Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 12

Kristi's POV:

 Well, tonight was very eventful. Antonio got a fun gift, in my opinion. The ability to understand and speak to animals. Afterwards, we all had a party in his room, which was huge by the way. I spent all my time with Andres, much to my abuela's displeasure. 

 While Andres and I were talking, I saw the family taking a picture. No one even told me....And Mirabel...She wasn't in it either. I frowned, a tear in my eye. Andres frowned and brought me into a comforting hug. 

 *Several Minutes Later*

 "Kristi! Come here a moment!" she called to me, just before some music for dancing was going to start.  

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry, Andres. I'll be right back. I promise, we will have this first and the last dance."

 "It's alright. Go on. I'll be waiting here for you."

 I smiled and kissed his cheek before walking over to abuela, which, I was about to regret doing. 

 "What were you doing with that boy?" she asked me.

 "What did it look like, abuela?" I said sarcastically.

 "Don't back mouth me, young lady. Now, you are a good dancer, correct?" she said crossly before calming her tone down.

 "Yes....? Why....?"

 "Francisco wants to learn. I want you to teach him." 

 A dark haired young man, of about twenty, came walking up. He smiled. "Hola, Kristi." he took my hand to kiss it, but before he could, I snapped it away from him.

 I frowned angrily. But, I calmed down, remembering what my papa would tell me. Two wrongs don't make a right. And I shouldn't talk back to my elders. "I'm sorry, abuela. But someone else will have to teach Francisco. Now, if you will excuse me, I promised someone else the first dance." I walked away, ignoring abuela's angry protests. I knew if I didn't, I would end up yelling at her.

 Just as I had reached Andres, Mirabel came running into the room, a panicked look on her face. "The magic's in danger!" she exclaimed. My eyes went wide. Abuela's, as well as everyone else's did too. "There were cracks-" As she explained, I could feel chills run down my spine. I didn't hear anything like what she described, but somehow, I knew it was the truth. I didn't want to leave the room and see all the destruction that had taken place.

 "Show me." Abuela, Mirabel, Andres and I, and everyone else, all walked out into the courtyard. But nothing was wrong. I frowned. What....?

 "I don't understand..." I said in a whisper while Mirabel was defending what she saw. "At her words, my blood ran cold. A chill ran down my spine...."

 "Enough, Mirabel." Abuela said firmly, clearly not believing her. "The magic is strong! And so are the drinks." Mirabel was lead to the kitchen by her mama to heal the cut on her hand, which, by the way, was not there before the party. Everyone else walked away back to the party. 

 Andres and I hung back, examining the walls and floors. "I don't see anything wrong. No cracks or anything. The roof isn't even missing any tiles." Andres stated. 

 "I know...But I know she was telling the truth. I can feel it. I felt it when she came in and said the magic was in danger. I don't understand how...And I don't understand how she was telling the truth, but there's nothing here now." I remarked with a shrug.

 "Well, you are Senor Bruno's daughter. He saw the future. Maybe you inherited something from him. Perhaps the ability to know when something bad has happened." Andres suggested.

 I nodded slowly. "Si...Perhaps..." 

 He could be right...I mean, I am the seer's daughter....Right? Unless he lied to me again....Course, then again, how could I possibly have inherited this if I wasn't related to him? But....Then again...What about my mama? Papa never told me about her. Course, I never asked, but still. I never even saw any pictures of her. Strange. 

 "Kristi?" Andres spoke up, his hand on my shoulder.

 "I don't think Mirabel was lying or imagining things. I think she was telling the truth." I said, looking at my boyfriend seriously.

 "If that's true, then we need to somehow save the magic. But how?"

 "I'm not sure...Perhaps abuela might be able to shed some light on this mystery."

 Andres chuckled. "You always did like a good mystery, mi amor. But, do you really think Senora Alma is going to tell us anything?"

 "Oh no, of course not. My abuela is a proud woman. She doesn't like asking for help from anyone. That is why we are going to sneak up onto the roof outside her bedroom window and spy on her."

 "Mischievous much, love?" Andres laughed. I simply shrugged, smiling, as I let him hold me in his arms. "I will be with you every step of the way. Together, we will save the miracle."

 *That Night*

 I snuck downstairs and let Andres in. It was time for our plan to begin. We carefully climbed up Casita, and to my surprise, when we got to abuela's window, I saw Mirabel.

 "Mirabel??"

 "Kristi?? Andres?? What are you doing here??"

 "What are we doing?? What are you doing??" Andres declared.

 "I wanted to see if abuela knew something more than she was letting on. Now you answer my question." Mirabel told us.

 "We came here for a similar reason. We wanted to know if she knew more about the cracks too." Andres answered.

 "Wait, you both believe me??" Mirabel asked, seeming glad that someone actually believed her.

 "Yes, prima, we do." I smiled.

 "Shh! Senora Alma is coming!" Andres exclaimed suddenly in a hushed whisper.

 The three of us ducked out of sight and waited for abuela, who soon came to the window. I gave a small frown as I saw my abuela open a locket with a picture of abuelo inside.

 "Ah, Pedro...I need you...Cracks in our Casita...If our family knew how vulnerable we truly are...If our miracle is dying...We cannot lose our home again. But why is this happening...? Open my eyes...If the answer is here, help me find it. Help me protect our family...Help me save our miracle..." Abuela kissed the small picture before leaving.

 "I'll save the miracle." Mirabel said in a serious tone.

 "You mean we will save the miracle." I told her.

 "No, I can't let you help me. It could be dangerous! I already cut my hand." Mirabel stated. 

 "I don't care, Mirabel! This is my family too. I'm coming with you."

 "So am I." Andres spoke up. "We actually decided earlier we were going to save the miracle, that's one reason why we came up here. So, you're not going to stop us."

 "Plus, we're both older than you." I smirked.

 Mirabel sighed but smiled at us. "Alright. Tomorrow we save the miracle." She declared.