Through Your Eyes || Camilo Madrigal

---- • ¤《 Chapter 13 》¤ • ----

Carlos forced his way through the markets, fighting against the tumultuous winds beating him from every side. Hardly anyone was outside, only the remnants of the plants that had sprung up suddenly could be seen. Trying to find his father was out of the question, he wouldn't help. Maybe if he could find the priest or even the lady that was always talking about her dead fish...

He squinted his eyes to the wind and continued to press forward.

"Carlos!" His father's voice sounded above the roaring wind.

Carlos spun around to face him, the last of his courage blowing away like sand in the wind. His father grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him close to his face until Carlos was standing on his toes.

"Where have you been? What is going on?" His father shouted.

"Pá! Let go! I need to get help. The Madrigals... they need..." His voice faded and was drowned out by the wind and his father's glaring scowl.

Carlos was tossed into the nearest market stand, crashing through the wood and glassware merchandise. He didn't stick around. Getting up and ducking down a side alley, Carlos ran for the center of town. His father was far bigger, but Carlos was faster and knew the layout of the town better. He was running down the main street when a large crack split the road in half. Looking up, he watched in horror as a mountain broke in two. He turned around and saw the great Madrigal house collapse in ruins.

He ran as fast as he could toward the expanding cloud of dust.

"Gather everyone together!" He yelled at the priest as he ran past, not stopping.

Please be okay.

---- • ¤《 ~ 🔅 ~ 》¤ • ----

Camilo shook himself out of his daze. He stood up and wandered into the wreckage of their home. Mirabel sat in the middle of a collection of furniture that covered her, protecting her from the tower. Tía Julieta was bending over her, but was called away by his mother.

She's alright.

He let out the breath he had been holding for a long time.

"What do we do now?" He heard his mother ask as he approached her side. She was speaking to Tía Julieta who was looking at Antonio. The dust covered everyone and everything, coating the very air with a thick gray tint. The little pieces of rubble slid beneath his sandals, grinding against the bare foundation of the house.

"Mijo, you alright?" His mother asked, turning to him and holding him close.

"My powers, they're gone." He stared down at his hands, unable to feel the surge of energy that usually flowed freely through his body. He glanced at Antonio, who sat on a piece of the kitchen wall, clutching the stuffed toy jaguar that Mirabel had given him. "What about Antonio?" Camilo's worries turned to his baby brother. "What is he gonna do?" His mother released him, an expression of helpless sadness plain across her face. The storm had ceased, but the sky remained dark and overcast.

Ana came around in front of him as his mother stepped away.

"Shhh. It's okay. Everyone's okay. No one's hurt." She placed her arms around him.