The Chameleon's Grin ll Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 14 : Okay.

Carmen's pov:

I froze.

My chest tightened like it wanted to crush my heart and end it all.

But Luisa's news had already broken something deep down in me that couldn't be repaired.

I took a step forward, and then another. They were slow, but I was set on my destination. Walking past Luisa and Camilo, I walked into the house.

Before I could continue, Luisa's bulky hand rested on my shoulder.

I looked back at her, and we shared an understanding look. Hesitantly, she let go of me.

I wanted to see Mamá, no matter the state of her.

I walked past the kitchen, and down the hallway. My steps became slower and slower in dread of what I was about to see.

It reeked of blood, and I was beginning to see traces of it on the ratty white carpet then went around the house.

I continued moving though. The first door was the bathroom. I looked in, but there was nothing.

The next doors were mamá's and Diana's across from each other. Neither of them had any traces of her, but they were empty of any near-valuables we had. I checked mamá's jewelry box, which only had a few string bracelets Diana had made.

All of her jewelry was gone.

I gulped hard, pushing bile out of my throat.

I made my way back to the hallway. There was only one door left, and it was mine.

The blood on the floor was looking more like drag marks than splotches, and tears were starting to well up in my eyes.

I leaned my head around the corner.

"Mamá?" I choked out.

When I saw the woman's body sprawled out on my floor. There was the scarlet liquid flowing from her abdomen, and her body looked like it had been thrown. I stood there, hopeless, in shock.

"Mamá!" I screamed, slumping down to the ground, just as Mamá's body was. I let the tears fall in big, ugly waves. Despair and utter horror crept into me, and I was petrified for what was to come for Diana and I.

Where will we live?

Where will we get food?

Will I still have a job?

What will I tell Diana?

Everything Mamá had to worry about was pushed onto me now, and I wasn't ready for that.

Camilo's pov:

Carmen walked further into the house, and out of our sights.

I turned to Luisa. "What did you see in there?"

She gulped. "I-I'm not ready to talk about it yet."

I pressed my lips together, nodding slightly.

We waited in outside in silence, until we heard Carmen.

She screamed for her Mamá.

For the woman to come back to her.

It practically pulled my heat out of my chest.

"Dolores," I whispered, "Mrs. Cortes is gone."

Dolores's pov:

Camilo's plea sent chills down my spine. I must've been in my room when Mrs. Cortes was died, because I heard no signs of struggle.

Right now Carmen's scream was ringing in my ears, and I'm sure even a normal person could hear her from here.

I cupped my hand over my mouth, willing myself not to imagine Carmen's face right at that very moment.

Mamá ran up to me. "Dolores, what's wrong?"

I told her the terrible news, and that they needed back up. We both knew Diana was here in La Casita, so I volunteered to stay here in case they wanted Mrs. Cortes' youngest child there.

Mirabel was the first one out of the door, running to comfort her new friend.

Carmen's pov:

I crawled over to the empty shell I used to call mi mamá.

I intertwined my fingers with her limp ones, and kissed her knuckles gently.

I could feel my spirit breaking, and I dreaded the moment would need to tell my sister.

"Oh Mamá," I whispered to her, as if she could hear me. "Please, rest easy. I'll find a way to persevere, just like you did for so many years, I promise you, we"ll be okay."

I pressed my lips to her forehead, and left. I urged myself to suck in my tears for the sake of everyone waiting outside the house.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek so hard it began to draw blood. I focused on the taste rather than Mamá, or Diana, or our future.

Much to my surprise, the entire Madrigal family was outside the door, with the exception of Antonio and Dolores.

I quickly wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

I felt numb as Mirabel wrapped her arms in an embrace.

It took everything in me to not resist it, to not push away.

I needed them to not worry about me, and think that I've come to terms with whatever had happened.

Even though it was dark outside, I still tried to cover my face.

It started down pouring on us, but it suited the mood just fine for me.

It was cold, but at that moment I needed to feel something that felt real.

Even seeing Mamá's lifeless body wasn't enough to make me realize this was actually happening.

I couldn't wake up from this nightmare.

I was stuck here, in this world, without a Mamá to look forward to seeing, or feel motivated to help.

When Mirabel let go of me, Camilo was right behind her.

He scanned my emotions, and slowly, he got close enough to hug me.

And that he did.

With his embrace, it was even harder to resist walking away right then and there. That is until I felt his body trembling against mine.

"What's wrong?" I whispered to him.

"It's okay to not be okay, Carmen."