Chapter Text
I pace around my small room, muttering to myself.
A reading.
Why would my father want a Reading? He’s heard of the things that happen after readings, yet he isn’t afraid?
Even if he is afraid that our business may shut down or that customers will stop coming something just isnt right… I stop myself from pacing and sit down on my soft bed. I cross my hands is my lap and sigh. A reading, i repeat in my mind. And the man that does them, Bruno Madrigal. Ive never seen him, only having heard of him. And what i’ve heard he isn't good luck.Dead fish, Hair falling out, Crops dying. I smooth my long red dress out before standing up to sort myself before i leave. I tie my thick curls up into a high bun and leave some to hang at the front and I adorn it with a red headband that i made myself, tying it in the back. Even though i doubt anyone cares, i always try to make myself look extremely presentable. As i walk out my room I grab my purple bag off of the back of my door and walk out into my casita.
“Pa! Im going to go get the reading!” I shout while running down the stairs.
”Be home at 5 for dinner hija!” He shouts back. “And be wary of Bruno. Stay safe!”
I jump down the rest of the stairs and run over to give my Father a big hug before leaving. My bike is still lazily thrown on the grass in the front garden, so i right it and hop on, beginning my travel to the neighbouring village. I cycle down the tight path, ducking under tree branches and spider webs. I can hear the sounds of the morning birds above my head. Its not too far, but far enough. Enough to make my leg ache by the time i have entered the village. I continue through the path until the wheels of my bike are on the stone paving of the Encanto. I hop off of my bike and find somewhere to park it for the day. Its so colourful out here. The sky is bright, and the sun beats down in a warm yellow glow. There isnt a cloud in the sky. Now to find out where i can get a reading.
I wander around the busy village. I can see a woman about my age selling items and trinkets at a small booth, so i wander up to her in search of information.
“Excuse me, sorry, i’m just wondering where i can find Bruno Madrigal?” I awkwardly fumble with my bag strap, nervous about talking to a stranger. “Im in need of a reading.”
“You should go to The Madrigal House, and he should be there. But ill warn you, that boy is all bad luck.” She mumbles, pointing towards
Thats… reassuring. I thank her for her help, and proceed to The Madrigal House.
It is HUGE. There’s a large mass of pink flowers that trail up towards the highest point of the house, and even more tall trees and bushes that line it. Each portion of the casa is painted in a beautiful bright hue. Even the large front door is painted in a bright colour. I walk up to it and lightly knock on the door. I step back, politely waiting at the bottom of the two front steps. I hear shouting from inside, quickly followed by the door swinging open to reveal a tall woman wearing a bright orange dress.
“Hello! Im Adela, and I'm assuming this is the Madrigal house? Im here for a reading.” I explain, making motions with my hands.
”Yes Yes!” She grins. “Casita! Show her the way.”
The step that I’m standing on moves and pushes me into the house. Did she just talk to her house? I knew the Madrigals were magical but this is extraordinary. The tiles in front of me flip up a few times, indicating that i should start walking. I follow the tiles, and they lead me up the stairs, and past all the other rooms in the home. Each of the doors have intricate glowing drawings carved into them; Julitta, Pepa..
And Bruno.
The tiles beside me flip up and down, signaling to the door.
”thank you casita.” I say.
I lift my hand up and knock on the door. No response. I wait a few seconds before lifting my hand again, but just and i go the knock, the door swings open. A tall man stands in front of me,probably only a few years older than i am, with short black hair with a few greys in there too, deep eyebags underneath his eyes, and beautiful brown eyes. He gives me a lopsided smile.
“Are you here for a reading?” He asks.
How are people afraid of this man? He seems so genuine and sweet.
“Yes, yes i am. Im Adella, and you must be Bruno?”
Idiota. Of course hes Bruno, its on the door!
He looks at the door, then back at me, then back at the door. I slap my hand onto my forhead and giggle. He follows suit, giving a low chuckle.
”sorry, im pretty dumb.”
“We should get you that reading.”
He leads me into the large room. The floor is made out of sand, and theres a large hand statue pointing to the top of the room. But when i go to look at the top of the room my jaw drops. I am met with the tallest flight of stairs i have ever seen. It looks like they just start and never stop. Does he have to climb this just to get to his room? I think i’d pass out.
He climbs up them with ease.
The saying that time moves faster when youre having fun, and slower when your not, is feeling so true right now. I hold onto the wooden banister and continue up the stairs.
And by the time we’re up the stairs I'm a sweating mess. My legs ache. I am-obviously- not the epitome of heath and fitness.
”are you ok?” He asks.
”yes” i heave. “Good as i can be”
I rest my hands on my knees and bow my head deeply inhaling and exhaling to catch my breath. I stay in that position for a moment before following Bruno into the next room.
The Vision Cave.
He walks up the the circular door and begins to pull it open, struggling slightly. I can see into the room now. The floor (similar to the one downstairs) has a circular patch of sand in the middle. Inside of the circular patch of sand, there are 4 small piles of leaves and a small campfire like pile of sticks in the centre of them. Though i cant help the chill that springs up my back when i look at the walls. On the walls there are things carved into them, creepy faces, hands, monsters. Maybe the townsfolk were right…
Bruno sits down on one side of the circle and asks me to sit at the other side. I kneel down in front of him.
“Now are you sure you want this reading done?” He questions.
”i didn't walk up those stairs for nothing” I laugh.
”I know i know, but you know what people say… i just feel like its good to clarify.” He explains.
”what do you want to see?”
”i need to know where my Fathers buisness will go.”
”lets start.”
He reaches into the top of his ruana and holds out a small handful of sand. He stares at it for a moment before throwing it over his left shoulder, quickly pulling out a match and lighting it afterwards. He stares intently at the flickering yellow-orange flame before lighting the pile of sticks. He then removes one of the burning sticks from the pile and lights all of the piles of leaves. Once hes done he holds out his hands to me.
“You might want to hold on”
I place my smaller hands into his and i hold on tight. His eyes glow a bright neon as the sand around us begins to fly up. Then the room begins to glow with that same green. Its not long before the green glow begins to make shapes, barely visible shapes, but shapes none the less. I cant really tell whats going on, but i hope Bruno can. I try to make out shapes. Some look like people (maybe we’ll have more customers?), some look a bit like me at my sewing machine, but nothing really makes sense. His grip on my hands lessens and the sand slowly begins to slow down and fades to a stop, settling on the ground. A glowing green plaque lands on the sand in between us and he picks it up, turning it from side to side.
He turns the plaque towards me, and now i can see whats on it.
Its me and my father at the tills of our empty shop. Ill assume this means that the shop will not be successful during the next couple months. Hes not going to be happy about this one…
”well thats… not what i was expecting…” I sigh.
”every time.” He says under his breath. He chucks the vision to the side and it shatters against the hard stone floor.
”I'm not disappointed! I just worried my father will be. I have no doubt he’ll send me here again to get another reading.” I explain.
He sighs and standing up.
”I’ll let you get home to tell him then”
He holds his hand out to me, and helps me stand up. I let go of his hand and i brush the sand off of my dress with my hands. I pat down my hair too, attempting to remove some of the sand that had fallen into it during the vision. I look over at the shattered green glass- or what I'm assuming is glass- on the floor. Maybe i can change my future? I can but try.
“Gracias, Bruno.” I smile at him.
— — —
The cycle home feels quicker than the cycle to the village. I cycle back through the trees, ducking under the branches and cobwebs, until I'm in the front garden of my casita. I open the vine covered door and step back into the nice warm home. Im home a lot earlier than i expected to be. My Father said to be home by 5, but looking at the clock in the corner of the room its only 3:30. I suppose he thought readings took longer. I should have plenty of time to relax and do my own thing, once I'm done telling my father about the reading.
I walk into the living room, where my Father is still sat on his chair.
”I got the reading done Pa. Its… not so good. The shop will be slow for the next few months, but we can try our best.”
He looks annoyed, angry even.
”Go back tomorrow for another reading. Maybe things will have changed by then.” He sighs.
“Ok Pa, I will.” I begin to walk towards the back of the casita. “Im going to go do some of the last details on one of my clients dresses.”
“Ok hija.”
Though i can tell he’s trying to hide it, i can still hear the annoyance in his voice at the unpleasant reading. But theres nothing he could of done…
I walk into my small workroom which i left in a horrible mess. String and fabric and pattern designs line every surface in the room. My sewing machine is in the corner, the dress i was working on laid neatly on top of it. Its all in one colour, a beautiful orange, with darker variations layered in. I look at my wall, and all the sketches of designs pinned on it. I tear one of them off the wall and place it further down so i can easily see it while i work. Its just a simple pattern, and should only take me 1-2 hours.
— — —
I can feel my eyelids growing heavy as every minute goes by. I stretch my arms out above my heading, letting out a loud yawn.
I should really sleep…