Three years passed and it was time for Mirabel to get her gift. Mariposa was relieved when she gazed into the farthest pool's surface. If anything disastrous were going to happen, the vision would appear there. And, luckily, there was nothing.
Though her power wasn't "active," Mariposa got ready to help prepare Casita for the celebration. It wasn't much, but since Mariposa received her gift, she also involuntarily saw small things that would happen in a few seconds. In this case, she could see if something was going to fall or if someone needed extra help. It made her feel important. Of course, she always kept her sketchbook in her bag, just in case she had a more powerful vision.
Everything was fine, at first. But Mariposa could tell her father had seen something, something big. Normally eager to help, this time he was observing, a worried expression painted on his face.
"Dad? Is everything okay? You seem-"
"Everything's fine, Butterfly. I was just thinking about something…"
"A vision?"
"Why? Did you have one?"
"No."
Bruno sighed with relief.
"But I can tell that you-"
"Everything's fine," he snapped.
Mariposa hesitated before returning to the preparations. Something was definitely off, not only with her dad, but with Abuela, too. And, though she didn't have a vision, she couldn't help but feeling like something bad was looming.
Then it happened, the strongest vision she'd ever had outside her room. There was Mirabel, reaching for her doorknob. But the door slowly faded away. Panicked, Mariposa whipped out her sketchbook and began to draw. Carefully looking to make sure no one could see what she'd drawn, she tucked away the book and headed toward her father's room.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Abuela asked as Mariposa passed her.
"Just need to see my dad for a minute," she called back.
"He's not in his room."
Taking a deep breath, Mariposa halted and swiveled toward her room. She hoped that's where he would be. If ever there was a vision to review, it was this one.
"Butterfly?" Bruno asked from behind her.
"Dad, I have-"
"Whatever it is, destroy it. Destroy it before anyone can see. Visions are too dangerous; I've learned that the hard way. The truth is, no one wants to know what we've seen. They'll just- they always- Just destroy it."
Mariposa took out her sketchbook. She had never seen her dad like this before. He'd always encouraged her and said to never erase what she'd written/drawn. So, she decided to keep her drawing, but keep it secret. Instead, Mariposa tried to think of some excuse to not attend her cousin's ceremony.
"Abuela," said Mariposa, after she'd come up with one.
"Yes Mariposa?"
"I'm not feeling well, I don't think I can make it to the ceremony tonight."
Abuela scanned Mariposa, confused why she would lie. "I'm sure Julietta could help you with that."
"I don't want to bother her. It's her daughter's big night, she's busy enough."
"How considerate of you. If you're fine with missing your cousin's big night, go, rest."
"Thank you, Abuela."
