Just You (Camilo Madrigal)

Chapter 23: Starry Night

We had finally arrived back to Encanto. More people were out now, looking around the broken town.

David quickly held fast to my arm, nervously taking in his surroundings. For him, it was vastly different from his first time, which happened to be a few days ago

We were walking through town. A lot of people gave us glances; mixed stares of disgust, anger, shame, and like we were strangers to this town...but Camilo was keeping his head down

Were they looking at Camilo? What did he even do?

I noticed Camilo so I held onto his hand, but he gave no response back. He kept his head down and kept walking towards what was left of casita

It was a long walk through the stares and glares of the townsfolk. It wasn't easy being watched, especially since it wasn't positive

We finally arrived to casita. Most everyone was still out looking for Mirabel except for Pepa and Isabela.

Isabela must've gotten hurt from her fall, Pepa was sitting, helping Isabela with something. Julieta was still out looking

Pepa looked up and came to give her son a hug. But she noticed me and David. She didn't look mad, but she side eyed us suspiciously

"Mami, it's ok. I promise neither of them are bad. Please let me explain" Camilo said. Pepa softened her look

"Alright...I'll believe you" she said to Camilo

Camilo lead me and David to sit on some rubble while he sat next to his mom. Isabela was listening in

He explained the whole situation between my Abuelo and Alma. David had fallen asleep by now, it was a tiring day for him

Felix and Dolores arrived back as Camilo was finishing. Dolores gave me a small wave. Felix looked at me happily, remembering what I did for Camilo

He gave me a thumbs up. Pepa noticed and looked confused before he told her the small embrace I gave earlier to Camilo

"Thank you" she mouthed.

"Any luck on Mirabel" Camilo asked. Dolores simply shook her head

Isabela was on the brink of tears now, she and Dolores embraced.

"I suppose we should go look for Mirabel now" Camilo said to me

"We should" I replied.

"Be back before sundown" Felix chimed in. Me and Camilo both nodded.

But I noticed David still asleep. "Ah, I can't. My brother. I can't leave him" I said, sad I couldn't go help but also sad I couldn't spend some more time with Camilo

"We can watch him" Dolores said to me. Pepa, Isabela and Felix nodded in agreement

"Thank you all" I said.

Me and Camilo began to search everywhere behind casita. Looking through the hills of Encanto and on the hidden trails.

Every so often we'd take a break together. Camilo always asked if I was doing ok. Only once did we come back and it was for water

We were continually calling out for Mirabel, but in the end, we came up with nothing

It had to have been a couple hours at least.

The sun wasn't quite ready to set, but it's time of shining would soon be fading for the day.

We began to walk back to casita, feeling defeated.

"I don't know where she could be. I hope she's ok" Camilo said, genuinely worried about his prima

"I'm sure she'll be back when we get to your house" I said, trying my best to raise our fallen hopes up