"I'm really surprised you actually kept your cool back there." Dolores's gaze flickered from her novel to Mirabel "I was half expecting to have to pull you off Abuela or Isabela."
"Yeah well..I didn't want to ruin everyone else's day..besides. Antonio was there. He doesn't need to see anything like that." Mirabel replied "Besides did you see? Abuela actually smiled at us. Fake and forced but a smile. The fact she felt forced to be nice to us to keep up her little act was just as satisfying as making her completely blow if not more."
Chuckling and shaking her head Dolores turned back to her book "What do you think is up with that anyway? Why a sudden turn around?"
"Isn't it obvious? Trying to win everyone back. I told her I have more influence on the family than she thinks. I sure hope the thought kept her up all night. Though she must truly think the family is stupid to not notice something is off. People don't change that much over night." Mirabel removed her glasses setting them aside and closing her eyes "It's cute though she thinks she can beat me. Thinks she can beat us. One way or another we will get that candle."
Dolores hummed "Oh let her think she is playing smart, makes it more entertaining for us. We just act oblivious and continue doing what we are doing. There's one of her and two of us."
"I mean if you want to count Isabela as another her..there is two of her."
"Isabela? You'll get her, you'll break her down. But if you get desperate enough..I can make her side with us. Let's just say Isabela has quite a few dirty little secrets. Secrets that will greatly tarnish her reputation. You try your thing first but if in comes to it..she can either side with us or have her life destroyed. I really don't want to have to do that to her. I really don't. But I will if I have to." Dolores let out a small squeak "I would rather her open her eyes and join us willingly. It'll simply be a last resort."
Not even opening her eyes Mirabel gave a satisfied 'hmm' laying down on the pile of hay she had scattered across the ground. "Think I'll take a siesta just wake me if there's any trouble."
"And I'll guess I'll take the quiet time to enjoy my book." Dolores really did enjoy these moments when the pair of them could just relax and not worry about a thing. It bought her back to many years ago when Mirabel was just a toddler. Dolores would spend many afternoons when the noise was at it's peak in her room with her latest book. Mirabel would be sprawled out across her bed taking her afternoon nap Dolores taking role as babysitter without even being asked. Some things just never change. Even after both their lives have changed drastically. Even after they lost that bond and got it back again. The small details were the things that mattered.
"Huh wish I could read. It would pass the time." Mirabel mumbled as she drifted off.
"I would teach you if I could." Dolores whispered more to herself than Mirabel turning back to her book. In a book life was so much more simple. The woman meets the man who sweeps her off her feet, they fall in love and get married and live happily ever after. The books didn't have the woman living in exile, the books didn't have the woman on the run, the books didn't have the woman in fear of her life. The books hid the reality of the harsh cruel world. For as long as she could remember Dolores lived in the shadows so Isabela could live in the sun. Now Dolores lived on the streets so Alma could live in her palace. Sometimes reality felt less real than the fictional worlds she would read about.
"Dolores?"
Pepa's voice made her look up smiling at her mother's head poking through the doorway "Come in, Mamá." before Pepa could Antonio had squeezed passed her and threw him onto Dolores's lap "Hey, Antonio. I was wondering when you were going to come see me again."
"We going to have family time!"
"Since you and Mirabel can't come to family day we will bring family time you two." Pepa entered Félix behind her "Dolores...about earlier..."
"It's fine..I get it. You can't in front of Abuela. Did Tía come?" as she asked Julieta appeared hovering in the doorway "Oh there you are Tía. "
"Dolores. Where's Mira-" she stopped seeing her daughter sleeping on the middle of the floor "We will talk about earlier...but we can't with you know.." she nodded towards Antonio.
Dolores nodded "I know. Another time."
"Is it okay if I come in? Or I can go if it's too crowded?"
"Get in here Agustín. It's family day so you can spend some time with your other daughter at least." Julieta spoke without looking back "You said you wanted to bond with her, so why you trying to back out now?"
Agustín entered hands raised in surrender "I'm not trying to back out Julieta I told you it's just-oh hello Dolores."
"Tío Agustín." Dolores nodded in greeted before glancing over to Mirabel "Mirabel wake up." leaning over until she was in reach of the other girl she gently smacked her to rouse her from her slumber "You can nap later, we got visitors."
"Who is it?" Mirabel asked with a groan a childs giggle gave one of the visitors away "Hi Antonio."
"MIRABEL!" Antonio moved from Dolores to Mirabel giggling "Why are you sleeping on the floor? That's not where you're supposed to sleep!"
"I been sleeping on the floor for five years, Antonio...just don't worry about it okay? It's fine, not that big a deal. Why don't you go get Salomé?"
"Okay!" Antonio happily scrambled up and running over to the kitten who was batting around a ball of yarn.
Julieta kneeled down next to her daughter pulling her into her arms "You have no idea how hard turning you away was." wiping the hay out of Mirabel's hair.
"I understand Mamá..we were just kidding about our feelings being hurt. Honestly, ain't that so Dolores?"
Dolores nodded "Yeah we were just messing around. Honestly? We don't care. We just wanted to see Abuela's reaction."
"Which was oddly civil and polite. For her talking to me anyway. But I see right through her little act. Who she thinking she is fooling exactly." Mirabel laughed "Not everyone is stupid as she is."
Julieta shook her head standing up pulling Mirabel with her "She says now one day a week will be spent with family. So let's spend some family time together shall we?" whispering into Mirabel's ear so only her daughter could hear now "I know I said I'd explain the thing with your Abuela...but not in front of Antonio." putting her arm around Mirabel's she guided her towards the rest of the family.
"Mirabel." Agustín took her hands in his own not sure what to say. Does he just casually bring up how his oldest and youngest daughter tried to kill each other? Bring up how his little baby girl tried to strangle his mother in law? Just say nothing? Why was this so hard?
"Papá...you came."
"Of course mi mariposa." he settled her down on a chair "I should of came a long time ago."
Dolores looked around "I was hoping Camilo and Luisa would come see us..."
Pepa's face lit up "Oh they will be, they'll be here shortly. We would of asked Isabela but..."
"Mirabel and Isabela need to be kept apart..yeah I kinda realised that."
Antonio walked back over Salomé sleeping happily in his arms "Mirabel?"
"Yes?"
The child studied her for a moment "Why do your eyes look funny?"
The question was innocent but it still made Mirabel freeze, had he really just noticed now? Or had he been wondering for a while? He has never seen her without the glasses was that it? Did he just assume she wore them for the same reason her father did? Didn't think anything else of it? Why would he? He always saw her getting around just fine after all.
Dolores sighed getting down to Antonio's level "Toñito do you know what blind means?"
Antonio shook his head "No. What is blind?"
"If someone is blind it means their eyes don't work properly. They have trouble seeing things or if they are completely blind they can't see at all." Dolores was trying her best to explain it a way Antonio would understand "It makes their eyes look grey a bit like one of Mami's clouds."
Antonio looked at each person gathered as the information sank in finally finishing with Mirabel "Mirabel has eyes like one of Mami's clouds..." the realisation must of hit him as tears started forming in his eyes "Is Mirabel blind?"
"Sí, Mirbael is blind. Completely blind she can't see anything. Not without her magic glasses. You know how you got your magic room from the candle?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well the candle gave her magic glasses when she puts them on see can see a little but not well."
"Very blurry." Mirabel added in "But least I don't crash into every wall and lamppost in town anymore. I know the roads by heart."
Antonio went silent for a moment looking at Mirabel "She doesn't have her glasses on so does that mean she can't see anything now?"
Mirabel smiled "Ain't you quick at learning things. That is correct, close your eyes for a moment and tell me what it's like."
The child obeyed "It's all black..there's nothing there."
"And that's what I see right now. Blackness. Nothing. Just an empty world."
Antonio opened his eyes and turned to Julieta "Tía Julieta? Can't you fix her eyes?"
"I wish I could but theres just some things not even my magic can heal." Julieta casted a saddened glance over to her daughter.
Antonio didn't look happy with this news 'I'm sorry Mirabel." his voice quivering.
"It isn't your fault Antonio. Come here for a minute" Mirabel held her hand out in the direction she thought Antonio was and no one had to heart to point out she was facing the completely wrong direction.
After putting down the still sleeping kitten Antonio walked up to her moving around so he was facing her and took her hand squeezing it.
"You see my little amigo, sometimes life doesn't go the way we want it too. Some people get it all while others lose it all. You and I may live opposite lives, you live in Casita full of magic and wonder and everyone loves you. I however live in exile sleeping in a barn just so I have a roof over my head and everyone hates me. But the one thing we have in common is we are both Madrigals by blood and at the end of the day we are more the same than we are different. As long as I know my favourite baby primo loves me I'm happy." Mirbael fumbled for a moment until her free hand found Antonio's cheek "Now cheer up for me, okay?"
Antonio nodded sniffling "Mirabel?"
"Sí?"
"Are you a bad person?"
The shock of the question made Mirabel drop her hand from Antonio's face and pulling her other hand away from his "I'm sorry?"
"Abuela said you were a bad person. And that you and Dolores were going to do something bad to the family. But you're not...are you?" Antonio looked around at his family Pepa had a hand over her mouth as Félix shooed the cloud away. Julieta muttering something under her breath as Agustín just looked around nervously. No one knew how to answer this.
Dolores opened her mouth to speak but Mirbael beat her to it.
"Do you think I'm a bad person?" Mirabel had to wonder just what Alma had told Antonio about her.
Antonio bit his lip and shook his head "I think...I think you're just misunderstood..I hear the grownups in town call you mean names and it makes you angry and the really mean people chase and hurt you. They are the bad people not you."
Mirabel smiled "See? You get it. This town is very mean to me, I was just a small child and I got called things no child should be called. Don't worry about what Abuela says, okay? I'm not going to do anything bad to the family neither is Dolores. Just remember that for me, alright? Abuela is a silly old lady who doesn't know what she's talking about. Oh and don't say anything to Abuela..she really does not like me."
"Abuela says we don't talk about Mirabel. And now she says we don't talk about Dolores either."
Dolores rolled her eyes "Oh of course, I saw that coming. But you know we won't hurt you."
Antonio nodded thinking for a moment "Mirabel?"
"Yes?"
"Why doesn't Abuela like you? Why are you living here and not in Casita? How did you get your scars?"
"Ah..that's a story for another time.." Dolores began but Mirabel rose her head and shook her head.
"No Dolores he should know. And I'll rather tell him than Abuela tell him some twisted version later to paint me as a monster." Mirbael stood up making it a few steps before crashing into a wall just now realising she was not sitting on her usual chair where there was no wall behind her "Dolores I require your assistance."
"Of course." Dolores walked over to Mirabel taking her hand and guiding over to the hay bale they used as a sort of couch sitting Mirabel down and plopping down next to her "Sore head?"
"Uh-huh." Mirabel groaned rubbing her head "You could of warned me I was about to walk into a wall."
Julieta was immediately at Mirbael's side having grabbed an arepa from the basket "You have to be more careful mija." she spoke softly as she fed Mirabel the healing food "Better?"
"Yes, thanks Mamá." Mirabel mumbled pulling back slightly when Julieta kissed the top of her head "So..Antonio..you wanted to know how I got my scars is that right?"
"Yeah!" Antonio cheered happily sitting down in front of the hay bale "What happened? Did you fight? Were you always blind? If not how did you become blind? Why did you leave Casita? Why doesn't Abuela like you?" he fired the questions at Mirabel rapidly bouncing with excitement.
You're not going to be so happy after you hear this my little friend...but I have to do it. Mirbael cleared her throat "Well-"
"Sorry we're late!" Luisa entered the barn Camilo clinging to her arm laughing "There was an issue in town with some horses getting loose...I had to catch them."
Hearing that Mirabel and Dolores both burst into laughter. "Were they seriously still trying to round all them up?" Dolores wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes "Incredible..they been at it since this morning."
"..how did you both know that?" Luisa narrowed her eyes "You two let them out on purpose didn't you?" just shaking her head when the pair put faces of mock shock on their faces.
"Us? No..never." Mirbael chuckled.
"Yeah..don't believe you." Luisa placed Camilo down "Don't do it again please you caused a lot of chaos in town."
"Cool." Mirbael grinned "Chaos is fun."
Antonio patted the ground next to him "Milo! Lusia! Mirabel was about to tell the story about how she got her scars!"
"Oh..." Camilo looked around "I already know the story...I was there."
"Well I don't! And I wanna hear it! Tell the story Mira! Tell the story!"
Pepa chuckled nervously "Oh don't you want to hear a happier story? This one isn't very happy you know."
Antonio just folded his arms and pouted "I want to know the scar story! And I'm not leaving until Mirabel tells it."
"Don't worry..I'll tell it. But you'll have to be quiet and listen, okay?"
"Okay! Mira I'll be quiet now."
"There's a good lad. Alright let us begin." Mirabel cleared her throat "It all began when I was just your age before you were even born on the night of my gifting ceremony I wasn't blind back then. Casita was decorated and the whole Encanto was there to see me. I was nervous but excited. Abuela came to me in the nursery and told me the story of how we got the miracle you know how that goes. Anyway I walked up to my door and everything was going fine, right? I would touch my door and get my gift? Well if that's what happened we wouldn't be here would we? No I had to watch as my door faded away and while I didn't know it at the time so did all the love Abuela held for me. I cried a lot that night and did Abuela care? No of course not all she was worried about if the miracle was safe. That was her priority the candle not comforting her sobbing nieta."
"Why did your door go away?" Antonio asked.
"I don't know my little friend, but it did. The next morning at breakfast Abuela made an announcement that I was no longer to be considered part of the Madrigal's and I was not to be treated as such. She got Casita to remove my picture from the family tree."
"Just like she did with you, Dolores!"
"Yes...just like she did with me. Only while I am a grown up Mirabel was just little niña only five years old." Dolores didn't think this was a good idea but Mirabel had a point if Mirabel didn't tell him he would probably just go and ask Abuela who would just paint Mirabel as an evil monster and herself as the innocent victim.
Antonio stuck out his lip "That's not fair! Abuela was mean."
"Yes she was." Mirabel couldn't see it but she could hear in his voice the child was upset on her behalf "She also made me stay in Casita and never allowed into town as she was scared I would be dangerous to the community, and any photos I was in were taken away. Abuela forced everyone to shun me. Isabela wasn't allowed to make flower crowns with me and she eventually started hating me and bullying me, Luisa wasn't allowed to play tea party with me, Dolores wasn't allowed to read to me and Camilo wasn't allowed to play pranks with me. Abuela was worried I would ruin them."
"You and Isabela were friends?"
"Yes..a long time ago. But time has a way of changing things."
The rest of the family had sat on whatever they could wherever it be the ground, chair or some hay ready to stop the moment this 'story time' starting going to far. No one knew just how far Mirabel was going to take this.
"Anyway as I was saying, I wasn't allowed to be part of the family so when when we had guests, held an event, had a Birthday and so on I was locked up in the nursery and hidden away. Even on the holidays."
"Even Christmas?" Antonio asked "Did you get locked up on Christmas?"
"Yes..even on Christmas. While everyone else got to decorate the the town with beautiful lights, got to see the big pageant, eat the big feast and opened presents around the tree singing carols you know what I got to do?"
"Nothing?"
"That's right. NOTHING!" Mirabel's voice suddenly booming across the barn making everyone jump "Locked up alone and forgotten about all on Abuela's says so. I didn't care about the presents, I didn't care about tree, I didn't care about singing songs. I just wanted to be with my family. But noo. evil little Mirabel will ruin Christmas if we even just let her watch."
"You know what Antonio...have I ever told you the story about the time I..." Luisa tried to change the subject.
"No! I'm listening to Mirabel's story." Antonio wiped at his eyes "You left her all alone? Even on Christmas? Why?"
"Abuela..."
"Always Abuela." Mirabel rolled her eyes "If I have 100 problems in my life Abuela is the cause of 99 of them." that earned a small giggle from Antonio "That was my life for five years Antonio. Abuela taking every chance she could to remind me how worthless I was all I ever did was try to make her proud but nothing I did was good enough. The rest of the family would give me a kind word if Abuela wasn't around to hear but if Abuela was around they would look the other way. Abuela? Never a kind word never."
And she would hit you..Dolores thought to herself wanting to speak up but figured Mirabel knew what she was doing. She knew if Mirabel mentioned Abuela physically harmed her there would be no stopping Julieta from storming right back to Casita and giving her own mother a throttling and as much as Alma deserved that Mirabel wouldn't get the ending she wanted that way. No..Alma well get her justice when the time is right. And Dolores will help deliver it.
"So how did you get your scars?" Antonio wiped the few small tears in his eyes "When did you go blind?"
"Oh that happened when I was ten years old..on the night you were born actually. I was in the nursery when Mamá and Tía Pepa came in..and who was in Tía Pepa's arms? Why you, only a few hours old. Of course the happy moment was too good to last Abuela came in and told me she wanted to speak to me alone and so took me to her room."
Of course everyone there besides Antonio already knew what happened in that room that night. Félix smiled "Hey..Antonio...how about I tell you about how me and your Mami met?.
"Why does everyone not want Mirabel to tell her story?" Antonio asked in confusion.
"Oh it's just..maybe your too young you know maybe when your older.." Félix turned to Pepa "Mi vida..you sure this is a good idea?"
Pepa looked over to Mirabel who had a smile on her face that told Pepa that if they didn't let her tell Antonio now she would just tell him behind their back..perhaps with the more gruesome details added "No...he should know..." Pepa hoped she wasn't making a huge mistake "Either Mirabel tells him or Abuela will." she turned to Antonio stroking her braid nervously be gentle Mirabel..he's just a baby. I know Mamá won't be gentle..don't make me regret my choice.
"Thank you Tia Pepa." Mirabel paused for a breath "Well I was in Abuela's room and she told me I was being sent away. To live in this barn to keep the family safe...I got mad..and I'm not sure how it happened or how it even works but all of a sudden I was hit by this blast from the candle and my face was burning. I screamed louder then I ever had...than blackness. I must of passed out because I woke up to voices..but even if I was awake and could feel this burning agonising pain I couldn't see anything..from that moment on I was blind. The candle destroyed my eyes. And burnt my face so badly not even Mamá's food could heal me."
Antonio gasped eyes widening "Is that how you got the scars? From the burns?"
"Sí, the scars are from the burns. They will never heal I'll live with them forever."
Dolores frowned for a moment. Mirabel didn't say how she tried to destroy the candle, how she saw the vision...just making herself seem like she did nothing. Seeing the glint in Mirabel's eyes and smile on her face Dolores understood. She was trying to get Antonio to side against Alma without Antonio even realising it. Making Alma look like the monster without openly saying it, without actually lying..just leaving out a few details. Smart get him on our side without ruining his innocence.
Antonio stood up and ran over to Mirabel climbing on her lap wrapping her arms around her "So that's when Abuela made you leave?"
Mirbael nodded rubbing a hand on what felt like his back "Abuela dragged me out here that night, my face still so sore I wanted to scream. And left me. And every night after that this is where I slept. I cried everyday wanting my family to take me back..but over time I realised. Casita was no longer my home and it never will be again. So you see, that's why I don't like Abuela and why she doesn't like me. She doesn't like me because I didn't get a gift...and I don't like her because of what she did to me. Just remember none of it was your fault my little friend. It's just life isn't fair sometimes."
"What about the other people in town? What is your story after leaving Casita? How did you get used to being blind? What did you do?"
Mirabel shook her head "I'll tell you that story another day, okay? I don't want to spend all of the time I have with mi familia just talking about myself. Lets do some family things...whatever it is families do when they are sitting in an old donkey barn..."
Dolores could see it had taken everything for Mirabel to keep her cool this long, she could see the anger building up telling the story about what the town did to her would cause her to blow. Dolores was surprised to see no sign of tears in her eyes only anger and hatred as if she was just picturing what she wanted to do to Alma to make her pay for what she did. And the last thing they needed was for Antonio to get traumatised from hearing Mirabel rant about how she was going to make her suffer.
"Oh..okay..." Antonio fell into a silence as he processed what he learnt today. Alma told him that Mirabel was the bad person..but Mirabel's story made it seem like his Abuela was the bad person she had hurt Mirabel. And he was always told the candle was good but it made Mirabel go blind. It was more confused then ever. What once made sense he was now questioning. "Mirabel?"
"Mmhmm?"
"I can trust you right?"
"Of you course mi amigo. Dolores trusts me..and you trust Dolores don't you?"
Antonio smiled. What was he thinking? Of course he could trust Mirabel! Abuela was just mean all because Mirabel didn't have a gift well neither did she. Or his Papi or Tío Agustín. Snuggling into his prima "I love you Mirabel." smiling more when he heard Mirabel laugh softly.
"Love you to hombrecito."
...
"I think that went well." Mirabel smiled once the rest of the family left having spent the rest of the time having a 'a long overdue catch up chat'.
"For every step forward Abuela takes you take ten." Dolores laughed "She ain't winning this, no way. Even if you did leave out some major details in that story." Dolores sat back down next to her "Though if they knew what you've really become...""
"I know if they knew the real me now they would hate me. But it's too late for them to back out now..if they do I'll consider it betrayal and I don't take kindly to traitors...but surely you'll keep them in line. If anyone gets any ideas of turning against us well...you talk. But it's best to leave them ignorant for now. What they don't know won't hurt them." Mirabel chuckled "Hey I never actually denied being a bad person did I? So I didn't completely lie.."
"You think anyone would betray us?"
"I would like to think not..I highly doubt our mothers will turn against us to side with Abuela but it's a just in case kinda thing. Once someone is with me there's no turning back you stay with me or become my enemy...and one doesn't want to be my enemy..or yours. Don't you think so?"
"Indeed hermanita. The Encanto...well if things go our way and you get what you want there won't be an Encanto by the time we are finished. No magic, no candle...all of it...gone.." Dolores folded her arms "And they deserve it. Then it'll be our turn to point and laugh while they stand there helpless."
"And what a joyful day it's going to be. We'll make their greatest fears come true. The mountains may protect them from outside threats getting it..but it almost leaves them trapped with us. They have no escape. And it's not like they can get rid of us either."
"They could kill us."
"Most wouldn't have the guts to actually go through with it. But if anyone does try..well we fight back until they give up or we can slip away or we die trying but we will not just go down easily."
Dolores put an arm around Mirabel protectively "If anyone kills you it'll be over my dead body. They'll have to get through me first."
"No Dolores you will not sacrifice yourself for me. If we fight we fight together side by side. We live or die together as a team. Don't you go getting yourself killed and leaving me behind. Besides they'll kill you than immediately have me join you so your sacrifice while noble will be in vain."
"I suppose you're right. Besides someone has to help you when you crash into a wall." Dolores chuckled to herself quietly.
"Very funny."
Dolores chuckled again "Why did you even take them off? Why are you still not wearing them?"
Mirabel shrugged "Figured when we're just sitting here talking...I don't need vision for that...might as well start getting used to it." there was a hint of sadness in her voice "And I will get used to it I know trust me. Once I get used to my surroundings and know what is where..I'll be just fine."
"With a little guidance..I'm sure you will be." after a brief pause she continued "So what's the next move with the town? I know you need to talk with Tío Bruno before you can go any further to getting the candle so we might as well work on this..other thing in the meantime."
"It depends on how far you're willing to go..personally I'm not above inflicting something more...physical.." Mirabel clenched her fist together "But that's not your thing now...is it?"
Dolores hesitated when she found the idea tempting , it was true she was never one to want to cause physical harm unless it was needed for defence. But she was never one for blackmail either until now. What was she becoming? The words that would hear being targeted towards Mirabel and now herself ringing in her head. Tainted. Demon. Monster. Dolores closed her eyes as the more personal ones ran through her thoughts. You ruined your life for nothing! You let her corrupt you! Mirabel ruined you! But Mirabel wasn't the one who turned against her the second she was no longer of use was she? No. She watched in silence for five years at the town unleash their cruelty onto her littlest prima and the moment she makes a stand against it SHE is the one who is the monster? Oh she wouldn't deny the town deserved to have a taste of their own medicine but could she actually bring herself to do it? She didn't know. "Maybe..not now...I mean it's a big jump forward isn't it? Patience, Mira. Why so eager for a fight?"
"You're right sometimes I do get a little ahead of myself. Nevermind then. I guess for now we just hang around town and see what opportunities pop up. Though we should send a little warning as what is to come without actually harming anyone...you know the new shop they are building on the outskirts of town?"
"Ah yes, they wanted Luisa to do it but she refused and Mamá said she'll strike anyone who made her to it with a lightning bolt. What about it?"
Mirabel just let a grin spread across her face "Wouldn't it be a shame if someone was to burn it down?"
"You want to set it on fire?"
"Yes...it's near no other buildings so nothing else will catch. No one is there of a night so...we just strike a few matches and watch it go up in flames. Send the town a sign of what is coming for them. No one gets hurt. What do you say?"
"Let's do it." Dolores said before she fully processed just what she was agreeing to. Wait..did I seriously just agree to that? If we get caught we are both getting thrown in a jail cell. But least we'll have a proper bed in there I guess.
"Great. I promise no one will get hurt. It's just a warning that's all."
...
It was the middle of the night, they should be back at the barn asleep. But instead Dolores found herself lantern in one hand and guiding Mirabel with the other Doloes barely being able to see past the area the lantern lit up the moon barely making a difference tonight. They deserve this..they deserve this. She repeated in her head over and over. After what they did to Mira..they deserve more..but this will do for now...destroy their little building. "We are nearly there..you got the hay..I got the matches..we are set."
"You know..I'm actually surprised you agreed to this."
"You know what...so am I..but they deserve it I suppose...if you wanted to burn down someone's house while they were sleeping inside of it...that would be another matter. This is enough of a warning as you put it. Just don't make arson a regular thing...please or I'll use that rope in the barn to tie you the wood beam."
"You wouldn't." Mirabel snorted with laughter.
"You willing to test that?" Dolores shook her head in amusement as the nearly finished building came into view "Ok we are here..no one is around. Let's go." entering through the gap where the door should be she let Mirabel go "Okay..will you be fine to scatter the hay around? Or I could do it?"
"I'll be fine." Mirabel shook the crate she was holding that was stuffed full with pieces of dry hay "This stuff will make it spread fast so once it's lit we'll have to get out...also who knew hay could be so heavy. Hmm." with a squeak similar to the ones Dolores would often make Mirabel began to spread the hay across the floor of the small building Dolores holding the lantern up illuminating the room calling out warnings if she was about to bump into something left on the floor from the construction. "There..all done. Your turn Dolores. Light it up, lets burn this thing to the ground."
Dolores passed Mirabel the lantern and fumbled in her pocket for the box of matches she had gotten a hold of. I can't believe I'm doing this. Just remember these are the people who would of been happy to stand back and watch you get beaten to death. With that thought she took a deep breath and lit the match tossing it onto the ground watching as immediately began to rapidly spread the hay serving as the perfect fuel. Turning around pulling Mirabel with her she waited until she was far enough away to turn around and watch the building be engulfed by the flames.
"We should get out of here..the fire will attract attention soon enough."
Dolores just nodded taking the lantern back off Mirabel and discarding the matches in the bushes before grabbing her arm and making their way back as the shouts began to ring out.
"What..FIRE! FIRE!"
No one noticed the two outcasts slinking past in the shadows.
Once back in the barn Dolores helped Mirabel back to their stall "I'll be back in a second..I'll just close the windows in chase the smoke blows this far. Approaching the last window she took a moment to pause to look at the glow of fire in the distance. Dolores was expecting to feel regret...some shame. But to her dismay she felt none of that. She felt pleased...happy. She could feel the smile forming on the corners of her mouth. She felt a thrill, proud to turn the tables on the ones who have caused her and her prima so much misery. Closing the window and walking away from the scene Dolores couldn't help but wonder to herself.
How could something so morally wrong feel so right and justified?
Ahh family time isn't that great.
Antonio learns part of Mirabel's story..even if it's not the fully honest version.
And Mirabel and Dolores commit arson.
Dolores be having some conflicts on her morality.
Blackmailing is one thing..setting buildings on fire is another.
Review responses
ZE40: It probably would, they know she knows. But she wouldn't use it against them unless they decided to betray them with Julieta and Pepa definitely won't betray their own daughters for Alma. Or in Isabela's case..could be used to force her against Alma. But she'll only use that if she needs to.
FlowerChild23: It would of just caused an argument which they didn't want to in front of Antonio it would just upset and confuse him more.
KaliAnn: I imagine Pedro is just face palming so hard at all of this. Probably agreeing Alma doesn't deserve the magic at this point seeing how miserable everyone is and would side with Mirabel and Dolores. He didn't die for them to have to live like that.