Chapter 12:

(Camilo POV)

"I'M LOSING MY GIFT!" Luisa yelled and I couldn't believe that I heard it, "Did you hear..." Dolores started to ask but I nodded my head, "Yeah I heard that." Dolores then asked me, "Um Alright, well how is your gift?" I cocked my head side-to-side as I suddenly changed my hands to see if I could, "I haven't noticed any changes, you?" "Nada" she said. I nodded to myself. The threat of losing our gift felt more like a joke last night but if Luisa was actually losing her gift that means that my opportunity to help Liv was going to be closing soon. I had to be able to help her. Suddenly I saw Dolores gesturing her head towards her door, "Angry Abuela coming round the corner." I nodded my head and quickly went inside. I couldn't be panicking if Abuela was nearby. "It's safe," Dolores told me. I sighed with relief, "Good, angry Abuela is a scary Abuela."

She nodded her head, "Yeah but, the Guzmáns should be here soon." That was the closing of my window to sneak out and see Liv. Even if I could get out of the house at this point there was no way I would be able to get back fast enough for dinner. Which meant that the town would be looking for me and eventually someone would figure it out. I hated how the attention of the entire town wasn't on me. I wished I didn't have to worry about the miracle fading one day because we were no longer good enough. I sighed and turned towards Dolores, "Ever wish we didn't have to worry about being worthy of a miracle?" "Everyday," her voice was soft as she went to ruffle my hair. Not this time I thought to myself as I turned into Antonio. She tripped over me and fell as I made my way around and turned back into myself, "Don't mess with the hair." She shook her head, "You are getting too grown up."

I smirked when I heard thunder. I turned to Dolores to see what was going on and she told me that Mirabel was asking about Bruno. Bruno. I only had fate memories of him as this person who towered over me. I remember how everyone hated his gift and what it caused to happen. He really scared me when I was younger and the stories I have heard since then that haven't really changed my mind, "Oh come on... Abuela just left... Not a moment of peace in this house." Dolores laughed and I wanted to know why, "What?" "You just sounded a bit like Papa." I knew what I had to do. I turned into Papa and mimicked him, "I don't sound like that." I changed back as thunder struck again. "We better get out there and help before there is another hurricane."

We were making our way around as everyone was telling Mirabel what they knew about Bruno. I knew that we weren't supposed to talk about him but, I knew I had to tell her what I knew. I took a breath and started unconsciously shifting back and forth from what I remember about Tío Bruno:

"7 foot frame. Rats along his back. When he class your name it all fades to black. When he sees your dream and feasts on his screams. We Don't Talk About Bruno-no-no-no."

I hoped my warning would be enough to keep Mirabel away from Tío Bruno. I made my way to the front of the house and saw Abuela coming closer with the Guzmáns, "Isabella your boyfriend is here!" I called out before going to the dinning room to help finish setting up. Soon it was time for dinner and we were all gathering around the table. Only people who were missing was Dolores, Mirabel and Tío Augustin. They quickly made their way down and took their seats as the Guzmáns arrived.

I was trying to think of what I could do to sneak away and not get caught. I needed to tell Liv. I took a breath and tried to have a good time. I hoped that Isabella was going to be really happy she deserved as much. I looked over at Dolores who looked like she was having a freaking panic attack. I touched her arm, "Dolores are you alright?" Her eyes darted around the room before she leaned over and whispered "Mirabel found Bruno's vision. It's about her and it involves the magic." I coughed as I started to transition into different forms. Of all the things she could have said I didn't think that it was that. My eyes were stuck crossed when Papa told me to fix my face. I knew that he needed to know too. He would know what to do. So I told him, granted I should have waited until after he took a sip as he spit it out on Mariano.

It didn't take long for the news to reach Abuela and that was when things went crazy. I don't remember what happened first or what happened last. All I know is one moment Mariano was supposed to be proposing to Isabella then the next a vision was slid across the table of I just remember cracks surrounding all of us and our gifts going haywire. SuddenlyI had a baby face and a mustache? I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew that Mariano leaving here with a broken nose wasn't a good sign. Mama was clearly upset and Papa was trying to help her. I knocked on the door and went inside to see how they were doing with tea in my hands.

Papa let out a breath as we heard Abuela calling out for Mirabel, "I'm going to go see what is going on do you think that you can stay with your Mama?" I nodded my head and as he left I helped Mama. I guided her to sit down as I poured a cup of tea. I wanted to make her feel better and just wanted her to relax like how Papa is able to do that. I needed to make sure that I could help like Tío Augustin always tries to. It was time for me to be responsible like Abuela always says, "It's ok Mami deep breath in, deep breath out." Suddenly there was a bang against the door and the cloud over her head released a bolt of lightning. It stung slightly as I felt myself change again.

"I'm so sorry hijo. I didn't mean to..." She had her hands out towards me but I shook my head, "It's fine Mami. Why don't we try the tea again, yeah?" She nodded her head and I poured her another cup. She smiled as I handed it to her, "What did I do to get such a thoughtful boy?" I smiled at her as her hand went over my cheek. Papa came back into the room and gestured for me to come over to him, "Mirabel is missing." I looked back at Mama before nodding my head, "I will go look for her. You stay here with Mami." He nodded his head and we went off in different directions.

I began looking around calling out for Mirabel. "Mirabel, Mirabel..." I then felt myself change into an adult body with a baby face. I just continued to call for her, "Mirabel." I sighed and made my way outside. I closed my eyes and forced myself to turn back into my original form. I think I looked like myself but I was going to have to check in the mirrors later. I let out a long breath. changing my form had always been exhausting but now that I didn't have control...

I began making my way outside and looking around Casita and looking around there. I kept looking at the path that led to Liv. I knew that I couldn't go there. Her Papa was definitely off work, everyone in town was curious about what was going on with the Madrigals right now. I leaned back against a tree as I kept changing form without any control of what I turned into. I was so exhausted from living like this. The only person I was able to be myself around was the one person I couldn't risk seeing right now. I also couldn't convince myself that the miracle was alright anymore, not after everything that was going wrong with me.

That meant that even if her Papa lied I wouldn't be able to help her anymore. I still had to tell her because trust is so important to her I just hated that I couldn't do anything. My gift was absolutely useless and I knew it was and now that it was going haywire I didn't even have a fun party trick anymore. I let out a long breath running my hands through my changing hair. I settled into myself and I relaxed as I leaned back against a tree.


Author's Note:

So I know that this chapter is shorter than normal but, I couldn't expand on these events more. If I added more I would be going into events in the story that I am not ready to cover yet because I think that they need to be separate. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please let me know what you think.