Hello. This is the translation of my French fic "The Vision". A big thank you to Melli, my beta reader for her wonderful work. Good reading !
Mamá had said : "Don't go bother your tío when he is in his room" and Papá wouldn't stop repeating that Bruno was a walking disaster, but when he got up this morning, he had made his decision : Today he will follow tio Bruno !
It was nice to listen to his parents but Camilo was a big five years old boy and he had his own door now. He was totally capable of understanding and seeing by himself his tio at work. Especially since that yesterday, when passing by the balcony, he had heard tio Bruno promise a vision to Isabela, his cousin. Not that he was eavesdropping on them (even if it would be fun to mimic Dolores ), but the big rhipsalis was the ideal hiding spot to eat his share of torta negra stolen in the kitchen a few moments ago. Honestly, was it his fault if tia Julieta made such good cakes ? Anyway : Isabela, vision, follow tio Bruno into his room. That was the plan.
Camilo carefully opened his enchanted door and stepped outside. Usually, it was nap time and the adults were all downstairs, busy forgetting about them. Isabela and Dolores, his big sister, must be in the former's room, playing hide and seek in the flowers. But his others cousins, Luisa and Mirabel, they must be sleeping tight. Girls were weird, they could be super discreet as well as super unruly. Himself, he was the only boy and sometimes, he was feeling a bit lonely amidst all those sequin dresses. Maybe if he asked for a little brother for his birthday, his parents would agree ? It didn't work for the dog, but he could still try ! Camilo was sure of it, Abuela would be delighted. She loved to watched them eat all together at the dining table, so one Madrigal more or less...
Danger ! Someone was coming up the stairs ! Camilo curled up just in time behind a stool forgotten here and quickly recognised who was going upstairs : Tio Bruno. Great, he wouldn't have to wait hours for Bruno to show his face, here he was. Waiting to hear the magical door shut close, the little boy got out of his hiding place and rushed to the tower, his stomach in knots. Tio Bruno's room was the most secretive of the family, perched at the top of Casita. And the little boy had yet to step foot inside. Curious as a cat, he climbed the few steps and put his hand on the golden handle.
A few months earlier, for his fifth birthday, Camilo had done the same gesture for his own door. On shaking legs, watched by the whole village and the member of his family, he had touched his handle, hoping for an inbelievable gift. He still remembered his Abuela's look when she found herself face to face with her miniature doppelganger. It had been the most beautiful day of his life ! But now that he was inside Tio Bruno's room, he was wondering if the discover he was about to make wasn't going to be as incredible. His uncle's room was huge, as tall as a mountain and full of sand and rocks. An ideal ground to have fun jumping and running around with his friends. However, no mark of Bruno, where was he ? Watching closer, Camilo saw a rock with writing on it, as well as an arrow pointing up. An endless staircase seemed to lead to the infinite sky. Ouch, did this room had no end ? Come on, be brave Camilo ! Soon, he too will know all the grown up's secrets ! Full of patience, the kid began his ascent, careful not to look the menacing void on his left.
After what felt like hours, he finally got to the end of the staircase, but still no trace of Tio Bruno ! Instead, he saw a bridge, above a huge ravine and the entrance of a cave. Brrr ! It was freaking him out...
But it was as awesome as in his pirate's books. Maybe his uncle was hiding a real treasure at the bottom of the cave ? Enough to buy plenty of candy, and why not a nice colorful shawl for Mama's birthday ? Continuing his journey, the little boy took timid steps toward the bridge and hurried to cross it and enter the cave.
The place was dark, full of dust and ugly statues with weird expressions... It was a little scary. But no, Camilo was a big boy, nothing could scare him... Ziiiip ! A grey spot suddenly arised, nearly knocking him backwards.
Eurk ! A rat !
As if to taunt him, two more critters showed up, sneaking between his little legs to disappear in the darkness.
- I'm not scared, I'm not scared, the boy repeated to himself, tweaking his hands.
Continuing forward, he finally spotted a huge cylindrical door that seemed to double lock. Camilo was sure of one thing : Tio Bruno was inside. Listening only to his curiosity, the little one rushed headlong towards the door and hurriedly opened it to take a look inside. But just as the door moved, a violent gust propelled the child several meters back. A tornado took up the entire space of the room, pinning him to the ground, the sand whipping his cheeks and stinging his eyes. The sound of the wind became deafening, forcing Camilo to cover his ears. O.K., now that was scary !
- Tío Bruno ! Tío Bruno ! Help !
- Camilo ? What are you doing here ?
In the middle of sand and darkness, a gigantic and blurry shadow appeared, with hypnotic green eyes. When the creature's hooked hand came closer to him, Camilo only listened to his guts and ran away from Tio Bruno's room.
- Mamá ! Mamá !
The curly haired boy found shelter in the golden skirt of his mom, crying.
- Camilo ? What's the matter mi vida ? Did you have a nightmare ?
Still shaking, the child wouldn't let go Pepa's legs. The latter, quickly joined by her husband, could only extract her brother's name from the kid. They sighed, What did Bruno do again ?
- When I tell you your brother is giving us the creep !
