Chapter 19:

(Camilo POV)

It was dark and any track that the cart had left before was long gone but I was still combing through the jungle. I knew they were headed to the crack in the mountain which wasn't far from where Casita once stood but, I had no way of knowing what path they took to get there. I wanted to call out for her but if her Papa was there I didn't want to alert him that I was coming. I walked the area over and over again as I felt my feet blistering in these shoes with no sign of Olivia anywhere. I tripped over something and fell to the ground. I looked back to see what it was but it was just a rock.I leaned back up sat back not sure what I was hoping to look for maybe just some sign that it was Liv. I felt myself tear up as I leaned against a nearby tree. "Liv," I let out as I let out a breath, "please be safe. Please."


(Olivia POV)

I reached down to my feet to see if any of the buckles had broken from the fall. The one around my ankles slipped right off but the one around my legs was still firmly wrapped around them. I rolled onto my stomach and pulled myself onto my elbows. I was moving to the side as the texture under me changed from a rocky dirt path to some grass and I knew that I wasn't in the road anymore. I went a little bit further on the grass before rolling back onto my back. I felt along my legs to where the belt was around my legs. I had never been able to figure out how to get them off before but I still felt the need to try now. I kept moving around the leather feeling for the cold metal buckle when suddenly my fingers slightly recoiled at the cool feel to it. I began moving my fingers over and over it trying to get it undone. I wasn't sure what I was doing but anything to make it looser or take it off was the goal.

I don't know what I did or how I did it but suddenly the belt fell. I felt my breath quickening, "Oh my God. I did it." I was panting as I gripped onto a nearby tree to stand up. I was definitely off balance and I couldn't seem to regain it. I was going to find my way back to the road and then hopefully find my way back to town. I felt the grassy texture underneath my feet as I moved from tree to tree keeping my arms out if anything was in my path. I took small steps trying not to trip but, I couldn't be certain of anything.

As time passed my sides, arms, legs began to ache. Probably from the fall. I leaned against a tree and used it to go down to the ground. I was completely exhausted and didn't know how much further I could go. My mind became sharper though, if the mountain fell did that mean that there was a problem with the miracle. Did something happen to Camilo? I could feel tears well in my eyes as the realization set in, "Please be safe Camilo. Please."


(Camilo POV)

I continued to search for hours and hours but the miles of jungle around Encanto and I could only search so much of it. I promised Padre Sanchez that I would be back before sunrise and I could tell from the sky that it wasn't that far away. I turned to go to town and made my way back into the back entrance of the church. The first rays of sunlight making their way inside as I opened the door.

"Did you find her?" Padre Sanchez asked. I shook my head, "I'm sorry." He nodded his head, "I will search today while your family is working on your house. If she is still in the jungle we will find her." I looked at him dead in the eye, "As soon as my family is ok and doesn't need me here I'm leaving and not coming back until I find her." Padre Sanchez was the first person I told, he was the only one who knew about Olivia and I knew that he cared about her almost much as I do. He nodded his head, "I have no doubt that we will find her one day."

I made my way back over to my cot moving the pillows I had arranged to make it look like I was still there. I briefly closed my eyes and started to go to sleep. When I felt someone shaking my shoulder I turned over and saw Dolores standing over me, "We are all going back to work on Casita, wake up." I looked out the window and saw that the sun which had only started to rise when I came back had risen and I had no reason not to be there with everyone else. I rolled out of the cut and rubbed my eyes this was going to be a long day.


(Olivia POV)

I had forced myself to get up after a certain point and continued to walk along the tree line. My legs and arms were in throbbing pain with each step I took but, I wasn't going to stop any time soon. I never was able to find the road again after crawling into the tree line so I kept walking from tree to tree hoping that it was leading me in the right direction. I continued to walk when I noticed that the ground was getting softer under my feet. I kept walking forward when I couldn't feel trees for a moment. Suddenly my feet were cold as I heard a loud splash. I brought my hand down and realized I walked into some water. It was nice and cool and felt good on my arms and legs. I brought some to my mouth as I took a drink.


- 2 months ago -

(Olivia POV)

Camilo was leading me somewhere different from our limbo today. The ground got softer under our feet as I guided my hand down. I felt the water brushing against my hand and I smiled, "Where are we?" "This is the river, it runs through town, the jungle, I think it even goes outside Encanto." I was awed, this water had probably traveled farther than we have, "That is amazing." He helped me sit down as my feet dipped into the water. His hand went over mine, "How have you been Liv?" I forced out a smile, "I'm ok." I heard him sigh as he gently rubbed against my arm. I wanted to recoil at his touch as it was still sore but I also didn't want to move away from him. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

The truth was Papa was not happy with me the other day and he made sure that I knew about it, but Camilo didn't need to worry about that. It was my fault anyway I made Papa mad. "I smiled as I used my other arm to go up Camilo's arm and get to his face my thumb rolling across his cheek, "Don't worry about me." His hand went on top of the one that I had on his cheek, "That is impossible Liv." I leaned forward and he took over as I gave him a kiss. We didn't talk anymore about it as we enjoyed our own little escape.


(Olivia POV)

The water runs into town. I couldn't know if this was the right river or if I was following the right direction of it but it was the best lead that I had. I made my out of the river walking along the soft ground that was next to it, my feet staying ankle length deep within it. It had stones along the path that were mostly smooth and I kept my arms out in case there was a tree somewhere along the way. "I'm coming."


(Camilo POV)

- 2 days later -

I was beyond exhausted. I worked on rebuilding the house all day alongside the town while Padre Sanchez would look for Olivia and at night I spent the entire time combing through the jungle to see if I could find her. I volunteered for any and every supply run just so I could make my way through the jungle on the way there and back and still had no luck.

I was taking a break as my fingers ran over the envelope in my pocket. I had the note for Liv and I kept it in my pocket, I wasn't really sure why. I leaned back to crack my back when Abuela came over, "Camilo, I need you to run to the masonry." I nodded my head running my fingers through my hair. I pulled myself up and over to the cart as I went to go get the materials and hopefully look for Liv on the way back.

"Hey what are you doing?" Dolores asked me frantically looking around the room, "Going into town" I said with a shrug, "we need more supplies from the masonry." "Mind if I come with?" She asked. In all honesty I really wanted to be alone because I knew that going into the jungle would lead to more questions if someone was with me, but I could tell that Dolores needed to get away now, "Sure let's go."

As she got on the cart I saw Mariano watching us leave. WAS SHE SERIOUSLY RUNNING AWAY FROM HIM RIGHT NOW? I don't know if it was the fact that Liv and I couldn't be together in person or the fact that I had no idea if she was safe right now but all of this running around and not telling someone how you felt was ridiculous especially with the way he was looking at her as we were leaving. I kept my eyes on the road but had to ask, "So are we going to talk about Mariano?" "No because there is nothing to talk about." Now I was glaring at her, "Dolores. Don't lie to me. We don't have to talk about it but it is not nothing." She went quiet but, I knew she needed to talk about this and I was convinced that it might take my mind off everything for a little bit, "You know, I remember you asking me about him during Isabella's Quinceñera. You asked me what I thought about him." She didn't look at me but I saw a wistful smile on her face, "I remember. You said, 'I don't know. He seems to like Isabella. And they look good together.'" I nodded my head, "Yeah. I did, but you know Dolores he seems to like you too and you two would look good together too."

"Camilo. He doesn't want me. I have known that since I was 7 years old. It doesn't matter what I think about it." Was she being serious, "Have you ever asked him?" "No, but..." She started but I wasn't going to hear any excuses, "Then how do you know?" "He was almost engaged to Isabella. I think that should tell me something," she said. That was a cop out and she and I both knew it. "Isabella didn't want to get married to him, she was going to do it for the family. How do you know that it wasn't the same for him?" The more she was trying to convince herself otherwise the more annoyed I was. Not with her but myself. I never got the chance to talk to Liv and now she was God knows where with her Papa being dragged further and further away from Encanto "He wanted to get married," she said, "I have spent my whole life listening to everyone all the time. Trust me I know." I just shrugged, "You didn't know that Isabella didn't want to get married."


- 8 months ago -

(Camilo POV)

Olivia was my girlfriend. I couldn't believe it she was my girlfriend. I had asked her a few days ago but each morning I woke up having to remind myself again. I was making my way through the house when I saw Mama and Papa relaxing in the family room. They were leaning back on the couch and I made my way over. "Camilo," Mama said tapping down on the couch for me to join them. I took a seat and Papa looked me over, "Alright what do you want to talk about?" I leaned back, "I never said I wanted to talk." He gave me a look before turning to Mama, "Amor do you mind giving us a moment." Mama nodded her head and got up to leave. As soon as she was out of earshot Papa asked, "Alright who is the girl." My eyes widened, "Girl. There-there is no girl." He laughed, "You are worse than your Tío Augustin. Come on tell me what is going on."

I took a breath, "I don't actually want to talk to you about a girl there is something else on my mind." He nodded his head gesturing for me to continue. "Well I know that the Santiagos don't want anything to do with our family..." I saw him clench his fist at the mention of the Santiagos, "Papa are you ok." He let out a breath, "I'll be fine. Believe me I have no problem not affiliating myself with the Santiagos." I leaned back into the couch. Papa didn't usually have problems with people in town so I was surprised by this reaction, "Papa?" He looked at me, "I'm not getting out of this am I?" I shook my head, "No." He sighed, "Your Mama used to date Señor Santiago. Let's just say it didn't end on the best terms." My eyes widened, "Mama dated someone who wasn't you?" He laughed, "I know it is shocking." "What happened with him and Mama?" I asked as the tension released slightly, "Look like I said they dated. He then cheated on her with Martina Perez during the Firefly Festival when we were younger."

I was trying to think about over the people in town, "I thought his wife's name was Marie?" Papa nodded his head, "Yeah it was. Look Hernando and I never got along with him and after everything that happened with your Mama, Martina and Marie... Let's just say I have no problem keeping him and his family away from mine." I felt a lump form in my throat. He then shook it off, "I'm sorry hijo you wanted to talk to about them..." I just shook my head, "Never mind it's not important."


(Olivia POV)

I don't know how much time had passed, how far I was from town, how far I was from Papa. All I knew was that I had to sit down. I felt along my arms and legs and would wince at my own touch. I had taken long sips of water throughout the day but that was all that was sitting in my stomach. I was growing more and more exhausted. The bottom of my dress was completely soaked from accidentally walking deeper into the water and it was getting cold outside. I knew that it must have been night at that point and I crawled further away from the water. I would be able to feel my way back from here. I laid down and closed my eyes I needed sleep.


- 10 years ago -

(Olivia POV)

- a week before Mama died -

"Mami are you alright?" I asked from outside the bathroom door as I heard her throwing up, "I'm fine mija. Please go wait in your bed I will join you in a minute. "OK," I said as I went upstairs. Not long later Mama came into the room and rolled into bed with me, "What story do you want to hear tonight?" She asked. I smiled at her wrapping my arms around her stomach, "Mami, what happened to your sister?" She looked down at me, "Olivia we have talked about Martina before. Remember I told you she was in an accident." I nodded my head, "Yeah but what kind of accident." She let out a long breath, "Olivia this isn't something I like to talk about. I will tell you when you are older."

I frowned, "Maybe I can ask Papa." She shot up and looked at me, "Don't do that Olivia. I need you to promise me you will never do that." "Why?" I asked looking up at Mami's angry face. She let out a breath, "Olivia I need you to promise." I nodded my head, "Ok I promise." She let out a long breath before hugging me again, "How about I read your favorite story tonight." I agreed almost immediately and she laughed as we laid back into the pillows.


(Oliva POV)

I felt every part of me letting go as I let myself succumb to my exhaustion. As time passed everything stopped aching, I was feeling less and less cold and all the hurt that I was experiencing was turning to numb. That's when I realized it was becoming harder to breath.


(Camilo POV)

The house was rebuilt, the magic was back, Dolores was with Mariano, everyone seemed to be happy as the town was celebrating. Tomorrow I was going to leave Encanto. I walked over to Antonio who was catching up with all his animal friends, "Hey anything interesting happen with your friends in the last 3 days." He looked at me, "They keep saying that there is a girl from town in the jungle. But everyone from town is here." I grabbed both Antonio's shoulders, "Where did they say she was?" Antonio turned to a bird, "He is saying something about her falling asleep by the river." I ran out the door before he could say anything else. I transformed into the fastest, tallest person I knew and went to the river following it back as far as I could. i was full of adrenaline now and I was going to find her now.


(Oliva POV)

...


(Camilo POV)

I was running along the water when I suddenly saw something in the corner of my eye. I fell down to my knees as I saw her. Her skin was pale and her hands he cold. She had cuts and bruises up and down her body and I wanted to cry. I quickly lifted her up in my arms and whispered, "Hey I found you. Hold on, ok?" She quietly whispered, "help" or at least I thought she did. She didn't show any other response and I wrapped both her arms around my neck and began running back to town, "DOLORES... GET TÍA...BRING HER TO THE CHURCH..." I called out hoping that she heard me I had no idea if there was anything I could do to help Liv at this point but I was going to use every resource available to me.

I ran into the back entrance of the church and laid her down on Padre Sanchez's bed. I ran out, "Padre. I found her she needs... help." I looked at the man in front of me and a bunch of different emotions bubbled up inside. "Camilo Madrigal," he said looking at me with disgust, "Señor Santiago." He pushed me aside and went to the back room and I ran after him. He was not taking Liv again. He went to her bed and brushed the hair from her face before glaring up at me, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?" I was done, "WHAT DID I-" But he shushed me and leaned over to Liv and whispered, "Don't worry, I found you."