Mirabel, Camilo, and Dolores had spent their morning eating breakfast with their tio in the nursery. He wasn't ready to be in a large group setting just yet, so Julieta allowed it. They talked lightly and eventually Bruno requested on to be alone.

After breakfast, Dolores went to spend some time with Mariano. He was a good man and she could rely on him to comfort her. Abuela insisted Mariano keep her granddaughter safe while they were out. Like the rest of the town, Mariano only knew that the carpenter who lived outside of town was harassing the Madrigals. He didn't know the details but obeyed Abuela's wishes.

Camilo left the house and followed his sister. He wasn't taking any chances with Andre on the loose. Bruno and Mirabel would be safe at home, so he felt he should try to keep Dolores safe just in case something happened. He hoped if any of his other family members decided to venture out, that they would go in groups.

Mirabel decided to spend the day playing with Antonio. He was her best friend and it was a comfort to see his joyous face. They played in the water in his room and talked about the animals together. It got her mind off of more terrible things. Antonio only asked about Bruno once and she responded that he was okay now and that everything would be fine.

For fear of another suicide attempt, Bruno was not allowed to be alone. Pepa's plan of action was to distract him as much as possible. If he was distracted he wouldn't have negative thoughts. A distraction would also prove useful to keep Bruno from their plans to find Andre. They didn't want him to worry.

Pepa walked with Bruno to Isabela's room. "Is this really necessary?" He asked.

"Of course it is," She tutted. "I have a lot to do today, and Isabela offered to watch you."

"I don't need a babysitter," He fumed. "I'm an adult."

"Not from where I'm standing," She retorted then knocked on their niece's door. "Stay with Isabela. Do not wander off." She gave a quick kiss on the cheek and a hug that lasted a second longer than normal before walking off.

Left standing there, he huffed and moved to leave to be alone. But the door opened with Isabela standing there to greet him. "Hi tio," she smiled, "Tia Pepa said you were going to help me with the plants today." Seeing her smiling face warmed him a little, so he decided he would spend a little time with her then find a way to be alone.

.=.

The plan was simple. Julieta, Agustín, Félix, Pepa, and Luisa would go as a group and search the woods for Andre. Isabel was in charge of protecting Bruno today. The leaders of the town that kept order among the people were made aware that Andre was dangerous and to be on the look out. If he was spotted in town they would contact Alma, so the woods were the only thing left to search.

Alma wished they had a better plan, but they didn't have enough people to spare in catching the horrible man. And she didn't want to risk anyone's life. This man was obviously capable of all crimes, including murder. She was apprehensive about even letting Luisa help find him. She was too young to be chasing a dangerous person. But Luisa insisted that she was the only one capable of taking him on in a fight. She wanted to help, for tio Bruno.

Unfortunately, by the end of the day they didn't find Andre. They did however, find his camp set up; which consisted of some food, clothes, and a tent. It wasn't much, but it confirmed that he was lurking. Alma worked with the leaders in town to get a group of volunteers to patrol the streets and keep a look out at night.

.=.

Bruno sat in a field of rainbow flowers inside Isabela's room. They had spent the day redecorating the house with new colorful plants to replace the old pink ones. On a normal day, she would go to town and revive other people's plants and crops. But Bruno wasn't allowed to leave the house. Luckily, Casita was due for a makeover.

Bruno helped pick the colors and types of plants which he really had fun with. He oddly requested she grow a vegetable garden lining the stairs leading to his door. He didn't tell her it was for his rats. In the evening, when it was all done, they returned to Isabela's room.

She was now working on trying to make different types of cacti. She made a tall skinny one with green flowers and red needles. "What do you think of this one tio?" She asked.

He pondered for a moment. "Too much green," He finally decided.

"There's no such thing as too much green," She laughed. "Did you know there are more shades of green than any other color?" She made more flowers bloom from the cactus with 6 different shades of green. Bruno shrugged and laid in the flowers.

"If anyone knows anything about colors, it would be you," he commented. She sat next to him as he continued. "You're room is a lot better than mine. The flowers smell nice. My room has me digging sand out of my clothes half the time." The ground in her room was soft and warm, so he closed his eyes to enjoy it. They sat in silence for a full minute before Isabela's feelings finally got the best of her.

"Tio," Isabela started. She hadn't had a chance to say anything to him about what happened to him. She hadn't got up the nerve yet. But it was quiet and they were in her safe space, so she let it out. "I'm sorry about what happened to you. I'm not great at sharing my feelings, so you probably couldn't tell. I've been worried about you and after what happened yesterday. I just want you to know that I love you, and I want you to stick around until you're old and gray." A few tears dripped from her face to the floor as she waited for a response. Bruno lightly snored in return and she laughed causing more tears fall. She hoped that he would be okay.

.=.

The next day it was Luisa's turn to protect Bruno. Isabela escorted her tio to breakfast from her room and he apologized profusely for falling asleep there. She didn't mind though, it was good that he was safe with her over night.

At breakfast, Abuela announced that there were people in place to keep the town under close watch for Andre. As such, it was safe enough for everyone to be in town. Though, she highly suggested no one go anywhere alone. Breakfast carried on delightfully, everyone talked and made jokes. Bruno smiled a lot and all seemed well for once.

Once the family disperse, Lusia inquired if Bruno was comfortable enough to go to town. He was feeling pretty good at the moment and agreed that it would be fine. They made their way to the front door to leave and a spike of anxiety crept up on the prophet. He had been so relaxed since yesterday that he nearly forgot the looming threat.

He stopped for a second, not sure if he should leave. "Tio Bruno, are you okay?" Luisa asked. He didn't want to put Luisa in danger if Andre came for him. But Luisa was strong, and the town was protected. With all those people around, maybe it would be okay. He threw some salt over his shoulder, knocked on wood, and took a deep breath. One of his rats scurried up into his clothes making him feel even more secure. He stepped out backwards holding his breath with his fingers crossed, which his niece found amusing.

In town the people asked for a lot of help; moving buildings, changing the landscape, corralling donkeys. Luisa did it all with ease. Bruno had no idea that his niece was so capable and strong. He had a hard time keeping up with her. She would walk one way to do something and then walk the opposite way before he could catch up.

Eventually, things died down. And the girl was able to take a break. They sat together on a bench eating lunch. "How has your day been so far?" She asked her tio. "Are you doing okay?"

"I should be asking you that," He responded. "You've been working non-stop. Do you ever get a break?"

"I'm taking a break now," she shrugged. "It's not like this all the time. Plus, Abuela has been letting me take as many days as I need off and I can stop whenever I need to rest. So when I do come to help people in town I don't feel so overwhelmed." She smiled.

"Well that's great!" He smiled back. "I guess it just seems like a lot to me because I'm not as strong as you. Though, I'm sure it can get to be much sometimes even when you are trying to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed. Just don't forget to take care of yourself first before anyone else. The town can always be fixed and changed, but you are irreplaceable." He looked up to see Luisa's bottom lip trembling. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close.

"I love you Tio," She said crying into his shoulder. He hugged her in return and rubbed her back comfortingly. Suddenly a townie ran up to them upset, "Luisa! The donkeys escaped again!" She sighed heavily and laughed.

As Luisa gathered the donkeys, Bruno did is best to help. He managed to get a rope around the neck of one and tried to lead it to the pen, but it refused to move. He tried pulling the rope, nothing. He tried pushing it, still nothing. He had one last idea and slapped it's rear it ran ahead dragging him with it. When he finally got it in the pen he was covered in dirt.

He looked off enjoying the sight of the landscape as he tried to brush the dirt off his clothes, when he saw a figure on the edge of the trees. His heart nearly stopped. The man on the edge of the trees waved at him and then walked away disappearing in to the foliage.

Bruno stared wide eyed at the now empty spot and his vision began to blur as he subconsciously held his breath. He couldn't move or yell for help. He felt frozen. "Tio?" Luisa tried getting his attention, "Are you okay?" He could barely hear her over the ringing in his ears. Then everything went dark.