Fly High, Butterfly

Chapter Twenty Three

Bruno stood in front of his door, his new door. The design had changed slightly, since the last time he had seen it. Which was years and years ago. For one thing, it was glowing. Last time he had seen a door of his own, the bright lights and color had drained away quickly. Like Casita had understood that he would not be there, that his Gift would not be used for quite some time. The new door also had a new design engraved on it. It was similar enough to his last one, with the same time giant hourglass in the middle and several triangle and swirly patterns neatly littered over the wood. Unlike his last door, however, his figure was slightly different. Where he had been positioned with his hands forming around the hourglass before, now his hands were positioned above. Above his figure's head were more patterns of swirls, like sand that he was holding in the air. In the swirling sand patterns, there were faces. A few were smiling, a few seemed sad, a few seemed angry. Below those faces, were Bruno's figure stood, there were rats on his shoulders. Both with kind looks on their faces, similar to Bruno's. His engravements face looked softer than last time. There was no intriguing smirk, and his eyes were not narrowed as if he were watching everything. Instead, his expression looked calmer, and more tired. (Quite like him, really.) His smile was small but soft, and his eyes looked gentle. The glowing door made him seem more like a wise prophet.

Bruno certainly did not feel like his portrayal on the door. This was the first he had seen it all day, as he had been avoiding it. Looking at it now, he saw that he had been right to. He had no idea what the new frame of the door even meant; it seemed unreal. Was there a meaning behind the change? Was Casita trying to tell him something? Was it bad?

Staring at the swirling sands on the door, he felt a pang behind his eyes. His lips curled up in distain, and he instinctively stepped back. The way the door stared at him, like it was begging. Begging to be opened. Yet, he did not want to. He had not even been in his old room in ten years.. and it had been so distant. Bruno had spent the last ten years in the walls, and now he was just going to hide away in his giant tower? He did not want it, not after everything. Not after just beginning to heal with his family, not after being so close to them over the last several weeks.

The engravement on the door stared at him. He looked away.

He thought back to earlier that day, when Mirabel had latched the door to the newly built house. It had been such a soft moment, a tender and wonderful one. The light that washed over the house as she let go, glaring at their eyes and making them gape in wonder. Even Bruno had smiled at the return of Casita, who seemed so happy to be back and to see them all. It had quite literally invited everyone in, as if excited to show them all the changes in the house. Everyone had been so happy, so excited. So relieved.

And the Madrigals the most of all. Bruno had watched as Isabella excitedly squealed while growing new flowers, all bright and colorful. Luisa had grinned so wide when she lifted the cactus, so relieved to have her Gift back. Camilo had shifted back and forth into different people, whooping in excitement. And little Antonio had almost cried when his animal friends returned to him, his jaguar scooping him up and running him around the house. Pepa dancing in the hail, finally looking proud of herself and embracing her Gift, and her own emotions. It all had been quite a sight to see, and Bruno had been so happy to see them happy.

Unfortunately, he had felt his own Gift come back as well. The return of an ever-present pressure behind his eyes, just barely noticeable. He had nearly forgotten what it had felt like in the weeks without it; or maybe he had just gotten used to it over the years. The instant he had felt it, it felt like he shrunk, and a pit had settled in his stomach. He knew his room was back, and his ability, and everything that came with it. Fear had settled in for a few minutes, and suddenly it felt like everyone was watching him. Waiting for him to bring doom upon it all. To ruin what joy they were having.