Change is Good?
Chapter 21: Change is Good?
Summary:
This is a excerpt from my fic "Doors" I have a bit of a toothache and focusing is an issue so since this part of that Chapter (La Señora de Los Dolores) has to do with Luisa (whom I adore) and I'm messing with her Gift...I decided it could be here as well. Camilo found his way in there too...Good on him. Hope you don't mind.
Luisa ran through town only stopping long enough to get her father and Tío's attention. When they reached the house, they were joined shortly by her mother, Camilo, Tía Pepa, Mariano and Abuela. Alejandra's mother was also there, she was very close to being frantic. As the other parents arrived, the doctor spoke with them and asked them to move a little further down the street, to give the workers room. They protested at first, but her Abuela stepped in and after a few minutes was able to persuade them to do as the doctor asked. Luisa, her father Camilo and Tío Félix stepped through the unfinished doorway and called out to the children.
There was no answer so she said, "Dolores, are we in the right house?" *yes* Luisa blinked; it sounded like Dolores was right next to her. She turned to her Tío, "Dolores says this is the right house." He was giving her a look and she added, "I'll explain later how I can hear her."
Her Tío nodded and someone handed him a flashlight. He looked at it and a voice behind them said, "Just push the switch." It was the doctor, so her Tío did and was impressed with the amount of light the gadget gave off. He pointed it up and they saw a portion of the roof had collapsed. He followed it down until he saw a small shoe. He peered behind it and grunted. "They're here." He waived to Luisa and asked her to gently lift but not move aside the large piece of ceiling.
Luisa moved very carefully as her Tío shined the light on the most problematic spot and she saw that the roof over the kids was barely holding. She needed to brace that so she put one arm under the roof above and with her other arm, slowly lifted the part blocking access to the children.
"A little higher, Lulu," her Tío said and Luisa nodded and put her foot under the raised portion using that to gently lift the stone higher. She continued this until she heard a cracking sound and she froze. The slab in her hand had snapped where she was holding it and it terrified her that the rest of the roof would come down on them. "I don't think I can move it higher, Tío."
"I'll fit," it was Camilo and he shifted to a third of his normal size and slid under with only a little trouble.
She heard Alejandra mumble as she appeared head first from under the slab.
"I got you," she heard her father say as Camilo passed her under the wall to him. Next was Cecelia, she wasn't making any noise. Last was Juancho, he was wide awake and clearly terrified. Camilo shushed him saying it was going to be okay and he was proud of how brave he'd been, keeping his friends safe. Just a little longer. Just gotta get out here first.
"Okay, Luisa. Camilo is clear, let it down slow," her Tío said.
"I will, but it's not gonna hold. Have everyone get out, it won't hurt if it falls on me."
"Right."
From the door she heard her father say, "Okay Luisa. Gently now."
Luisa knew when she set it down the wall would split in half where her hand was. That crack was why she'd stopped moving. She let go of both pieces at once and the roof finished collapsing with a crash of breaking tiles and rock. Luisa pushed a rock off her leg and went outside. A cheer went up from the gathered crowd and Luisa just blushed and waved. She took a few steps and felt a twinge. Then her mother was there, frowning, looking at her leg at the same time handing her a buñuelo. Luisa looked down and saw there was a long gash along her calf and she was bleeding quite a bit.
Luisa popped the sweet into her mouth and the skin and muscle began to knit themselves together leaving behind, nothing. Not even a line to show where the rock hit her.
"Please be more careful in the future, Luisa," her mother said.
"I'm sorry Mamá, guess I'm out of practice," Luisa said. Normally she wouldn't have felt anything. But it was a new miracle...had her gift changed?
The doctor came up then, his clothes were torn in places and there was blood on his shirt but there was no sign of injury. "The other two children are waking up Señora Madrigal."
"Please, call me Julieta," she said.
He nodded, "As you wish it, Julieta," he said and guided her further down the street where the children were arranged with their parents.
Camilo was gone and Luisa's father came up then and said, "You all right Lulu?" He asked this as he took her arm. She nodded. Luisa did feel a bit fatigued. More changes? Or was it because she'd not tried to maintain her strength. There was concern on her father's face when he said, "Let's get you home, Lulu." She nodded and she allowed herself to be led away from the crowd.
