The Jungle Witch

Part 1

Chapter 1 The Jungle Witch--Mirabel's pov--

I stand to the side as I see everyone in the family get their picture taken. Antonio got the gift of understanding animals. He was so afraid of not having a special gift. It looks like such a perfect family without me in it. My feelings began to ignite as I sang.

"Don't be upset or mad at allDon't feel regret or sad at allHey, I'm still a part of the family MadrigalAnd I'm fine, I am totally fineI will stand on the side as you shineI'm not fine, I'm not fineI can't move the mountainsI can't make the flowers bloomI can't take another night up in my roomWaiting on a miracleI can't heal what's brokenCan't control the morning rain or a hurricaneCan't keep down the unspoken invisible painAlways waiting on a miracle, a miracleAlways walking aloneAlways wanting for moreLike I'm still at that door longing to shineLike all of you shineAll I need is a changeAll I need is a chanceAll I know is I can't stay on the sideOpen your eyes, open your eyes, open your eyesI would move the mountainsMake new trees and flowers growSomeone please just let me know, where do I go?I am waiting on a miracle, a miracleI would heal what's brokenShow this family something newWho I am inside, so what can I do?I'm sick of waiting on a miracle, so here I goI am ready, come on, I'm readyI've been patient, steadfast, and steadyBless me now as you blessed us all those years agoWhen you gave us a miracleAm I too late for a miracle,"

I finished singing just as cracks started to appear, a roof tile came down right next to me. 'Heh,' I thought, ' I guess not only do I not get blessed; I'm ruining the miracle, aren't I? At least Tio Bruno had a gift before leaving.' Trying not to make much sound, so Dolores wouldn't hear, I packed up my needles, embroidery thread, linen, and a few clothes. I put on a cloak with a hood that Tio Bruno had left behind. It was black and had golden hourglasses all over it, and he almost always wore a green one in my vague memories of my Tio. I stole some of the last batches of mom's arepas.

I would have to eat them sparingly. I took two photos with me. Maybe I could find Tio Bruno if I had his picture. The other one had baby Antonio, me, and everyone else. I stood at the entrance of casita, hearing the house shudder before settling back down. "Don't worry about me, casita it will be alright," I whispered, patting the door with affection. One tear went down my cheek and fell down to the ground. Before I could lose my courage, I took a deep breath and ran away through the streets. Over the bridge, I went where Luisa had just rerouted the river that morning and paused; but left thereafter in any case.

--third-person pov--

A tear had fallen from casita's favorite person and where it fell down, blossomed into a marigold that dripped dew. It was a flower of grief.

Mariano had seen someone leaving and followed after. As the fireworks sizzled, there was just enough light to see a teary-eyed Mirabel vanishing into the night.

Mariano came back to Madrigal's casita, lost in thought. He was struggling to process what he'd seen. Everyone else had moved the party into Antonio's new room. Mariano could see faint cracks in the walls and couldn't see the reason behind anything. He cared for his mother and couldn't see how someone could leave everything they'd ever known. In addition, why did casita have cracks? He tried to be observant as he wandered up the stairs. Mariano saw pretty Isabella talking to Samantha and Rosa; and heard such degrading words directed to Mirabel. He could see Camillo hopping from person to person. Mariano could see now that Camillo's smile never reached his eyes, barely extended his cheeks. Antonio was blissfully oblivious, petting the jaguar that had arrived through his gift-giving. Pepa still had a drizzly cloud despite being happy. Alma Madrigal criticized everyone, and Luisa had everyone's demands for the next day's demands. Julietta and Augustin were just quietly talking. Dolores was just dozing in a corner.

Mariano found his mom at the party and told her he didn't want to marry into the madrigal family. Mariano told her what he saw and could see that she didn't believe him at all. He said he liked Maria, daughter of doctor Emmanual. His mother said that there would be no talk of marriage with the madrigals but don't talk about them since they were blessed.

Antonio was so pleased with his gift that he turned to talk to Mirabel only to see empty space. She was right next to him as he opened his door. She handmade the stuffed jaguar that now laid on his new bed (a hammock!). Where was Mirabel? He asked Abeula only for her to say that she was properly out of the way and so she would not ruin his special day. He wanted Mirabel, he told Abuela. Antonio pushed through the crowd to the entrance, only to see several roof tiles on the ground. He went to the nursery only to find nobody, and everything was pristine. As if Mirabel had never been there or in his life at all. As if she was gone...forever.

Pico the Toucan landed on Antonio's shoulder and asked him what was going through his mind. Antonio replied that he had the gift he always wanted, but he lost someone far more important in return. Antonio asked Parce to get him by the miracle candle. He could see it barely lit up, and its glow was disappearing more by the minute. Casita had always loved Mirabel but now was falling apart since she actually left. Antonio mumbled apologies to Mirabel and casita as he started to sob.

Mariano climbed up next to Antonio and said softly, "you know why she left, don't you?" Antonio nodded, still quietly sobbing. Mariano saw the candle barely lit up and gently held Antonio to the ground.

Mariano told Antonio was welcome to talk to him at any point but not to bring anyone else. Mariano said marriage talks would stop, and he would marry a villager woman, who he liked better anyway. Antonio crept back to the nursey and fell asleep in Mirabel's bed, clutching the blankets close to him. Parce brought the stuffed animal version of himself and together fell asleep tiredly.