Falling Sand (Encanto fanfic)

Midnight Scares

Mirabel's POV

     "What...?" I mumbled, looking around my darkened room for what had woken me up. 

     Seeing nothing, I pulled my covers back up, turning--

     Thump. 

     My hand flew to my chest as I bolted upright in bed. I whipped my head around the room, trying to figure out what la Casita was telling me. Seeing nothing of immediate concern, I rubbed my eyes, staring down at the floor. 

     "Casita?" I whispered. "Why did you make my bed move?"

     Creak.

     My door opened by itself, and I sighed, realizing that I would have to leave my room if I wanted to get any answers. Groaning, I stood up, smiling tiredly down at  the sight of the tiles bringing my shoes to me. Wrapping one of my blankets around my shoulders, I walked out of the room, following the sound of the creaking floorboards. 

     I frowned when I was led to the stairs, hoping that the house didn't expect me to go outside in my nightgown. Shrugging, I carefully walked down the steps, guided by nothing but the moonlight above me. I glanced at the front door warily, but luckily enough, la Casita didn't seem to be guiding me that way. 

     "Menos mal," I muttered, blinking heavily at the path the house was making in front of me. "But where are you--"

     I froze, abruptly realizing just where la Casita was taking me. Immediately, I broke into a run, the dead silence of my sentient home the unspoken answer that I was supposed to go find Tío Bruno. Panting slightly from my rush, I skidded to a stop as  I stared at the slumbering form of my uncle.

     What? But why did...? I looked around in confusion. He's here, sleeping. Why did--

     "No...please no." 

     I turned, reinspecting my tío. He seemed to be grimacing, his face pale and sweaty. Slowly, I reached my hand out, pulling it back when he groaned, thrashing. I gaped at the sight in front of me for a moment, before hurrying forward to shake my uncle awake from the horrible dream he seemed to be having. 

     After a minute or two of trying to gently wake him up, with no success, he whimpered, his glowing eyes flying open. I jumped back at the last second, almost colliding with my panicking tío when he sat up. His eyes darted around the room, the light coming from them fading as he gasped heavily, like he'd just been running in the jungle rather than sleeping. 

     "Tío Bruno...?" I murmured, gently placing my hand on his shoulder. 

     Flinching, he quickly turned to face me.  I gasped at the sight of his ashen face, and the tear tracks on his cheeks shining slightly in the glow of la luna. He stared back at me, his usually vibrant green orbs glazed over, almost like he was seeing through me rather than at me.

     After a moment, I felt him practically slump, leaning into my touch. Sitting down on the mattress, I pulled him into my arms. Ignoring the feeling of his tears on the shoulder of my gown, I rubbed his back, trying to help him calm down. 

     "Shhh, Tío Bruno. It's alright." I whispered, carding my fingers through his hair. 

     I sat there, listening to the sound of his breathing gradually return to normal. Eventually, I realized that his frantic pants had completely stopped, being replaced by soft snores. I pursed my lips, contemplating what I should do. 

     If I move too much, I might wake him up. But maybe, if I just...

     Moving slowly, I layed down, doing my best not to shift my uncle. Finally, after several minutes, I was lying down, my arm still around my slumbering tío. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted now that the rush of panic I'd had earlier was gone.