The Curse Infection

Isandra was sitting at the bottom of the hill on a log, shedding tears. Her mind had become a void of uncertainty. She heard footsteps but didn't turn. "Camillo…I don't want to…"

"Darling it's us," Isandra turned her head and saw it was her mother and father, smiling at her. Her sisters Natalia and Sofia were nearby, arms crossed, scowling faces. She hadn't missed those two one bit.

"You shouldn't be here,"

She tried to walk off but her father grabbed her wrist. "You're not leaving us again," his voice was broken but the tone sounded forceful.

"Stay away from me," Isandra stormed off again.

"Isa…" her mother cried out but she disappeared into the streets. "You two…" she ordered the two mean girls who were Isabella's former fans and friends. "After her!"

The sisters growled.

Dolores, Luisa, and Isabella had waited patiently but Mirabel and Juano would not come out. The sisters sighed. Luisa's arm draped around Isabella's shoulder and they turned and started to walk off. Dolores waited a moment longer. Still nothing. She was just twisting around when silent footsteps froze her heart. And her cousins. They turned around and saw that the couple had stepped out into the light. Tears were brought to their eyes. Just like Mirabel's. No words were spoken between them. And neither knew what to do or even say.

"You three really mean everything you three have said?" Juano asked, sensing Mirabel's anxiety.

Isabella feebly nodded. "Yes,"

"I didn't realise how much…" Mirabel was beginning to choke on tears. "leaving you all would make you all so sad. After everything that happened, I didn't want to spend another moment living where I didn't feel wanted but now…I don't know what to say or feel," Only Juano's warm touch could comfort her.

Isabella stepped forward when all of a sudden the twins came bursting onto the scene.

"Twins! Come back!" Antonio chased after them. The Trio watched as they flew their arms around Mirabel.

"Please go back to them!" Angelo begged.

"Don't Angelo," Pedro pleaded.

"When can we meet them?" asked the hyper Harmony.

"Who are these?" asked Isabella kneeling down, only for Harmony to suddenly run up to her and greet her with a surprise hug. "Um…hello,"

Angelo walked towards Luisa and marvelled at her towering height. "Are you a giant?"

"I am. Fee. Fi. Fo. Fum!" said Luisa in a spooky voice. The children burst out laughing.

"I remember you," Dolores greet Pedro. Pedro a little scared hid behind Mirabel.

"This is Pedro, Harmony and Angelo," she introduced, smiling. "Bruno and Gabriella's children,"

"They're so beautiful," said Isabella.

"Can we show them our gifts?" burst out Harmony.

The trio froze. "Gifts?" they asked together.

"Our miracle candle gave them gifts," explained Juano. "Wanna show them kids?"

"I suppose so," Pedro showed his ice magic. He waved his hands and crafted an ice statue of Mirabel and Juano. Then the twins demonstrated their mind powers which appeased their elder cousins. "Impressive," complimented Dolores.

"We were having a ceremony to celebrate them when all this started happening," said Juano. He turned to Mirabel. "Wanna show them?" His girlfriend was uncertain. "Go on. I'm still here,"

Mirabel saw her sisters and cousin eying her with wonder and she decided they deserved to know. Her hands waved and magical butterflies appeared in her palm. They were amazed. Then more butterflies appeared all around her, forming wings on her back that carried her into the air slightly. The little ones cheered and clapped. Smiling for the first time in a while, Mirabel waved her hands and butterflies formed wings on their back and Juano's.

"Let them join us," Antonio begged, sad they were missing out on all the fun. Mirabel looked down and saw his sister and hers looking happy but…left out. She did not want to make the same mistakes they did.

Luisa, Isabella and Dolores felt wings and before they knew it they were hoisted into the air. Luisa started screaming and covered her eyes. "I'm scared of heights!"

"It's okay Luisa," Mirabel flew to her. "Look at me,"

"I…I can't," she freaked out.

Mirabel gently touched her hands and pulled them off her eyes they remained scrunched. "Open them slowly. Trust me. It'll be okay,". She gathered her courage. Darkness receded as he opened her eyes and all she saw were Mirabel's beautiful brown irises. "You see. You're alright,". She slowly receded her fingers and Luisa realised that nothing was gonna happen to her at all.

"This is…amazing," Isabella held out her hands like the children, pretending they were a second set of wings.

"It's freedom," Juano said.

"Freedom!" cheered the twins. They flew around in circles.

"Careful, you two," Dolores steadied them.

"Wanna go for a flight?" Mirabel encouraged. Everyone was hooked. They flew like a swarm of golden dragonflies towards the forests that had not been overshadowed by the dark clouds. Down below they saw beautiful botany, lakes and pools.

From the far side of the refugee, a child cried out: "Look!"

The Madrigal parents stared up and they saw the city's leaders (holding hands), leading Antonio and Pedro, the two twins and the three eldest daughters soaring over them. Julieta and Pepa were brought to tears seeing their daughters flying together like this; their bond had begun to mend. Even their husbands could see it very clearly too.

Alma sitting alone when laughter disturbed the silence. Raising her feeble head slowly she saw her grandchildren up above. She couldn't believe how much Mirabel had grown. And when she saw Pedro who had grown so much from the last time she had been, she felt herself looking at a twin of her late husband. And when she saw him clasping the hands of two twins, girl and boy, her eyes glistened with tears. In a flash, she became overstruck with guilt again, ashamed that she hadn't allowed Bruno to marry the woman of his dreams just because he was bestowed with the power of foresight which everyone deemed terrifying.

Up above, Mirabel was feeling joy and her mind seemed to bounce back in time. When she glanced at her sisters, she saw joyful smiles that she hadn't seen for years. Since they were kids and had been so close. But when she looked down, she saw the living reminder of how alone and unappreciated she had felt her entire childhood. And turned away at once with wet eyes.

Alma's eyes struck with tears seeing Mirabel's eyes turned away at once. Bruno was right before. She wanted nothing to do with her.

Bruno and Gabriella helping some injured saw them too. It warmed their hearts to see their children becoming so close to their other cousins. All their life, Bruno had wished for Pedro to be a part of the Madrigal family and though he was overjoyed that here in Milagro de Amor they were loved unconditionally, he and his wife had always wondered what life would have been like if they had been allowed to marry and raise their kids with the other members of their family.

"Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if we had been allowed to marry before at the old Encanto?" the wife asked.

"Yes," answered her emotional husband. "All I ever wanted for Pedro was to grow up with his primos, primas, tias and tios. And for a while now, I've wanted the same thing for the twins,"

"Mirabel looks…happy" smiled Gabriella. "Maybe if she's willing to give them a chance, maybe all can be forgiven with your mother,"

The mention of his mother made Bruno frown. "Don't be so sure about that,"

"Wahoo!" cheered the children. The flock of fliers landed on their feet back on the spot they had taken off.

"That was so amazing!" cheered Luisa. "We have to do it again!"

"Incredible," said Isabella with delight. "Mira…" she eyed her sister with loving eyes. "Everything you and Juano have done it, it's so amazing,"

"We're so sorry about everything that's been happening here," said Dolores sincerely.

"The only thing we're more sorry for is all these people," Juano looked around and saw many people packing up. "When they came here, they had nothing. We gave them a home, this city…and now it feels like they're losing everything all over again,"

Mirabel's heart broke again, seeing all the pain and damage already done to their once beautiful society. "I feel like we're failing them,"

"No. None of you could ever fail them. Especially you sis," comforted Isabella. "Whatever it is you're both facing, let us help you. That's what family does. We take care of each other. Something you taught us in that letter,"

"I know we've made a lot of mistakes," Dolores approached again. "But we can make things right. Let us help you all defeat this curse,"

Mirabel found herself crying again. "You would all really do that?". They needed no worse at all. Only tearful smiles. Before Juano's eyes, Mirabel was wrapped into their arms.

"Aww!" cooed the twins. "Group hug!"

"Join with the family hug!" Dolores invited. The twins joined in and everybody giggled. Antonio came in. Pedro was a little reluctant but catching one of Mirabel's gleeful smiles, he joined in, he became consumed with love by the primas he thought would never meet.

Juano smiled seeing Mirabel's face blossoming with warmth and joy. All that pain she had felt being an outsider and then leaving everything she knew behind had begun to dissolve into nothingness. But seeing her make amends with her family brought tears to his knees for he felt in his heart, this act of reconciliation was an act of love he would never receive from his own family.

"Come on Juano," Isabella held out her hand. "You're part of our family too,"

Juano saw it remained offered as well. By the kindness in her eyes, he could see that she was not the same rude person she was before; she had changed. All of them had. She took it and Isabella instantly pulled him into the hug. His lips nearly collided with Mirabel's. In the warm bear hug, Mirabel felt happiness flowing into her heart again. "I love this," she began crying.

Isandra was walking through the streets when she turned a corner and bumped into Balthasar again. "Oh my…"

"Isa…you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, but her wet eyes gave everything away.

"Did Camillo hurt you?" Balthasar's grip on her shoulders turned into fists; he wanted to punch him.

"No. It wasn't him. He didn't hurt me. I saw my family again…and I stormed off,"

"I know they were awful to Mirabel…but don't you at least wanna talk to them?"

"No. They unjustly blamed Mirabel for no reason. And my sisters were the worst of them all,"

"That's not a nice way to talk about your own blood," sneered a voice. The duo turned around and they saw the sisters frowning.

"Do you have any idea how many streets we've run to find you?" complained Natalia. She wasn't as elegant or slim as she used to be and she was blowing like a rhinoceros. "You're coming back with us! Now!"

"Leave her alone!" Balthasar ordered. "And you do well to stay away from our friends as well?"

"And who's this hoghead?" demanded Sofia.

Her younger sister exploded. "'Hoghead? I will have you know Sofia, he is one of my dearest friends and I will not have you insulting him the same way you did to my best friend,"

"Do you have any idea what your leaving did to us? How much it hurt Mum and Dad that you chose your best friend who destroyed everything? As if Tia Gabriella had already ruined our family enough by loving that…."

"You dare say anything to insult Bruno Madrigal and I'll tear those dresses off you," Balthasar warned, frightening them.

"You two are going back to mum and dad. And you're going to tell them, that they were wrong to blame my best friend who has been more a sister to me than you two ever were. And that they were wrong to treat Bruno so wrongly like everyone else,"

"I would get out of here if I were you," Balthasar's friends appeared and they cracked their necks. "Boo," they screamed and scurried off like scaredy cats. Isandra half-closed her eyes. She hadn't seen her family in years and the first thing she had done was comfort them for their short-sighted, hostile nature. "It's gonna be okay," he assured her.

"So…how is everyone?" asked Mirabel as they walked through the streets together.

"They're getting better," said Luisa. "When we heard rumours about Milagro de Amor, we just knew it had to be you two. You both gave us all hope,"

"How did you get that miracle candle anyway?" asked Dolores curiously.

Pedro pulled on a goofy grin. "They kissed,"

"Pedro!" berated Mirabel and Juano, growing as they saw the romantic teases of the three elder girls. 'Yes," they forced themselves to give in.

"That was how the miracle came to us," said Juano. "Then it gave Mirabel her gift. And we always did the tradition of giving gifts to everyone when they came of age,"

"So much has happened since we built this place," said Mirabel. "I still hoped that the casita we left behind for all of you was good enough. I know it doesn't have magic but…"

"You still cave us a home," said Isabella proudly. "Mira…" She stopped walking and so did everyone else. She exchanged an uncertain glance with Dolores and Luisa and already Mirabel could feel a pit forming in his heart again.

"We know you won't want to do this but…" Luisa twiddled her fingers.

Dolores decided to take over. "Alma might want to talk to you,"

"No," Mirabel shook her head and tried to storm off.

"Absolutely not," agreed Juano storming off as well, his arm clutched around her shoulders. He was not going to let Alma near her. Not even for a single second.

"Sis, maybe Abeula regrets everything she did and said," Isabella tried to convince her sister wouldn't listen much to her discomfort.

"Maybe she's just trying to make amends," Luisa added as well.

"As if a simple talk is gonna change anything," Juano scoffed.

"How can you be so sure?" Dolores asked.

"Because your Abeula slapped her across the face!" Juano reminded bitterly. "She doesn't deserve any forgiveness for everything she's done. It's her fault this family fell apart. It's her fault the miracle died out,"

"She knows that," Isabella agreed wholeheartedly. "Literally, she's been moping about a day on end for the past six years. We all blame her for you leaving sis. And we've all realised how much she only saw us for our gifts and not for the people we were. We regret not acting upon them sooner and we all regret letting her treat you that way, Mira,"

Suddenly Juano let out a squeal of pain and fell to his knees, clutching his chest.

"Juano!" screamed Mirabel. The sisters and Dolores fell to their knees, watching in tears as he cried in pain.

In the casita, the dark candle sent cracks snaking all over the walls and to make matters worse, all the botany surrounding the grand manor had begun to wilt. Life was being snuffled like the candle flame that had been its beating heart of light for nearly ten years.

"What's happening?" cried Luisa.

"I can't…" Juano coughed. "I can't feel my heart anymore. It feels so weak,"

Pedro and Antonio covered the twins' eyes and ears.

Mirabel shedding tears again touched his head. "He needs medicine! He's got a terrible fever! Get mum! Help me get him onto Sinfonia!" she whistled and the horse appeared, neighing in horror at seeing his person in pain. "Pedro, go find Isandra and Balthasar,"

Luisa lifted him onto the horse and Mirabel was hoisted up behind him and galloped off. The three daughters made a dash towards the campsite.

Many of the citizens had searched and searched the jungles but there was no sign of Carlos anywhere.

Carlos peeped from behind a bush and saw men guarding the cave. He found a stone and threw it. Bang! One was knocked out cold. The other two went to inspect him. Whack! Bam! They were knocked out cold. Tying them up, he hid them in the bushes and then with a wicked grin entered the cave, following a green glow which would lead him to the core of the dark magic infecting the land.

Elonzo, Bruno and Gabriella were gathering more food when they heard the loud neighs of Sinfonia approaching carrying Mirabel and Juano's pale forms. "Oh no!" cried the uncle.

"Help! He's worse than ever! His heart rate is slow!" Mirabel was close to breaking into tears again.

"Get him inside!" ushered the pale aunt.

"I've sent for mama!"

"Quick bring him inside!" Elonzo and Bruno carried Juano to the couch and laid him down.

"How can this be happening?" cried Mirabel, whom Gabriella embraced, comforting her. "What is happening to him?"

Bruno checked his pulse when he froze. "Oh no,"

"What?" In his uncle's eyes, Mirabel saw tears being held back. Her breath froze. But a gasp escaped her mouth when he held up his arm showing black veins underneath his skin, dark as the miracle candle that was causing their curse. "The curse is now killing him,"

Mirabel couldn't contain herself anymore. "No," she fell to her knees, cupping his face. But from out of his eyes, black veins started spreading like a virus. The curse was infected him. It had become a plague. Did this mean it could be spread?

Isabella, Luisa and Dolores sped through the village. Then they dashed up the hill towards the campsite. "Mama!" cried the eldest. "Mama!"

The parents came stumbling forward. "Isabella. What's wrong?" Agustin asked.

"It's Juano! He's very sick!"

"The curse is killing him!" Luisa cried up to the sky. "It's getting worse and worse!"

Juliet instantly grabbed baskets of herbs. "These might be able to help him. Where is he?"

Isandra and Balthasar were walking into the forest when Pedro came running up to them, panting. "Pedro, what's wrong?" Isandra knelt to him.

"It's Juano. He's gotten worse," his eyes were leaking with tears.

The pair gasped.

"Isandra!" cried someone running towards them. "Isandra!"

"What is it?"

"I found some people tied up near the cave entrance. And a snarky girl was sneaking around as well,"

Isandra knew exactly who it was. "Mariana. We've got to stop whatever she, Carlos and Alejandro are up to,"

"Go to Mirabel…" Balthasar implored. "We'll try to find out what he's doing. She needs you more than I do,"

"But…there is dark magic in that cave,"

"I know. But we cannot let someone as cruel as him meddle with it. Now go," Balthasar cupped her cheek and she leaned against it, absorbing the warmth from his skin that always made her feel safe. She followed Pedro back into town whilst Balthasar led a group of men into the jungle. But unknowst to them, Mariana and Alejandro watched them.

"We can't let them stop father," said Maraiana. She noticed her brother's uncertain face. "What?"

"What if...what if this is wrong?" he said. "What if people get hurt?"

"We have to destroy that source of magic. It's the only way to undo all this hypocracy our dumb brother and his equally awful girl have done. It's time we end magic once and for all. And you had better with us," she marhced off ahead of him, determined to blindly follow their father's bidding.

Hey. I am so sorry, this took so long. I've been facing a reader's block and I've been gettng carried away with other stories because they've been easier to write. Well here is the next chapter and I really hope you've all enjoyed it. So it seems Juano is now gravely ill and dying. Can he be saved? We'll have to wait and find out. See you all soon. I promise I will have another chapter up within the next two weeks. Love you all and thank you all for your support.