A/N : I don't really like this chapter but I managed to write over 8k words somehow. This fic is over 30k words. I can't believe Ive written so much these past few weeks.
EDIT : CHAPTER 5 (REFLECTION) HAD A MISSING CHUNK! I ADVISE TURNING BACK TO READ THE ENDING! THIS CHAPTER WILL ONLY MAKE SENSE WITH THAT ENDING.
The events that lead from the mirror incident to Luisa's room were a whirlwind of events. Camilo could not remember the exact details on what exactly happened. Not being able to properly recite details was something Camilo hated. Camilo was not good in remembering school work or the tasks he was set to do that day. Yet, if something truly caught his attention, Camilo would try to remember it to even the thread.
Camilo tried his best to memorize voices, words and actions. Camilo would remember little conversations he had with his friends. Words from his crushes that had him roll around his bed gushing. Analyzing each syllable. Camilo would remember the words of his favorite books. He'd repeat the lines in his head when bored. Having to stop himself from mumbling the dialogue out loud. At the moment, it was like the gifts acting up made his brain like mush. It was pouring outside. If Camilo had Pepa's gift, there would have been a hurricane.
Camilo was used to getting in trouble. Usually for things he was not supposed to do. Sometimes resulting in arguments. If Camilo was truly upset, he'd pack a full bindle. He'd sneak out his window when no one was watching. Runaway. Always returning after an hour.
Camilo was unable to do so now. Everyone was in his room. Everyone except Dolores, Isabela, and Antonio. Camilo really wanted to see his siblings. Especially Dolores. Dolores was keeping Antonio out of the room. Camilo was unsure how bad his injury was. He preferred not to look at it. If it was bad, Camilo did not want Antonio to see it. The poor kid was already going through so much despite just being five. Camilo felt nauseous when looking at the blood.
Julieta cleaned the blood on his face and arm. She still wanted to make sure the injury did not go beyond so. Camilo hated taking off his shirt but she said it would be for a second. Everyone would do him the favor of turning away. Luck was on Camilo's side as he had enough energy to make his chest flat. There was no injury. Camilo quickly put his shirt down.
Camilo felt snotty tears. With his parents soothing words and Julieta's food being able to completely recharge him. Camilo was able to relax somewhat. The blood was gone. The injury healed. Camilo was still given more food. Camilo had enough bread for over a decade. He really wanted to change out of his current clothing. He needed something baggy or the growing dysphoria would eat him alive.
Camilo looked through his drawers. He chose a very long sleeved shirt. A brown poncho he was gifted by Senor Camilo Murillo. Senor Murillo was a mean old man who grew fond of Camilo. The old man gave Camilo the brown poncho before passing away. Camilo loved the name Camilo and took it for himself. It caused many jokes when it came to his shapeshifting ability too.
Camilo held the poncho close letting the good memories of the past soothe him.
Camilo wanted to change in the bathroom. For some reason they didn't allow him. Maybe in fear of something happening when alone again. Camilo argued but it ended with him changing behind the stage curtain. Camilo felt somewhat humiliated despite the curtain. He resisted the urge to kick everyone in the room.
Old Man Murillo would have told Camilo that hiding was a stupid. Camilo would have argued back. Then he'd consider the words like he took Old Man Murillo words of how bad the black eyeliner was.
Camilo exited the curtains. He sat on the bed. The urge to wrap himself around a blanket and sleep. Today was very long.
Camilo began to doze off. He bolted awake when the glass vision was taken from his hand.
"Mirabel? This can't be." Abuela was the one who took the vision. Camilo resisted the urge to snatch it back.
"Where is the rest? There has to be more." Abuela turned to look at Félix and Agustín.
This is just a play. This is just a play. She's acting. She's very committed to her role.
Pepa's words to calm herself were Clear Skies. Clear Skies. Clear skies. 'This is play' was Camilo's motto. He repeated those lines in his head until he could choose his next lines wisely.
"That's all me and Mirabel found when we went up there." Were the obvious safest words. It was the lie Agustín and Félix set up.
Camilo hated that the older men admitted there even was a vision to begin with. They should have just said Camilo and Mirabel decided to hang out in Bruno's Tower like rebellious teenagers. With the mysterious cracks all around. The arguments. The gifts acting up. The Madrigal being bad at secrets. The half truth slipped out. It bit everyone who was involved in the butt. Especially the dads. There was no changing the fact that Mirabel was in the vision.
"There has to be more. We have to find the rest." Abuela did not believe the lie.
"Um…about that. Bruno's room kinda fell apart. The vision cave is completely destroyed." Camilo mumbled in one breath. He took another piece of bread from Julieta's hands and stuffed it in his mouth. As long as he chewed slowly, it meant he didn't have to talk. It was easy as he was very full to swallow.
"There has to be more. Luisa. Get Mirabel." Abuela ordered.
"She's not going to get in trouble. Is she?" Luisa stated. She was stuck in place and visibly nervous.
"She's not." Julieta spoke for Abuela. Julieta took Agustín and Luisa with her to find Mirabel themselves.
Mirabel said she would be here in ten minutes. The nursery isn't soundproof. She probably heard everything that happened.
A conclusion hit Camilo.
The nursery isn't soundproof. She was eavesdropping on what was happening while I was in my room. That's why she said she would meet me here in ten minutes.
Agustín and Julieta returned without Mirabel or Luisa. They looked puzzled.
"She's not in the nursery," Agustín spoke. There was a hint of gracefulness at the idea Mirabel was missing.
"Where is she?" Abuela turned to Camilo.
Camilo answered with the only thing he could think of based on Mirabel's last 'words'
"In the nursery?"
And of course, Mirabel was not in the nursery. That's why Abuela was asking him.
"Don't lie. You have to know." Abuela said. A missing granddaughter added to the wreck that was happening. It was one bad thing after another.
"She probably has a bad stomach and had to use the bathroom. There are a lot of nerves in this all." Camilo countered with a joke. His own stomach felt nervous.
No one laughed.
"Everyone. Can you leave for a for un momento. Necesito hablar con Camilo." Abuela requested.
There was little movement.
"I'm not going to harm him."Abuela defended herself.
Camilo appreciated everyone's gesture. He really wanted to hug his Mami like when he was little and her hugs would solve everything. To have his Papi close to both annoy him and as comfort.
Yet, with a storming Pepa. An angry Félix. Both were now the definition of protectivess. Then there was Julieta and Agustín, who looked much like they wanted to find their missing daughter. An argument was bound to break out.
Camilo made a decision he knew he'd regret.
"I'll talk to Abuela alone. If it goes bad, I'll just run out."
There was still reluctance to leave. Multiple asks if Camilo was sure. Obvious attempts for Camilo to change his mind. Camilo needed them out as quickly as possible before he did change his mind.
Camilo hated to admit it but he wanted to talk to Abuela alone.
There was something about Abuela that made Camilo crave her attention. Yes, he knew he got more attention from her than the others from time to time. Never the way Isabela got it. Isabela had the positive one on one convos, the custom clothes, compliments, talks of people she may like. Talking about boys with Abuela would be embarrassing. Camilo was still jealous of that. How casual everything was between Isabela and Abuela. There was a high change the others grandkids felt the same way. All silent about it.
Camilo was getting what everyone craved for. A one on one conversation. It wasn't going to be a good conversation. Camilo was set on saying the right things for the next one to be the exact opposite.
I don't even know why I'm desperate to be in Isabela's place. I wouldn't be able to goof around most of the time.
Camilo's hands fidgeted. Camilo sat on them. His left leg betrayed him by jumping up and down.
"Camilo." Abuela started the conversation.
"¿Si, Abuelita?" Camilo hoped the Abuelita part would lay everything out softer. It usually did. It must have been because Abuela took Camilo's hands. The embrace was soft.
"I need you to know that I'm trying to help everyone. If you know something. I don't want you to hide it. It will help me stop whatever is happening." Abuela looked at Camilo with pleading eyes.
Camilo took note of the 'me' . Abuela planned to somehow solve everything herself.
"What's going to happen if we find Mirabel?" Camilo asked.
There was no point asking. Camilo already knew the answer.
"You don't know. Do you?"
"I know…I have to admit something I don't want to." Abuela shoulders tensed. She breathed in and out. Camilo knew the conversation was going to go downhill.
Just hear her out. If it goes bad, remember you said you were going to run out.
"When you got your gift. I didn't exactly know how you would help the community right away. Like Dolores, I let fate guide me." Abuela began.
"Shapeshifting isn't exactly the easiest. I babysit, build and take over stands and stuff." Camilo felt defensive of his role in the community.
Camilo did his best to help anyone who needed him. There were still days when Camilo felt too exhausted to keep because he was completely drained. He would lock himself in his room so no one could see him.
"I'm very grateful for that. I know the kids in The Encanto aren't exactly easy."
"Yeah. I think one pulled out a chunk of my hair." Camilo cut Abuela off. Abuela gave a small smile but it still was not the best idea. Camilo shut his mouth.
"Most days you pull some dangerous prank. Days you do not do your school work. Nights you sneak out. No one has forgotten the time you tried to sneak a boy into Casita at night. If I had been harder. This behavior would not have spiraled to what it is now. I should have known this was going to happen when you tried to blow out the candle."
Camilo felt the world still.
In the stillness, Camilo's mind wandered back to his gift ceremony. In the memory, Abuela sat Camilo in her lap like she did with the grandkids before him. Abuela explained where the miracle came from. Abuelo Pedro being lost. In front of them was the eternal, miracle candle. Abuela said it never went out. Camilo instantly hopped off her lap. He tried to blow out the candle to see if she was lying.
"Now you don't get a gift " Abuela pulled Camilo away. Her words were an attempt to spook Camilo.
Camilo bursted in tears at the response. The family rushed in when they heard his loud sobs. The gift ceremony rushed to a start.
Camilo felt ill as he walked down the aisle. He still tried to keep a smile but he thought of what he told the other boys in the village. That when he touched the door, he'd look like one of them. Now, it was never going to happen. Camilo turned to the crowd before touching his doorknob. He searched for his friends. All lost in the crowd. Camilo touched his door. Glitter surrounded him. The uncomfortable white dress turned into a yellow poncho and pants. The long curly hair everyone loved to braid shortened.
Camilo proved what he told the other boys right.
The day was even better when he learned he could shapeshift.
It became his bestest day when Abuela spent the rest of the ceremony next to him. Mirabel was no longer the favorite that day as this was Camilo's moment to have all her attention. There was unease in Abuela's eyes. A younger Camilo assumed it was because he kept shapeshifting to the point he spooked others by being mismatched.
The next day Camilo was awakened early to see if he could use his other family members' gifts. There was some disappointment that he couldn't. Not from Isabela, Luisa and Dolores who were relieved that their roles were not replaced.
Camilo was disappointed in himself but he still felt like he had the coolest gifts. He spent most of his time showing it off to others. He'd play pranks. He would even see how long he could fool others when pretending to be someone else. He'd even fool himself a couple of times. Camilo would always brush away the scary thought by bothering Mirabel in the nursery.
Mirabel was Abuela's favorite. Camilo bragged that he was taking her place because Abuela insisted on him being by her side.
"It's because you're her first grandson." said an obviously envious Mirabel. When her gift ceremony failed. Camilo statement was right for a couple of weeks. Then there was Isabela.
When Camilo was older he was allowed to walk around the village on his own. The villagers would sometimes talk about their predicaments. All which could be solved with someone who could take their place for a few seconds. Camilo had the gift of shapeshifting. He soon discovered how good he was at pretending to be others. He also learned he could shift to someone else with extra muscles to lift something. Not something he usually did because it left him strained. In all the little things Camilo found out he was good at handling kids. He became a known babysitter.
Camilo noticed just how much he made people laugh when using his gift. His new goal became to make everyone smile at least once every day.
In the long fondness in the past there was a realization that hit like a carriage.
Abuela said the spiral started when Camilo tried to blow out the candle. There was the mischievous gift of shapeshifting to follow.
Abuela kept Camilo by her side not necessarily because he was her favorite. She did favor him as her first grandson. Loved him very much. Still, Abuela kept Camilo by her side to keep him out of trouble. Camilo was more well behaved when with Abuela to keep by her side. Not wanting to be tossed aside like Mirabel.
Camilo left Abuela side forever when he wandered off in irritation.
There was no exact future in mind for Camilo like the others. Due to the lack of strictness, there felt like a lack of discipline. It became noticeable that Camilo went to Bruno's Tower as some sort of fun adventure.
It lead to the assumption he thought this was all some game until it was too late.
'Sorry for spoiling you.' would have been simpler words.
Camilo didn't like the apology at all.
"I think I want my Mami and Papi." Camilo sounded like a little kid.
Abuela let go of his hands. She stood up.
"I believe you when you say you don't know where Mirabel is. I still need you to leave." Abuela said
"Leave? You're Banishing me ?" Camilo's voice cracked.
"MAMI! PAPI!" Camilo shouted for his parents like a little kid. He must have shifted into one too based on his height.
"What happened?" His parents rushed in.
"I'm being banished I can't be banished" Camilo hyperventilated. He clinged onto his parents. He knew today would get worse.
He couldn't make out what the others were saying due to his buzzing head. Thunderstruck the dresser. The glass in it broke which caused Camilo to jump from the similar sound.
"Calm down. I meant leave your room. We can't have you in this dangerous place." Abuela was horrified by her words taking a different meaning.
'Oh.' Camilo shifted back to his normal self. Very embarrassed by the show he put on.
Camilo's room was dull in colors. Cracks around. He had also been injured. He was lucky it healed completely. Camilo's door was flickering very badly. Abuela planned to lock Camilo's room like Brunos. Just until everything went back to normal.
If there is a normal ending. Pa warned us what was going to happen.
Camilo shook the thought away.
Wherever Mirabel is, she's planning our next step. She just can't caught.
"So who am I rooming with?" Camilo was already missing his big canopy bed with many fluffy pillows.
"Where I know you won't sneak off like Mirabel." Abuela answered.
Pepa and Felix wanted all their children to sleep in the same room. It was decided Camilo was to be with someone strong enough to make sure he doesn't sneak out.
Camilo ended up in Luisa's room. Abuela may have believed that Camilo did not know where Mirabel was. She knew him enough that he would sneak off to find Mirabel. Everyone was still allowed to visit.
I'm Rupunzel locked in a tower. Where is my dream prince coming to save me?
Camilo was told to pack some things. He took his fluffy blanket and pillow. Clothing. He wished he had his binder but he left in Bruno's Tower. Senora Lydia would make another as soon as possible he prayed. He packed the toothbrush he kept in his room because it somehow kept disappearing. Most importantly was the diary. Camilo was never letting ANYONE get a hold on. If the vision somehow disappeared, his diary would be next. He was sure of it.
"You're not moving in forever." Luisa said as Camilo began to pack more trinkets.
Camilo was now set on proving he was the best roomie ever. If Luisa was concerned about snoring, Camilo did not go mimimi when he slept in his room. Dolores lied. He would prove it.
Something caught Camilo's eye. The letter from Marcos. Camilo took the letter and turned towards his parents.
"Can I stay at Marco's house instead?" Camilo asked.
The request was denied as they didn't want him away from the family based on what was happening. He also needed time to heal.
Heal from what? I'm fine. What I need right now is some fresh air.
"Can Marco sleep here?" Camilo added with puppy eyes. Very much needing this best friend nearby.
"We can't have anyone entering Casita now." Abuela frowned.
Camilo deflated.
"Me and Félix will drag him here first thing this morning." Pepa answered.
Camilo tackled his parents in joy. The image of Pepa dragging a very confused Marco by the ear to Casita filled him with humor.
Camilo stiffened at a new thought.
Why hasn't Marco come to visit? What happened must have spread already. The front doors are locked. That had to be the reason. He could also not be lazy and climb the tree through a window.
As they walked to Luisa's room, Camilo took notice on how the family blocked the little mirrors on the walls.
They already hear my voice. They noticed my height. They can tell I'm not wearing my binder. The baggy clothes aren't helping. I knew they would see it all when I can't completely use my gift
Camilo practically ran to Luisa's room. The room was a sharp contrast compared to his eye sore of a room. Mostly gray walls and gym equipment. Camilo missed his room already.
Camilo requested a moment alone for some air. Luisa would still remain. Luisa would be another person who saw Camilo without his gift completely.
It's just Luisa, Mami and Papi. It's not anyone else. Especially Antonio.
Antonio always knew Camilo with his gift and Camilo was making sure of it.
"Do you want some tea?" Pepa asked.
"I'm the one who's supposed to make you tea." Camilo frowned. It was Camilo's way of comforting his Mami. Camilo would have preferred coffee over tea. He wasn't allowed coffee due to how late it was.
Pepa and Félix left with the low mumbles of going to Marco's house now and tea.
The first thing Camilo needed to do was find a mirror. To know just how bad he looked that everyone kept blocking. Camilo unpacked as casually as he could.
There was a mirror on the wall near the gym equipment. Luisa had forgotten about it. Camilo was a fast runner to be caught.
Camilo closed his eyes. He prepared himself.
Camilo became aware of why Julieta kept stuffing good in his mouth.
The injury did not fully heal. What remained were a few faint scars.
Camilo tried to calm his nerves by remembering his shapeshifting. He could at least do something minor like hide it. His face tingled as he attempted to conceal. The scars went away. He lit up in joy. The coldest Camilo felt before tackled. The scars shimmered into place.
It's okay. I still don't look very different. It's just scars. It's just scars. When Julieta's gift comes back, it will probably be stronger and you'll eat everything in the kitchen.
Camilo rubbed his chest. A hollow feeling remained. Camilo looked away from his reflection. He wished everyone had warned him prior.
They know how much you hate looking in the mirror when you're like this. Maybe Mami and Papi were waiting to tell me when I'm alone with them. It's just makeup. It's just makeup.
Camilo saw Luisa was rubbing the area of her heart from the mirror.
"The hollow, cold thing? You've been feeling too?" Camilo asked Luisa without turning around.
"Yeah?" Luisa responded.
Camilo was unsure if to feel happy that he wasn't the only one or upset that others were experiencing it too. It meant the gifts were all fading.
"Since when?" Camilo continued.
"Since last night" Luisa answered with the truth.
Camilo hummed at the thought.
"So last night we all felt our gifts act up. Then let Mirabel look like a maniac. I guess I'm not the only faker in this family." With that, Camilo flopped on the bed. It was much softer and fluffier compared to his own bed. The stuffed animals brought warmth to his heart. Camilo hoped Luisa didn't mind sharing a bed.
Camilo's face itched from awareness of the scars. He resisted the urge to scratch it. Camilo also knew he couldn't keep a form while sleeping. He tried to stay awake despite the sleepiness. How tired he was kept him from complete panic.
"Remind me to never have a private conversation with Abuela again." Camilo muffled into the pillow.
"I will." Luisa said.
Camilo remembered hours earlier when Abuela said she would talk to Luisa.
Camilo was unsure if he should bring it up. So far Luisa was only giving simple responses. Obviously not in the best of moods.
"Abuela is very bad at apologizing." Camilo muffled into the pillow once more.
Camilo's view of Luisa was blocked by the pillow. He knew the word 'apologizing' must have caught Luisa's attention. Abuela never apologized unless it was for a simple mistake.
What Abuela apologized for was not simple.
"Are you alright?" Luisa sat down in the bed next to Camilo. It dipped due to her weight.
Camilo wanted to see how high Luisa could make him fly if they jumped on the bed together.
"Yeah. Just very tired. Very, very tired. Long day. I'm not used to this all." Camilo said.
Camilo wasn't used to so much physical labor. Abuela apologizing. For others -even family- to see him without his gift completely. So many arguments. All back to back to back. It was night time and still going on. He wished everyone would just go to sleep and wake up less cranky in the morning.
"Did she yell at you?" Luisa asked
Camilo rolled over and shook his head.
"She didn't yell me. I'm used to 'Camilo don't do that, Camilo you're grounded, Camilo you're no longer allowed to do this' Just…" Camilo stopped mimicking Abuela's voice. He closed his eyes. Out of all the things he could do without being strained, mimicking remained.
"Just what."
"She said that it was her fault I'm like this?" Camilo addressed himself.
Based on Luisa's expression her mind must have jumped to Abuela in terms of being trans. It would never be that. Abuela was very accepting of who people loved and the gender they were.
Abuela had been extremely happy on having her first neito.
"No. Not this." Camilo addressed his body once more.
"This." Camilo pointed at his temple. The brain.
There was still a negative reaction.
"Abuela said she should have been harder on me like she is with the rest of you. Then I would not have been misbehaving to the point that all happened. The cracks and gifts. Maybe she's right. I only joined Mirabel because I thought it would be kind of fun" Camilo admitted.
"What did Abuela say when she talked to you?" Camilo became curious about Luisa's similar predicament.
Before Luisa ran off she admitted that she and Mirabel had some talk about carrying too much. At the time Camilo thought maybe it was literal. Now, after everything that happened, it seemed to not just be literal. The topic only darkened the mood
"This is a sleepover. We share secrets. We play some games. Sneak out for pranks. Eat a bunch of junk food. I packed some makeup so that's an option. Then we'll gush over crushes. I even brought charms. We can make best friends bracelets! I'm good at that and already have a design in mind." Camilo smiled wide. Gap tooth and all. Treating this like a sleepover made the situation feel much easier.
It earned a laugh out of Luisa. Camilo wondered when was the last time his primas had a sleepover.
"Abuela didn't talk to me. I kept my door locked when she knocked." Luisa answered with disappointment in herself.
"You didn't open the door to Abuela." Camilo gasped.
Family members have gotten in trouble for keeping their doors locked. Never Luisa.
"Eh. Eh. Little rebel in the making. Now if you let loose, we can join forces and cause trouble. You could be my bodyguard defender." Camilo nudged Luisa with his elbow.
Luisa smiled and nudged him away. Camilo tumbled from the sudden strength.
"Your gift is coming back!" Camilo gleamed. He flexed his nonexistent muscle for her to do the same. Luisa followed his instruction.
"That's not enough," Luisa's smile dropped. The mood was down again
Luisa used her gift to build, lift, toss, move, carry, reroute and even break up fights. All back to back. Without the gift, what was The Encanto to do without her.
Maybe that was what Mirabel was talking about with her.
Luisa was the rock of The Encanto. She said yes to every tiny request. She needed a break both physically and mentally. There was now a crack in that rock.
The rock was going to crumble.
Camilo wished he could have helped with the burden. Last night he added to the stress when he pretended to be others looking for their parked items.
"I think I understand what Abuela is saying. If I didn't joke around all day. If I just grounded myself. I wouldn't have followed Mirabel expecting some grand adventure." Camilo admitted.
"Grounded? Your Camilo. You make everyone happy and get on our nerves like the stunt you pulled on me yesterday. I knew it was you the whole time." Luisa nudged Camilo again. Camilo felt better that Luisa knew it was him the whole time. Less stress. Camilo kept silent of how stronger the nudge was compared to the last one. It was like Luisa's strength was coming back the more that talked. Camilo even felt some of the strain in his body leave.
"Everyone always calls Luisa for being Luisa. When someone besides my friends calls me, it's usually because I need to be someone else or I'm in trouble."
"They won't call me without my gift." Luisa whispered.
Camilo stood up on the bed. He towered over Luisa.
"Even without your gift you're still stronger than anyone because of your working out. You are tall, smart, amazing and pretty. You're so confident with how you look. What you do. Honestly, now that I think of it. I don't know why everyone calls Isa 'Senorita Perfecta' with her little twirls and flowers. All while we have you. It's nothing compared to me and my stupid no personality. I can't even lift a shovel. I'm going to make you the best bracklet ever." Camilo complimented Luisa. He truly meant each word. If this were some drawing, he'd probably have stars in his eyes from his newfound admiration for his prima .
Luisa rubbed her neck from all the compliments.
"I don't know what to say to all that. That's something new coming from you. I can always teach you how to properly carry a shovel. You can also teach me how to make bracklets so I can make you one too. What do you mean no personality" Luisa pointed out the slip up Camilo hoped she didn't noticed
"Name something else besides making people laugh, causing trouble or using my gift to be someone else. Sometimes I forget I'm even myself. That shows a lot of personality."
Luisa was about to answer that but was cut off by Camilo jumping down to sit. He laid down to stuff his face back into the pillow.
"I miss Mirabel." Camilo whined.
"You really don't know where she is?" Luisa asked. Everyone in Casita asked Camilo several times if he knew. Camilo did not have a clue where Mirabel was. Perhaps in deep hiding.
"She's been making these promises back to back. ' We'll do this journey together. I'll see you in thirty minutes. We'll fix the vision together. Oh no! Everyone went downhill. See you in ten minutes. Now I'm hiding forever!' I don't even know how we're friends."
Before Luisa could answer his rambles once more, Camilo announced he was going to sleep. He took his thick blanket to hide himself.
"What's that in your pocket?" Luisa thankfully did not continue the prior topic.
Camilo looked in his pocket. The letter he kept forgetting about.
"Some letter Marco wants me to read. Dolores said it's good news. For some reason not to open it around others." Camilo took the letter out of his picker.
"You should open it now. You need good news. I won't tell anyone what it says inside."
Perhaps Luisa wanted to know what it said as good news in general.
Camilo trusted Dolores when she said Marco only had good news. Marco was never a bad person. He always supported Camilo in his lowest moments. He easily brought a smile to Camilo's face. Yet why would he want Camilo to open it alone? Did it involve trouble?
Maybe this was some secret code. They used to code when they were much younger.
Whatever it is, why couldn't he tell me in person. Why a letter? Marco most likely knows about the cracks. He hasn't come to visit.
"Hey, stop that." Luisa scolded. Camilo unknowingly began the action of ripping the letter. His anger towards what was happening clouded Marco's innocent actions.
There was a sudden knock on the door. Luisa went to get it. Camilo had a small hope for a moment; it was his parents who answered his plea for coffee. A chance they got Marco because of how long they've been gone.
It was the missing Mirabel. A frustration built in Camilo. He began to rip the letter as a way to let it out.
An instant regret.
Camilo really wanted to read the letter. He picked up a piece of paper.
Is this a signature?
"I told you not to do that." Luisa frowned. Camilo felt ashamed.
"What's with the shapeshifting?" Mirabel's first words. Minutes before her words, Camilo lived in a reality where his scars didn't exist. If they did, it would be similar to Luisa's. Luisa with her own scars from hard work.
Camilo's scars was going to be seen as something to pity.
"Well I decided to try on a new look while you were gone." Camilo showed off his new clothes and face. Mirabel must have known what was happening. The whole commotion had been loud.
"I was gone for a good reason." Mirabel stated.
Whatever good reason there was. It could have waited ten minutes to let Camilo come along. Rather than the events to follow.
"If you were gone for a very good reason. Say it. Since everyone here is having a good time too. Dolores can't leave her room. Luisa is losing her strength. I'm Mrs. No Real Identity Scar Face." Camilo did not mean to misgender himself. Once he started arguing with Mirabel the strain came back. He felt certain features he hid come back. The identity part was a slip up attached to the conversation he had with Luisa. Camilo felt like a fake in his own skin in every way. Tears threatened to spill.
"Don't call yourself that." Luisa spoke.
Luisa said it. Not Mirabel.
Mira used to always correct me when I misgender myself or said stuff like this. What is wrong with her?
Mirabel told Camilo to step outside because she had oh, so grand thing to show him.
I'm not her little minion sidekick to follow her every request. If I'm Rupunzel, Mira isn't the one saving me from my tower.
"No." Camilo crossed his arms. He laid down on the bed. He planned to go to sleep.
Just as Camilo was about to drift off, his foot was yanked. Mirabel attempted to drag Camilo out the bed. Camilo wasn't the worst fighter. Mirabel was just always stronger. If Camilo was able to use his gift he would have definitely won. He settled with kicks. He kept missing. Camilo grabbed whatever was near. A giant stuffed animal. Just like whenever they used to have pillow fights, Mirabel managed to grab it before the impact. They struggled with it. Fluff flew everywhere.
Luisa lifted the fighting primos apart before a fist fight broke out.
"Camilo. I don't need to know why Mirabel needs you. I think it's better for me not to know. I already want to run to Mama and say I found Mirabel. Didn't you tell me you wanted Mirabel back?" Luisa said. Sweat ran down Luisa's forehead from the nervousness. A twitch in the eye from how close the fight was.
Camilo regretted opening up to Luisa.
Mirabel looked at Camilo with both anger and pleading eyes,
Camilo wanted to see what Mirabel was going to show him.
Camilo was also mad that Mirabel left him alone in all this. Only choosing to come back because whatever she showed him made her see him as useful again.
Camilo found himself looking at Luisa for an opinion.
"What do you think of this. My beautiful, strong, amazing, talented, favorita prima and now bestest amiga ." Camilo words are set in a mean tone as jabs to Mirabel. Camilo still meant the compliments he gave Luisa.
Camilo began to trust Luisa more than anyone else. Especially himself.
Strangely, Luisa let him go. Perhaps thinking Mirabel and him would return in a minute. In front of them was Antonio…then
TIO BRUNO?
Camilo knew he shapeshifted. He assumed it was to Bruno. Camilo was amazed he could still shapeshift to something of extreme degree.
Camilo was now very aware of why Mirabel left. She found THE Bruno Madrigal.
The legend who Camilo said was seven foot frame, multiple pet rats and an overall ghoul. The Bruno presented in front of him was a short man with bags under his dark eyes. His clothing was old and ripped. He looked timid and nervous. Camilo couldn't help but be disappointed. No one was going to take Camilo's ghost stories seriously anymore.
The more Bruno talked, the more elated Camilo became. He felt himself grow a couple of inches from the excitement. He resisted the urge to flap and run around. Camilo composed himself when recalling all the bad things he was told about Bruno too.
"We made a deal that we were going to go in this journey together. The promise still isn't broken. I found Tio Bruno and he is going to give us another vision. A vision we piece together like we were supposed to with the last one. We're going to see the end of this all together." Mirabel statement brought Camilo back to reality.
Mirabel wanted Camilo to take her hand. Camilo was still angry over the broken promises. The lack of trust in him. Mirabel not being there in such a traumatic moment in his life. Camilo also thought of the vision. What was set to happen. The vision showed Casita was to crack. The gift may fade. Mirabel in the center.
If Camilo helped Mirabel he would be setting this future into motion.
He looked at Luisa's door. The way it flickered. How much Luisa needed her gift.
Mirabel said there was going to be a second vision. One that would likely show a different path. Camilo needed to know what was going to happen. A warning.
"The Bargain was the worst mistake I've ever made in my life." Camilo said more to himself than Mirabel
Camilo took her hand. It's very sweaty and he hates sweat.
"Let's hope the next vision doesn't have my face in the center." Camilo grumbled.
"I do have good news." Mirabel bumped her shoulder to Camilo's.
"Good news? I need good news. Kinda ripped my good news apart." Camilo tilted his head at her statement.
"You ripped Marco's letter?" Mirabel tilted her own head.
She's copying me like when we were kids.
There was confusion how Mirabel knew about the letter from Marco. It was likely because Mirabel did chores with Félix and Agustín.
"When we get back I have my own vision to piece. All without you." Camilo crossed his arms and looked away with a 'HM.'
Once entering Antonio's room, the fading of the magic was apparent. There were no cracks but the grass wilted and leaves fell. Stray branches laid around. The animals roamed around freely with little mind.
If everything falls. What's going to happen to the animals? Take that out of your mind Camilo. You can't let the thought slip to Antonio.
"Well, apparently there are two sides of the vision." Mirabel rushed inside. She was eager for the next vision. A location already picked.
"That's possible?" Camilo asked.
"Well I never saw a vision before? Didn't you go around telling everyone about all the vision Bruno gave you" Mirabel noted.
Camilo flushed in embarrassment. A younger Camilo lied about Bruno giving him super cool prophecies to sound cool. They ranged from growing up to be six feet tall and super muscular to not being the culprit for trouble he caused. The lies were cut off when Bruno went missing.
"The only vision I ever gave him was to see how many babies one of the cats here was going to have. I lied and said she ran away with six adorable, fluffy babies." Bruno said.
"It didn't run away?!" Deep shock settled in Camilo.
"No, she died while giving birth."
The mood was completely killed.
"Yeah. I shouldn't have said that. Can you both help me with these?" Bruno added the last sentence very quickly.
Bruno carried two vases of sand. Camilo took the lightest one.
"If you move it side to side it shows that I can also save The Encanto. We're going to see how I save it?" Mirabel lifted the heaviest vase with some struggle.
Camilo stopped.
How does Mirabel know that? The vision was stolen from his room. Did she take it?
"Bruno stole the vision." Camilo stopped in his tracks from the realization.
There was a small nervous laugh from Bruno. Camilo did not laugh. Camilo was now aware of why he was so calm through this all. He was using the habit he'd done whenever he freaked out. He pretended this was some sort of story. A mysterious long lost relative that will guide the heroes to save an entire village. The need for sleep helped.
"You stole it and this all happened." Camilo trembled. The memories of the bursting mirror that left the faint scars on his face. Followed by conversation with Abuela. Both were very fresh.
The scars aren't there. Don't shift back. Don't shift back. Don't shift ba-
"I'm sorry. No one was supposed to see it. So I decided to have the rats do it an-" Bruno did not look towards Camilo when he began to ramble. He began to fidget with his hands.
"Rats? You have to be lying. How did they even open my door? You had to be the one who stole it. Why did they leave only Mirabel's face then." Camilo accused.
A tree fell between Bruno and Camilo. It would have crushed them if they didn't move out in time. A new, safer area was to be found.
"I'm not sure how the rats got in. Maybe you left your room open. I-I didn't mean for all this to happen. No one was ever supposed to see it. If I stole it everything could go back to normal." Bruno distracted himself by pouring sand into the form of a circle.
"Back to normal? Nothing is going back to normal ever." Camilo countered.
"Milo." Mirabel put a hand to Camilo's shoulder. Forcing him to face her.
"Tio spent ten years behind the walls to protect me from this vision." Mirabel's voice was soft at the mention of Bruno's action.
"Ten years behind the walls?" Today was getting more confusing.
"I know it's hard to believe but he isolated himself because he knew how everyone would treat me if they saw the vision. We're at a dead end. This is our way to know what happens next?"
Camilo went silent. Would he have treated Mirabel differently if he knew that she was bound to break Casita when they were older? For both his prima and friend to be the reason he lost the gift he really needed. Would the fading bond they have never been there to begin with.
Mirabel looked just as tired as Camilo.
"Whatever we see. If it's bad. I'm going straight to my family." Camilo sounded very much like a little kid running to his Mami and Papi in tears.
"We won't know until we actually see." Mirabel response.
Bruno finished the layout. Mirabel pushed Camilo inside the circle.
Bruno did not step in.
"I can't. You're both arguing because of what I'm doing. I shouldn't have stolen the vision. There is a chance the vision will cause a bigger mess." Bruno looked at his feet.
Mirabel stepped out of the circle to Bruno.
"Tio Bruno. Camilo may be mad at you but even he knows we're at a dead end. You're our ONLY hope at the moment. We need you Tio Bruno. We need to save our home. We need to bring you home." Mirabel said.
Bruno looked at Camilo.
"I just want to sleep. I'm sure Mirabel does too. So do you." Camilo mumbled.
"I actually took a nap before dinner. Napping is something I do. So I should have been more responsible." Bruno did not help his case.
Camilo punched down the frustration that Bruno got to sleep.
Ten years ago, Camilo was very attached to his Tio. He would follow Bruno around because he had the best stories to tell. Bruno would let Camilo ramble on and on and on. Even if he wasn't exactly listening. When Bruno left. Camilo cried for hours. Not as much as Mirabel. A wound added to her failed ceremony.
The fondness was still there.
Camilo broke the circle. He helped Mirabel drag their Tio inside.
Bruno told them to sit down.
"This is your last chance to turn around." Bruno told his sobrinos. Most of it directed to Camilo.
"It's not going to go bad. Sometimes family weirdos get a bad rep." Mirabel gave a reassuring smile.
Camilo was unsure if he was part of the family weirdo club or not.
There was a sudden RAWR. Antonio and his jaguar. Antonio's voice became louder when he got his gift. He could still be very quiet when he chose to. Antonio handed Bruno a stuffed jaguar. Mirabel's eyes turned misty when she saw the toy.
"Mirabel gave me this for when I was scared in my new room. It helps with the nerves." Antonio handed the toy over to Bruno. Bruno smiled and placed it next to him. A small pat on the toy's head.
"I have to go back to Dolores, Mami and Papi." Antonio rode off.
Camilo knew there was going to be a storm when he returned. He was now missing too. Luisa was sure to get in trouble. Camilo felt his stomach sink.
Bruno lit up a match. He lit the leaves on the ground on fire. The smell of smoke filled the air. The light in the room dimmed. The wind rustled.
Brujería. Some rumors of Bruno are correct.
"Hold on to each other tight." Bruno held out his hands for them to take. The trio clasped hands.
Bruno took a deep breath in and out.
When he opened his eyes again they were glowing, neon green.
The glowing eyes are real.
A laugh escaped Camilo. Mirabel and Bruno shot him a confused look.
The ground began to tremble. The sand lifted and formed a spinning spiral around them. Green moving pictures flashed in the sand. A mountain surrounding The Encanto splitting in half. A door almost crushing a man and child. Camilo's heart hammered if that was Félix and Antonio.
Finally, Mirabel in front of a cracked Casita. Except, it showed a mended Casita too.
"It's always the same thing. Always something bad." Bruno's voice was strained.
Camilo was about to pull away. Mirabel held onto him tight.
"Please." Mirabel whispered.
'I can't do this alone.' Were her unsaid words.
"There's always different points of view in a story. Look for a different point of view." Camilo desperately shouted at Bruno.
The sand spiraled even faster. The swirl of sand around them entered the circle. A heavy hurricane of sand poured on them.
"Look. It's a butterfly!" Mirabel found a clue in the frenzy.
They moved through the hurricane towards it.
The yellow butterfly landed on some grass.
"Where is that?" Mirabel squinted her eyes.
"I don't know. There is a lot of grass around here." Camilo's sly comment was not much needed.
The yellow butterfly multiplied. They were surrounded by yellow butterflies. The butterflies spun around then. Then disappeared in a flash. The vision now showed the view of someone running.
"Whose point of view is that?" Mirabel asked.
"I don't know. This never happened before. I always see it in third person. Camilo said to look for a different point of view. I may have completely. This is all out of order." Bruno looked on the verge of collapsing.
The figure comes to a stop. In front of them was someone else.
"Wait, is that me? I'm not supposed to be in this vision." Camilo shouted. Mirabel and Bruno's grip kept him in place.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening.
The vision shifted. Mirabel in front of the miracle candle. It shined bright.
"The candle. You're going to save the candle!" Bruno smiled wide at the discovery.
Suddenly there was another figure.
"Who is that?" Mirabel squinted harder. The hurricane of sand clouded her glasses.
"Yes. Someone else. You fight them!" Bruno said.
"Fighting?" Camilo became more nervous. Camilo wasn't the worst fighter but his gift would have given them a better advantage.
"Is that a hug?" Bruno changed the statement. Relief flooded Camilo.
"Are we fighting or hugging?'' Mirabel was irritated. She was much more committed to the fighting part.
"To save the candle you have to embrace her."
"Her? They are her?" Camilo regretted opening his mouth again as he swallowed some sand.
"Yes. People are sometimes a her too. Almost there." Bruno's smile grew wider.
It's beginning to dawn on Camilo who the figure was.
Oh no. Mirabel isn't going to like this.
The figure turned around with a dramatic flip of the hair and a smile.
"ISABELA ." Mirabel shouts at the sight of her sister.
Mirabel let go of their hands. She left the circle in frustration. She began to kick a tree.
The vision was still spirling. Camilo hated being the responsible one but he needed to see what else there was. Mirabel would kill him if he didn't.
The figure of Isabela turned towards the left.
Isabela was not hugging Mirabel.
Isabela was hugging Dolores. The candle shone and glittered more than it ever had before. It was everblazing.
A/N : ANOTHER PLOT TWIST. DID YOU EXPECT THAT ENDING!?