Summary:
Julián visits Bruno under the guise of getting his future read.
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Written in Bruno's POV.
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"Brunito?" I hear a knock on my door. "There's someone here to see you."
I sigh as I pull the covers over my eyes. I barely got enough sleep last night. I kept thinking about the moment when Gabriela smiled at me. It was like time stopped and there was no one around, just her. All I saw was her and I felt something hit me in the chest.
Another knock. "Brunito! I know you're in there. I'll send the person in. They're here for a reading." I groan, rolling out of bed. I almost fell on my rats. They scattered just in time.
"Fine, fine. Let me just get ready." No time for breakfast today, I guess. "Eh, Casita, is it possible for you to bring something up from the kitchen?" I ask as I change into my daywear.
The floorboards in my room bounce up and down. "Thanks, Casita. Do let Julieta know that I'm so sorry."
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Surprise hits me when I see Julián standing at the entrance to my room. He looks around, amazed at the vastness inside. "Buenos dias, Julián. What brings you here so…early?"
He stares at me. "This is your room? Quite a lot of sand."
I chuckle nervously. "Yeah, lots of sand. But my sleeping quarters are hidden and completely sand-free. Is your…sister…downstairs?" I ask, hoping my voice is light enough and not betraying how tired I am from thinking about Gabriela all night.
"Ay, Gabriela? No. Not at all. I came by alone."
I try to shove away my disappointment. "Oh, okay. So you're here for a vision?"
"Actually…I'm here to ask you some questions." Julián begins, but I shake my head. I understand why he's here, but I need to stall. "Maybe you can tell me on our way up to my vision cave?" He looks at me as if I'm crazy.
"You climb up those stairs every day?"
I shrug. "You get used to it after a while. I've had this room since I was five."
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"So…what is it that you wanted to ask me?" I ask Julián as we make our way up.
Julián smirks. "What were you doing by the river that afternoon when Gabriela was there?"
"I knew this was coming. You and your sister seem close."
"I guess, but don't change the subject, hombre."
I sigh. "I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I had a rough day and I went by the river to decompress. I didn't even know your sister was there. That place is so secluded I'm still wondering how she found it."
Julián grunts. "Okay, you're cleared on that. Why didn't you leave immediately when you saw her there?"
He has a point. "I don't know either. I mean, I should've, but I was curious since I've never seen her around here before. I wanted to make sure it wasn't some villager that stumbled upon the place."
"Is there any reason why no one is allowed there?" We're almost at the top, but Julián's so busy grilling me that he hasn't noticed. "I mean, it's part of the forest."
"Well, besides the obvious safety reasons…which won't help my reputation if something bad had happened…that place also holds some significance to me and my sisters. It was our secret hideout."
He shrugs. "Not good for the reputation, eh? Is it because you're a Madrigal?"
"You catch on quick, hombrecito. Imagine what people would say about my family if something had happened to your sister. I wouldn't mind if it was just me they were talking about."
"I don't get it."
"They call me bad luck, Julián."
We crossed the bridge, now entering my temple. Strange stone statues of my face line the hallway leading up to the inner sanctum where I perform my visions.
"How are you even bad luck, Bruno?" Julián asks, trying hard not to show how creeped out he was at the markings on the wall. "Anyway, what did you do with my sister last night? She was gone for quite a while before you arrived."
I break into a nervous sweat. "Oh, eh…we…we just talked. Well…after she dragged me from behind and caught me off guard. Has your sister always been that bold?" Julián's about to say something else but I lead him into the vision cave and immediately shut the door behind us. He looks at me quizzically.
I ignore his reaction and quickly motion for him to sit in the middle of the floor. "Forget I said anything. Anyway...what would you like to know about your future?"
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Julián eyes me as I prepare a pile of leaves on the floor. "Is that all really necessary?"
"You can't hurry the future," I say as I finish my preparations. I sit down in front of him, the only light illuminating us are the candles burning in the corner. "So, what'd you like to see?"
"I…really don't know," Julián admits. "I just came by to interrogate you about Gabriela, even when she told me not to. Lo siento. You seem cool, Bruno. Awkward, but cool."
"Uh, sure. Thanks for the compliment?" I don't know how to respond to that, so I shake it off. "Maybe we can start with something simple," I say, reaching into my ruana for a handful of salt that I always keep in my shirt pocket, throwing it over my shoulder. In one swift move, I light a match to burn the small pyramid of sticks, set in the middle between myself and Julián. He watches me as I take a burning stick to the pile of leaves. It's such an elaborate ritual, but it helps me concentrate on what I need to see.
"Fair warning. Whatever you see, don't shoot the messenger." I stretch and offer out my hands. Julián's eyes grow wide as my eyes glow green. "You might want to hang on."
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