"You came all the way here to see me?" Dolores asked quietly as she sat down at one side of the table Marino taking the spot on the other side.
"Of course!" Mariano exclaimed "Like I said I been trying to find your days but-"
"Shh. You're going to have to keep your voice low. Mirabel is sleeping she has been..sick. Yes she has been sick and needs the rest."
"Oh I'm sorry." Mariano lowered the volume of his voice "I'm sorry to hear Mirabel hasn't been well. Is that way you two haven't been around town much?"
"Exactly." Dolores gave a small smile she hated lying to him she really did but she couldn't exactly tell him the truth about what the pair have really been up to. "She has had the most terrible fever...can hardly keep food down...I've been so worried..."
Mariano reached over to grasp her hand squeezing it "That explains why you look so worn out..remember to take care of yourself to. I don't want to see you get sick as well. I worry about you enough."
"You..worry about me?"
A blush spread across Mariano's cheeks "Of course..the way you're forced to live..the things I hear others say about you and Mirabel. They say such horrible things..."
Dolores sighed "Tell me about it..but the things they say...do you believe them?"
"No. You're just protecting someone who can't protect themselves..I admire you Dolores. If this town had more selfless people like you we would be much better off."
It was Dolores's turn to blush. If he knew the truth he would hate me...but he has to understand why we are doing this...he knows what they are like..what they do to us. A loud groan from Mirabel had her jumping up. Mirabel..please play along..do this for me. She smiled at Mariano "Just give me a moment, I just need to check on Mira." with another quick smile she was on her feet and soon as she was in the stall dropping down on her knees beside Mirabel.
"Dolores? What's-"
"Mariano is here." Dolores whispered so only Mirabel could hear "I told him you're pretty sick..I had to think of something on the spot. Listen you have a fever, you can't stop throwing up, you have a huge migraine, nasty cough and you can not get up...just give me this please Mira..just play along."
"Why would you tell him I'm sick?" Mirabel whispered back.
"Was I supposed to tell him the truth?! He'll run so fast and never look at me again. Please Mira..you just have to lay there and act..sick. Just till he goes..please..for me. I need this."
Mirabel took in Dolores's pleading eyes before giving a small smile "Fine...it's the least I can do." she let out what she hoped was a convincing fake cough "Mind bringing me some water? My throat is so dry right now."
"Thank you...and of course." Dolores whispered before raising her voice to a normal level taking on a concerned tone "Oh Mira..."
"Is everything alright?" Mariano called out "Anything I can do?"
Dolores stood back up and rejoined Mariano "She just needs rest..." she grabbed their jug of drinking water and filled a glass "Just one more moment I just need to take her this."
"Oh take your time. You're taking care of your sick little prima. I can wait."
Dolores returned to Mirabel's side and handed her the glass as she sat up whispering again "I know I should of just said we have just been hanging around here..but I panicked..talking to him just makes me so nervous."
Mirabel shook her head as she drank her water letting out another 'cough' "Well I ain't going to expose you." she passed the empty glass back and laid back down with another 'cough'.
Dolores stood back up raising her voice again "That's it Mirabel...just rest you'll feel better soon." she rejoined Mariano and sat down at the table "I'm sorry..."
"No no don't apologise. Never apologise for something like this." Mariano reached out to grab her hands again "How are you yourself? Other than tired I mean. No fevers or coughs from you?"
"Oh..no no nothing like that. Whatever Mirabel has isn't contagious..thankfully. But things have been..stressful. Not just with Mira but with everyone else in town..they way they look at me now...it's like everything I ever done for the community doesn't matter..."
"Rafel and Alejandro López have been giving you two a lot of trouble."
"How did you know?"
"I overheard them bragging about it..something about you having a broken wrist."
"Ah..yes..that..."
"They are not men they never grew up. The children at the schoolhouse have better manners than those pair of fools."
Dolores smiled "I'm glad someone else agrees with me on that. Mirabel doesn't like them that's sure...I mean considering how many times they tried to kill her..."
"Kill?!" Mariano's voice rose "Whoa whoa whoa are you telling me those two numbskulls have attempted to kill?!"
"Shh..Mirabel has a migrane."
"Oh sorry." Mariano lowered his voice "But kill? When was this?"
"It's happened quite a few times..no one ever defended us they just stand back and watch."
"Well maybe I should go and have a little chat..."
Dolores's eyes widened "No don't go causing trouble...if not for yourself than for Mirabel and me...they'll just take it out of us. Luisa is taking care of it." well that was half true. Luisa does indeed take care of it...when she knows about it.
"Luisa is? Well..ok then. But if I see them laying a hand on either of you I won't be able to hold back."
"Be careful..the town doesn't like us...and anyone associated with us. They don't say anything to Mami because well..lightning bolts. They don't say anything Tía Julieta because she is the only healer this town has and they need her. And as for Luisa..well she could just crush them if they mess with her. I don't want you to get hurt because of us."
Mariano shook his head "I am not ashamed to stand up against what is wrong and how they treat you two is wrong. They are all just blindly following each other. I know all about Mirabel and that little candle..but that's their answer? Child abuse? Last time I checked the laws around here what they do to Mirabel is considered child abuse and the whole town should be in a jail cell for it."
Dolores glanced towards the stall where she knew Mirabel would be hearing every word despite the quieter tones she would have been listening the whole time 'coughing'. He is on our side Mirabel.
"Go on check on her."
"Oh, if you don't mind." Dolores quickly stood up pouring another glass of water and made her way to Mirabel kneeling down at her side lowering her voice to a whisper once more "Please...just a little bit longer. Did you hear? He is on our side." she handed her the cup of water.
"Can we trust him?"
"Of course we can." Dolores looked over her shoulder quickly "Seriously thank you for this..sorry you have to be 'sick'. Just hang in there for a little bit longer..you could stop your 'coughing' now I'll tell him you fell back asleep."
"Good cause doing that was getting annoying."
Dolores took back the empty cup "Just stay..quiet for a bit longer. We'll talk about this when he leaves."
"Is she ok?" Mariano called out.
Dolores stood back up and re†urned to him with a heavy sigh "She drank some water but then went back to sleep."
"I'm not disturbing her rest am I?"
"Oh no...don't worry."
Mariano stood up and took Dolores's hands in his own smiling "Maybe I should go anyway as much as I would love to spend all of this afternoon with you should be at your cousins side and I must get back. I will return though I really enjoy your company..and I must remember to bring you some samples of my poetry."
"I..I enjoy your company as well." Dolores blushed again "Thank you for visiting. It means a lot..."
"No need to thank me I enjoyed myself...I do really like you Dolores..so..goodbye for now. Tell Mirabel I hope she recovers soon. I've been missing the little grump lately."
Dolores let out a small giggle "I will, goodbye Mariano." she watched him leave feeling as if it was all a dream walking back to Mirabel as if she was floating on a cloud "Alright, Mira you're clear you can get up now."
"Pfft 'little grump'" Mirabel muttered "So..have a nice chat with your boyfriend?"
"He's not my boyfriend! Well..yet.."
"He totally loves you Lolo."
"He's so dreamy..."
"If you say so."
Dolores elbowed Mirabel "He does cares about you, he was ready to go confront Rafel and Alejandro on your behalf."
"So I heard..."
"He isn't the enemy Mirabel..I'm not saying we are going to tell him our entire plan but..can you at least try to get along with him? He isn't going to hurt you he wants to help you...but you have to let him. So just try for me..por favor.."
Mirabel sighed "For you..I'll give him a chance."
Dolores pulled her into a hug "Gracias.."
"On one condition."
"What's that?"
"Unless I'm actually sick...don't go around telling people that I am."
Laughing Dolores squeezed her prima "You got a deal. I know I didn't think..I just get so..." she sighed dreamily.
"What if he goes and asks Mamá about me?"
"She'll go along with it..not the first time I did something like this after all. She knows I have my reasons..besides she saw you just a few hours ago and knows you're up and walking."
"Hmm." Mirabel wrapped her arms around her legs "So on our side is he?"
"Yes."
"You promise he isn't going to...hurt me?"
Dolores couldn't help but feel a piece of her heart break when she saw the look Mirabel gave her it was the look of a terrified child "I promise hermanita. He wants to do the opposite he wants to protect you. If you will let him."
Mirabel closed her eyes for a moment "Like I said..I'll give him a chance...but I can't trust him fully...not yet.."
"I understand and I'm sure he does to. I promise we'll find a way out of here and when we do..I'll help you. I'll help you learn to trust again...help you learn you don't have to live in fear anymore. Where ever we end up no one will know who we are. Fresh start for us all, we'll come up for a story for those scars..no one needs to know the truth."
"What about Mariano?"
"Hopefully since he sees the town the way we do he'll want to come with us."
"And if he doesn't?"
Dolores sighed "Well like I said yesterday I wouldn't be able to stay and I'm not abandoning you. Don't you worry about that. You're stuck with me wherever you want me around or not. Mariano is right you are a little grump but your my little grump. You're part of mi familia and I love you so deal with it."
"You know sometimes I think back on we used to be you know..before the ceremony. You would read to me all the time...I miss that you know."
"You miss me reading to you?"
"Yeah..and I can't read myself..so..I really have missed it."
Dolores immediately reached over for her book "Why didn't you say so? I'm more than happy to read to you."
"Got anything that's not some soppy romance?"
"Ah..no...but I can ask Mami to bring me something else just for you."
"Ah you're the best."
"Now." Dolores stood back pulling a startled Mirabel up with her "I don't know about you but I'm feeling hungry how about we go sit down and have something to eat?"
Mirabel nodded "Lets."
...
"Hey Luisa, got a moment?"
Luisa turned face lighting up when she saw Camilo "Sure, Milo. What's up?"
"Have you heard anything from Mira and Dolores about..you know..."
"No. I spoke to Mirabel the other day but she didn't say anything about it. They seemed to have to come to a halt..they going to need all of us and Mirabel and Dolores want nothing to do with Isabela right now the last real encounter ended badly..nearly resulting in Mirabel's death. Both her and Dolores are probably hostile towards her right now understandably."
"Yeah..still wish I could of been there for that fight though. From what I hear little old Mira actually dealt a fair amount of damage." Camilo laughed.
"Camilo! It's not a laughing matter. Mira could of died in that stupid fight."
"You're right you're right I'm sorry I'm sorry. It's not funny. If Isabela killed Mirabel I would never be able to look at her the same again."
"Neither would I...I'm not sure if I would of ever forgiven her...and I don't even want to know how Dolores would of taken it. But she knows she did wrong and wants to make things right with the both of them but she also knows to stay away from them for now. It's still too fresh in all their minds. When they turned up at that picnic I could feel the tension...I have a feeling if Antonio was there you would of indeed got Mirabel versus Isabela round two."
"That or Dolores versus Isabela." Camilo gave a quick laugh "Sorry sorry..not funny...yeah and I could tell it was taking everything in Abuela's power to hold back from just screaming at the pair of them."
"Abuela hates Mirabel more than anything. She hates Dolores for 'betraying her' for Mirabel. And if she knew we also sided with them she would hate us as well. I hear her arguing with our madres a lot but she wouldn't dare throw them out because she knows they'll just take all us kids with them and go straight to Mirabel. Mamá would probably take the candle with her and just hand it over to Mirabel to destroy at that point." Luisa shrugged "She admitted to me some days she just wants to destroy it herself but she knows it's Mirabel's destiny..it's Mirabel's revenge, she has a plan..she knows exactly what she is doing." Luisa sat down she no longer cared what others had to say she would take a break when she wants to take one, what was anyone going to do about it?
Camilo sat down beside her "You know we have never talked much you and I...you were always working or to tired to hang out."
"Tell me about it..starting the morning after I got my gift it's been nonstop. Once Abuela saw that vision of Mira my workload was doubled..if that was even possible. You were always out babysitting at only five years old..a baby watching babies. How did no one question that?"
"Sometimes I wonder the same thing. It's ridiculous now I think of it, Antonio is lucky Abuela still hasn't found an everyday use for his gift yet he just gets to have fun with his..and I hope it stays that way for the remainder of the time he has it...I do feel bad for him he doesn't know what's coming."
Luisa sighed sadly "I fear he'll hate Mirabel and Dolores for what they will do..he adores the both of them. He's probably going to feel so betrayed and I hate I'm helping to take it away from him but...we're all miserable and we will never be happy with the miracle still it's going to be hard to explain to a five year old why it's for the best."
"Wish we never had this miracle in the first place and we wouldn't be in this mess. I would still have my sister...I would still have my twin.."
"We can't change the past..but we can help influence the future. We'll both get our sister back. We'll both get our prima back. I don't know what's going to happen but we'll all have each other...we'll be okay as long as we stick together."
"What about Abuela?"
"If I'm honest...I don't care. Not after what she did to my baby sister. All of this is because of Abuela's stubbornness and pride. Her love for the magic was more important than the love for her family and now she is going to lose both of them. Mirabel is never going to forgive her and so she shouldn't. Abuela can go wherever she likes as long as nowhere near us."
"Dolores said the same thing. Mira and Abuela would never be able to live together peacefully."
"And we ain't throwing Mira to the streets again."
"Exactly."
The two cousins sat in silence just happy to be in each others company. It was so strange they were family, they lived in the same house they ate together everyday but they hardly knew each other. They never had time to really get to know each other but they were going to make sure they changed that.
Luisa broke the silence "How have you been Camilo? I couldn't help but notice you haven't been using your gift much for 'work'"
"I don't really like babysitting..it's not that I hate the kids I just don't like having to be responsible for them all all day so their mothers can spend the day having fun. I've noticed that church hasn't moved despite numerous pleas for it to do so."
"I'm done moving that thing. And rerouting rivers I don't mind helping..I actually enjoy it but some of the things they ask is just ridiculous I'm not their workhorse."
"And I'm not their personal babysitter."
"What are they all going to do when the miracle is gone?"
"Don't know. Don't care. They taken advantage of us for so long."
"They worship Abuela."
"And treat Dolores and Mirabel lower than the dirt they walk on."
"I know...I know." Luisa stood back up "But soon it'll all be over." she offered a hand out to Camilo "I'm going to go get something to eat, coming?"
Camilo grabbed her hand and jumped up "I never say no to food."
Luisa laughed "Thought so, let's go primo."
"Just lead the way."
...
The next day Mirabel found herself leaning onto Dolores for support as limped along dripping wet and feeling humiliated. Dolores had insisted on going on a walk around the outskirts of the Encanto to see if they could find a spot they could use to escape they did find a hidden tunnel in the mountain wall but chose to leave it for another time to see if actually lead to a way out or not. Their attempt at relaxing by the river was cut short when Mirabel couldn't see a tree root sticking out of the ground sending her stumbling into the water Dolores quickly going in to pull her out Dolores wincing when she saw Mirabel's swollen ankle.
"You really are the daughter of Agustín aren't you?" Dolores joked trying to lighten the mood when Mirabel's frown just deepened she sighed "Don't worry about it, it could of happened to anyone. We'll get back to barn, get you some dry clothing and something to heal your foot."
"You would of seen that stupid tree root."
"You think I never tripped over something before? I'm just glad you didn't hit your head on one of those rocks if you got a head injury you wouldn't be up and moving right now I'd tell you that much."
"How much further?"
"Still a fair bit more to go I'm afraid."
"Ugh."
"Do you want to rest?"
"Please."
Dolores helped Mirabel sit down before plopping down next to her "Remind me next time we go on an 'adventure' like this to bring some food with us in case one of us gets injured."
Mirabel laid down on the grass with a groan "This sucks."
"I can carry you you know. I don't have Luisa's strength but I manage. You're actually not that heavy."
"I don't expect you to carry me."
"I don't mind and it'll be faster." Dolores stood up "Now you can either lay here moping because your in pain or you can actually do something about it."
Mirabel sighed "I just hate feeling so useless...like I can't do anything right myself. It's just so..."
"Frustrating?"
"Exactly."
"You know you can tell me if I'm being too overbearing."
"You're not..I know Mamá asked you to basically be my caretaker and you're doing a great job at it I just wish I could do more myself." Mirabel sat back up pulling at her wet clothing "I need to get out of these clothes."
Dolores reached out a hand to carefully pull her up steadying her with her free hand "Let's get back and get dry before we both end up with a chill." placing an arm around Mirabel's shoulders and another hand on her waist they continued on their slow trek. After a few more minutes Dolores stopped "Are you sure you don't just want to be carried? This is taking forever."
"If you really don't mind and if you're sure it'll be faster."
After some fumbling a laughing Mirabel found herself looking at the world from over Dolores's shoulder "You know I could actually get used to this...why walk when I can just get carried from place to place?"
"Don't get too used to it." Dolores laughed "I'll only do this if you're injured or sick. Your legs work just fine." Dolores continued towards the barn and just as she thought it was faster than just helping Mirabel hobble along and soon they were walking through the doorway and Mirabel was being placed down onto the floor "Wait here I'll go grab you something." she quickly fetched an arepa shoving into Mirabel's mouth shaking her head "Like I said you truly are the daughter of Agustín." she checked Mirabel's ankle "It's all healed now lets get dry." she passing Mirabel her change of clothing before bundling up her own and leaving the stall to let Mirabel change in some sort of privacy.
"You're not going to tell anyone I fell into the river right?" Mirabel asked once she was changed and dried.
"It'll be our secret."
Mirabel waited until Dolores rejoined her now changed and dry herself before speaking again "So that tunnel...you think it could be our way out?"
"It could be..could lead to nothing or it could just lead us in a giant circle. And if it does lead out we might not be able to get through with a horse and wagon."
"Horse and wagon?"
"What you were planning to leave on foot?"
"If theres no other choice."
"As a last resort yes we will but it'll be wisest for us to stock up supplies to fill a wagon with at least enough to last all of us until we get to a town..and we'll need another wagon or two for riding in..or at least some horses to ride if people double up so it's two on one horse..."
"We are going to steal horses?"
Dolores chuckled "You want to destroy a whole town in a revenge quest but stealing some horses is where you start questioning?"
"I just want to know how we could get away with stealing that many horses." Mirabel paused as it's dawn on her "Or..." a grin formed in her face "We'll make them GIVE us some horses."
"Exactly exactly. We'll take the horses by force if we have to."
Mirabel laughed "You're really starting to sound like me."
Dolores just shrugged "I just want to make sure we all get out that's all."
"Hmm...I think we should start planning our next attack...what's something that will send a clear warning but won't tie us to the crime?" Mirabel thought out loud "I don't want to sit around to long doing nothing." she tapped her foot.
"No more fires please."
"Fine, no more fires. But there has to be something we can do." Mirabel stood up and began pacing "I..I got nothing. I need that candle. I need that candle..all my plans are tied to that candle."
"Getting the candle will take time Mira. Unless you ask someone else..."
"No it has to be Isabela."
"Err..why?"
"You really think Alma would just hand the candle over to just anyone? No we have to get Isabela to trick Alma into letting her take it..and than she brings it straight to us...of course we are not going to tell her that we plan to use it the way we are."
Dolores nodded "That would be the worst blow to Alma by far..her golden child Isabela betraying her for you."
"Huh..you called Abuela Alma."
"I realise now she lost the right to the Abuela title long ago. Besides she has made it clear she doesn't consider us granddaughters anymore so why would we consider her our grandmother?"
Mirabel smiled "Why indeed...why indeed. Oh Alma from six grandchildren to four. All because of her own stupidity. Her face when she realises Isabela has sided with us is going to be priceless."
"She'll try and get the candle back."
"Of course she will, but she won't be getting it back..she'll have to kill me to take it back which she wouldn't even dare to try. She's stupid but not that stupid."
Dolores could only chuckle "Well we can only hope so." she reached over and picked up her book "Look I know romance ain't really your thing but how about some relaxing reading time?"
"Sure." Mirabel plopped down "I am curious as to why you love those novels so much. Go ahead."
"Great!" Dolores made herself comfy and began reading aloud though she had to keep pausing the story to explain to Mirabel who the characters were and what was going on. "It would make so much more sense if we started from the beginning. That's why I got to get a book just for reading to you."
"That sounds-" a knock came at the door "Dolores get the door." Mirabel didn't move from her position sprawled out across the floor.
"Yes your highness." Dolores playfully threw some straw at her as she stood up not sure who was there both their mothers had a special knock so they would know who was there right away. Opening the door she was greeted by someone she never would of expected "Señora Guzmán, what brings you here?"
Señora Guzmán smiled "Hello Dolores, to forgive my intruding but Mariano told me yesterday Mirabel is quite ill. Is this so?"
"Oh yes..yes..she is. She is steadily getting better but..you know how it is."
"Oh dear, well I won't come in but I do have something for Mirabel." Señora Guzmán handed over a small bottle "It's a home remedy it'll help with the migraines Mariano told me she has been having. Just a tablespoon of this stuff twice a day should help ease them a bit."
Dolores accepted the bottle with a smile "Oh gracias but you really didn't need to."
"Oh it's no problem. I couldn't know about the poor niña being so ill and not doing anything to try and help."
"Al- Abuela won't be happy you're helping us."
Señora Guzmán waved her off "Oh I'm not concerned on what makes Alma happy. We had a oh what do I call it...a falling out. We are no longer on speaking terms."
"Really?"
"She's not the woman I once knew. If she won't make sure the welfare of her granddaughters is taken care of than I will. We have no room to house you unfortunately otherwise I would take the pair of you in. But please do stop by one day and have a nice hot home cooked dinner"
It took a moment for Dolores to process that "You...want us?"
"Of course. You know my Mariano speaks of you fondly. And I do agree with him on how this town treats you it disgusts me. Just know my door is always open for the both of you." Señora Guzmán glanced into the barn "Maybe we could move Mirabel in just for now. Mariano suggested it he'll just sleep on the lounge for a while and you two can take the bed. Mirabel needs a proper bed to recover in.
Shoot shoot Dolores panicked in her head what reason would I have to reject this... wait wait..I got it. "While your offer is generous Mirabel would completely freak out she would not be able to relax. She has quite a lot of trust issues if you understand..she doesn't like anyone besides family near her for to long."
"Oh of course. I completely understand. While this barn is far from ideal making her stressed will just make her illness worse. I'll leave you to get back to her side but if you need anything...anything at all just come and knock. Please give my best wishes to Mirabel."
"You're too kind Señora Guzmán."
"No such thing as too kind my dear." Señora Guzmán smiled "Farewell." with a smile she turned around and left the two in peace.
Dolores retreated to the stall greeted by a tutting Mirabel.
"You started this Dolores...but...she cares enough for me to bring me some medicine so good is coming out of this."
"You hear what she said about Alma?"
Mirabel nodded grinning "Oh I love it. Alma's best friend..siding with US! Oh I couldn't even of planned this. It's beautiful." she wiped at her eyes "It brings me so much joy I think I'm going to cry."
"She invited the both of us to dinner. And I think we should once you have 'recovered'. It'll do you some real good."
"I know it'll make you happy..so I'll be willing..I guess."
"If it helps..if Alma ever found out it would make her absolutely furious."
Mirabel chuckled "In that case...I'm definitely down for dinner at the Guzmáns if anything to see the look on Alma's face. Anything that infuriates her...I'm interested in."
"You really are taking everything from her."
Mirabel smiled "Well what can I say..that's just the joy of vengeance."
This is one of my favourite chapters, don't know why.
Yeah Dolores kinda messed up with her lie but it's working out for them.
Mariano and his mother are on their side, they are done with Alma and the towns crap as well.
And Camilo and Dolores bonding time. Figured they have a lot in common, why not make them a little duo.
Mirabel and Dolores
Julieta and Pepa
Agustín and Félix
Luisa and Camilo
Duos. Duos everywhere.
Review Responses:
Shyhearted: Yeah she most likely does but I'm trying to be careful about it as I don't want to offend people. I promise she gets help after this over know. She gets help.
Apsylady: She tried to hide it, she gets points for effort I suppose even though it's her fault it happened in the first place.
KaliAnn: Thank you I try..I really try. I like to think I'm improving but I dunno. I haven't written stories since high school until this so way out of practice.