Faustine was running through the forest, backpack tightly tied to her body. How could she be so stupid. It was too good to be true… too easy to be true. Now there were eight armed men, running after her because she was the one to find a rare Incan artifact that could change history!

That wasn't important now. She needed a break, she needed to breathe! She desperately needs to breathe! What a bad timing for an asthma attack! Faustine kept running, not noticing the the ravine before her. The archeologists rolled down the rut, adding more cuts and bruises to the growing collection on her body. Despite the immense pain and shortness of breath, she saw a river up front… maybe following it from inside the water, could hide her tracks and she could finally take a break to use her inhaler.

Mustering all strength she had left, she was back on the run. A few more meters, the water looked calm, the sun was going down…. Maybe she had an advantage, happily showing itself for her. The cold river water penetrated her military boots, that was it. She made it.

However, she couldn't breathe. Her breath was raggedy and out of sync, almost no air entered her lungs. The last thing she saw was a man, lazily guiding a horse. Faustine tried to add features to that person, but her vision was growing turvy and blackness was closing in.

Aiutami.

Auitami?

Ayúdame?

….

AYÚDAME!

Bruno wasn't yet the best at riding horses, he had been practicing everyday after he came out of hiding. That day he ventured himself to the riverbank, something was calling him there. Whatever it was, it wasn't important. When he saw the woman with golden hair fall and her breathless cry for help a second before, he knew he had to do something.

What a blessing would be Luisa's help now. Fighting to balance the woman, her bag and himself on top of the horse was a bit of a challenge. With great urgency he guided the horse back to town, racing through the main street, directly to the Casita. Maybe her sister Julieta could help her.

- Luisa! Julieta! Ayúda!

- Tío Bruno! What is- - Luisa asked, before gasping and taking the unconscious woman inside.

With all the madrigal family gathered around the stranger, Bruno started to tell what happened. Antonio confirmed what Bruno told, adding details that he learned from his animals. Julieta added a few droplets of yerba mate tea to her mouth, in hopes to heal her.

When Faustine stopped breathing, the family grew silent. Then a big breath, filling her lungs to a steady healthy breathing, making the Madrigal family sigh with relief.

Faustine woke up to the sound of chirping birds, her mouth was dry and she didn't recognize her surroundings. Slowly rising up, she started to assess the situation. The clothes she was wearing weren't hers, it had been years since she last wore that bright yellow. Her bag was on a table across the room, her body was fully healed, her boots were dry on the floor beside the colorful straw slippers.

The archeologists pulled her hair up, only to notice that her hair tie and her watch were on the table beside her bag. Goinng to the bag, now it was time to assess the damage in her belongings, which, to her surprise, were fairly intact, despite her falling into multiple ravines, everything was there mostly intact. Only a pencil or two were broken, a spare shirt was torn… maybe it caught in a rock. Better the shirt than her.

Once her hair was tied down, her watch was back on her wrist, Faustine was about to venture to find someone to get her clothes back. Reaching for the door, it opened before she could touch the knob and an old lady greeted her.

- Buenos días. - She said.

- Buenos días. - Faustine greeted back.

- If you are feeling better, come join us for breakfast.

- I appreciate it, but I don't want to be of any trouble. I just want to get my clothes back and be on my way. I believe I extended my stay far more than I should.

- nonsense. Come, before the arepas get cold.

Losing the battle to the owner of the house, apparently, Faustine followed the woman, still trying to convince her she had to go.

Arriving at the outside garden, Faustine was surprised by a big table and a small feast near it. Her stomach rumbled, betraying her to accept the meal in front of her.

- Let me introduce everyone. I am Alma, this is my daughter Julieta and her husband Austín.

- Nice to meet you. - Faustine said to the smiling couple that left a last plate of food before sitting at the table.

- those are my daughter Pepa, her husband Félix and their youngest, Antonio.

Pepa, who had a cloud over her head, beamed like the Rainbow around her when she saw that Faustine was up. At loss of words from what she just saw, Faustine lost grasp of intelligent words to say.

- Those are my Grandchildren. Luisa, Isabela and Mirabel, from Julieta and Agustín and Dolores and Camilo, from Pepa and Felíx.

Alma guided Faustine to sit across her at the table, beside an empty spot. Everyone started eating and chatting. Everything seemed normal if it wasn't for the occasional flower blooming randomly or the… shape-shifting… boy… that teased his sister….

- where is brunitto? - Alma asked.

- aquí, mama! I had a last minute vision! That the…. Never mind… - the slender man came happily before tossing aside the green glass plaque on his hand, breaking it when it hit the floor

- This is bruno. The last of my triplets. - Alma held his hands. - now go eat. You don't need to eat cold food anymore.

- Ay, mamá. - the man complained, but sat at his spot, beside Faustine.

- It was Tío Bruno who brought you! - Antonio said.

- oh… really? Thank you, sir. - Faustine shook hands with Bruno. - And thank you all for restoring me to health. How can I repay you?

- ah, it was nothing. My Julieta can heal anything with her food.

What? Faustine was visibly confused, but she wasn't going to question. She had seen it she felt it. It didn't make it less weird, though.

Her lungs didn't feel weak anymore, no shortness of breath, no strength needed to breath. It was like her asthma never existed in the first place. With a hand to her chest, Faustine was legitimately confused, but nonetheless grateful for being able to breathe normally for the first time in her life!

- Still I want to do something in return. Ah! Yes! My name is Faustine, nice to meet you.

- well, if you insist… Bruno can show you around town, after he is done with breakfast. The rest, you can go to your chores. À familia Madrigal! - she toasted.

- À Familia Madrigal! - the rest of them cheered back.

The rest of the family scattered across town and Faustine watched, dumbfounded, Julieta take the dirty dishes while the house took it inside. Bruno smiled at her confusion. It was refreshing to see another expression near him. He finished eating, lowered his plate so Casita's floor tiles could take it o the kitchen.

- Are you done? - Bruno asked Faustine.

- what…? Yeah… yes! Thank you… Shouldn't I help with the dishes, at least? - Faustine asked, making the house windows close shut.

- Casita says no. - Bruno took Faustine's dishes and set down to Casita take it inside and closing the doors shut again. - Definitely a "no". - Bruno laughed. - I'm sorry for that. Should we go?

- sure. Thank you.

Bruno and Faustine walked around town, he introduced most of the main sites, the church, the market, the main square. The village was buzzing with life of people working, gathering, planting, baking until she noticed the townspeople whispering while looking at them.

- I'm sorry about that. - Bruno said.

- what?

- I don't have completely cleared my reputation yet.

- why…?

- well… I can see into the future… and I saw that priest would lose his hair, one of the man would grow a gut and a lady's fish would die.

- and people are mad because of that?

- why wouldn't they be?

- because that is just… life?

Bruno was baffled enough to stop on his tracks. Even the townspeople next to them were silent. Faustine looked around and cringed at herself.

- Mamma mia…. I said something bad aloud again… didn't I? Sometimes I say stuff without thinking. I'm sorry.

- you- I mean! Don't! Don't be! I…. You said nothing wrong. People take my visions very seriously. - Bruno stumbled more in his words, making Faustine's embarrassment even worse. - no! It's just weird- no! Nice! Nice! To see someone that isn't fearful of them.

- I get it. - Faustine tried to laugh it off. - I'll be more careful next time.

It was a strange feeling, they were very comfortable with the presence of each other. They walked and talked all around town, going back to Madrigal's house at sunset.

- I have to gather my things… and my clothes. Because this is clearly your sister's dress… and I need to remember where the inn is… - She said, not recalling of actully seeing an inn in town.

- you can stay with us as much as you need. - Alma walked down the stairs. - you are a guest now.

- Thank you. - Faustine smiled. - please, do tell me if I pass my limits.

- come. - Alma smiled - Time for dinner.

The Madrigals were gathering at the table once again, the joyful chattering made the most perfect relaxed atmosphere. Faustine listened attentively to what each member had to tell, how their small community was simple and really cherished the lead family.

- Faustine! - Called Antonio.

- Yes, bambino? - Faustine smiled for the little boy.

- why do you talk funny? Just like now.

The family grew silent. They didn't know how to ask, but all were curious to know more about their stranger guest. Even Bruno, who walked around with her and knew a thing or two, was curious to know more.

- Ah! That is because I am from faaaaar way from here. There we speak differently than here.

- If you are from far away, why are you here?

- Because of my job.

- Job?

- I am an archeologist, and I study Inca history.

- What is that? Arcology?

- Archeology. - Faustine giggled. - Is someone who studies the past to understand how and why we are like this.

Faustine saw the confused faces of all of them. Excusing herself from the table, she went to get her excavation notes and the artifact she had found. The gold braided mask shined from inside the silk bag.

Bruno tried to hide that his heart was beating faster. She said she looks into the past?! That is why the story of his visions didn't bother her? Why did that make him so excited and happy? He only knew her for a day and he already had butterflies in his stomach.

Once back at the table, Faustine started showing Antonio a world map, so the kid could understand better what she was explaining before. The entire family watched in awe and listened to Faustine tell her story.

- I was exploring some ruins here… - She pointed to another map. - and when I started noticing that something was off, I was raided. I escaped only with my essentials, that I always have with me… and I ran this direction here. - she traced with her finger on the map. - but after I fell from the first ravine, I got lost.

- why were they chasing you?

- because of this. - she showed them the artifact, quickly flipping the pages to show her notes. - I believe it is a mask. It is where it fits better. As far as I could observe, it wasn't very much used. It has almost no wear damage, the mud preserved the original gold shine, only here and here - she pointed to larger holes at the side of the mask. - that I believe that is were leather strips were tied to hold it in place. Why it was used for I have no idea! That is what my job is for! Isn't that….. amazing….?

Faustine quickly sat down, embarrassed by herself once again. The entire family was in silence watching her talk, monopolizing the conversation. She gathered her stuff, holding her mess close against her chest.

- I am sorry…. I don't usually get carried away… It's just.. no… anyway… I have work to do, excuse me.

The archeologists hastily left the kitchen, making her way to the guest room she woke up in. She kicked herself for ruining the dinner. People were never that interested in her work. With a heavy sigh, inside the room, Faustine sat at the small table and started working.