Isabela played with a flower in her hand avoiding Julieta's gaze the guilt she been feeling since yesterday doubled upon hearing just how injured Mirabel was. Her mother telling her if she didn't get the soup in her Mirabel wouldn't of survived the night. Mirabel would of died and it would of been all her fault, if she could take it back she would.

"Why did you say that to your sister, Isabela?" Julieta asked trying to look her in the eyes with no success. She felt guilt about lying about Mirabel's 'life threatening' injuries but she knew she had to keep the same story incase Isabela mentioned it to anyone else. She did however admit the truth to Pepa, considering her sister would catch her on her lie sooner or later it was better to just tell it to her straight. Thankfully Pepa was understanding and agreed to keep Julieta's and Dolores's secret. "I am very disappointed in you, I know you don't get along but to hear that my two daughters are resorting to using violence against each other breaks my heart."

"It just slipped out! I didn't mean to try and strangle her! Honest! I just took all this frustration out on Mirabel...and I was terrified of her, Mamá. The look in her eyes, it was if not seeing me anymore but her worst enemy. I don't care if it was her intention or not Mirabel was trying to kill me. Abuela always told me Mirabel is my enemy..and that's what I saw. My enemy. I was just wanted to wound her a little bit to teach her a lesson...I didn't mean to nearly kill her. If I knew just how badly hurt she was I wouldn't of left her.." Isabela buried her face in her hands "I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to go so far. I know if Dolores didn't find her...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

"Oh Isa..." Julieta moved so she was sitting next to her oldest daughter "No matter what your Abuela or anyone else says. Mirabel will always be your baby sister..you will always be her big sister. I love the both of you very much, and Luisa. You all mean the world to me. I want nothing more than to see you all healthy and happy."

"Mirabel will probably kill me next time she sees me...or if she doesn't I'm sure Dolores would have some choice words to say." Isabela muttered.

Julieta sighed "Mirabel has her own issues. No one knows what's going on in that girls head. Maybe it's best if you stay away from her for now..there was an incident with your Abuela today..so just give Mirabel her space Let Dolores handle it.."

"Wait..what happened with Abuela?"

"She broke my nose then attempted to strangle me to death. She just snapped." Alma entered the living room "Isabela, I do not approve of what you did. Mirabel is a very dangerous person to provoke. As I learned. She could go from just standing there talking to having her hands wrapped around your throat just like that. Stay away for your own safety. Dolores too..though she is by far more level headed becomes more like her everyday. Neither of them are safe to be near."

"Yes, Abuela." Isabela glanced down at the floor "I'll stay away from Mirabel...and Dolores..."

Alma beamed "That's my girl, I just don't want to hear about you ever acting in such a manner again, am I clear? It really isn't the way a young lady should behave. If Mirabel approaches you do not interact with her, her intentions are not good not matter how pleasant she acts..it's just that an act."

"I understand."

Alma turned her focus to Julieta "What happened when you went after them?"

"We didn't find them, they are in hiding somewhere." Julieta replied not looking at her "I'm going to check in on them first thing tomorrow morning and if they are not there I don't care what you say I won't be stopping until I find them and make sure they are okay."

"Of course..." Alma forced a smile onto her face "I'm sure they are fine. They are both absolutely filthy though."

"Oh that's a new look they are both going for, it's all on purpose." Julieta shot back in a sarcastic tone "Of course they are filthy look how they live. Mirabel has been wearing the same outfit for the past month."

Alma raised her hands in surrender "I was just making a point." her gaze followed Isabela her eldest granddaughter made her escape. "Julieta-" she cut herself of as Pepa entered "Ah, there you are. Julieta, Pepa said you both wanted to speak with me?"

"We do." Julieta stood up folding her arms "It's about our daughters."

"Dolores and Mirabel?"

"Who else?"

"What about them?"

"The way you treat them. How could you say that to Mirabel? Wishing her dead? Now I know where Isabela gets it all from. Hasn't Mira suffered enough without you putting your word in? Ever since you saw that vision you have gone out of your way to make Mirabel didn't feel loved, you were so ashamed of her you kept her prisoner for five years. Everyday she was forced to deal with your emotional beatdowns, you went out of your way to make sure she never felt like part of the family. I tried to make the good I saw in her heart grow and overcome the darkness but for each step I helped her take forward you pushed her back two seps." Julieta paused to take a breath "Now look at her, are you happy? You proved your point, you got your monster-the hatred that has been brewing in Mirabel's heart has won."

Alma sighed "Listen..I know I overstepped when I said that..and I'm sorry. But one way or another Mirabel was going to turn out this way..the future is not something we can control. Mirabel's fate was sealed from the start."

"You never gave her a chance! Did you ever think about how she felt? She didn't choose this, she was forced to play with the cards she had been dealt. You say 'what about the candle'. The candle? What about the lonely little girl whose world was torn apart because of something she can't control? What about the lonely little girl who was in agony because my food wouldn't work on the burns? What about the lonely little girl now permanently scarred? What about the lonely little girl now blind? What about the lonely little girl once warm and loving now cold and cruel? What about the lonely little girl who use to dance around these halls now living in exile? What about the lonely little girl who was pushed until her mind broke?" Julieta paused choking back sobs "All those little girls I mentioned...are just one little girl. Her name is Mirabel Madrigal. My daughter. My baby girl who means more to me then any candle, miracle or magical gift."

Alma's face fell as she reached out for Julieta who pulled back "Julieta you have to understand..."

Pepa moved in front of "Julieta, no Mamá YOU understand. It's my turn now." Pepa took a deep breath before glaring at her mother "What about the selfless young woman who put her own life on hold to help someone who needed her? What about the selfless young woman who risked everything to show a lonely girl some love? What about the selfless young woman who gave up her gift to protect someone who can't protect themselves? What about the selfless young woman now living in exile for the crime of looking after a blind child? What about the selfless young woman who threw away all the respect of the town she had so a little girl would no longer be alone? Just like the little girl all those young women are just one woman. Her name is Dolores Madrigal. MY daughter. She gave up everything for Mirabel..and in doing so she is the least selfish of us all."

"You both are not understanding...we can't lose our miracle...our home...I can't lose my family."

"Can't lose your family? Two members of your family are lost because of YOU! You threw them out to fend for themselves! One of them only ten years old at the time! How do you not feel regret?" it was taking everything in Pepa's power to not unleash a storm "I supported what you did to Mirabel and my God does the thought of it make me sick now. I have been a blinded fool. Isn't it ironic how Mirabel is blind yet she is the one who showed me how to see? I have always been quite fond of irony myself. I didn't defend her back then. But I will not stand back any longer. If it's a choice between the miracle and having magic gifts and my having daughter and niece back...then the miracle has to go."

"Pepa is right." Julieta wiped at her eyes "Whenever the time comes wherever it may be..I'll be standing on their side. I don't need a magic gift or sentient house..I just want my mariposa back. Mirabel is my miracle."

You two are both not understanding...it''s not just the miracle..they want to destroy everything. Everything my Pedro died for...everything your own father died for. They are both just using you..you'll see once they get what they want they'll turn their backs on you. I know their type. Eyes pleading now "Please...you must understand..not only does the miracle protect us it protects everyone in this community..if it falls we're all in danger."

"The miracle hasn't been protecting Mirabel or Dolores too well. They seemed to have forgotten sixteen years of service Dolores has provided. Are you aware of how many injures I had to heal on Mirabel throughout the years? Injures caused because a town thought it necessary to harm a child? All Mirabel has ever known is misery, she was robbed of her childhood because of constant illness then your paranoia. For something that is supposed to bless us it hasn't blessed Mirabel much." Julieta got into Alma's face "YOUR actions have sealed Mirabel's fate. YOUR actions have sealed Dolores's fate. YOUR actions have doomed us all."

Alma stepped back so she could see the faces of both her daughters "You think I wanted this?! I wish could of been blessed too. I wish Mirabel could of gotten a gift. I wish things would of went the way we planned. But that's not how the story goes. Sometimes life doesn't go the way we want it to."

The two sisters looked at each other and back at their mother the three remaining in silence.

Alma broke the silence by clearing her throat "If I go and say sorry to Mirabel for saying she should of been killed would that appease you two?" frankly Alma didn't want to go anywhere near the girl for all she knew Mirabel could be waiting for the chance to finish the job of killing her.

"No, Mamá you just need to follow your own advice and stay away from Mirabel and Dolores. Every time you go near them it ends with trouble. I'm so mad with you right now but I don't want to see you hurt or killed, you are my Mamá. Mirabel was going to kill you today if Pepa and I didn't stop her. I would like to think Dolores would of stopped her I really don't see Dolores just standing back and watching Mirabel go through with murder. But are you willing to risk that? Neither of them like you...you don't like them. So for the love of God just stay away from them." Julieta shook her head "They are not coming into Casita to stir up trouble you are going to them and making them feel attacked in what should be their safe space. So please Mamá..if you love us like you say then just leave them alone. They suffer enough." with a huffed Julieta spun around and marched out the room.

"Pepa?" Alma questioned.

"What Julieta said...just stay away from them...and since we couldn't find them today if anything has happened to them I'll be pinning it on you." Pepa muttered before following her sister.

Now alone Alma sat down in an armchair "Stay away from them...works for me. How can I make Julieta and Pepa see? Oh Pedro give me some guidance please...I need you...please."

Alma was met with nothing but silence as a response.

...

"Thing is if we just go straight in without thinking it'll just get us killed. We need to play smart..strategise. We need a plan, question is where do we begin?" Mirabel sat cross legged on a hay bale the pair having snuck their way past the town and back 'home' but they couldn't get past Señora Pérez who saw the state of the pair and did all but throw them into the bath herself refusing to let them leave until every bit of dirt and dried blood was scrubbed away and they had clean clothing on their back. "What do you think Dolores?"

"Well I have a lot of dirt on this town let me tell you, we could definitely use it to our advantage. I was never fond of blackmail before but now...things are different. Let's just say all the information I got will get us anything we want. They know I would know too and as far as they know I still got my gift. Abuela never mentioned that to any of them..why would she? It would be admitting you're winning." Dolores frowned in annoyance as she struggling to put her thread through her needle having decided to try the 'embroidery thing' again much to Mirabel's entertainment "Don't know why I didn't think of it before...it's perfect. It's a start..put cracks in that strong sense of community they are so proud of. The fall of the Encanto will begin on the inside..then if you still want to go personal..that's up to you."

"Perfect...perfect.." Mirabel smiled "And who in town will admit we been blackmailing them? They'll just be admitting what we are saying is true. Spread some 'rumours' behind their back. Watch the town turn against each other. It'll be entertaining to watch. As for the personal aspect...oh indeed. I will not let them get away with what they did to me..if you do not wish to get involved in my personal quest for vengeance I understand..personal is personal after all."

"You know well they associate me with anything you do anyway, if you killed Abuela the moment they all found out...we would both be considered murderers. I'll be involved even if I'm not so I might as well, even if it is just to protect you. Besides someone has to be there to make sure you keep your head straight." she paused for a moment focusing on her stitching "And by the way..if Mamá and Tia Julieta weren't there I would of stopped you. Not for her but for you. I know if you killed her you would of been the one to suffer for it. The town would of strung you up to a tree by the neck first chance they got..then hung me up next to you."

"You did seem pretty entertained by it all though." Mirabel pointed out.

"Oh I was, I just found seeing Alma Madrigal so terrified of you amusing since it's her own fault you're like this. Like I said if it was just us I would have stopped you, but since Mamá and Tia Julieta had it..they jumped in before I could anyway I just stood back and enjoyed the show. Just remind me to never make you mad please." Dolores gave a small chuckle.

Mirabel flashed a grin "I must say tormenting Alma Madrigal is one of my greatest pleasures in life. Her misery bring me so much happiness I can't explain."

"You're evil." Dolores laughed.

"It would seem so, yes. I'm not Alma. I'm not going to kid myself I'm a good person like she does, I know I am not. And I haven't been for a long time." Mirabel paused for a moment "And neither are you Dolores, we are not the good guys..not anymore."

Dolores froze mid stitch "I know...but don't blame yourself for me. I made the choice and I don't regret that choice. I knew the whole time what you were doing I had every opportunity to turn and run. Every opportunity to expose you and make myself the hero. But I didn't. If I could rewind and choose again I'll still pick your side. Now I see the way things really are."

"Things will be changing around here..a shiny new era is tiptoeing nearer. With you and me at it's head. After a decade of denial I'll be respected, saluted and seen as the wonder I am." she gestured towards Dolores "And you too."

"After living in Isabela's shadow for long, I can't wait for them to finally see ME. I don't have to be stuck with just being 'the other Madrigal girl' anymore." Dolores sighed happily "And maybe..Mariano can be mine."

"He will be, he obviously likes you. "

"You sure?"

'Dolores..mi prima. I'm the most hated person in town, you're the second most hated just by association. What would he gain out of pretending to like you? To care about me? I have nothing to offer. And it's not like being with you would grant him the respect of marrying a Madrigal anymore...no offence."

"Well you're not wrong. I just hope you're right."

"Have I ever been wrong?"

"Well.."

"Actually don't answer that." Mirabel hopped of the hay bale "So what shall we do now?"

Dolores put the embroidery aside "We could head to town take care of..business if you know what I mean. We have a lot of work to do so we might as well get started sooner rather than later. Just hope we don't bump into Isabela I will not be able to hold my tongue. Slandering the both of us like that, if word about it got into town it would of gotten us killed. You know that as well as I do."

Mirabel nodded "As much as I would love to see Señorita Perfecta taken down a peg or two..today is not that day. We have real work to do. Lead the way, Dolores."

Dolores grabbed her arm to serve as Mirabel's guide, though she knew Mirabel could manage on her own she did it anyway. She would admit it was mostly to make herself feel better but Mirabel never complained happily following along to wherever Dolores would lead her. Dolores returned the glares they got as they passed by the townspeople using her free hand to cup her ear in a way to say 'remember I hear all'. If these people still thought she had her gift..she was going to take advantage of that fact. The mention of their names made the pair pause, without a word they ducked behind a wall listening in onto the conversation between the two women.

"I saw Doña Alma earlier she had these red marks around her throat. I asked her about it and you wouldn't believe it. That Mirabel went absolutely loca and tried to strangle her."

"You're kidding!"

"No, I always knew that girl was a devil. And that Dolores just stood back and watched-she was enjoying it. Dolores is corrupted now, Mirabel has gotten deep into her mind and tainted her with her wicked ways."

Mirabel and Dolores were struggling to hold back their laughter. "Tainted you with my wicked ways, that's gold." Mirabel muffled her snickering. Dolores covering her own mouth with one hand and Mirabel's with another as the conversation continued.

"How did she get away?"

"Luckily, Julieta and Pepa were there to pull that she devil off. They had to restrain her to stop her from murdering Alma. Who knows which one of us will be next?"

Dolores whispered into Mirabel's ear "Time for fun." she stood up pulling Mirabel with her and made themselves visible "Well either of you would do us perfectly."

The faces of both women paled upon seeing them, one of them immediately turning and running off. The remaining lady the one who had spoken to Alma starring at the pair in horror as they walked closer.

"Looks like we have a winner." Mirabel grinned "Señora Moreno right?"

Señora Moreno took a step back not speaking "What are you doing here?"

"You know it's considered rude to talk about people behind their back." Dolores tilted her head "Mirabel and I really don't appreciate it."

Señora Moreno glanced at Mirabel "What do you two want? Go away." she snapped shoving Mirabel back when she got too close Dolores having to grab her arm to prevent her from falling.

"Now now..that's not very polite." Mirabel smirked "Are you sure we are people you want to get on the bad side of? You know what I did to Alma Madrigal after all. If I'm willing to do that to my own Abuela..you really think I'm above doing it to you?" Mirabel smiled. Mirabel knew she was making false threats she would never actually act upon but this woman didn't know that "I suggest you find your manners...you wouldn't want to get hurt would you?"

"N-n-no..of course not."

Dolores smirked "Oh remember I do hear everything...so do watch what you say about us.." she got into the woman's face "Oh and keep this little encounter a secret, hmm? Now I want you to apologise to my prima for shoving her like that."

"I'm...sorry..." Señora Moreno's voice had started shaking "I...don't want trouble.."

Mirabel smirked "Oh I accept your apology..now run along before I change my mind." the pair watched the woman retreat chuckling softly to themselves "Well that was fun. I didn't know you had it in you to intimidate like that Dolores. Maybe I have tainted you with my wicked ways after all."

"Me neither. You think we went too far? Did we scare her too much?"

"Nah..besides if people are scared of us..they won't mess with us. Which makes our daily life easier."

"You wouldn't actually strangle her though, would you?"

"Of course not! Señora Moreno is nothing but a gossip who sticks her nose into everyones business. Giving her a scare will be enough." Mirabel began walking forward "Like I said we are not the good guys but I still have a sense of morality. Pain doesn't always have to be physical after all I know well enough that words alone can cause great suffering. Words can be as effective as any weapon..they can break a person."

"You are living proof of that. "

"Exactly. And if anyone does try and push back against us..that's where you shine. It's our turn Dolores. In the end we will either destroy this town or control it..either works for me." Mirabel shrugged.

Dolores couldn't help but laugh "If you can get this whole town so scared of the two of us you can control them out of fear alone I'll be very impressed that would be some feat."

"You're the one who said you had information that could get us whatever we want you put the idea into my head." Mirabel let a small grin spread across her face "They can laugh all they want, but the last laugh will be ours..and they'll be begging for our forgiveness."

"What do we tell the others?"

Mirabel paused for a moment "Nothing, they'll just try and stop me. No amount of begging will get me to change my mind."

The pair remained in silence walking through the marketplace getting looks of both anger and fear, clearly the word of Mirabel's attempted murder of Alma had been spread around they could see Luisa keeping an eye of them and they knew if anyone tried anything Luisa would have that person pinned before they could blink. They passed Julieta's stand not missing the look of relief that spread across her face upon seeing them safe and well.

They approached the bakery and Dolores stopped "I feel like a sweet treat..don't you?"

"Yes...but we can't buy anything."

Dolores just flashed a smile "Who said we're buying? Come along." she pulled Mirabel into the store "Señora Días!"

Señora Días looked up frowning "You two again, what do you want? Leave."

"We here to make you a deal." Dolores leaned on the counter "How about this..you let Mirabel and I take whatever we want and you look the other way. Or you chase us out and I spread the word about your little affair with Señor Jiménez that has been going on for months...and isn't Señora Jiménez your best friend? Imagine how she'll feel if she knew you were sleeping with her husband behind her back. Not to mention how Señor Días would feel...quite scandalous"

"You wouldn't."

"I would. So which will it be? Is the price of a few cakes worth having your reputation ruined because of adultery? Remember there's nothing I don't hear."

Señora Días glared at Dolores then over to Mirabel who was watching everything with a great amusement. Should she just throw them out and deny their claims? But Dolores did hear everything..she would know exactly when she was meeting up with Señor Jiménez know exactly where she could easily lead witnesses right to her..damn this pair of devils daughters. "Fine." she finally said coldly "Take what you want and get out." she tried to keep her voice steady but it was shaky "And don't either of you dare say a word."

Dolores smiled "Glad we could come to this arrangement. Take your pick, Mira."

"You made the smart choice..trust me..." Mirbael snickered sweetly picking up a basket and helping herself to the baked goods "We all win...you get to keep your dirty little secret...we get ourselves a treat. Don't you just love it when things work out like this?"

Chuckling the pair left with the full basket Dolores being the first to speak "You know..I know I should feel bad considering we just pretty much committed a crime...but I don't."

"Like you said, the price of a few cakes wasn't worth having her reputation ruined." Mirabel took a bite out of a cookie "Impressive work Dolores...we will make an excellent team you and I. An excellent team indeed."

"I'll remember to thank Abuela again next time I see her for pushing me right to you."

Mirabel looked up at Dolores's hair without a word she reached up to grasp at the ribbon holding the bun up giving it a yank undoing it.

"What are you doing?!"

Mirabel held the ribbon in her hand "Oh I just don't feel that hairstyle suited you anymore...it suited the old Dolores perfectly..but the new Dolores...she lets her hair down...literally and figuratively. Personally I'm liking new Dolores. But if you want to stick with your 'good little girl' appearance I won't judge."

Dolores felt her hair now hanging loosely in a mass of curls she knew Alma would not approve, always complaining about how messy her hair was when it wasn't tied up, her hair wasn't perfectly straight like Isabela's so of course hers what's now allowed to be hanging loose. Oh no she looked much to sloppy for that. But who cares what Alma thought anymore? Dolores hadn't realise just how much of Alma's control still had hold of her. It amazed her how something so simple as her sudden (and surprise) change of hair style made her feel so much more free. Old Dolores wouldn't of had the guts to do what she did in that bakery. But new Dolores..new Dolores no longer cared to please Alma nor an ungrateful town. "No..just like old Mirabel...old Dolores is gone. I'm more free then I have ever been, I don't want to go back to that old life. Trapped in a cage without a key..if not for you I would still be living that. Forcing that smile on my face pretending I'm fine."

Mirabel smiled "You were miserable I know..but all that's over now. And we will save the others...we will free them too. That is my promise to them all."

A crash and the yowl of an animal rang in their ears as something small and furry darted towards them.

"And stay out you mangy creature!"

Mirabel kneeled down as the black and white bundle of fur veered towards her looking up at her with wide eyes "Look, Dolores it's a kitten." scoping the kitten up she smile "Look at you, all beaten and scarred up just like me. Had it rough huh? Me too."

The kitten had a scar over one eye and a notch in one of her ears. Other old wounds ran along the tiny feline's body. Blinking up at the girl holding her the kitten began purring kneading Mirabel's arm with her paws making Mirabel laugh as she felt the kitten's rough tongue.

"I think she likes me, Dolores."

"She does like you. What do you want to do with her?"

"Let's keep her. We all go together, don't we? Just three outcasts of society." Mirabel stroked the kitten "Besides..I kinda always wanted a pet. And we can't exactly just leave her can we? We will have no trouble feeding her...thanks to you." Mirabel held the cat out to Dolores "And you can't deny she is pretty cute."

Dolores smiled reaching over to rub the feline's head "Okay..but she is your responsibility." she joked "What do you want to name her?"

"Hmm...I like Salomé."

"Salomé it is then."

A genuine smile spread across Mirabel's face as she held onto the furry bundle "Alright, Salomé let's go home. I hope the donkeys don't step on you." she handed the basket over to Dolores to carry "You know who is going to love this? Antonio."

"He would love this, you'll have to show Salomé to him next chance you get..hopefully Mamá will bring him soon it has been a while..." she trailed off "Mariano."

Mirabel paused following Dolores's gaze seeing a blurry figure in the distance but she could not tell who it was "That's Mariano up there?"

"Yes. I want to go talk with him.."

"Then go. I can find my way home by myself. Go get your dumb hunk." Mirabel took the basket back off Dolores shifting Salomé so the kitten was nestled in one arm "I'll be fine."

Dolores nodded taking a deep breath as she and Mirabel went in different directions she plastered a smile on her face thanking the fact she had that bath earlier "Mariano?"

Mariano turned smiling "Dolores! How have you been? I love what you have done with your hair, it suits you."

"T-thank you." Dolores blushed "I've been..well considering everything. How have been?"

"I've been well. How has Mirabel been?"

"Mirabel has been...Mirabel. She's back at home..well the barn..but know what I mean."

"I heard about what happened between her and Doña Alma."

Dolores's face dropped "You have?"

Mariano nodded "The whole town has, Mirabel is not a very popular person around here...neither are you if I'm being honest. But you both have it rough and it really isn't my place to judge. Though you might want to get that girl to control that temper of hers before she gets herself in serious trouble." he sat down on a bench patting the spot next to him "You gave up everything to look after your prima..I admire that."

Dolores settled down beside him "Well she needed me, she has no one else. She's hurting so much...I feel as if I don't know the true extent. The world hasn't been kind to her..nor me as of late. Seems as if the universe goes out if it's way to make us miserable."

"Life isn't fair I know...though I have it pretty good I just feel like theres something missing in my life, you know? Like a piece of me is missing."

"I know the feeling..." Dolores murmured "And..I'm sorry about how things didn't work out with Isabela."

Mariano shook his head "Oh I didn't want to marry her anyway...don't get me wrong she is a very beautiful girl and a good friend but that's all I feel about her..she's a friend. She's not the woman I want to spend my life with, we have nothing in common...but I was going to do it so I didn't let anyone down. But it turns out Isabela solved the problem for the both of us. We would of both been trapped in a loveless marriage and for what? To unite the Guzmán's and the Madrigal's?"

"You should marry for love." Dolores could hear her own heart thumping choose me...I'm here...I'm right here..

"I intended too..in fact there's a bella dama I have my eye on..." Mariano stood up "Ah I hate to cut the conversation short but I must pick up some things for mi madre. Give my regards to Mirabel..even though she hates me."

"Mirabel hates everyone, don't take it personally." Dolores nearly squealed when she felt Mariano's hand brush against hers.

"I do hope I see you around, maybe next time I'll show you some of my poetry..if you're interested in that sort of thing."

Dolores turned her head to hide the blush "I would love to see your poetry, Mariano." the smile that spread across the mans face made Dolores swoon.

"Great! Until next time Dolores." with one last brush of the hand headed back towards the town.

On cloud nine Dolores headed back towards the barn not noticing she was beeb followed until someone reached out and grabbed her from behind and spun her around and she found herself staring into the eyes of Rafael and Alejandro "Really...we are doing this again? Don't you two have a hobby or something?"

"Dolores..." Rafael grinned as he tightened his grip "Where's the little psycho? We heard she tried to murder your Abuela. Did you finally come to your senses and dump the little curse? Too late for that don't you think?"

"Shut up." Dolores snapped her good mood quickly fading "Just leave me alone. I have done nothing to you."

"Thing is..." Alejandro grabbed her other arm "You gave up any right to be respected when you joined up with her. You sided with someone who has no issues in trying to kill. How do you know she won't turn on you next?"

Dolores tried pulling away but the grips holding her were too strong "Mirabel would never hurt me. You two however...if she should wrap her hands around anyones throat and should be you two!" that proved the wrong thing to say as she felt herself shoved to the ground biting her lip in the process she could taste the blood that got into her mouth "Seriously. Leave me alone." she found her mouth being filled with dirt as her head was pressed against the ground.

"Consider this a warning Dolores a warning to watch what you say..saying the wrong things is what gets people hurt. And you can tell Mirabel that otherwise believe me we can make your deaths look like an accident...if they find your bodies at all." Rafael let Dolores's head go.

"Is that a threat?" Dolores quickly scrambled up and backing away "You're threatening our lives now?"

"Take it however you want. Just remember..one day Luisa isn't going to be around to save youse." with that said the two brothers turned away laughing.

Dolores glared at them spitting at their backs they're just trying to scare me..it's fine..just don't let them get to me. They were just trying to provoke me into a reaction..thank God Mirabel wasn't here..they would of gotten one. Dolores pushed open the barn door greeted by the sight of Mirabel sitting cross legged on the floor dangling a piece of ribbon for Salomé to try and catch "Mira?"

Mirabel looked up "Oh you're back" as Dolores got closer she frowned "Why is your lip bleeding?"

"I tripped and bit my lip..don't worry about it." Dolores sat down smiling as the kitten scrambled over to her "Mariano sends you his regards."

"I take it it went well?"

"Yes he wants to see me again..he wants to show me his poetry."

"I'm happy for you Dolores...really. Today overall has been very interesting.."

"Yes..very interesting." Dolores glanced out the door hiding her worry her thoughts racing believe me we can make your deaths look like an accident...if they find your bodies at all. The more she thought about it the angrier she got. She didn't want to encourage violence..but for two specific people she was considering making an exemption. No don't let them get to you..keep your cool Dolores don't sink to their level. Trying to distract herself from her thoughts she turned back to Mirabel "Hey Mira..wanna know more about this affair I was talking about?"

Mirabel's face lit up "I thought you would never ask."

What happens when the author is a crazy cat lady?
You get the two main characters adopting a stray kitten, that's what.
Mirabel sees a little of herself in Salomé.

Mirabel and Dolores's actions will slowly get darker and darker I didn't want to do a whole 360 and suddenly be this super evil pair. They know they are not good people and what they are doing is 'wrong' but they believe they are justified.

If I'm honest with you guys we haven't even reached the half way point if I include everything planned.

World'snumber1scaredycat: I'm my own greatest critic sometimes.

ZE40: Yes Dolores is the sane one, if she feels Mirabel is going to far she will stop her. If Pepa and Julieta weren't there she would of pulled her off Alma. For she knew it who would of really suffered for it in the end. Right now the rest of the family have no idea what they are doing behind their back and I don't want to spoil anything. But right now their main tactic is blackmailing their way into getting what they want.

Z-King: And where do we feature? Just listen to Mira! That tune can be stuck in your head now, you're welcome.

FlowerChild23: Alma done screwed up.