A/N: Mirabel is having trouble coming up with a story, so decides to recite a strange dream she had recently.
This story was inspired by the obsolete Silent Hills teaser, P.T. by Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro.
Acknowledgement: I want to say a massive thank you to Heyna Blackstar for beta-reading this chapter for me. You were an incredible help and I learnt so much while working with you. I hope you like the finished product.
Genre: Horror, but there's no gore and it ends on an uplifting note.
Playable Teaser
Look out. The space behind the door… it's another reality.
The only me is me. Are you certain the only you is you?
...
"Okay, you know what I'm going to ask," said Mirabel once her family had settled into their usual positions in the vision cave. "Who's up next?"
"Ahem." There was a cough from across the cave.
"Yes Camilo? You want to say something?"
"I do actually. Every time we meet in here it starts the same way, with you asking us if we have a story. Yet you never offer one yourself."
"Well that's… erm," Mirabel squirmed uncomfortably. She had been hoping nobody would notice, but Camilo was right, and it was time to come clean. "I can't think of anything," she admitted.
"Really?" said Julieta." You've always had such a wonderful imagination."
Mirabel considered her mom's words. It did seem out of character for her, especially as she'd always been known as the daydreamer of the family. The dreamer? The thought reminded her of something.
"Actually," she eventually said. "A few nights ago, I had a strange dream. A nightmare in fact. It took place here in the Casita, and some of you were in it. I could tell you that if you like?"
"Does anyone die?" asked Luisa.
"Kind of. But they don't stay dead if that helps?"
Isabela looked excited. "I'd like to hear it," she said, and the family all agreed they'd like to hear it too.
.
"Okay," Mirabel began, "so… I'm in the nursery, working at my crafting table when I notice a strange glow from behind me. I turn around and… the door is different. It's glowing like one of your doors, and it has my image on it too, and my name across the top. As though it's already been opened. I get up, feeling a mixture of curiosity and excitement. Am I about to finally get a magical room? Is this the day I get a gift of my own?
"With a click, I turn the doorknob, pull the door open and walk through. To my disappointment, it just takes me onto the balcony like always. No magical room. No special gift. It's just the balcony.
"Maybe the nursery has transformed into my magical new room, I think to myself. I push open the door, but I see the same old nursery inside. Could my new room simply be waiting for me to enter? So that's what I do. I step through the door, into the familiar green room and…
"I'm back on the balcony. The door immediately slams shut, taking me by surprise. It's still glowing. Still the same. I wonder if I've had a strange turn. Maybe I didn't try to enter the nursery at all. So I go to open the door again, but this time, the doorknob won't turn. It's jammed shut.
"I decide to go and tell my family what has happened and see if they have any ideas.
"When I reach the corner of the balcony, where the top of Abuelo's stairs should land, I'm surprised to see there's nothing there. It's just a blank wall. The part of the floor that runs around and behind the stairs, you know, that leads to the bathroom, isn't there either, and it doesn't open to the outside anymore. The balcony is completely sealed.
"'Okay,' I think, 'I'll try the back stairs.' And so I hurry around the balcony to the opposite corner.
"I pause the moment I reach the triplets' doors, as I can see quite clearly that the back stairs too are gone. I rush to the railing and peer into the courtyard.
"Nothing's there. Well, not nothing. There's a strange misty, swirling void, that flashes in places now and then like lightning within a storm cloud. It's only then that I realise there has been a faint rumbling of distant thunder the entire time I've been on the balcony.
"I'm confused, but with no way down, I simply continue around the balcony until I'm back at the nursery. The door is still there. Still glowing. Still showing my likeness and name. I've wanted this my whole life. To have my very own magical door. So in spite of myself, I try my luck once more. This time the door opens, but I don't see the nursery at all. There is only darkness. With no other options, I step into the darkness and…
"I instantly return to the balcony but it's different again. It's considerably darker, as though the sun has set in the instant between me opening the door, and stepping through. The darkness is further emphasised by the fact that all of the magical doors have gone out, other than the nursery door, which continues to cast its ethereal light into the void. This is very concerning, so I hurry to the nearest one; Dolores's door, and I try the doorknob. Nothing happens. The door cannot be opened, and as I look more closely, it seems to be sealed into the wall. I knock, far louder than we're supposed to knock on Dolores's door, and call her name, but there's no reply.
"A feeling of unease comes over me. The hairs tickle against the back of my neck as though someone is right behind me. I feel as though I am being watched. I feel like a caged animal, and I desperately want to leave this place, so I hurry back to the nursery. The door refuses to open again. I am completely trapped.
"Several minutes pass while I consider my situation and wrack my brain for a logical way forward, until eventually, I decide to continue around the balcony once more, looking for any clues as to how to get out of this. Our furniture is still here, but the secret entrance to the wall is gone. I also notice that all of the plants and flowers have withered and died.
As I pass Antonio's room, I hear a creak, like a door opening, from across the courtyard. This catches my attention at once and I glance over to my sisters' side, and there it is, just visible in the darkness; a door, between my sisters', where my own would have been. There's no image, and no light, but the door is there just as it appeared for the first five years of my life: not yet shining. Not yet magical. Just waiting for me to be ready. There is one difference, however. Our magical doors can't be opened until our fifth birthdays. Until we activate them. So why, then, does this one appear to be ajar?
"I hurry over and go to touch the doorknob but the second I reach for it, the door slams shut. 'Oh no you don't,' I say, and I grab the doorknob firmly and try to open it. It feels as though someone is holding the other side, and keeping it shut. So I bang on the door. 'Let me in!' I demand. The doorknob suddenly goes loose and I can open the door at last.
"It's almost pitch black inside, but in what little light there is, I can make out that it's a small concrete chamber with no windows and water dripping down the walls. The only furniture is a single chair facing the door, and there's a girl sitting in the chair with her head in her hands, softly sobbing.
"'Hello?' I try, as something small and black scurries past my foot.
"'It's not for you,' she replies, speaking into her hands.
"'Excuse me?'
"'It's not for you,' she says again, more slowly.
"'I don't understand. What's not for me?'
"Her sobbing turns to laughter and as she lifts her face from her hands, I notice a bright glow against the skin of her palms. When her eyes lock onto me, I see they are perfect discs burning brightly, like the sun reflected on the surface of two mirrors suspended in the dark. Those terrible lights leave trails against the black as she moves.
"'It's… not… for… YOU!' she screams, then launches at me with supernatural speed. I don't have time to react as she clears the distance between us instantly. I feel her cold, claw-like fingers wrap tightly around my neck and the last thing I see is the tiny cracks that begin to appear on her face. Then I pass out.
"When I wake, I find myself back in the nursery at last. Phew, it was just a dream, I think. The relief is short-lived however because as soon as I am fully alert, I realise that the nursery door is still glowing. It's the only source of light in the room. The door still shows a depiction of me and it still has my name across it.
"My first instinct is to try the window. Maybe I can climb out and be free of this nightmare. So I hurry over and open the shutters. To my horror, there is nothing but a wall behind them.
"'Casita?' I say. 'Can you help me? I think I'm trapped.' I already know what the response will be: Silence. Casita can't help me.
"It takes me a while to find the courage to leave the nursery. After all, that girl is probably still out there. But I know I can't stay here forever, so despite the fear, I force myself to return to the balcony.
"It's almost identical to the last time I was here, but there is one change that stands out instantly: Dolores's door has now lit up. I rush over and knock, but there's no reply. I try the doorknob, but again, nothing.
"As I stand, considering her door, I realise there is strange whispering behind me. I can't make out what they're saying though. It's too faint. Too distant. And it seems as though it's several voices speaking over each other, scratching and shuffling like rats in a wall. When I turn my head, the voices seem to constantly move, as though they're right behind my head at all times. I'm scared now. Really scared. And so I decide to bolt back to the nursery.
"The second I spin around to start my retreat I see those glowing eyes and feel those fingers around my throat, and then…
"I am back in the nursery. Unlike last time, I don't stay here long. I'm scared. No, I'm terrified. But I also know there's got to be a way out of this. So with determination, I push open that door once more and return to the balcony.
"This time there aren't any obvious differences. Dolores's door is still illuminated, but besides my own door, none of the others have any light. A new door still stands between Luisa and Isabela's, and there is still a pulsating, thundering haze of nothingness in the space above the courtyard. The stairs remain sealed off.
"I pause for a moment to see if I can hear the whispering. I can't, so I begin my journey around the balcony. This time I continue past Dolores's door, as I scan every last detail of my surroundings for clues. The second I pass Camilo's room I hear a door creak open somewhere. She's here.
"I look across to the other side of the balcony, but the new door is completely closed. The other doors all seem to be closed as well, but I can't check the doors behind me. I am scared to look back now, in case she's there.
"'Mirabel?'
"'Dolores!' I don't turn around. 'Is that you?'
"She catches up to me. 'Of course it's me,' she replies. 'What's going on? Why is it so dark out here?'
"'Dolores, I need you to listen very carefully.'
"'Is that meant to be a joke?'
"'I don't know what's going on, but we're not safe. Whatever you do, do not turn around.'
"'What are you talking about?' she asks. She's now standing beside me so I can look at her without having to look behind. I notice that she seems to be listening to something. 'Can you hear whispering?' she asks.
"'No, but I could before. I don't know what it was saying though.'
"Dolores pauses. 'It's saying, "It's not for you," over and over again. What does it mean?'
"'I don't know, but the monster was saying that too.'
"Her eyes go wide. 'The what?'
"'Don't panic,' I say quickly. 'There's someone else here and they mean us harm—' I start."
"She looks horrified and backs away. 'What? I don't like this Mirabel. I'm going back to my—'
"'NO!'
"I'm too late. Dolores turns and the girl with the glowing eyes is instantly behind her. I forget myself and look back to see my cousin's eyes wide with terror as those narrow fingers tighten around her throat. I watch helplessly as she splutters and gasps. I try to shout but my mouth is dry and the words stick in my throat. I know I should run, my body is screaming at me to get out of there, but I am being pinned in place by the weight of what I'm witnessing.
"It's not until I see Dolores drop lifelessly to the floor, that I can feel my legs again. I don't want to wait around for my turn, so despite the shock of what's happened, I sprint around the balcony as fast as I can.
"As I pass my sisters' doors, I glance across to where Dolores is lying on the floor and see that the girl isn't there. I can hear her muttering in a low, growling voice and realise she is giving chase. I make it to the nursery door, fling it open and leap through.
.
"Again, nothing obvious has changed except that Dolores's body is no longer there, and as far as I can tell, the girl has stopped pursuing me.
"I hurry to Dolores's door, which is still glowing, and knock. It opens almost immediately.
"'Dolores, you're okay!'
"'Yeah, I think so,' she says touching her throat. She's trying to appear calm but her voice is clearly shaking. 'I woke up back in my room. But… the windows… they're… they're sealed up.' She looks out over the balcony. 'What WAS that thing?'"
"'I've no idea, but it seems to appear if we look behind us. We have to keep moving forward at all times.'
"'You know, it kinda looked like… YOU.'
"I had noticed that, though I hadn't thought about it until now. Maybe because I don't want to admit it. Dolores is right though. That girl is my perfect likeness, although that doesn't help us with our predicament.
"'What do we do now?' Dolores asks, breaking the silence.
"'I don't know, but there's gotta be a way through this,' I explain. 'You see, every time I pass through the nursery door, I end up back on the balcony again, but it's different. There seems to be a small change somewhere each time. Going through the door has also stopped the girl from continuing to chase me. So I think that as long as we can make it to the nursery, we can escape her.'
"'Except that we're then back here again, to await the next attack?'
"'Well, yeah. But if things are changing, then there must be a way to influence events, right?'
"'What makes you so sure?'
"'I'm not. It just makes the most sense. There has to be a way out of this.'
"Dolores doesn't look convinced but says, 'Well if you have any ideas, I'm all ears.'
"I scan the area. There's no way down. No access to outside windows. We can't climb the railing.
"'Sooner or later, we're going to need to eat. And use the bathroom…' Dolores says.
"That gives me an idea.
"'What about Bruno's tower?'
"'What do you mean?'
"'You remember what it was like, don't you? Didn't he have a bathroom and a kitchen?'
"'He did, but that was his old room. They're not there anymore.'
"'Or they just didn't move with his bedroom. Maybe they're still up there, like the vision cave.'
"Without any better ideas, Dolores and I hurry over to the tower. The staircase leading to the door is pitch black so we have to hold the handrail and carefully feel for each step with our feet. We reach the dormant door and I fumble around until I find the doorknob. Just like the others, it is completely sealed.
"'What about the shortcut?' Dolores suggests.
"'I already thought of that, but the entrance isn't even there. It's completely gone.'
"'Should we just go back to the nursery and start a new cycle?' Dolores suggests. 'Maybe something will change and give us a clue?'
"I agree, and so we head through the nursery door, returning back to the balcony. We immediately freeze when we arrive. The whispering has returned.
"'Mirabel?'
"'Yes, I hear it too.'
"'This is what happened before I was attacked. Do you think it means she's here?'
"'I think that's exactly what it means,' I agree. 'Remember. Whatever you do, don't turn around. Just look ahead and follow the balcony back to the nursery. With any luck, she'll be gone when the scene resets. Okay?'
"Dolores gulps and then nods.
"We both bolt as fast as we can, which turns out to be a big mistake. The whispering becomes frenzied cries as the girl with the glowing eyes gives chase. The balcony is long—the Casita is a large house after all—but when you're being pursued along it, it feels endless.
"We make it to the nursery door before she catches us and hurry through.
.
"As we had hoped, the whispering has stopped and we stand together catching our breath in the darkness.
"The silence is suddenly broken by accordion music. It's faint and cracking as though playing on a phonograph that is constantly changing speed. A deep voice then begins to speak over the music.
"'Do you ever feel as though your life has no meaning? Do you feel trapped in the same old cycle? Going through the same old motions, day after day? It is time to take responsibility for the mess you have made for yourself. It is time to let go of the excuses. It is time for change. It is time to speak up and say the things that need to be said. And whatever you do, remember… it's not for you. It's not for you. It's not for you…'
"That last line continues to repeat over the cheerful accordion music.
"'Do you think there's a way to fight back? Dolores asks. 'Maybe we have to kill her.'
"'Maybe. But how? We have no weapons and neither of us is built for—'
"Our eyes meet as we both have the same idea at once:
"'Luisa!'
.
"I head to Luisa's door with Dolores following close behind, as the monotonous voice continues to repeat the same line.
"'What are you doing?' Dolores asks, blinking with confusion. 'I don't think she's in there. It doesn't even look like a real door.'
"'Neither did yours to begin with,' I explain. 'It lit up after I knocked and called your name.'
"I knock firmly and shout my sister's name. Of course, nothing happens, but I don't expect it to. We both silently return to the nursery and walk through the door.
.
"'It's not for you… It's not for you…'
"The music is still playing when we return to the balcony, and the voice continues to repeat that line.
"'Look!' Dolores calls out excitedly. She's pointing to the door that has now lit up. For a moment she takes a step as though to walk anti-clockwise, as that's the quickest route to Luisa's door, but I notice and manage to grab her arm in time.
"'Remember. There's no going backwards. Clockwise only.'
"'Oh yeah. Then let's hurry.'
"We are almost at Luisa's door when Dolores pauses. 'Mirabel.' Dolores's voice is hushed and her wide eyes dart around the balcony. 'The voice… it's saying something else.'
"I hadn't noticed because the rhythm is identical, and it ends with the same word, but Dolores is right.
"'She's behind you… She's behind you… She's behind you…'
"I realise it's not a good time to bring Luisa into the situation. 'Let's go back to the nursery. We can knock for Luisa once the—'
"The door swings open as though pulled with force and we both jump.
"'Luisa! I'm so glad to see you,' I say. I mean it too, despite the terrible timing.
"'What's up with Casita?' Luisa asks, looking around and stepping out of her room. 'And what's with the music? What does he mean? Who's behind me?'
"I react as quickly as I can. 'Luisa, don't turn—'
"Too late. Those frightful torches are looming down on my sister as bony fingers encircle her throat. Despite her incredible strength, she is unable to save herself and we watch in stunned horror as she drops to the ground a moment later.'
"Dolores and I don't have time to consider what we've done. As we hurry past the scene, the frenzied screeching is piercing my ears; I can only imagine how it must sound to Dolores.
"We make it to the nursery before the girl is able to catch up to us.
.
"'Well that didn't go as expected,' Dolores remarks solemnly as we make our way back to Luisa's door.
"The music and the repeating voice have stopped now, and my ears are still ringing with the sound of the girl's screams.
"'Yeah, and now we've brought her into this mess for no reason. Let's promise right now; we don't activate anyone else's door.'
"Luisa opens her door the second I knock, and looks as though all the blood has drained from her face.
"'What happened?' she asks.
"'I'm so sorry. We thought you might be able to help us fight her because of your strength, but it seems there's something supernatural going on here,' I explain.
"'Ya don't say,' she says flatly.
"'Well, there's three of us now, so we'll just have to work together and hope we can find a way through this. Luisa, as I was trying to explain before, try not to look behind you. We can only travel around the balcony in one direction because going backwards can cause her to appear. If you hear any voices, whether it's a whisper or a phonograph recording, that means she is right behind you, but so far, she hasn't attacked unless we turn around, or run. If you hear it, you must make your way quickly but calmly to the nursery.'
"'Why the nursery?'
"'It leads you straight back to the balcony, but it will have reset, and the voices will have stopped.'
"'Got it,' Luisa affirms.
"We begin to head to the nursery door to see if the next cycle will bring us any closer to a solution when we suddenly hear a door opening somewhere. She's coming.
"'Run!' I yell. Luckily we are almost at the nursery, so don't have far to run.
.
"Once on the balcony again, Luisa asks, 'So, she'll stop chasing us now?'
"'She seems to, yeah,' I explain. 'But that's not to say she won't begin a new chase. So far she has only come out of one door. That door.' I point to the new door between Isabela and Luisa's.
"'But that's—'
"Luisa doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence because to our horror, we hear the nursery door click open behind us.
"'No!' is all I can say, and we all begin running for our lives.
"'We can hear footsteps, but we don't dare turn around. Our only hope is to keep running.
"We dive through the nursery door, and Dolores slams it behind her. We slow down, but we don't stop running this time. Not now we know the girl can follow us through the nursery after all. We hear it again. That terrible click that tells us she's already here. We pick up speed and once again race to stay ahead of those footsteps which seem to be getting closer and closer. Through the door we rush and this time we don't even lose speed. We continue along the balcony, which seems to be getting darker and darker on each pass, and the door clicks open again, sooner than last time. She's gaining on us and we are beginning to run out of options.
"'I've got an idea!' Luisa says between pants as we run. 'Lemme go through last. Soon as we're on the other side, I'll grab the doorknob and hold it shut. Long enough for you to get some distance and catch your breath.'
"'What if she's too strong again?' I ask.
"'What choice do we have?'
"I can't argue with her logic, and so that's exactly what we do. Dolores and I go through the nursery door, and Luisa follows behind. She instantly turns and grabs the doorknob. Then after a few seconds, it starts to rattle in her hands.
"'She's here,' Luisa announces. She continues to hold the door shut as it bangs and shakes.
"Dolores and I move further along the balcony. We can at least face Luisa now, as we know where the girl with the glowing eyes is. The light from the nursery door is illuminating the features of her face, casting unsettling shadows that appear to distort her appearance.
"'You can't hold her in there forever,' I point out.
"'I know. I'm waiting for you to MOVE! I'm gonna let her in, but I'm ready this time. If I take her by surprise, maybe I can overpower her.'
"'But… what if you're wrong?'
"'Then I wake up back in my room right? We've gotta try.'
"She's right. So Dolores and I continue around the balcony until we're at Abuela's door. That way, we're the furthest away from the girl when she comes out, and we should have time to make it back to the nursery if she gives chase.
"'Alright, I'm letting her in!' Luisa announces.
"There's then a sharp scream, followed by Luisa yelling and then…
"'Tío Bruno?'
"'Would you put me down please?'
"Dolores and I hurry over.
"'What are you doing here?' Luisa asks, placing him on the ground and dusting him off.
"'What do you mean? I live here.'
"'Why were you chasing us?' I ask when we reach them. It's the more appropriate question.
"'Chasing? I wasn't chasing anyone. I was running away.' He looks nervously over his shoulder. 'There's some kind of monster here. She's—'
"'We know!' we all answer at once.
"Having learnt my lesson twice, I grab his head with both hands and force him to look straight ahead. 'And you might want to stop looking behind you,' I suggest. 'That's when she pounces.'
"'What?'
"'It's like she's right behind you sometimes and the second you turn around, she chokes you.'
"Tío Bruno touches his throat. 'Yeah… then you wake up back in your room, right?'
"'How many times have you…?'
"'Anyway,' he continues, ignoring my question. 'That's what demons do. Hover over your shoulder, I mean. You need to throw salt. That makes them go away…' He reaches into his ruana then looks up in horror. 'It's not here! My salt! I… I've gotta go…'
"He sprints along the balcony and we hurry after him, following the sound of his footsteps.
"'Tío Bruno! Wait! It's not safe to run! And we have to stick together!' I try.
"He ignores me and we hear his steps race up the stairs to his door, followed by rattling and banging.
"'No, no, no, no, no…'
"When I reach the stairs I notice that his door has lit up too, just like everyone else's that has joined our group. 'Your door isn't going to open,' I explain. 'The only way to get back into your room is to die.'
"Tío Bruno's eyes go wide and he instantly hurries back down the stairs. He runs right past us and starts climbing the railing along the balcony.
"'Oh no you don't!' Luisa says, grabbing him around the waist and raising him over her shoulder.
"'Put me down,' he demands, flailing around. 'I need to get back in my room.'
"'No one is dying on purpose,' I say firmly. 'We don't know what the rules are here. You might not come back.'
"Tío Bruno seems to calm down a little at that, so Luisa places him back on his feet.
"'Besides, I don't think salt is going to cut it. If we're going to defeat this monster and get out of here, we all need to work together,' I say.
"'Fine. Then what do we do?' he asks, clearly still upset.
"'There's only one thing we can do,' I say. 'We go through the nursery door and see what's changed.'
.
"We all arrive back on the balcony and look around. There's no whispering or music, and as none of us was attacked when we mistakenly thought Tío Bruno was the girl, we feel more confident that she's only behind us if we can hear the voices. Although still cautious, we feel a little freer to wander.
"'Is anything different?' Dolores asks, looking around.
"'Looks the same to me,' says Luisa.
"Tío Bruno walks over to the railing and starts knocking repeatedly on wood, but we all ignore it.
"'Where even is this place?' Luisa asks. "It can't really be the Casita, can it? Are we in Hell?"
"'I'd say it's more like Purgatory,' I suggest.
"The knocking stops. 'It's neither,' Tío Bruno says, turning towards us. 'You were closer with Purgatory though.'
"'You reckon you know?' I ask sceptically.
"'I do know,' he begins. His tone is dark and his eyes are intense in the dim light. He looks at each of us in turn as he speaks and seems uncharacteristically certain of his words. 'It's the gap in the door. It's the moment before sunset when it's neither light nor dark. It's the space after a question has been asked, but the answer is not yet known.' He knocks on wood again, then takes a few deep breaths to steady himself before continuing. 'It's the pause that signifies untold change is on its way. This is liminal space, and it's very, very bad.'
"I look around the balcony while we let his words sink in, and my eyes are drawn to one of the only sources of light.
"'Dolores's door!' I say. 'The "D" is missing from her name!'
"Everyone looks to confirm what I said.
"'And the "i" is gone from yours!' says Dolores.
"'Let's check the others,' I suggest.
"We hurry to Luisa and Tío Bruno's doors. Theirs are both missing the L and the B.
"'What do you think it means?' I ask. 'How come you've all lost the first letter, yet it's the second for me?'
"'No idea,' says Tío Bruno with a shrug. 'But you know what this means?'
"'Back to the nursery?'
"He nods.
.
"This time around, Dolores has lost the 'l', Tío Bruno and Luisa have both lost the 'u', and the 'b' from my name is missing.
"'Could the missing letters be spelling something?' I suggest.
"'Could be,' agrees Tío Bruno. 'Want me to write them down?'
"'You have a pen and paper?' I ask. It wouldn't surprise me if he did. He can fit an incredible array of random objects in his shirt pocket.
"'Oh, uh… no…' He scratches his head awkwardly then seems to remember something. 'Wait… the chest of drawers!'
"He's referring to the small cabinet next to the armchair he sits in by Dolores's door. Sure enough, his notebook is in the top drawer along with a pencil. He immediately opens the book and starts writing, holding it near Dolores's door for light.
"'Okay,' he says after a few scribbles. 'Back to the nursery!'
.
"The next four letters have disappeared from the doors when we return to the balcony; e, e, n and i. We loop around and reset the scene again. This time no more letters disappear from Tío Bruno's door, but I've lost the final 'l' and Dolores and Luisa have both lost their 's'.
"'Do you think that's the last round?' I ask.
"'Maybe. We should try again just to be sure,' Dolores replies.
.
"Our hunch was correct. Nothing appears to have changed this time around.
"Tío Bruno looks at his notebook. 'Idblbluueenilss,' he says slowly.
'Well that's not a word,' I remark.
'It must be an anagram,' he says, brightly. 'I'm good at these…' He scrutinises the letters carefully. 'It says… "El…" uh… That's all I've got… sorry.'
"Dolores takes the notebook from him and examines the letters. 'Mind if I write in here?'
"'Be my guest,' he replies, handing her his pencil.
"I keep looking around the balcony. 'M_ra_', '_o_or_',' _r_o' and '_a'. There's something obvious staring us in the face but I can't quite join the dots.
"'Wouldn't it make more sense to look at the letters that are left?' I suggest.
"Tío Bruno snatches his notebook and pencil out of Dolores's hands. 'Ooh, good idea!' He starts scribbling. 'I've got it!' he suddenly declares cheerfully. 'Oramoraro!'
"'Oramoraro? What does THAT mean?' I ask.
"Tío Bruno shrugs. 'No idea. It kind of sounds like a name… Don't you think?'
"'Is that HER name?' suggests Luisa.
"'Maybe it's "O.R. Amoraro",' I suggest.
"'But, what are we meant to do?' Dolores asks. 'Should we try saying it to her?'
"I open my mouth to answer, but Tío Bruno interrupts.
"'Who's that?'
"'What?'
"'I don't know. Someone's whispering….'
"Dolores and Luisa's eyes go wide.
"'Tío Bruno…' I say, trying to sound as calm as I can. 'Whatever you do, do not turn around. Stay calm, and we'll all head back to the nursery, okay? You mustn't run though. As soon as you run she'll chase you….'
"'He looks terrified, but nods his head and then with a hard swallow, he begins to walk slowly but purposefully towards the nursery and we follow close behind.
"We don't get far, when the accordion music starts playing again. This time, the phonograph seems to be malfunctioning. There's heavy static and when the speaking begins, it's distorted, much deeper, and it's almost impossible to make out the words. Dolores, Luisa and I know what it's saying from the rhythm, though.
"'Are you hearing this too?' asks Luisa.
"We all agree that we can, and as though sharing the same thought, our footsteps hasten.
"We're just passing Luisa's door when there is a slow, grinding whine of a hindge up ahead. It's the new door; HER door.
"We all freeze. The door gradually opens and a set of cracked fingers appear, curling around its edge. The distorted phonograph recording gets louder, and pained sobbing can now be heard in the background.
"'W-What do we do?' Tío Bruno asks, his voice quavering with fear.
"'RUN!'
"She's blocking our path, so we start to bolt back in the opposite direction. Tío Bruno notices I'm falling behind, so slows down a moment to grab my hand and then drags me along with him. Spotlights sweep across the balcony, briefly illuminating objects as they are caught by the light of the girl's eyes. She screeches with rage and Dolores flinches, her steps faltering for a moment as she covers her ears with her hands. We overtake her and Luisa, and are almost back at the nursery when we hear a shriek.
"'Luisa, no!' Dolores screams, and we realise one of us is caught.
"I look over my shoulder and Dolores is frozen to the spot, clasping her hands over her mouth as she watches the attack on Luisa.
"'Dolores! Come on!' I shout, but before she can react, Tío Bruno cries out.
"'It won't open!' he yells, kicking the door.
"'What?'
"Then it hits me; we've come around the balcony the wrong way. The door won't open unless we travel clockwise. Dolores screams again; it's her turn to meet the girl with the glowing eyes.
"'Tío Bruno, we have to go the other way around the balcony,' I remind him as the distorted voice continues to chant its mantra.
"'What? Past her? Are you kidding me?'
"'It's our only chance.'
"'What if we go back to where we were when she started chasing us? Finish our path from there?' he suggests. He clearly doesn't feel like trying to run past her. I must admit I share his feelings, so it's worth a shot.
"With a solemn nod, I take his hand again, and we bolt for Luisa's room. The girl has already locked onto us and is making her way over. Every fibre of our being is telling us to stop moving towards her, but we only need to make it a little further, then we can turn and begin our path back to the nursery.
"We just make it to Luisa's door, as the girl passes the steps to Bruno's tower. She is mere meters away now. Tío Bruno stops abruptly and almost pulls me off my feet as he spins on the spot and begins to sprint back to the nursery.
"After a few steps, I feel something sharp on my shoulder and let out a scream. I squint in the blinding lights and can just make out the dreadful, cracked face breathing down on me, as I feel my uncle's hand slip from my fingers.
"'MIRABEL!'
.
"When I wake, I am back in the nursery again. I sit up and am surprised to see I am not alone.
"'You ended up here too?' I ask.
"'Seems so…' replies Tío Bruno glumly. 'I guess it would've been too convenient to let me go back to my room and get my salt.'
"I chuckle ironically. My uncle really doesn't have any luck. I consider him as he sits on the window seat looking thoroughly miserable.
"'I'm sorry you got dragged into this.'
"He looks up and forces a smile. 'It's fine. It's not your fault I'm here.'
"I feel awkward at his comment. I'm not sure it isn't, but I choose to stay quiet.
"Tío Bruno suddenly jumps to his feet and bounds over to the door. 'We should get back to the others as soon as we can,' he says, grabbing the doorknob.
"The moment he opens the door, he immediately closes it again. With his hand gripping the doorknob and his weight pushing against the door, he turns to me with a horrified look on his face.
"'She's right outside,' he whispers.
"'What?' I quickly tiptoe over and place my hands over his to help keep the door shut.
"We hold our breath for a moment, and then feel the doorknob start to rattle. We both lean our weight into holding the door closed, but she's strong, and we both know we can't hold her back forever.
"'What do you think happens if we die in here?' Tío Bruno asks.
"'I don't know.' The reality of our situation is beginning to dawn on me. We might be about to die.
"The girl is screaming with frustration now as the doorknob continues to rattle in our hands.
"I'm so sorry,' I say again. 'It IS my fault you're here. I tried your door. You're here because of me!'
"'Mirabel?'
"'I understand if you hate me now.'
"Tío Bruno's expression softens, but before he can speak the door thumps open for a moment and his attention is snapped back to the job of holding it shut.
"The girl's screams are becoming more desperate and the door opens slightly for a second time, as she ramps up her attack.
"'I could never hate you,' Tío Bruno yells, grimacing as he puts all of his strength into holding the door closed. 'You're the most amazing person I know. I owe you everything. And I'm glad I get to be here. So no, of course I don't hate you. I love you, Mirabel!'
"The second he says those words, the doorknob stops shaking and the screaming ceases. We remain perfectly still and keep listening. The girl seems to be moving away from the door. After a few moments, we hear a door open and then click shut.
"'I think she's gone,' I whisper.
"'Me too,' Tío Bruno agrees. 'What do you think? Should we leave?'
"I give a nod, and he opens the door.
.
"There's no sign of Luisa or Dolores when we arrive on the balcony, so I head straight to Dolores's door. There's no answer. Tío Bruno tries Luisa's door and gets the same response.
"Do you think they didn't wake up?' I ask.
"'No, Their bodies are gone. I'm sure they're… somewhere… I just hope they're together.'
"I look towards the nursery. 'Could they be on a different cycle now? Like, we're in different timelines?'
"'Well that'd be a complete disaster, wouldn't it?' Tío Bruno says, stepping back from the door. 'So yes, that's almost certainly the case.'
"'We were in the nursery for a while. So I'd assume they're ahead of us. Can't we just hurry quickly through the next few cycles and hope to catch them up?'
"'Worth a shot,' Tío Bruno agrees, and we set off walking for the nursery as quickly as we can without running.
.
"When we return to the balcony, the remaining letters on our doors are rotating slowly, as though taunting us to solve the puzzle. It also feels as though time is moving more quickly somehow. Although we're careful not to run, our path around the balcony feels like jogging speed, and our movements aren't quite fluid, as though we're a series of still pictures in one of those spinning zoetropes that give the illusion of a galloping horse. When we return again, the letters are rotating faster, and our movements too have sped up once more. Time continues to move faster and faster with each consecutive pass through the nursery door, but nothing else changes. The girl's door doesn't open. There's no whispering. Nothing.
"On about our sixth time around, time abruptly returns to normal as we notice a note on the armchair written on a piece of paper torn from Tío Bruno's notebook. He picks it up and reads it.
"'It says, "We're fine, but we keep hearing the whispering. We will wait for you as soon as we can".'
"They've worked it out too,' I say. 'So they ARE ahead of us!'
"'Then let's keep going,' Tío Bruno replies. 'If we hurry, we might catch up to them.'
.
"I flinch the second I open the nursery door as Luisa is about to run right into me. Our timelines have finally caught up.
"'Outta my way!' She makes to push past us but then pauses. 'She'll get you!' she says. 'You won't be able to get around the balcony!'
"I look over and the girl with the glowing eyes is screaming, and clawing at Dolores's door. Just as had happened to us, Dolores seems to be trapped in her room and desperately holding the door shut from the inside. There's no way past, so our only hope would be to run by while she's choking Dolores, and try to get back to the nursery before she catches up to us.
"'Saying "Oramoraro" didn't work,' Luisa explains hurriedly. 'We tried repeating it, we tried calling her "O. R. Amoraro". We tried every girl's name beginning with "O" that we could think of. I don't think that's the solution.'
"I glance at Dolores's door and see the letters have stopped rotating; '_o_o_r'. I look to my own door, 'M_r_a'. An idea hits me as I recall how Tío Bruno and I got out of the same situation.
"Luisa, I love you!" I suddenly say.
"She looks confused but smiles. 'Aww, I love you too Mirabel, though I don't think—'
"She's stopped in her tracks as the girl lets go of the doorknob and slowly turns towards us. There's an eerie silence as it contrasts against the banging and screaming of just moments ago. She begins walking in our direction so at once, we all sprint along my sisters' side of the balcony. It's the first time we've seen her walking instead of rushing after us, and she seems serenely calm.
"The girl turns onto our stretch of balcony so we back onto Abuela and the triplets' section, slowly reversing along it as she continues towards us.
"'What's she doing?' asks Luisa.
"Before I can answer, the girl stops outside her own door, opens it and goes inside. As soon as we hear the door close, we hurry to Dolores's door.
"The door opens before we reach it. 'What was that all about?' she asks, clearly having heard everything.
"'I think that's the solution to the puzzle,' I explain. 'The letters that are left are A.M.O.R.'
"'Love?' Dolores repeats.
"'I think so. It happened to me and Tío Bruno earlier too. He told me he loved me and she immediately stopped coming after us.'
"'So that's why you said you loved me?' Luisa's shoulders slump. 'Hey, it's mean to say that just to trick someone into saying it back to you.'
"'Not if I meant it,' I say. 'I DO love you.'
"Dolores suddenly looks spooked. 'Do you hear that?' she asks.
"'Nope…,' answers Tío Bruno.
"'I don't hear anything,' says Luisa.
"'The whispering is back!' I say.
"'Then let's get back to the nursery!' says Tío Bruno, wasting no time in setting off ahead of us.
"We all follow, and I have the sound of whispering just behind my lift ear, as though the girl is right behind me the whole way. It makes my skin prickle uncomfortably but I can't escape it. It feels as though she is almost touching the back of my neck, and I know Dolores is feeling this too.
"Tío Bruno and Luisa are a little way ahead of us now, and just after they pass Luisa's door, the new door bursts open and the girl with the glowing eyes jumps out. Tío Bruno screams and grabs onto Luisa. Neither has much time to react and they know it. They close their eyes tightly and wait for her to attack.
"'No!' I shout, unable to do anything to help them.
"I don't want to look, and yet I can't look away. It's just as well too, because the girl walks right past Tío Bruno and Luisa, as though she doesn't even see them, and continues straight for Dolores and me.
"'What?' I start to back off, and Dolores does likewise. 'Run!' I yell, and we bolt back the wrong way around the balcony with the girl following close behind. We reach the nursery door, but of course, it won't open.
"Luisa is quick to react. Seeing us struggle with the door, she runs over and starts to open it for us, but the girl with the glowing eyes has already grabbed onto Dolores's arm. She screams and Luisa lets go of the door and instead launches herself at the girl. Unlike last time she attempted to take the girl on, this time she has her usual strength and is able to overpower her and free Dolores from her grasp. The girl screams wildly with frustration, thrashing around in Luisa's arms and I try to open the nursery door but am unable. Tío Bruno then appears at my side.
"'Allow me,' he says, with a smile, and opens the door. I hurry through, followed closely by Dolores, but Tío Bruno pauses in the doorway.
"'You have to let her go!' he calls out to Luisa.
"'I can't, what if she follows you through the door?'
"'So… you're just going to let her kill you?'
"'What choice do I have?'
"'No, Luisa. I won't allow that. I'm not closing this door until you join us.'
"Luisa must know Tío Bruno is serious, because she shuffles closer to the door, dragging the girl with her. When she is close enough to enter, she effortlessly picks up the girl and then with all her might, which is a lot of might, she hurls her over the side of the balcony and into the thundering haze. She then jumps through the door and joins the rest of us on the balcony.
.
"'Do you think that killed her?' Luisa asks as we all sit, slumped on the tiled floor with our backs against the wall, staring towards the haze.
"'I doubt it,' I say. 'I think the house will return to normal when this is over.'
"'If it's ever over…' says Dolores.
"'We are getting out of this,' I say, firmly. 'There's always a way out, and there's nothing we can't do if we work together.'
"'Mirabel…'
"I turn to Dolores. 'She didn't attack Luisa or Tío Bruno. I think that's because they both told someone they love them. You need to do this too,' I say.
"'That's easy. I love you Tío Bruno!' she says without hesitation. We know she means it too. I get the feeling she's been waiting years for a reason to say that to him.
"'Thanks Dolores. I love you too. But… I don't think that's going to work.'
"'What do you mean?' I ask.
"'YOU heard the whispering just now, right?'
"'Yeah.'
"'Well Luisa and I didn't. So I think we might be immune to her attacks. Dolores hadn't told anyone she loves them, but you did. You said it to Luisa, remember?'
"'Then what do you think the solution is?' I ask.
"'I think… I think it's YOU we need to say it to.'
"'Me?'
"Dolores then takes me by surprise as she leans over and I feel her arms wrap around me. 'I love you, Mirabel,' she says. 'And I love you too Luisa. I love all of you. I'm so proud to call you family….'
"'That dreadful sound of a door opening jolts us from our conversation and we quickly scramble to our feet. Not again!
"'We wait until she's arrived on the balcony to check what way she's coming, and then we race clockwise away from her. This time, she jumps the railing and disappears into the thundering mist, before instantly materialising right in front of me. She has learnt a new trick.
"'Mirabel!' I hear Tío Bruno shout, as her hands reach towards my throat.
"'No!' Luisa races towards us, and makes to grab the girl, but this time an invisible barrier seems to block her path. It's just me and the girl with the glowing eyes.
"'I love you, Mirabel,' Luisa tries, desperately, but this time, nothing happens.
"The girl is usually screeching as she attacks us, but this time she is hauntingly silent as though this is the most focused and determined she has been yet. I know she means to destroy me.
"'Isn't there something you need to say?' Tío Bruno asks, and I think I realise what he's trying to get me to do.
"'I love you Tío Bruno! Dolores, I love you too! Luisa, my dear sister. I love you so, so much…'
"But nothing happens. I can feel those claw-like fingers grabbing my throat. I can see the cracks all over that dull, grey skin, and the lights beaming down at me from her eyes are blinding.
"I don't want to, but I'm forced to close my eyes.
"'There's someone you've missed!' I hear Tío Bruno's voice, though it sounds distant now.
"'Who?' I ask weakly as she starts to press my windpipe.
"'YOU!'
"My eyes flutter open for a second. He's right. There is still one person in my family that I haven't made peace with. That I don't yet love. That I don't feel is worthy to bear the miracle. That I don't believe has what it takes to lead our family. That I fear will never be good enough. She's not ready. Maybe she never will be, but she deserves my love just as much as the others.
"It's a struggle to speak, but I wriggle my hands onto the girl's wrists and try to pull her off me as much as I can. Although it's hard, I force myself to keep my eyes open, look her in those blazing lamps and I say, at last; 'I love you!'
"I feel her grip release and I gasp for air, as the girl instantly backs away. Her movements are shaky, as though she has been knocked off balance. Then as she becomes more steady I notice something appear in her hands, glowing with the same intense light as her eyes. She reaches out as though offering it to me.
"'What is it?' I ask her.
"'It's for you,' is all she says.
"I hold out my hands to receive it, and see that it is a glistening, golden butterfly with flecks of every colour of the rainbow. I watch it for a moment as its wings twitch, and then it slowly dissolves into my palms. I look up and the cracks on the girl's face become wider, revealing the same glowing light, as though she's been hollow this whole time. Her skin then flakes away, and as it does so, I realise it has been made up of tiny grey butterflies, slotting together like an intricate jigsaw puzzle. The butterflies flutter off leaving nothing but the blazing light, which grows larger and larger until the entire Casita is bathed in it. The haze dissipates, the balcony opens up and the stairs to the lower floor are finally restored. The girl is gone, and I hear excited cheering.
"'You did it!' says Luisa as she hugs me. Dolores and Tío Bruno join in too, and then we hear my mom's voice from below.
"'Mirabel? Is that you?'
"'Yeah, Mamá. It's me!'
"'Then hurry up. You're late for dinner. If you see Dolores, Luisa and Bruno, will you tell them to come down too, please?'
"'We all smile, and then make our way down the stairs."
.
"Woah." Luisa was the first to speak when Mirabel finished her story. "That was a wild dream."
"Pretty weird, huh?"
"It's true though. We should totally tell each other we love them more often," Luisa agreed.
"Totally!" Isabela repeated. "And we could all use a reminder to love ourselves too. Don't you think?"
"Is that really what you think, Mirabel?" Julieta asked, changing the subject. There was concern in her voice. "That you're not worthy of the new miracle?"
Mirabel tugged at her curls. "Well… it did all happen kinda fast, and…"
"Are you kidding?" Bruno joined in. "Dream-me knew what he was talking about. You're the most amazing person I know."
When Mirabel didn't respond, Abuela spoke. "Look at us, Mirabel," she began. Abuela always sat quietly between Mirabel and Antonio and said very little during the Midnight Club meetings, so when she spoke, everyone paid attention. "Do you think we would be sitting here, in Bruno's vision cave of all places, together as a family, if it hadn't been for you? You earned that miracle, and I have no doubt in my mind, that you'll do a better job than I ever did."
Mirabel considered her grandmother closely. Those familiar features that she knew so well seemed to have softened in recent months. Although still the proud matriarch of the Madrigal family, she now lead quietly from behind, empowering each of them and allowing the family to become stronger than it had ever been before.
As the new miracle bearer, Mirabel knew that one day she would have to step up and take Abuela's place at the head of the family. Abuela had taken Mirabel under her wing and was teaching her how to lead from the heart, and avoid the mistakes she made, but it felt like an impossible task. The prospect would be daunting for any fifteen-year-old, but for one that was so used to living in the shadows of their family members, the thought of becoming the light itself was terrifying.
"But… how do— Woah, haha!"
Mirabel was taken off guard as Luisa pulled her in for a tight hug.
Isabela then put her hand on her shoulder. "You've got this, lil' sis!"
Everyone either nodded or made noises of agreement and for a moment, Mirabel almost believed it herself.
"Yep. Trust me, you've got this, kid," Bruno reassured her.