The triplets are meant to be the experts at this game, but it turns out neither Bruno nor Pepa is willing to go next. When the room falls silent, Dolores remembers a little writing project she's been working on and offers to share. Her creepy story maybe hits a little close to home for one family member though. Or does it? Grab a pillow and a blanket, and come join the family for another night of tales.
Dolores's story was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven'.
The Tower
"We're doing that again tonight, right?" Mirabel asked with a yawn as Casita poured her another cup of coffee.
"I insist we do," replied Abuela with a smile.
Julieta stepped down from the kitchen and placed a bowl piled with rice on the table. "But where? The library was far too small."
Mirabel had an idea. "The library's the same size as the vision cave, right?"
"Technically," answered Bruno from the end of the table.
The family did not typically all eat breakfast at the same time, and they often did not sit down, but Bruno made a point of always sitting at the table and eating from his personalised plate.
"But, the books and everything take up a lot of space... so..."
"So what about the vision cave itself?" asked Mirabel, sitting herself on the corner beside her uncle. Bruno eyed her curiously but did not reply.
"It was rebuilt, right?"
He shrugged. "Dunno."
"You don't know? The old tower's still there, isn't it?"
The previous version of the tower was still there. Bruno's kitchen had gone, but the door remained, and it now led to the bottom of the steps, just in case he ever changed his mind about not using his gift. The new miracle left everything up to the family members but wasn't taking anything off the table.
"Well, yeah... but I've never..."
"You've never gone up there?"
"Why would I?"
"To see what's there?" Mirabel suggested.
Bruno leaned closer and whispered for dramatic effect. "But I don't care."
Julieta joined in. "Even if it is there, do you really want to climb those stairs every time we want to tell each other stories?"
Mirabel recalled the one time she had climbed the stairs, and it had not been fun.
"You have a point," she admitted with a sigh, then started to throw out some other ideas. "I guess Antonio's room might be big enough. Or Isabela's?"
Bruno shuffled for a moment and then mumbled something into his coffee.
"Sorry, what was that?" Mirabel asked.
Dolores had caught it. "He said there might be a shortcut," she translated, carrying a plate from the kitchen and joining them at the table.
All eyes turned on Bruno.
"What...?" they all asked at once.
"Yeah... uh..." He looked uncomfortable but decided to elaborate. "So... the day of Pepa's wedding... I found the way into the walls. And uh..." he scratched his head awkwardly. "There was... kind of a secret entrance to my room."
"Bruno!" Julieta gasped. "And you never told us?"
He glanced at Abuela for a second and then to the kitchen where Pepa had just arrived, before whispering, "Well, you remember how it was... things weren't exactly..."
Julieta got it. "It's fine. But do you think the shortcut would still be there?"
"Only one way to find out, I suppose."
Mirabel understood and jumped down from her chair. "Then let's check it out!" she said, grabbing Bruno's arm.
He refused to budge. "Go ahead. Do you want me to draw you a map?"
Realising his reluctance, Mirabel decided to wait. "You know what, let's just all meet on the balcony at eleven fifty tonight. We can check it out together. Mamá and I will bring the snacks again..."
"Buñuelos!" Bruno reminded her. "Oh, and everyone should bring a light. You can't see a thing in the vision cave if the doors are closed.
.
That night...
When Julieta and Mirabel arrived on the balcony, the rest of the family were all waiting in their nightclothes. Just as the previous night, everyone had brought a cushion and blanket, and this time they each had a candle too. Some candles were lit and some were not, some were in lanterns, others in jars, and a few were just freely held in their hands. Antonio had arrived with his jaguar friend, Parce, having completely ignored his dad's advice not to bring him. He'd at least had the foresight to ask his toucan friend, Pico, to fly up the old tower and check that the vision cave was definitely there, which no one else had the sense to consider.
"Well, let's see if it's still there!" Mirabel said, motioning towards the painting.
Bruno reached out to touch it but pulled back his hand at the last second. "You know..." he said, turning towards his family. "Maybe the library wasn't so bad after all... I'm sure it's—"
"Oh for crying out loud Bruno," exclaimed Pepa as she nudged him out of the way and opened the painting. "It's just a hole in a wall."
Bruno peered inside, then said, stepping away. "Fine, well... after you then... But just know you're leaving yourself wide open to—"
Pepa felt mildly irritated, although she secretly loved the sensation. Not for some soppy sentimental reason along the lines of being glad her brother was home and so could irritate her again. It was just nice to feel any degree of negative emotion and not have it broadcast to the entire Encanto, and she was relieved to finally be able to retaliate to a sarcastic comment with a playful nudge without running the risk of giving the person an electric shock. The new versions of their gifts truly were splendid.
"I don't know the way, genius," she said, pushing him back towards the hole.
Bruno sighed and looked at the passageway inside. It was a lot like the previous one, but with far fewer cobwebs. The floorboards were intact, and there wasn't a single crack on the walls.
Julieta put her hand on his shoulder. "I'll come with you."
Bruno smiled. It was just a hole in a wall. He nodded and handed his candle to Julieta before hopping up and sitting halfway through the opening. There was a pause while he took a deep breath and crossed his fingers. He then dropped down onto the wooden floor, letting out his held breath with a sigh, before turning back and taking the candle from Julieta.
Julieta climbed in behind him and took his hand. "Go on then. Lead the way."
The rest of the family followed close behind, walking single file.
"So... what's that all about, anyway?" Mirabel whispered to her mom out of the side of her mouth.
"My brother has a problem with thresholds..."
"It's not thresholds," Bruno replied over his shoulder. "It's liminal space... and if you had any sense, you'd be cautious too."
"What's—?"
Julieta turned back and signalled to be quiet. "It's not worth it."
.
The family followed the passages around to the location of the tower. The shortcut had meant that Bruno could access his old room while living in the walls, although he only did that on rare occasions because the sand would stop falling, and he suspected his door lit up again whenever he was in there. He would never forget the very last time he used the secret entrance though.
.
Bruno suddenly stopped and climbed up to the floor above, beckoning his family to follow.
"Yep. It's here!"
The area before the stone door was too small for all twelve of them, so some waited below.
"Aren't you going to open it?" Pepa called up impatiently.
Bruno pushed the door. It used to lead into his room, but as that had now relocated to a much more favourable position, it instead opened directly into the vision cave. Almost as soon as it was opened, there was a loud bang as the heavy, round door on the opposite side of the vision cave slammed shut, causing everyone to jump.
"Why's it always open?" Bruno whined. He turned back to his family. "Sorry. The pressure's all weird up here and it makes the doors slam... a lot."
Bruno entered the cave, and his family members followed behind, their candles gradually illuminating the space.
"Wait a minute!" said Mirabel suspiciously. "The door slams shut when the other one is opened?"
Bruno pretended not to hear her. "So... make yourselves at home. Enjoy the..." He looked around, "...sand," he decided on, then walked over to the pit in the centre of the room.
"You were there weren't you?" Mirabel continued. "Tío Bruno..."
"Ooo look," Bruno said enthusiastically, as he picked up a handful of sand and let it fall through his fingers near a candle, "it sparkles!"
It did sparkle. The light caught tiny green particles that were mixed with the sand, causing it to shimmer like glitter. Mirabel wasn't finished with him though.
"I did wonder how you knew I'd destroyed the vision cave... And then, of course, it struck me as kinda weird that the door had presumably been open for ten years and yet suddenly chose to slam shut at that exact moment..."
"See... it sparkles!" Bruno repeated, letting another handful of sand fall from his hand in case Mirabel had missed it the first time.
.
The family arranged themselves in the same order as the previous night, with the triplets along the wall to the far right. Even with Parce lying beside Antonio, there was enough space for everyone to spread out a little more. Mirabel and Luisa left the largest gap, so they weren't blocking the exit. Bruno started a small fire in the centre of the circle for extra light and advised that they leave the door to the shortcut open, to allow a constant flow of air, explaining that it could get stuffy with so many people in there.
Julieta placed plates of snacks where everyone could reach them, while Mirabel and Antonio poured out the chocolate and passed the mugs around the circle. Soon they were ready to begin.
"So, who's up next?" asked Mirabel.
Her question was met by silence. Well, silence and slurping to be precise.
"Really? Nobody?"
"Why don't you tell one of your Grecian spy stories?" Bruno suggested to Pepa.
"I will, just... not tonight. I'm still working out some details."
"You said you had loads of stories, Bruno," said Julieta. "What are your feelings about going second?"
"A lot like my feelings about going first," he replied. "But there is something I'd like to share, so maybe next time."
"Well, someone's got to tell a story," said Mirabel.
There was a faint squeak from beside the vision cave door, and everyone turned towards the sound.
"I might have something," whispered Dolores shyly. "I'll need to read it out, and it's a bit experimental..."
"That's okay," Pepa reassured her. "Experimental how?"
"It's a poem," she said, taking out a piece of paper. "I've been thinking about what Mirabel said. About us all being 'more than just our gifts.' And well, for some of you, your 'more than' is obvious. Like Camilo, you have a talent for comedy and storytelling, and Isabela, for you it's dance and acrobatics, Tía Julieta doesn't just heal with her food, her cooking is sensational in and of itself, and—"
Bruno interrupted. "For me it's—"
"It's not acting!" Mirabel cut him off.
Bruno looked horrified and stared at her with his mouth open.
"Ugh," Isabela had a similar expression. "Ignore her, Bruno. She doesn't know what she's talking about."
"Anyway," Dolores continued. "I've been thinking about what my own 'more than' might be. Everyone assumes it's music, because of my gift. But while I do like music, it's not exactly a passion. But words though... I think I'd like to try my hand at writing lyrics. Creating a melody with language rather than notes."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," beamed Pepa proudly.
Everyone agreed that they'd like to hear Dolores's poem, and settled down to listen.
"Well, if everyone's ready..." she said, nervously clearing her throat. She then began to read, the paper shaking a little in her hands.
.
"Encased within my sombre tower, I wonder sleepless, hour by hour,
Taunted by the ticking clock upon the bedside chest,
Trapped am I by my desire, to escape this ghastly spire,
Called am I to river's basin, wooded hill and mountain crest.
But Mother's words I acquiesce, that of this shelter I am blessed,
For after all, Mother knows best.
.
"Of need for sleep I give no care. I ravel out the reams of hair,
That thrice around the tower wind, untressed,
Faintly comes a singing fair, but sure as night there's no one there,
And soon return my thoughts of rest, but with that voice I'm now obsessed.
Yet folly is it to protest, for some things can't be second-guessed,
Like these three words; Mother knows best.
.
"In the cold and silver light of moon, my hair it nestles round the room,
Upon the silken pillow I lay my head at last,
To sleep, I wonder, would it come? Then again I hear that ghostly hum,
The singing of some unseen guest, and gone are all my hopes of rest,
There's someone here I can attest, but plain my senses do protest,
Be still, sweet child, for Mother knows best.
.
"Into the baleful dark I glance, a trick my mind has played, perchance?
A song inviting me to dance, a dance I've never chanced to test,
Could it be my soul is longing? Wishing once to taste romance?
A dream, a wish, a folly at best, a voice by my mind manifest,
But such a dream could never be, for well I know the mantra so;
Mother knows best.
.
"The humming now, it turns to speaking, utterance forced through quiet weeping,
From the bed I spring unthinking, now my mind convinced.
"Speak up! Come out!" say I, quite shaken, "Who sings and speaks and weeps unbreaking?"
Is this some unforgiving quest? A wish my fortitude to test?
Once more those words from Mother in my mind are stressed,
'Back to bed, Mother knows best.'
.
"My Mother's words I must ignore, the call, the draw, the pull once more,
That unseelie voice unto my mind so firm impressed.
A tapping now, as of a door, but not from door, the wall, I'm sure.
A sound so weak and far and dainty, coming from the wall, quite—"
.
"You know what..."
The mood was suddenly broken as Bruno jumped up throwing his blanket aside. Pepa managed to catch it before it hit a candle.
"...I could really use some air. Could anyone else really use some air? I'll be right back. Great story Dolores. You're doing great..." he said, as he rushed towards the door, agitating the candles as he passed, and then quickly disappeared into the passage outside.
Dolores's hands slumped onto her lap, still holding the piece of paper. "I didn't..."
"Woah, Dolores," exclaimed Félix. "Too soon!"
Dolores was frustrated at accidentally saying the wrong thing, yet again. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to upset him..."
"No," said Julieta gently. "You've done nothing wrong. Maybe we should just give warnings first if our stories are a little dark. Or might hit a nerve?" She stood up. "My brother's a lot tougher than he seems, but I'll check he's okay, just in case."
As she went to leave, Agustín stood up as well. "I'll come with you."
"No... you stay here and enjoy the rest of Dolores's story." She turned to Dolores before she left the room. "You've done an amazing job, by the way. I'm looking forward to hearing how it ends."
Agustín sat back down and folded his arms. "Aaand I'm back to being the third wheel..." he sighed.
"Ha. Third wheel?" Pepa remarked, reaching over and putting her hand on his shoulder. "Just be thankful you're on the cart," she added with a wink.
"That's what we sign up for when we marry a triplet," said Félix with a grin. He then turned to Dolores. "So, who is in the wall anyway? Is it Bruno?"
"Oh, it's worse than Bruno."
"'Worse than'? Damn Dolores, what have you got against your uncle today?"
"Nothing... It's just coming out all wrong..."
Pepa could see her daughter was becoming distressed so intervened, tapping her husband lightly on the arm.
"Félix, stop teasing her! Dolores, we all know you love your uncle. Now come on, finish your poem. Let's find out what's really in the wall."
Dolores didn't feel much like continuing, but her mom was right. They needed to know how it ended. So she went back to where she was interrupted and started again from there.
.
"My Mother's words I must ignore, the call, the draw, the pull once more,
That unseelie voice unto my mind so firm impressed.
A tapping now, as of a door, but not from door, the wall, I'm sure.
A sound so weak and far and dainty, coming from the wall, quite faintly.
To the door at once I hasten, but there's some veil-like spectral casing.
I must concede I'm never leaving; Mother knows best.
.
"Now angered by my hateful captor, through soft and lonesome bitter laughter
I seize a mallet from beside the chimney breast,
With aberrant strength, I smash a hole, a minute break within the wall,
Then peering through the tiny cleft; a tear, a break inside my chest.
Swaddled there, within my hair; my decaying corpse's final rest.
I never will, I've never left; for all along, Mother knew best."
.
"She was dead the whole time?" Luisa cried out, horrified. "These stories had better start being happier. I swear if Tío Bruno's doesn't have a happy ending, I'm out!"
.
Meanwhile...
Julita pushed open the picture and climbed onto the balcony. She found her brother sitting in the armchair just outside.
"You okay?"
"'Course I am. Like I said, I just needed some air..."
As Julieta walked closer, she felt something grainy under her foot. "Just, you know... that story maybe hit a little close to home for you."
Bruno rolled his eyes and forced a chuckle.
"Oh come on Julieta. I did say it gets stuffy in there. I was struggling to breathe."
"Hm-hmm. So why am I standing on a pile of salt?"
He didn't answer, so she tried again.
"It's understandable you know. We've all been through a lot, and none of us more than you."
Bruno made firm eye contact. "I'd have thought you of all people would know how happy I am right now..."
"I do know that. We all are. But that's not to say we don't still need to heal the past.
"Yeah, well the past isn't really my thing, so..."
Julieta laughed at his comment. "Well just know... Eventually, it all has to come out somewhere."
"You know, I think I've had enough air now..." Bruno said, jumping to his feet. "Let's go back..."
"Okay. Though she's probably finished reading her poem." Julieta then remembered something Bruno had said earlier. "You said there's a story you'd like to share. What is it? Is it one I've heard before?"
Bruno looked a little uncomfortable. "Oh, it's just a silly idea I've had lately..." he said to his feet.
"Go on, tell me."
"Well, okay..." His demeanour completely changed as he started to enthusiastically share the idea he'd been thinking about for days. "It's about this super-intelligent man who builds a device that can travel through time and space. He tries to save the day, but something always goes wrong. That's when his assistant comes in handy. She's just as intelligent, maybe more so. But it's a different kind of intelligence. She notices details... Things he misses... and then the day is finally saved!"
"This assistant. Does she wear glasses by any chance?"
"She does, and she's got—" he suddenly stopped and his eyes snapped onto Julieta. "Oh... I see your point..."
Julieta laughed. "Like I said... it all has to come out somewhere..."