20. Chapter 20

Camilo wasn't sure what he was expecting but what Mirabel just said definitely wasn't it "You're going to what?".

"Destroy the miracle." Mirabel repeated as if it was the obvious thing in the world.

Camilo looked at Dolores waiting for her to tell him they were joking, but that never came instead both just smiled more "You're...you're...serious..."

"Of course we are, why would we joke about it?" Dolores questioned "Everyone will be happier."

"...and you need my help why?"

Mirabe grinned as she grabbed his shoulders "Join us Camilo, stand against Abuela. Stand on our side and help us deliver justice."

"Do as you will, Camilo. But in the end you'll either be with us or against us." Dolores stood behind Mirabel "And I'd much rather you be with us, Abuela deserves what's coming but you don't. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."

Camilo knew he didn't have much of a choice, if he turned against them now he had no clue what they'll do to him. He would like to think they wouldn't hurt him but with the way the pair have been acting..he wasn't sure. He didn't want to be the target of Mirabel's rage. That and he promised he would be there for them..the both of them. And after all wasn't the chance to be free what he always wanted? "O-o-okay. But I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Oh don't worry, Dolores and I will be doing all the hard work. You just have to stand on our side when the time comes..oh and don't make it too obvious. I want to see the shock on Abuela's face when everyone turns and stands with me. She turned everyone against me..well two can play that game. I'll turn everyone against her." Mirabel let Camilo go "Oh this is going perfect, just perfect. Don't you just think so, Dolores?"

"Indeed. Just as we planned."

Camilo could only stare as the two shared a victorious grin "And how are you going to destroy the miracle?"

Mirabel gave him a dismissive wave "You'll see, but you'll know when the time has come."

"Dolores?" Camilo asked his sister.

"You'll know when the time comes." was all Dolores would say.

"Any other questions, Camilo?" Mirabel asked "Been having any...gift issues?"

"Ah..people still ask me to babysit."

Mirabel tutted "Never want just Camilo, do they? Such a pity..such a pity..but once Dolores and I are done you'll never be asked to become someone else again..poor little town will have to learn to function by themselves. I would say my heart will break for them but if anything the thought brings a smile to my face."

Dolores chuckled "Aww come on, Mira. Show them some pity, don't you feel sorry for them? The fact they have no clue what's going to hit them?"

"Umm let me think..no. But if it pleases you I'll try and remember to shed a tiny little tear for them."

"More than they do for you."

Mirabel huffed "Indeed."

"Should...I go?" Camilo "Or do you two need something?"

"Oh you don't need to go. Stay and talk." Dolores put an arm around Camilo's shoulders "We love company."

Mirabel nodded "Oh yes, please do stay a while. How's things been going for you?"

"Uh...well. Nothing much been happening. Both your names are forbidden to be mentioned in front of her. She's ranted all throughout dinner last night how you ruined the arrangement she had with Señora Guzmán." he rose an eyebrow when both girls snickered "Did you actually kidnap Isabela? She keeps going on about it."

"Yeah, we did." Dolores admitted with a shrug "Is she still on about that though? It's been weeks. What did you do to her Mirabel?"

"Nothing, she's being over dramatic. She's the one who knocked me out."

"Wait..you actually did it?" Camilo's eyes were wide in shock "She was telling the truth?"

"She doesn't even want to marry Mariano, she needs to let it go. She's acted like we tortured her." Mirabel rolled her eyes "You see Camilo...Dolores likes Mariano a lot. But Mariano was arranged to marry Isabela...so some interference was required."

"How do you know she doesn't want to marry him?"

"There's not much going on around here I don't eventually hear about. And I been observing. The forced smile she put on when ever he was mentioned. And often I would hear her pacing back and forth by the river. Repeating over and over how she doesn't love him that way but she has to do it for the family. For Abuela."

Neither Mirabel or Dolores looked even slightly bothered by what happened if anything they looked pleased.

Huh, Isabela was telling the truth after all. And Mirabel is completely nuts...I mean guess I would be too can't hold that against her. Camilo ran his hand through his hair "But it backfired didn't it? Dolores got thrown out."

"Not really, all Abuela did was make things easier. I no longer have to sneak around, Mirabel and I can work closer. Abuela has no clue what she has done, I will not forgive her even if she came now and begged me on her knees. She removed me from the family tree! Threw me out into the night! And now the town has turned against me, after everything I'm treated worse than dirt." Dolores fumed "Which is why unless you want to end up like us out here...you'll have to be very secretive about this matter. And keep an eye out for boca grande Isabela."

"If you need to pass on a message, Antonio has got that bird of his delivering us letters. Give it to him to handle." Mirabel added.

"Right..message through birds..got it.."

Mirabel patted his shoulder as she walked past him "I know it all sounds horrible but trust me, it has to be done."

"Are we really all going to be happier?" Camilo questioned "I mean I'd be happy to finally figure out who I am but what about everyone else?"

"Yes." Dolores answered "I'm happy my gift is gone. Mamá isn't happy with hers she can never express her true emotion without someone complaining, Luisa is worked to exhaustion, Tía Julieta barely gets a chance to even look at her own children and Mirabel...well I don't need to explain about Mirabel."

Camilo's eyes went to Mirabel who sat herself down at the table and picked up her embroidery "And Abuela?" he saw a flash of rage in Mirabel's eyes when he said that.

"Abuela's happiness is not our concern." Dolores jumped in before Mirabel could start ranting "And Mirabel and Abuela could never live in the same house without wanting to kill each other, you know that. Mirabel blames Abuela for ruining her life. And Abuela won't forgive Mirabel for what she is going to do."

"Abuela can go where she likes, as long as it's far away from us." Mirabel didn't even look up "I hope she feels every bit of misery I had to."

Camilo glanced back to Dolores "Well..I better go...since you know...secretive."

"Of course, goodbye Camilo." Dolores gave him a squeeze "And thank you for your understanding. Your support will be much appreciated."

Mirabel looked up giving him a smile "Goodbye, primo."

Dolores closed the door behind him as he left "Well there's another one down. Now theres just Tío Bruno and Isabela."

"Tío Bruno will be hard...he doesn't like leaving the house much these days. Isabela...don't get be started. She believes every word Abuela says...converting her will be tricky. But not entirely impossible."

"You'll find a way I'm sure." Dolores sat in the chair across from her resting her head on the table "I say after all of this we make Abuela live in the barn."

Mirabel laughed "No that would be cruel."

"I thought you would be happy to make Abuela feel what you did."

"I meant it would be cruel to the donkeys..being stuck with her."

Dolores snickered "Always the one with the smart remarks ain't you?"

"Always." Mirabel cut her thread placing everything down on the table "I think I might go for a walk..I need some time alone if you would not mind. I'll just go to my usual spot by the river. I'll be back in a hour."

Dolores raised her head "Are you sure?"

"I been doing it for five years Dolores. I won't be anywhere near town." Mirabel stood up "Don't get me wrong I appreciate you looking after me so much it's just..."

"I get it, I've been overbearing I just can't help it. Go on then, but if you don't come back in a hour I'm coming looking for you. And if you see anyone who is not our family...just turn around."

Mirabel laughed as she opened the door "Of course, Mamá." she said the last word in a teasing tone "Anything else you need to tell me? Like don't go close to the riverbank?"

"Don't go to close to the riverbank."

"Darn there's goes my plans." Mirabel chuckled as she left.

Dolores stood up and grabbed a broom, she might as well do some cleaning. Humming softly to herself as she swept she was quite pleased with the progress being made, even if it was slow. She tried focus on the positive rather than the fact the whole town sees her as an enemy..well almost the whole town. Mariano...sweet charming handsome Mariano still treated her like an equal human being.

Mirabel kept promising her that his heart would be hers, that she would get her happy ending. And that's what she wanted more than anything...well one of them anyway. They were both going to get their happy ending.

Dolores would see to it.

-V-

Isabela walked along the river a soft smile on her face, she wouldn't admit it out loud but the news that the arranged marriage with Mariano had been called off made her so happy. Even it meant the whole family had to listening to Alma cursing Mirabel and Dolores's names all throughout dinner. For five years they hardly seen or heard Mirabel. But now all of a sudden it seemed she was everywhere...was this on purpose? It couldn't be coincidence that she started on the night of Antonio's ceremony, saw him get a gift proving it was just herself that had something wrong with her and decided to take revenge out of jealousy.

"It's not our fault you're cursed." Isabela muttered to herself "Why take it out on us? Why ruin Dolores for your own selfishness?" walking back towards home she spotted someone sitting against a tree staring off into the distance coming to a stop when she realised just who it was. Storming over "Mirabel!" standing in front of her smirking "All alone huh? Where's your new best friend?"

Mirabel groaned "Oh how blessed am I, Princesa Isabela herself."

"What are you doing here?"

"I always sit here, what are you doing here? You might get dirt on that pretty dress of yours. Don't you have some sucking up to Abuela to be doing right now? You can't do anything unless she tells you."

"I can do what I want!"

Mirabel laughed "No you do whatever Abuela tells you to like a good little girl. And if you were wondering I'm very pleased with myself for the trouble I caused."

Isabela growled "Abuela was happy! The family was happy! But you had to go ruin it!"

"Yeah about that..I don't care. Making Alma Madrigal miserable is one of my greatest goals in life."

"I HATE YOU!"

Mirabel pulled herself to her feet "Oh Isabela..poor naive Isabela...don't you see what is really going on?" she reached out with her arms "How about a sisterly hug?"

Isabela took a step back "You're not my sister! I HATE YOU!"

"You let Abuela brainwash you...such a pity..such a pity. Freedom could be yours..if all you would do is listen to me. Come with me Isabela..see the truth."

"I WISH YOU WERE DEAD!" Isabela screamed at her not being able to stop herself "IF YOU WERE DEAD EVERYONE WOULD BE HAPPIER!" Isabela gasped realising what she just said. Did those words really come out of her mouth? She didn't mean it..no she didn't mean it. She really didn't mean it.

Mirabel stared at her fury filling her gaze no longer seeing her sister Mirabel threw herself at Isabela taking both to the ground. With the stunned Isabela underneath her Mirabel snapped. Delivering blow after blow to her sister's face "You...you..selfish...entitled...brat. You have no idea the hell I've been through."

Isabela groaned with the pain the shock preventing her from fighting back starting to wear off. When Mirabel's attacks didn't let down but got more aggressive Isabela realised if she didn't fight back Mirabel would kill her. Rage filling her she let her fist connect with Mirabel's stomach before shoving the winded Mirabel off knocking the younger girls glasses off in the process "YOU MONSTER!" she screamed pinning her sister down and attacking her with full strength as she felt Mirabel's own failing. "You have always been cursed!"

"Oh I agree, I was cursed before I was even born having you as an older sister!" Mirabel tried to shove Isabela off her but found her sister stronger. Mirabel couldn't see a thing leaving her completely helpless Dammit if I ever needed Dolores it's now. "Get off me you-" her words we cut off as something wrapped around her throat and she began to suffocate.

Isabela didn't realise she did it at first, it wasn't until the gasping sounds reached her ears it hit her what she was doing. Without realising she had summoned vines and wrapped them around Mirabel's throat, now she lay underneath her slowly being strangled to death at her hands. Rage leaving her she saw her baby sister again, underneath her..dying. Gasping she called the vines off and jumped away from her sister. Her sister that now was bloody and bruised just like herself. The sister that tried to kill her. The sister she tried to kill. I'm sorry I didn't mean it to go so far she couldn't speak those words when she opened her mouth nothing came out.

Mirabel coughed "At the end of the day...you're no better than me."

"We are nothing alike!" Isabela snarled as she backed away "Abuela was right! YOU ARE A MONSTER!" she turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

Mirabel stood up her legs trembling and slowly walking forward...tired...she felt so tired. And she couldn't see. She was sore she knew she was bleeding, she was tired. Oh so tired. How long had it been? Dolores said she'll come get her if she wasn't back within an hour. How long till that?

Her legs gave way, the grass was so soft right now. So tired, surely she could rest until Dolores got here. It's not like she could see where she was going anyway. Just a quick nap until Dolores got here..yes that was the plan. She closed her eyes she knew she had messed up and she had explaining to do but Isabela just made her so angry...but she'll worry about that later. For now all she wanted to do was rest. The world faded around her seeing nothing. Hearing nothing.

Not even Dolore's scream of horror.

-V-

Isabela stumbled through the door Casita opened for her and into the kitchen where Julieta, Pepa and Alma were gathered drinking coffee in silence "Mamá-"

The three women looked up gasping in horror at the sight of Isabela standing in front of them wounded and bloody. Alma was by her side in an instant as Julieta rushed to get something to heal her with. Pepa joined her mother at Isabela's side trying to keep the cloud at bay.

"Isabela...what happened?" Alma asked her eyes taking everything in.

"Mirabel...Mirabel attacked me..she tried to kill me..." Isabela whimpered. I provoked her...I tried to kill her...we tried to kill each other... Isabela wouldn't say that last part out loud she couldn't.

Julieta dropped the plate she was holding when she heard that colour draining from her face "Mirabel..she would never.."

Alma's face filled with fury "The evidence is right in front of you Julieta. Pepa get some clean cloth NOW. Julieta get her something to eat." she waited for Pepa to dart off hand over mouth then guided Isabela out of the kitchen and onto the courtyard bench helping her lay down "It'll be okay, mi linda flor. It'll be okay." Damn you to hell Mirabel, damn you. You'll pay for this.

Julieta appeared with a plate "Eat, mi amor."

Alma helped Isabela sit up relief filling her as the bruises faded as she ate but there was still blood, where the hell was Pepa? "Isabela..there's blood all down the front of your dress...". Pepa finally reappeared cloth tucked under one arm and carrying a bucket of warm water. "So much blood.."

"It's mostly Mirabel's blood...I had to fight her off...she got wounded..."

"Mirabel is out there hurt?!" Julieta cried looking towards the door.

"Dolores is taking care of her.." Isabela knew she was just assuming. For all she knew Mirabel could still be lying out there. No, Dolores would find her and give her something to eat and she would be fine. She didn't like Dolores much these days but she knew how protective she got over Mirabel.

"Forget Mirabel, Julieta. Just look what she's done! She tried to murder Isabela!" Alma was wiping the blood off with a cloth relieved to see the wounds were indeed gone.

"I just don't believe Mirabel would do such a thing. There has to be more to the story..Isabela please tell me."

Isabela looked at the three faces around her ending with Alma's. She should tell the truth, tell them she provoked Mirabel into doing it. Tell them it was also her fault but she couldn't. Her pride couldn't let her do it. "Mirabel attacked me with no warning. She had this crazy look in her eye, she was trying to kill me." I told her I wished she was dead..it just slipped out..I didn't mean it..I didn't mean it. I swear I didn't mean it.

"Well there we have it, Mirabel has gone to far. Any one of us could be next." Alma rubbed Isabela comfortingly "There there..Mirabel won't hurt you anymore."

"Was...Dolores there?" Pepa asked worriedly.

"She..didn't take part in the attack..but saw it and she sided with Mirabel." I can't tell the truth..I can't..Abuela won't believe me anyway...I'm perfect Isablea I would never..I ran and left Mirabel injured..and she can't see...what have I done? I'm sorry!

"Oh of course she did." Alma snapped turning to face Julieta and Pepa "Now you see, stay away from the both of them. I told you they were just tricking you. They are demons the pair of them."

"I just can't believe Mirabel would do this..." Julieta ran her fingers through her hair.

Alma scoffed "Oh Julieta you were there that day she went insane, the devil is in that one. No one is to step foot near that barn. For any reason."

"We don't even have Mirabel's side of the story!"

"Oh that girl would do nothing but lie!"

"At least let me speak with her!"

Alma frowned "Fine we can go see her later, I would love to see how she tries to justify herself. I swear Mirabel will pay for this." turning back to Isabela "Let's get you into in a bath, it'll make you feel better."

Pepa edged closer to Julieta whispering in her ear "I know Mirabel has been acting...well..you know...but could she really of done this?"

"I don't want to believe..I don't want to believe it..." Julieta whispered back watching Alma guide Isabela to the bathroom "But why would Isabela lie about Mirabel attacking her? I don't know who to believe Pepa...I don't know who to believe."

"We'll figure it out..but...if Mirabel truly did try to kill Isabela...I'll be wondering if Dolores is safe...all it will take is for Mirabel to turn on her..."

"Mirabel would never! She adores Dolores!"

Pepa sighed "I know I know...and Dolores could fight her off no problem anyway. I'm sorry...I want to know the truth of what happened. I know we are not getting the whole story."

-V-

Dolores was getting worried. Luisa like to joke she fretted over Mirabel like a mother and Dolores wouldn't deny it. Mirabel had been gone for well over a hour and with each minute that passed her worry grew. Mirabel always kept her word, if Mirabel said she would be back by now she would be..unless she couldn't. Had something happened?

Making up her mind to go find her, planning in her head to jokingly scold her for being late and telling her she said she would come get her. Chuckling to herself to push out the worry she walked to Mirabel's favourite spot. Her steps getting heavier as she got closer and saw the trail of red through the grass. More patches of red on the ground. "Mirabel?". Oh she hoped this wasn't what she thought it was. She paused when her foot hovered over something, a familiar pair of green glasses and...blood.

"No..no...no. MIRABEL!" she screamed picking up the glasses she ran forward her eyes scanning in every direction and then she saw her. Seeing Mirabel laying there motionless and bloody a horrified scream escaped her lips . "MIRABEL!" she threw herself down to the ground next to her "She's dead...she's dead...she's dead..." she said to herself over and over, the even rise and fall of her chest easing her fears a little. Mirabel was alive...but she was hurt.

Dolores pressed her ear to Mirabel's chest "Heartbeat normal..." she wanted to collapse with relief but she could do that later she shook Mirabel "Mirabel...wake up. Wake up." panic returning when the girl didn't respond. Dolores turned her head screaming "HELP! HELP US! WE NEED HELP!" oh who was she kidding no one was coming to their aid. Who did this...who did this? Oh Mira I'm sorry. Dolores had no way of knowing the extent of the injures..but she could heal her. She looked over her shoulder wondering if she should back and get something. But what if Mirabel got worse? What if whoever did this came back? Dolores glanced back down at Mirabel she had no choice she would have to carry her. But what if it made her injuries worse? But what if waiting for help costed Mirabel her life? She had to take the risk and carry her back. Get her back to the barn and tend to her wounds there.

Carefully as to not make the injures worse Dolores picked up the unconscious Mirabel and rested her over her shoulder and made her way back to the barn. Mirabel was actually quite light at least compared to Isabela.

Pushing her way through the door she made her way over to the stall and gently laid Mirabel down in the straw kneeling down next to her checking over the injures wincing on Mirabel's behalf.

The injures looked painful but Dolores didn't think they were life threatening provided she could stop the bleeding. Of course one arepa would heal everything but Dolores wasn't sure how she was supposed to get Mirabel to eat one while unconscious she didn't want to choke her.

"Stop the bleeding...just stop the bleeding and then go find Tía Julieta." she looked around looking for what she could use all she could see were their blankets. Finding no other option she pulled off her rauna and folded it before pressing it against the worst of the wounds. Constantly checking Mirabel's heartbeat to reassure herself.

She wasn't sure how long she was sitting there when the barn door swung open with a bang startling her.

"MIRABEL!"

Dolores groaned when she heard Alma's voice, this was the last thing she needed right now. Mirabel's on the ground bleeding and unconscious now she has to deal with Alma and her latest reason as to why Mirabel is making her life so miserable.

"Dolores." Julieta appeared over her staring down at Mirabel in horror "What happened?"

"I...I don't know. I found her like this. She's unconscious but alive...I'm trying to stop the bleeding."

Julieta turned around and barged pass Alma and Pepa.

"Where are you going?" Alma called after her.

"Going to get something to heal my daughter, she can't eat solids right now."

Pepa watched her sister leave before joining Dolores in the stall kneeling down next to her "She's going to be okay Dolores."

Dolores just frowned as she looked over to Alma "What's SHE doing here?"

"I'm here to talk to Mirabel about an...incident with Isabela."

"Isabela?" Dolores's gaze turned back to Mirabel's unconscious form eyes landing on her throat where she now noticed the red marks the vines left "Is that..." she leaned in closer "That spoiled princess strangled Mira! Oh wait until I get my hands on her.. "

"Dolores..." Pepa warned her gently "Don't do something stupid."

"My hermanita is laying here unconscious and bleeding because of her! She could of killed her! But let me guess Isabela is portraying herself as the innocent victim and Mirabel as some monster."

Alma opened her mouth to retort but decided against it waiting in silence until Julieta reappeared carrying a reheated bowl of soup.

Ignoring her mother Julieta entered the stall "Dolores sit her up please, quickly."

Dolores obeyed sitting Mirabel causing Mirabel to groan but not wake and watched as Pepa forced her mouth open and Julieta fed her a spoonful of the soup Pepa helping her swallow. Relief rushed through her when the wounds disappeared.

"Lay her back now Dolores."

Dolores laid Mirabel back down "When will she wake up?"

"It's hard to say..." Julieta grabbed Mirabel's blanket putting it over her and brushed the curls out of her face "Hopefully soon. Her wounds are healed now so she should make it..."

"Should make it? So there's still a chance she...won't make it?"

"Her chances of survival are great but she has lost a lot of blood however if she makes it through the night she will be just fine. And I know she's going to make it, just let her body rest."

Dolores looked at her rauna now blood stained.

"That's ruined." Pepa commented.

"It can be replaced." Dolores shrugged "Its all I had to stop the bleeding with."

Alma cleared her throat "Dolores. Isabela said Mirabel attacked her unprovoked and you sided with Mirabel when you saw what happened."

"Are you serious? I wasn't even there! I had no idea what happened! Mirabel attacked Isabela? Looks like the other way around to me. Isabela is obviously up walking and talking. Whatever Isabela said is an obvious lie if she said I was there."

"Isabela wouldn't lie about something like this."

Dolores stared at Alma with the darkest glare she could muster "And I would?"

"You would do anything if it meant protecting Mirabel."

Dolores scoffed "That's the most truthful thing you have ever said. So leave and let my hermanita rest."

"She is not your sister, Dolores." Alma growled.

"She is my sister in every way but blood, and I will protect my sister. And if Isabela is going around slandering her name and mine by association...well I'm not going to idly sit back and let it happen. If Mirabel attacked Isabela unprovoked how come Mirabel is the one laying here unconscious? Your precious princess is lying."

Julieta stood up facing her mother with a look that said 'getting real tired of this crap' "Mamá you came here to interrogate Mirabel but you have obviously already decided Mirabel is guilty. However we do not have Mirabel's side of the story and the fact Dolores contradicts Isabela's claims that she was there and the extent of Mirabel's injuries...it wasn't all defence besides I saw the mark on her throat she was strangled she's lucky to be alive we could of easily of lost her today."

At the realisation of just how close she came to losing her hermanita Dolores began to sob as the emotion of the day over took her. Mirabel could of died, she could of lost her sister. That was it she was never letting her go out on her own again. She didn't pay attention to the conversation between Julieta and Alma but she did know it ended with Alma leaving with an angry huff.

"Ay...sorry Dolores but she's going to be back tomorrow. She's determined to prove Isabela would never lie to her. I tried to convince her to let me talk with Mirabel alone but she wasn't having it." Julieta shook her head.

"Was Isabela hurt?" Dolores asked but only half caring.

"She had some injuries, nothing serious I think it was more Mirabel's blood than Isabela's." Pepa shook her head.

"You believe me right? I wasn't there and if I was I would of stopped her. For Mirabel if anything I would never stand back and watch her get so badly hurt."

"Of course you wouldn't mija. We'll find out what happened." Pepa rubbed Dolores's back.

"I-" a groan from Mirabel drew her attention "Mira?" she asked hopefully.

Mirabel's eyes opened earning three sighs of relief "Ugh...where am I? Who is there?"

"It's me." Dolores picked up her hand "And our mothers are here. You're back in the barn you're safe. I found you unconscious and you were pretty badly hurt but you're going to be fine."

Mirabel sat up "Isabela she..."

Dolores forced her to lay back down "Shhh just rest today we'll deal with tomorrow."

"Dolores is right mi amor. Just rest, we can sort it out tomorrow." Julieta caressed her daughter's face.

"But-" Mirabel tried to sit up only for Dolores to push her back down.

"Lay down and rest or I'll sit on you and make you lay down and rest." Dolores joked.

Mirabel grumbled "Can I have my glasses back? You know I can't see anything."

"You don't need to see to lay there." Dolores pointed out.

"Can I at least have some water? I'm thirsty."

Julieta chuckled "Of course mariposa, I'll get that right away." she stood up leaving the stall quickly returning with a cup of water helping Mirabel drink it.

Mirabel nodded her thanks "Ah...I feel really faint.." she collapsed backwards Dolores instinctively reaching out to catch her.

"Mirabel you need to rest." Dolores told her firmly.

"Yes, mija rest. Your wounds are healed but you were bleeding fairly heavily it's natural you'll feel faint. I'll get you something to eat than you can have a sleep, you'll feel so much better tomorrow." Julieta kissed Mirabel's forehead "I'll go make you and Dolores some lunch, you can both get a decent meal in you." she stood up "Coming, Pepa? Help me make lunch?"

Pepa nodded kissing the top of Dolores's head "I'll be back soon Dolores." she stood up and followed Julieta out the barn.

"I'm...sorry." Mirabel whispered.

"For what?" Dolores fixed the blanket that was beginning to fall off.

"Isabela...she just made me so angry...I lost control..."

"Shh shh. Don't worry about that now hermanita just rest...just rest. I nearly lost you today. I thought you were dead when I first saw you. You were out cold."

"How did I get back here?"

"I carried you. Did my best to stop the bleeding when our mothers and Abuela turned up."

Mirabel groaned "Abuela was here? Why?"

Dolores rolled her eyes "Isabela claims you attacked her unprovoked and I saw and encouraged you.

"What?! That's not what happened at all! You weren't even there and if you were you would of stopped me."

"That's what I said! But that's not the story Isabela told and we all know who Abuela believes." Dolores sighed "But I know you wouldn't just randomly decide to attack Isabela nor would you of been so injured if she was just defending herself. Abuela is coming back tomorrow to hear your side so just relax until then, ok?"

Mirabel sighed "You think Mamá and Tía Pepa will believe me?"

"I'm sure once you tell your side of the story they will...Abuela is another story but she won't dare do anything to you. If you ask me they are already believing you, you'te the one who was unconscious. Isabela was walking and talking the whole time."

"Dolores?"

"Sí?"

"Thanks for coming for me, I probably would still be laying there otherwise."

"Always hermanita...always."

Review responses

Z-King: Exactly and Dolores can use that to gain an advantage

ZE40: Yes...yes there was a fight.

FlowerChild23: Mariano knows how the town treats Dolores and Mirabel but he don't care. He still treats them normally. He a good boy.

KaliAnn: The whole family is going to need counselling by the time this in done I think.