We Don't Talk About the Madrigals

Chapter 11- Brink of What's to Come

Mirabel stared at the fence for a long while, then began her daily walk around Casita. It was always calming, compared to the constant chaos she endured with her family. She weaved through the tombstones, each one having the names of past ancestors. She soon came upon Abuelo Pedro's memorial, standing tall and proud. From Abuela's stories, the statue rose up from the ground the day she and the triplets found their new home.

The stories of their late-grandfather were about what he was like. They were about how he was able to make a bomb from everyday materials. There were many tales of him defending himself and his family from the people who saw them as abnormal. He would use non-lethal explosives to scare off would-be threats, even using smoke bombs to play tricks on the locals.

Mirabel soon found her way to where Arfi was, and the tombstones where the previous intruders were tied to. The vines were all shivered up, a few tears of clothing laid scattered about. She picked them, putting them in her bag. With limited craft supplies available in their home, Mirabel would use the fabric scraps to make new pieces of art. Perks of having the townspeople come in.

Doing a quick investigation of the area, she noticed on the ground shoe prints in the dry mud. She also saw a few torn pieces of pencil drawings, most showing only half of the sketches. Most were buildings and scenery of presumably the town. Mirabel grabbed them and stuffed them in her bag.

Arfi sprouted up from its bud, and nearly snapped at Mirabel's bag. She instinctively pulled the bag towards her, just out of reach from him. After spending years avoiding all incoming attacks, dodging became second nature. She's been able to escape nearly all attacks towards her, mainly by Isabela and Camilo.

She quickly wrote her journal and collected the loose materials before returning to Casita. The door creaked open as she entered and walked through the courtyard, the upper railing draping the vines that touched the tile floor. The candles flickered throughout the halls, the dreary atmosphere filled the home. Mirabel didn't mind the dark aura of their home, but she wondered what Casita would look like with vibrant colors.

The girl made her way up the stairs, passing by the many photos of the family. There was a grand display of family portraits, organized by generation and family. There were few of Pedro and his childhood. One showed him showing off his first homemade explosive, and the damaged aftermath with his face smeared in dirt and ash.

The tales of their late-grandfather were always shared. Abuela would tell the family how he saved her and the triplets from the people who deemed them freaks, and many tales of their unbreakable love. That kind of love moved onto Julieta and Pepa with their husbands.

Now 33 years after Augustin and Felix first came in, there doesn't seem to be any sign that someone would choose to come back. Choose to come back, without any fear or attempt of attack. If anything, the outside world is growing more fearful of them than curious and daring.

A closing door made Mirabel return from her thoughts, finding herself staring out the window without even realizing it. Suddenly someone bumped into her. Mirabel caught herself onto the railing, seeing Bruno barely being able to hold onto his emerald slab.

"Need help?" Mirabel asked. Bruno looked up at her, attempting to hide the vision slab under his oversized coat.

"N-no, I'm fine." He stammered. Mirabel looked at him questioningly.

"What did you see?" Mirabel asked, trying to peek at the image in the emerald. "Is it about the town?" He usually would share his visions with her, being the first one to hear the upcoming tales to occur in the household and in the town. The town visions have always interested her.

"It's nothing!" He blurted out, yanking the slabs closer to him. He seemed more skittish, trying to back away from Mirabel. Mirabel stood there, slightly baffled. Her tio was never so anxious around her. He was always calm and supportive of her and thoughts of the outside world. Bruno noticed her confusion and worry, then chuckled. "It's just Antonio clawing at Camilo.