Camilo crouches against the wall separating the kitchen from the courtyard, waiting for someone to cross through the open space and into his path. The kitchen is empty and the counters tower above him, his five-year-old self unable to reach over them and pilfer a snack. He hasn't figured out yet that he can turn into someone taller and take whatever he pleases, but the adults are just waiting in resignation for the day. Julieta is busy down in the village so this is the perfect place to lay in ambush, hidden from sight and still able to listen for anyone coming.

He hears footsteps echo in the courtyard and presses his back to the wall. Anticipation builds excitedly in his chest. He stifles a nervous giggle with his hand. The person draws closer and he shifts quickly into the form of his missing Tio Bruno, feeling the familiar stretch of his bones as his body thins out and his hair grows to brush the bottom of his chin. His tio disappeared almost a month ago now and the whole family have been out searching anxiously for him day and night, his name echoing in the trees around the Encanto. No one is really expecting him to show up now. He's the perfect skin for Camilo's plan. An easy scare. Whoever comes round that corner will get the biggest fright.

He inches closer to the corner and, just as the person rounds it, leaps out in front of them yelling gleefully. "Boo!"

Pepa gives a yelp of shock and stumbles backward, dropping her book on the floor. She catches herself on the corner of the wall, a sharp burst of lightning flashing through the air. It is silent for a moment, before Camilo shifts back into himself. "It's me, Mami! Did I scare you?"

Pepa doesn't reply. The air still crackles with her shock as she stares at him. He tips his head with confusion. Why isn't she smiling? "Mami?"

A cloud slowly accumulates over her head, thin and wispy, and a drizzle of rain begins to fall. The air turns a little greyer. She bends to pick of her book, her fingers clumsy and uncertain. "Camilo." He can hear her voice tremble with suppressed emotion. She crouches to his level and takes hold of his shoulder, staring him in the eyes. "Camilo, you can't do that here. Or anywhere. Do you understand? You can turn into anyone in this house, anyone at all, just not him. Are you listening?"

Her grips tightens slightly and he nods quickly, his eyes wide. His hair is gradually dampening from the rain. "Yes, Mami."

She kisses him quickly on the top of his head. "Alright, mijo. Now go play somewhere else and try not to get in anyone's way."

He runs past her out of the kitchen and into the courtyard.

He pretends he doesn't see his mother still standing there, wiping tears off her cheeks. Maybe he was imagining it. Maybe it was just the rain.