Notes:

This fic is part of the Encantober challenge!

Throughout October there will be a new chapter each day, following the daily word prompt (which is also the chapter name).

It'll be a bit of a speed challenge to keep up as I haven't written any of this in advance, so it's gonna be written day by day. A bit nervous, but we'll see how it goes! :)

The plan is to start with young Alma, and end up with the whole family when Alma is old. It's gonna include the triplets and their families as they grow up over the years.

To see the daily prompt list, or to get involved yourself, here's a link to the challenge:

https/at./encantober-official/erhwk8l5e0ia

If you're subscribed there's gonna be daily emails from me this month, but hopefully it'll be a good thing! (And if not, I am so sorry) I hope you enjoy this speed fic, and thank you so much for reading.

Much love to all of you,

Cloudy


Chapter 1: Caterpillar

68 years before Encanto


"I don't know what is wrong with you! Don't you dare-"

The shouting became muffled as Alma shut the door behind them, leading her sisters into the cupboard. The three of them huddled in close amongst the storage and sat down.

There was a loud thud as something hit the wall behind them, causing their candle to flicker and a broom to fall beside them.

"Mami?" Cora whispered, turning with wide eyes, while Mona leaned in closer. Alma tapped their knees, encouraging them to look at her. Alma silently placed hands over her ears and her sisters copied.

Even though they were all the same age, Corazona and Ramona looked up to Alma. She wasn't entirely sure why, but Alma liked to think it was because she wasn't afraid of anything. And even if she was, Alma would never let it show.

Alma made funny faces for her sisters and they couldn't help but smile, their dark eyes glittering in the candlelight as they watched. She gestured to where the light of the candle danced across the walls, bringing her hand near the flame to cast a shadow.

Cora bit her lip to stop herself laughing as she watched a shadowy bunny rabbit bounce along the wall and wiggle it's tail and ears. It turned into a chicken, then a dog. Alma moved her fingers to make it look like the dog was barking, then panting with its tongue out. Her sisters leaned into eachother, smiling as they watched with bright eyes.


The next day


Alma reached up and gripped the rough bark above her as she climbed the next branch, then the next. Alma loved climbing, it made her feel free. Her head popped up through the leaves as she reached the top.

"Found you!" Alma grinned, spotting her friends.

With a soft grunt she pulled herself onto the branch, swinging her long legs up behind her.

The caterpillars crawled along the bark and onto Alma's hands, eager to greet her. She giggled at the feel of their hairy little bodies and tickly legs against her skin.

"Guess what." Alma announced, bringing her hands up close to her face so they could see her. "I got another wobbly one. Want to see?"

Alma poked at one of her teeth with her tongue, and it wobbled back and forth. She bounced a little on the branch in excitement, her legs swinging.

"When it falls out, I lost even more than my sisters, you know that?" She smiled at the caterpillars, her chest puffed with pride. She paused, bringing them to her ear, because when Alma listened hard enough it felt like she knew what they'd say back.

"I know." Alma giggled. "And you know, I'm taller too." She then whispered, "Even if Ramona says I'm not." She hesitated, then her face broke into a smile again, tilting her head in invitation. "Come on."

Alma shifted the caterpillars onto one hand so she could climb with the other. It was a little harder and her dress scuffed and snagged, so she moved the caterpillars onto her shoulder instead, crawling along until she got to a branch where dark cocoons were hanging. She carefully slid closer, laying low out of respect.

"How are they?" She asked the caterpillars on her shoulder, her voice sad now. "Still nothing?"

The caterpillars nodded sadly. One day these ones had wrapped themselves up, and never come back out.

"Que descansen en paz." Alma spoke softly, making a sign of the cross with her hand, then rested her chin on the branch, taking a moment to grieve for them.

"Alma!"

She turned, hearing Mama's shouting from inside.

"Where are you? We are waiting!"

Alma's shoulders stiffened at the sound, but she didn't call back. She crouched down.

Alma considered what she should do, when something strange happened. The cocoons began to shake.

Alma gasped, eyes darting back to them. The caterpillars on her shoulder crawled closer to get a better look.

"You see that?" She asked in wonder, slowly crawling closer to watch the cocoons.

They trembled more, and then split. Slowly, little creatures crawled their way out, but this time they weren't caterpillars. They had long legs and thin bodies, and wet quivering wings.

Alma's eyes lit up as she watched them slowly open and close the wings to dry, shimmering gold in the sun.

"Like angels." Alma's voice was soft in disbelief.

"What are you doing?"

Mama's shape tone made Alma flinch. She looked down to see Mama at the bottom of the tree, eyes furious.

"I told you to stay inside!" Mama threw a hand in exasperation. "I told you Alma, today has to be perfect. And you never listen to me!"

Alma took one last longing look at the angel caterpillars, scooping the others from her shoulder to join them on the branch before quickly climbing down. She didn't make it to the bottom branch before a rough hand grabbed her braid, yanking her down with a thud.

"Mama!" Alma scowled, but a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet. Alma tried to snatch her hand back, but Mama didn't let go.

"You see?" Mama scolded. "This is why Papa left."

Alma's expression softened, stopping the struggle. "He left?"

"Yes, Alma." She sighed. "Papa's gone. That's why you were supposed to be inside, on your best behaviour. Not out here, doing..." She waved a hand to the tree, "Whatever this is."

Alma looked back at the tree, feeling guilt rise in her heart, but then she pushed it back down. When she turned back to Mama she did her best to be brave.

"Well, I'm glad he's gone." Alma decided, "He was mean to you, Mami."

She winced as Mama slapped her. It stung and made her eyes water, but then she saw her sisters watching at the door and she straightened up, turning to Mama with defiant confidence.

"Didn't hurt." She shrugged.

Alma groaned as Mama's grip tightened and she was dragged back to the house, her sisters quickly running inside as they saw them approach.

Alma looked over her shoulder, pulling back on Mama to get as much time as she could to get one last look.

The gold wings glittered as they flew from the tree and Alma smiled, watching as they circled her, then headed towards the horizon.

"What are they?" Alma asked, watching them go.

"Butterflies." Mama muttered in a short tone, pushing Alma through the door.

"Butterfly." Alma repeated softly, watching as they flew away.

Mama closed the door and they were gone from Alma's sight, but not from her heart. That was the moment she knew.

One day, Alma was going to fly away too.