"Mirabel…"
Bruno's hurt look swept over my face once more.
"What are you doing here? There is nothing left to…"
"I need you to come back to Colombia with me."
"What?! Oh, no, no, no, no, no… That's not gonna happen. You know I can't go back."
Goodbye to the pain. Now there was only surprise and fear in those gigantic green eyes.
"Bruno, this is an emergency. I don't have time for many explanations."
"But…"
"I need you to believe in me."
As a rat played with one of his ringlets, Bruno pressed his lips together without looking away for a moment and nodded.
"I always believe in you."
I knew that. He always believed in me and he always would. He left my side and I lost him, but he never stopped believing in me.
"So, you're coming?"
I offered him my hand, a little shaky but sure that he would take it, and he took it so quickly that I could feel the hunger emanating from his grip. It didn't take him long to get to his feet and take a couple of steps closer to me.
"I'm following you."
I was the one who nodded at that moment.
"Let's go."
I guided him by the hand through those streets so different from those of the place where I had spent all my life.
"Are we going to Astrid's place?"
"She is going to take us."
"To Colombia?"
"Yup."
"Are you gonna tell me what's going on? I have already accepted."
"Hiccup is dying," I said tightly squeezing his hand.
Bruno stopped dead, horror painted all over his face.
"Are you serious?"
"He has a very high fever, he coughs up blood… he feels weak…"
I didn't mean to, but I burst into tears. Bruno approached me tentatively and pressed my head against his chest.
"You need Julieta, don't you?"
I nodded as the comfort of his closeness gave my heart some consolation.
"And you need someone to help you get him to her without jeopardizing the family secret, is that it?"
I nodded again.
"Alright, Mirabel. Let's go find him. We are going to save your husband."
Those words gave me hope and made my heart sink at the same time. Bruno took my hand with a smile and started walking decisively, leading the way this time.
"Bruno?! Is that the help you went for?! Since when is Bruno a doctor? Knocking on wood is not gonna save Hiccup!"
Astrid's eyes were red and swollen, her hands were shaking nonstop, and her face was the epitome of anger.
"Have you already got him ready?" I asked ignoring each and every one of her questions.
The anger suddenly disappeared from her soul and a beautiful blush covered her cheeks.
"Yeah… he's ready."
"How's his fever?"
"It has only dropped a few tenths…"
"Okay, Bruno, grab water, cloths, and food. A very long journey awaits us. Astrid, let's go for Hiccup."
Bruno timidly but hurriedly toured Astrid's kitchen complying with my "request" while Astrid followed me in total incomprehension.
"Mirabel, where are we going?!" she asked as he lifted Hiccup up with amazing ease.
"We're going home."
"To Colombia?!"
Hiccup laughed vaguely, apparently understanding my plan.
"I told you she's crazy."