It all started with a Mariposa

Midnight Walks and Sandy Caverns

SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Maps - Maroon 5

"(Y/n)... (Y/n)?" I felt two hands start to lightly shake me awake. My eyes slowly fluttered open. All I could see was a big, blurry blob above my head. 

"(Y/n)! Wake up!" It shouted. 

I blinked. As my eyes started to regain focus, I realized that the caller was none other than Mirabel. 

I slowly got up from my bed and rubbed my eyes. "Mirabel?" I let out. "What time is it?" 

"A little bit past noon." Mirabel answered. Then she laughed. "Did you seriously go back to bed?" 

I laughed a bit at this, too. "It wasn't my first intention. I just suddenly got this really horrible headache and everything seemed really loud at the moment so I thought a nap would help." 

After I stretched, I got out of my bed and sat on it in a way that would face Mirabel. "So!" I chirped. "Did you find the information that you were looking for? Find anything useful or interesting?" 

Mirabel nodded eagerly. "Dolores practically suggested that I talked to Luisa, and she said--" At this, she lowered her voice. "She said that she felt weak the night that I saw the cracks." 

My eyes widened. "Really?" I looked down at the ground. So it definitely wasn't a coincidence. I wasn't the only one. Something tells me that there's definitely more to what's happening than we realize. 

Mirabel eagerly nodded once again. "Uh-huh. And then she suggested that we check out Bruno's tower. Because of something that the grown-ups said a while back that my Tio Bruno had some terrible vision about it. So that's where I'm heading. Bruno's tower!"

I scoffed. "On your own? Yeah, right. I'm coming with you."  

Her eyes glistened. "Really?" 

Now it was my turn to nod. "There's no way you're going on a mysterious, exciting and possibly death-defying adventure without me." 

Mirabel beamed. "Alright then. It's settled. We're in this together, amiga!"

I smiled back. "So when do you want to put your plan into action?"

"Last I checked it was half past four." Mirabel said. "I think our options are later today or just wait until tomorrow. What do you think?"

The first thought that came to mind was the splitting headache that caused me to want to rest so early in the day. Even if it was only for a few seconds, the pain was great enough to make anyone want to stop what they're doing and deal with the potential cause. 

If Casita was in trouble and the issues I'm experiencing is probably living proof that it is, it might be best to take the closest course of action. 

"I'm all well rested up anyway so I think that would be best." I told Mirabel after I explained my train of thought. Though I deliberately left out the headaches and weakness I was feeling. 

"Sounds good." Mirabel agreed. "Yeah, I think later today would be best. Do you want to come for dinner? We can go see what's up with my Tio Bruno's room after when everybody goes to bed."

"Do you think your family would allow me?" I nervously laughed. "I've been visiting a lot. I don't want to be a burden."

"Oh it's fine." Mirabel assured me. "They won't mind. They like your company, anyway. Okay, let's go." 

I quickly changed from what I wore yesterday and Mirabel and I walked out of my house. I grabbed a handbag and managed to tuck in a mini black notebook. Just in case we'd need to write something later. You never know what could happen.