If you read the previous 5 chapters before 7-23-2022, please reread them as they have been rewritten.
¡Hola! I know it's been a while, but that time was spent rewriting the first 5 chapters and art commissions—which I'm still doing! ^^;
My day job has also been exceptionally draining TTnTT
Without further ado, enjoy!
~Star
The calming scent of petrichor greeted Camilo as he drifted to consciousness, and then the full-body ache hit him. Not one inch of him was spared from the insistent throbbing that reached even his bones. He groaned softly in discomfort, snuggling further into the warmth surrounding him. He inhaled deeply, the earthy scent of rain soothing to him. 'Mamá?' He thought groggily, frowning softly as he registered the sound of someone breathing near him, and it brought him further into consciousness. Confusion filled him; it was a sound he only heard when his ear was pressed against someone's chest, not blankets around him.
Slender fingers carded through his curls, and Camilo sighed and snuggled deeper into his blankets.
"Camilo." Pepa cooed softly as she gently scratched at his scalp, his head pillowed next to her lap. "Time to get up, mijo." She smiled in amusement and relief when he frowned sleepily, and stifled a yawn herself. 'I'm exhausted…' The few hours of rest hadn't been enough after the events of yesterday and this morning, but further sleep eluded her—not when they didn't know for sure that Camilo was alright. It was closer to noon than the early morning now, and the relief flooded her when Camilo stirred after sleeping like the dead.
Félix leaned in, tossing Pepa a knowing look before whispering, "Breakfast is almost over, mijo."
Camilo creaked his eyes open into a squint and glared at his father. "That's no' true…" He grumbled.
Pepa pressed her lips into a line to keep her giggle in, and Félix grinned. "Well, since it's almost noon, breakfast is technically over—"
Camilo forced his parents back when he popped up into a sudden half-sitting position, eyes wide, before they closed with a groan. "Ow." Almost instantly he felt his parents' hands on him and his mother's worried muttering. "Estoy bien, I promise. Just….sore." He moved slowly into a proper sitting position before tentatively stretching, letting out a sigh when a few joints popped. Scratching under his slightly scruffy chin, he looked around and located a still sleeping Juanse and Alejo not too far away. He frowned after a moment. "Where's everyone else? I thought we were having a sleepover?" Pepa and Félix shared a look that left Camilo feeling left out. 'Did I miss something?'
"What do you remember about last night, mijo?" Pepa asked softly. Félix excused himself to get some food for Camilo when the younger man's stomach let out a fierce growl, much to his shy embarrassment.
Camilo paused, unsure why she would ask him that. 'What happened la—' Slowly, his eyes widened as the vague memories slowly came back to him. He shuddered, squeezing his eyes shut as phantom pains echoed along his body. 'I never ever want to go through that again!' Then, one after another, the hazy memories reeled across his mind's eye like a horror film he couldn't look away from.
"Camilo?" Pepa worriedly placed a hand on his upper arm, only to snatch it back when he flinched away. A cloud quickly formed above her and her eyes burned. "Lo siento, mijo. I-I didn't mean to hurt you—"
Camilo shook his head, trying to breathe in and out in a steady manner. He tried to stay calm, but the panic rising within his chest was quickly pulling him under. He felt a new presence get closer to him, and jerked away with a low growl before the scent of sand and salt and calmness wafted over him.
"Ca-Camilo," Tío Bruno said his name in a firm but soothing manner, and managed to pierce the fog surrounding him. Camilo peeked at him. His tío smiled. "Breathe with me. In, one, two, three, four. Hold it, two, three, four; and let it out slowly. One, two, three, four. Again. One, two, three…" This went on for a bit; Bruno gently coaching his sobrino through the breathing exercise, and Camilo slowly getting better at it.
When it was over, Camilo couldn't help but flush in embarrassment and shame. 'Was that…a panic attack?' "Lo siento…"
Bruno shook his head, gently ruffling his sobrino's curls. "Nothing to be sorry for, kid. You went through something traumatic. It's a normal reaction."
Camilo barely kept from scoffing. 'If it were anyone else…' He couldn't stop the pout from reaching his lips.
"Your Tío's right, mi vida." Pepa said softly, finally pulling him into a hug. He went willingly this time and melted into her embrace, and she rubbed soothing circles into his back. She mouthed 'gracias' to her brother over Camilo's curls, and he smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Last night…it was hard on all of us, but especially for you three."
"¿Qué pasó?" Félix asked in concern when he came back with food, retaking his seat beside Pepa. He groaned internally. 'I'm getting too old to be sitting on the floor like this.'
"Almost had a panic attack." Camilo mumbled, his face pressed against Pepa's shoulder. "Tío Bruno helped."
"Thanks, bro." Félix said emphatically, but worry ate at him. Bruno was their first experience with panic attacks, and they were all still learning how to help him with it. 'Will we be able to help them? Are we enough?' He shook himself out of his thoughts when he noticed Camilo sniffing the air, and refocused on the present. "Here, you need to eat."
"Don't need to tell me twice." Camilo smiled, pulling back from his madre to accept the plate of food. He didn't notice his parents and tío relax as he started to eat, suddenly ravenous. They smiled at each other.
'At least he still has his appetite.'
The smell of food eventually roused Juanse and Alejandro, and Julieta and Agustín brought them food. Their reactions were less extreme with food present, but they were still shaken as they recalled the events of the night.
"Where is everyone?" Camilo repeated once he was done eating. He was pleased the soreness went away with the help of his tía's cooking. "I remember…most things from last night, pero, before I…transformed is a little foggy." He swallowed thickly as a sudden thought made the food in his stomach heavy. "I— We didn't hurt—"
"No." The triplets quickly shook their heads, but it was Julieta that spoke. The three relaxed. "No one was hurt. Isabela told me you were herding the three of you outside before you, well, transformed." The word felt wrong on her tongue, but Julieta ignored it. She kissed his cheek and smiled at Camilo, giving his shoulder a squeeze. "You kept them safe."
Camilo flushed and shrugged, unable to stop the smile on his face. Something about being able to keep them safe filled him with pride, and he preened. "I mean, duh."
"As for where they are, they are in their rooms, sleeping." Agustín continued, "We weren't sure if something would happen again, so we sent them to their rooms. They…," he rubbed his face tiredly, "we saw everything, and…." Agustin swallowed thickly and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. He then gave Camilo a watery smile. "I'm just so glad you're okay, Camilo. All of you." He added, looking at Juanse and Alejandro, who had been silent through the whole exchange.
Camilo didn't think, reacting instinctively as he forced himself up and moved to hug his tío, who was sitting in a chair not far from him. He wasn't the only one, as Juanse leaned his head against one of Agustín's knees, while Alejandro rested his chin on his other knee.
"Gracias," a watery chuckle left Agustín. "You three are a lot more cuddly." He mused, hugging Camilo back and petting the other two atop their heads.
"Probably a dog thing." Alejo muttered, not even embarrassed.
"Wolf, actually." Bruno corrected as he brought out one of Antonio's books; it was a picture book with a canine that looked a lot like the beasts they had turned into last night. "And according to this, they are very social and physically affectionate!" There was a pause as everyone stared at him. "What?"
There were a few laughs, the tension lifting even more. Now that they knew Camilo was okay, Pepa and Félix went to check on their other two children. Julieta went to check on Marlena and her mother, while Agustín checked on their daughters. The three young men gathered around Bruno to learn more about what they had turned into, looking at the pictures with interest and taking in the information presented.
"I had no idea what they were thinking or saying," Camilo explained when the book mentioned communication, "but I knew what they meant. It was weird. Like already knowing a foreign language."
"How much do you remember?" Bruno asked gently, not wanting to incite another panic attack.
All three quieted in thought.
"Most of it. T-the change is the most…memorable." Alejandro shuddered, as did the other two. "Pero, I also remember being filled with rage." He continued. "I didn't know who I was—I was just so angry and in pain, and hungry." He frowned, patting his stomach.
"Same here." Juanse said solemnly. "I didn't remember who I was until Camilo restrained me. It was like something…calm was seeping into my-my soul."
Three sets of curious eyes turned to Camilo.
"How did you…remember yourself?" Alejandro asked.
Camilo thought hard, tapping his chin with his index finger. It was different, talking about it now. The other two gave him stability and allowed him to better process his emotions. 'Hmm—weird.' "It's hazy, but I remember some stuff. I remember the rage and pain and the hunger, but then it was just…gone? Like, something warm and—and welcoming took it away? It felt familiar…," he mused, hand shifting from his chin to his chest, and he gasped. He locked eyes with his uncle. "It felt like the Miracle! Like when I first got my Gift—except, it took away all th-the awful stuff and helped me remember who I was. I—" Tears filled his horrified eyes as he thought of what could have happened if their Miracle hadn't intervened. He remembered looking at his parents and only seeing food.
Camilo gagged.
"Easy, Camilo." Bruno murmured, setting the book down and rubbing Camilo's back. "Everything's okay, don't think about 'what if's'. You're okay, we're okay. No one was hurt." He paused, thinking back on Camilo's protective behavior and added, "everyone is safe. You kept them safe." That seemed to calm Camilo down significantly, along with gentle pets on his head and back. Alejo left to get water while Juanse joined in on calming Camilo down.
'They really have changed. By now, Camilo would have complained about babying him.' Bruno mused.
Alejo returned with a glass of water, and Camilo gratefully accepted it. "Gracias." He muttered after draining it completely. Alejandro shrugged it off.
A door slammed open and everyone jumped in surprise; a few startled snarls left the three while Bruno nearly shrieked and reflexively threw the book in the air.
"I know what they are!" A female voice proudly announced, and they all looked up to see Luisa holding a book proudly in one hand.
"Luisa!" Agustín yelled, rushing out of Mirabel's room with Mirabel behind him. "What—"
"I know what they are!" Luisa shouted again, decidedly excited as she rushed downstairs, Casita turning the stairwell into a slide. She stumbled slightly on the landing before rushing to her primo and his friends. "You're a werewolf!"
"A-a what?!" Camilo spluttered, eyes wide.
By then, doors were opening as the rest of the family rushed to see what the ruckus was. There were a lot of voices clamoring for attention, and Camilo realized how sensitive his hearing suddenly was. It was steadily becoming too much for him.
"Silencio." Alma Madrigal was awake and her low yet stern voice cut through the cacophony. With Julieta and Marlena supporting her, the three women made it down the stairs in a calm manner while the noise died down. Everyone was settled by the time they reached the first floor. The stern expression melted into a softer one before she sought out Camilo. "Camilo, mijo, I'm so glad to see you up." She cupped his cheek and kissed it.
Camilo nuzzled his face into her hand and smiled. "Buenas tarde, Abuela." She returned his greeting and then greeted Juanse and Alejandro in the same manner, the two positively beaming under her attention.
Antonio quickly made his way to Camilo, hugging him fiercely. Dolores joined in on it, hugging Camilo for a few seconds. She sniffled and Camilo hugged her tighter.
"I'm glad you're okay." Dolores whispered.
"Me too." Camilo replied just as softly.
"Me, three!" Antonio announced, and Camilo smiled.
Isabela tossed him a smile and Mirabel ruffed his curls, much to his ire. He grinned when she stuck her tongue at him.
"Now, Luisa, I believe you said you know what they are?" Alma asked, satisfied that the three were okay.
Luisa nodded eagerly, presenting the book in her hands. The title read; The World of Mythology. "After…after I got to my room, I started thinking— And I realized that what had happened seemed…familiar? I had read about it, but it was different." She opened the book and stopped at a page that had an illustration of a creature very similar to what they had seen last night. The title read 'The Werewolf of Europe'. "There were a lot of differences, but I really think you're werewolves now."
Isabela took a peak at the book, taking note of the location. "This says it's from Europe…do you think the plant is from there?" She mused aloud.
"It's a possibility." Mirabel nodded with a frown. 'How did a plant from Europe get here?'
Isabela glanced at her hermanas and nodded. "Alright, I'll check the library to see if they have any books on European flora." Her stomach growled. "After I eat."
While Isabela went to get something to eat, Camilo, Juanse, and Alejandro gathered around Luisa and the book, inspecting the images and text, muttering to each other. The family became more amused as the seconds ticked by.
W "Our snouts were not that short."
"We definitely had tails, I remember that."
"We were naked, weren't we?"
"…I don't remember keeping my clothes on, so yeah. Probably."
"Great."
"I do remember being drawn to the moon, so I guess it did trigger the change."
"Is there anything about that plant?"
"…no."
"Miércoles."
"We were definitely angry." Camilo butted in, looking up from the book to Alma. "I…I didn't recognize anyone, not even myself. I think the Miracle helped." Covering Antonio's ears—who pouted—he then went on to explain what he told Bruno earlier with everyone listening quietly. He frowned when he finished, something niggling at him. 'Am I forgetting something?' He mentally shrugged. 'Probably wasn't important, anyways.'
"I think he's right." Mirabel said after a moment. "When I approached you guys last night, I was, well, terrified—but the Miracle," she rested a hand over her heart, "it felt—calm, soothing. It was calm, so I was calm." She pursed her lips and sheepishly met her parents' gazes. "I knew they wouldn't hurt me because of the Miracle. I'm sorry I didn't say anything." Julieta just hugged Mirabel as Agustín wrapped his arms around them both.
Alma was quiet as she thought this all over. She then took Camilo's hand in hers again and gave it a squeeze. "The Miracle has always been for our family. It doesn't surprise me that it would protect us by protecting you." She sighed, her age showing in that moment. "I don't know what magic that plant has, but it's strong—strong enough that our Miracle couldn't stop it all the way, so it did what it could."
Juanse frowned, confused. "You make it sound like the Miracle is alive." He blinked at the amused looks sent his way. "What?"
As Mirabel explained to a blushing Juanse that the Miracle was, indeed, alive, Alejandro frowned thoughtfully.
Camilo grinned at Juanse's expense, but it faded with curiosity when he noticed Alejo's thoughtful expression. Getting closer, he gently nudged his friend in the side with his elbow. "¿Cuál es el problema?"
"I feel like we're forgetting something." Alejo responded, meeting Camilo's gaze before looking away. 'That's gonna need some getting used to.'
Camilo tapped his chin in thought. "I felt the same earlier. But I…," he closed his eyes and rubbed at his forehead.
"An invisible wall?"
Hazel eyes widened and briefly flashed amber. "A barrier!"
Alejo snapped his fingers as it hit him. "And two other werewolf scents!"
They froze.
Everyone froze.
A pause.
"Miércoles."
I hope you liked it! Will probably be a while more before the next chapter. I've hit a bit of a roadblock, so I'm trying too get past that and rack up some chapters before posting the next one.
Until next time, amigos, ¡adiós!
~Star
