with my own daughter then even I get too. I hardly see Luisa..but that is getting better she has been relaxing more...Mirabel...I don't need to explain. You know on her 15th Birthday instead of a quinceañera like every other girl she sat in that barn crying with the single cupcake I brought her? That has been every Birthday for her. Last time her Birthday was actually celebrated was when she was 4..considering her 5th got cancelled and we all know what happened every other year."
"You never gave up on her." Pepa commented.
"Of course I didn't, and if Dolores and Mirabel were to swap roles you would of done the same." Julieta ducked under a low hanging branch "But everything I did was for nothing thanks to Mamá..I do wonder just how long Mirabel was struggling with her sanity alone...and why I didn't notice it before..she had to be declining for years and seeing Antonio getting his gift proving it was just her would of just caused the rapid decline and after today...you saw her eyes..she wanted to kill Mamá."
Pepa nodded "I know..and each day Dolores becomes more like her...but I disagree with what you said. We haven't lost both of them. You promised me we'll get hem back. You promised me we'll bring them both back home and I'm going to hold you to that."
Julieta smiled "Bring them both home." she repeated scanning the distance "There's just no sign of them Pep...maybe we should head back..let them both cool off. They are together they'll be fine. Let's head back, I'll drop this basket off for them then...I'm going to have a sit down with Isabela...and we both need to have a talk with Mamá."
And now Mirabel and Dolores sing a duet of a rewritten Be Prepared...I'm kidding. It would be amusing though,
Fun fact: I had this chapter completed and ready to go..decided I hated it and wiped it. Got half way through it again decided I hated it and started over. Now attempt #3 is here I'm still not really happy but I'm not rewriting this chapter for the 4th time.
Dolores's dream was not originally going to be a thing until my best friend of 20 years aka my housemate aka my bringer of coffee who reads this asked "What if Isabela didn't realise what she was doing in time resulting in Mirabel's death, how would Dolores react to finding her dead? So it was added in. I could write a whole 'what if' thing showing everyones reactions and what Dolores does when she finds out it was Isabela who killed Mirabel if you guys/gals are wanting that. An AU of an AU..lovely. Lets just say once Dolores finds out..Isabela won't want to leave Casita ever again because Dolores will be waiting for her.
Yes Alma regrets saying what she said even she knows she crossed the line there.
And I know you all been waiting for Mirabel to just punch Alma in the face..don't lie..you have been.The town basically treats Dolores as another Mirabel thats why she is so quick to go with Mirabel's plot. She knows she'll be caught up in it anyway so she might as well. Why fight it?
Review responses
ZE40: It was the shock mostly that clouded their judgement. And Mirabel has shown she can and does just suddenly 'lose it'. It wasn't until they actually sat down to think did occur to them that something wasn't adding up. Pepa would of gotten home thought about it and been 'wait a minute.. ' even Alma knows they reacted before they really thought it through.
CakeLandy: Exactly, I think Isabela will be doing her best to avoid Mirabel and Dolores right now. If Mirabel doesn't do Something Dolores will, and Isabela knows this.