Chapter 26: Cacti

10 years before Encanto

Alma ran through the storm, breathless and cursing her old body for not being able to move fast enough.

She checked behind buildings, frantically knocking door to door even though she knew her son wasn't a people person.

"Señora." The priest gave her a shaky smile, one hand opening the door a crack and the other holding onto his blowing hair. "I didn't expect to see anyone in this weather."

Thunder rumbled and lightning lit up the sky behind Alma as she stood breathless at the door, wind whipping her loose hair. She couldn't imagine what a mess she looked, but she didn't care.

"Is Bruno here?" She gasped.

"I'm sorry?"

"Bruno." She repeated. "Have you seen him? In the church? Up the tower?"

"No." His expression was filled with concern now. "I was up there not too long ago and saw no one."

He didn't get to say much more before Alma sprinted off again.

The storm crashed and thundered as Alma ran through the fields and crops. Her chest burned and her old legs kept giving up but she pushed on, pulling herself back to her feet and forcing herself to take another breath.

Alma reached the end of the fields and skidded to a stop in front of the treeline, trembling and gasping for breath as she stared ahead in terror.

Had Bruno run through into the forest?

Alma felt frozen by fear, conflicted with the urge to protect her son.

This is your fault, she told herself. You did this to him, you drove him away, you fix it. She had to go in. She had to bring him home.

Alma held her breath and forced her shaking legs move forward. As she took a step into the treeline, suddenly her body didn't ache of exhaustion anymore, it ached because she was young again, and had just given birth to three children. She coughed, chest burning in protest as her heart raced from memories and panic building up and piling over the top of the physical exertion.

She took another step, and now the trees didn't light up from the storm, they were illuminated by flames and explosions. It became harder to breathe as Alma choked on smoke. She took another step forward, and this time everything went dark.

Later

"Is she alive?"

Hm. Only on the outside.

Alma stirred, her body stiff and sore as she woke up. She winced, feeling a dull ache in her chest.

"She's okay, see?"

"Gonna take more than a storm to take out Abuela."

Alma stirred, slowly opening her eyes to see Camilo staring back at her. She glanced over his shoulder to see Casita wave a shutter at her.

"How did..." Alma muttered, but Camilo switched forms into Felix, wiggling his eyebrows as he flexed an arm.

"Carried you here." Camilo said in his Papi's voice. "No problem."

Alma smiled weakly. Her little grandson was able to brighten any up situation.

"You found me, mijo?" She asked. "But I was in the forest."

Camilo changed again, into Dolores this time.

"Hm." He spoke in Dolores' soft voice, putting a hand to his ear. "But I can hear a pin drop, Abuela."

Alma held her breath, worried that her grandson has gone anywhere near the forest. She then winced as doing so made her chest hurt.

"Here, Abuela." The real Dolores came over, and now it was evident how Camilo had found Alma. She held an arepa in her hands. "This will help."

"Let me." Camilo said in Julieta's voice. He switched into his Tía, taking the arepa from his sister and presenting it to Abuela with flourish. Camilo loved using his new gift any chance that he could.

"You know I can make a million arepas in one minute?" Camilo boasted. "Maybe even a trillion."

"Is that so?" Alma smiled, feeling her body heal as she ate the arepa. "I don't think I've ever seen you in the kitchen and not eating, mijo."

"But I am always cooking." Camilo insisted, still as Julieta. "There is always more healing to do."

He switched into Agustin, holding a hand his eye. "Ow! Quick Julieta, the bees are back!"

Camilo spun around, turning back into Julieta. He threw his head back in exasperation. "Ay, Agustin..."

Alma couldn't help but smile, which made Camilo grin proudly. He loved when people enjoyed his performances. Camilo did another spin, orange ruana and curly hair swishing, then held his arms out in a dramatic pose.

Dolores praised him and Camilo's chest puffed with pride, his smile bright.

"Did it make you feel better?" He asked in hopefully voice.

Alma nodded, giving him an encouraging smile.

"My whole family in one boy."

Camilo grinned, then changed form into Alma. "You can say that again."

Alma recoiled, turning from the sight of it. She didn't think she hated anything more than she hated herself right now.

"Dios!" She covered her face. "Put that one away. One Abuela is more than enough."

Camilo giggled, then turned back into himself.

Alma watched with an adoring expression, then reminded herself that she'd rested long enough.

She had to find Bruno.

"Brunito." Alma turned to Dolores with urgency, but her granddaughter remained calm. "We have to find him."

Dolores looked back with sad eyes, making a little peep.

"What is it?"

Dolores took a deep breath, the secret she swore to keep for her Tio already weighing down impossibly hard on her shoulders.

"Tio left a note." She said softly, handing over a small piece of paper.

One month later

Alma sat at the head of the table, head in her hand as the villagers clamoured around her. She stared down at her notes, scratching black lines back and forth while her mind reeled with panic, and trying to decide on a plan.

They'd gone over a hundred different plans, and they all involved leaving their home, leaving the Encanto. Or even worse, preparing the villagers to potentially defend the town of the walls were to come down.

Alma exhaled, hand through her hair as she tried to think of another way. Her babies weren't fighters. She refused to allow the mountains to break, for the horse riders to come in.

Isabela stood up front, attempting to address the town and hear out their concerns in place of Alma.

"We just need to know what the plan is for the magic." One villager spoke up. "Every one of us is in danger, we need to have a plan."

"Should we be start preparing to relocate?"

"Are we defending the town?"

"Are you fixing the magic?"

Flowers popped up in Isabela's hair, eyes wide because she was so overwhelmed. She smiled at them, but it didn't stop them from shouting.

"On it, on it." Luisa arrived from her daily chores and joined the meeting. Seeing her sister in trouble she quickly stepped in front of her.

Even though luisa was still a kid, she felt more comfortable with this situation than Isabela. It felt familiar, comfortable even. Luisa was used to them all calling out requests and sharing their grievances. In many ways, the pressure from town made Luisa feel special and needed.

"Luisa." Someone sighed. "Thank goodness you're here."

"Always gonna be here." Luisa nodded, putting hands to her hips. She stood tall, attempting to shield her older sister with her body. Luisa was still little, but she had a big presence.

Isabela exhaled, quickly brushing off flowers and stepping back.

"We got this all under control." Luisa told them, holding hands up in reassurance. "Abuela's making a new plan right as we speak. Just give her a moment more, and you watch. We'll be ready to save the magic."

"So we're saving the magic?" One asked. "Not running? Not fighting?"

Lusia glanced back at Abuela, who was writing fast. Dolores glanced over Abuela's shoulder at the notes, then nodded.

"Looks like we're going down that path." Luisa confirmed. "We're gonna fix the magic and save the Encanto. Just wait for the plan. Gonna be good."

The crowd glanced at eachother, feeling conflicted. They were distressed and scared, but adored Luisa.

"Any questions?" Luisa offered, and was met with more clamouring from the crowd. She chuckled. "Alright then, one at a time..."

"Looks like Bruno has doomed us as last." One villager muttered under their breath from up the back, quiet so Luisa couldn't hear.

Dolores' eyes darted in their direction, but before she had time to say anything Mariano elbowed them hard from where he sat beside them.

"Show some respect." Mariano gave them a hard look. "They're trying to save your life."

The villager nodded quickly and apologised. Mariano had grown up to be and strong and popular young man, with a lot of respect from the town.

Mariano turned back to the Madrigals, making eye contact with Dolores. He smiled. Dolores blushed, quickly turning back to her notes with a little smile of her own.

Alma stared at her papers. Only one solution made sense, but it place more pressure on her children. Alma felt terrified after what had happened to Bruno.

The meeting escalated, and Alma looked up to see a clamouring and panicked crowd around Luisa. Isabela turned to Abuela with a pleading expression.

Alma took a breath, knowing she'd run out of time.

"There is something." Alma announced, taking a deep breath. "I have a plan."

The crowd went silent, waiting on Alma's next word. She sighed, letting her hand drop as she stood up.

"We are not leaving our homes." Alma told them. "The mountains are not coming down. We will stay here, under the protection of the magic, and work hard to keep the miracle burning, for many generations to come."

There was a shocked silence, then more clamouring. Alma saw flowers pop up in Isabela's hair.

"So we do nothing?"

"How do we know the magic will last?"

"This sounds like denial to me."

Alma felt anger rise within her, but she resisted the urge to shout, for the sake of her grandchildren. Instead she held up a hand, her expression fierce.

The crowd fell silent again.

"I don't know why Mirabel did not get a gift, but it is not a reason for us to to panic." She told them. "The magic is still strong, and we will prove that. I have a way," She took a breath, her experience with Bruno teaching her to take a different approach, "But. I must discuss it with my family first."

The town glanced at eachother, then back to Alma. They then became louder than ever, driven by fear and panic that after all that Alma wouldn't tell them the plan.

Dolores peeped, glancing up from her notes while Isabela stared ahead with frightened eyes, flowers growing through her hair, then withering and dying.

"Meeting adjourned." Alma quickly led her granddaughters away.

Later

"What plan?" Isabela whispered as they headed back to Casita together.

"We are going to strengthen the miracle." Alma told them quietly. "And prove the magic is strong, by having another child. Another gift."

Isabela and Dolores went quiet, and Alma exhaled slowly.

"Great idea, Abuela." Luisa said brightly as they walked together, a bounce in her step. Luisa was too young to understand the difficulty that came with the plan. "I always told Mama I wanted a little brother, too."

"Not Julieta." Alma decided. "It's too hard to keep the food supply going when she is pregnant, and too much stress on her."

That was only half the reason, though Alma didn't tell her granddaughters the rest.

She wasn't sure if Mirabel's problem had come from Julieta or not. Her daughter was always exhausted, and Alma wondered if the reason Mirabel hadn't gotten a gift is because Alma had already worked her daughter too hard, and used her all up. She couldn't ask more of Julieta, it wasn't fair. And she couldn't risk this plan not working either.

"Oh?" Luisa smiled. "Who's gonna have the baby, then? You, Abuela?"

In a lighter situation, Alma would've laughed.

"I would if I could." She said sadly.

How much easier it would be if Alma could just fix this on her own. She hated that she was so helpless.

Luisa thought about it. "So that means it's gonna be-"

"Us." Isabela whispered, a flower crumpling in her fist as they walked.

Alma turned in surprise.

"Oh, mija." Alma affectionately stroked Isabela's hair. "Not you. You are only twelve, mi vida. Much too young to be thinking about any of that."

She gave her a reassuring smile, hand on her granddaughter's soft cheek.

"You will make the most beautiful children one day, Isabela." Alma reassured her. "But for now, you are still a child, with so much to experience first. I want you to enjoy that. Just wait a few more years, hm? Then we can find you a boyfriend and talk about all those things. And plan you a beautiful wedding." She smiled, hoping her words would comfort her granddaughter. "The perfect marriage, for our perfect Isabela."

Isabela smiled and nodded, but once Alma turned to Dolores her face dropped in horror. Isabela couldn't think of anything worse than getting married and having children.

She'd never forget the exhausted look on Mama's face as she worked her days away, one hand preparing food while the other held a screaming baby to her hip.

The truth was, Isabela liked plants more than she liked people. Plants don't scream and cry, they don't make demands, they don't expect a smile. They just grow at their own pace and allow Isabela to do the same. Flourishing in sunlight, surrounded by nature.

"Who is having the baby?" Dolores asked Abuela, worried because she already knew the answer.

Alma sighed, glancing up at the grey sky.

"What if I say no, Mama?" Pepa asked, remembering Camilo's difficult birth.

Alma sighed, head in her hands. "Then we think of a different plan."

"Which is?"

Alma took a breath. "We make preparations to leave if Casita crumbles. Or, we stay here and defend the Encanto when the mountains come down, exposing us to the outside world."

Pepa's eyes searched ahead as she thought it over. Rain began to fall through the kitchen, and Alma took Pepa's hand, kissing it.

"I don't want to lose Candle too." Pepa's voice broke a little as she thought of her brother. Pepa had taken Bruno's disappearance worst of all, to the point that just the mention of his name triggered a storm.

She turned watery eyes to Alma.

"If Candle dies, we all die." Pepa spoke softly. "Right?"

Alma watched her carefully. She didn't want to say anything that would push Pepa into a decision. Alma was determined not to make the same mistakes again.

Pepa thought of her husband, her children. Her hands stroked her braid, then she turned to Alma. "I'll do it."

Alma exhaled in relief, pulling her brave girl in close and hugging her under the rain. "Thank you mija."

Pepa held tight to Mama, head on her shoulder.

She felt determined to save Candle and protect her family.

Three years later

Isabela woke to the sounds of thunder and a scream. She quickly sat up, leaping from her bed and swinging down a vine.

Heading to Pepa's room, Isabela found Abuela, Tia and Tio already in there, Julieta sitting beside them and stroking Pepa's back. Casita clacked anxiously, curtain resting on the bed.

Isabela hurried over.

"Look, mi vida. Our little angel is here." Felix whispered to Pepa, holding her in his arms. Pepa was sobbing, hand gripped tight to Felix's shirt while Julieta stroked her forehead, encouraging her to eat.

Isabela knelt beside the bed and made flowers. Pepa gasped in pain, watery eyes turning to meet Isabela's, and Isabela gave her a brave smile. She brought the flowers close, encouraging Pepa to breathe them in.

"It's okay, Tía." Isabela smiled again, seeing the storm calm a little. "Deep breaths, that's it. These are your favourites, remember?"

Pepa closed her eyes, taking sharp breath, hand clutching her abdomen. Alma watched with a heartbroken expression, thunder and lightning crashing around them.

"You're so brave, mi vida." Felix encouraged, blinking back his own tears as he stroked her. "I love you so much." He kissed Pepa's face, wiping her tears and rain from her hot cheeks. "Everything is gonna be alright. You're gonna be okay."

"It won't." Pepa gasped. "I can't, Felix." She moaned, eyes closed again. "I can't do it."

Alma covered her mouth in distress. She hadn't anticipated that Pepa's body was older now, too. It made it difficult for her daughter to carry children to term, and her attempts often led to blood, snow and tears. Alma had a terrible feeling that tonight was going to be one of those nights.

Camilo and Mirabel entered the room holding hands, curious to see what all the noises were. The storm worsened at the sight of them, thunder crashing and the rain returning.

"Mama!" Pepa's voice was sharp, the pain making her desperate. "Get rid of them. I don't want them to remember this."

Alma attempted to stroke her daughter's face, but Pepa slapped her hand, eyes gleaming with hurt.

"Mama!" Pepa screamed, thunder crashing and lightning illuminating up her furious eyes. "I am doing everything for you! Do one thing for me. Take them away!"

Rain poured as Pepa began to sob, feeling overwhelmed by the pressure.

Alma nodded, quickly going to the door and taking Mirabel and Camilo by the hands. She led them out of the room and along the balcony. Camilo pulled back on Abuela with a frown, wanting to go back to his Mami.

"Time for bed." Alma insisted. "Come in, it's okay."

Camilo changed into Felix so he was strong, breaking free of Abuela's grip and running back for his parents' room.

"Casita, help!" Alma called desperately, and the railings moved to block Camilo's path, tiles nudging him back.

Camilo kicked the tiles, knocking them loose and sending them clattering as he screamed in Felix's voice, pulling at the railing.

"Camilo, stop!"

Alma held Mirabel back, because this was a eight year old boy having a tantrum with the strength and size of a full grown man. He punched the railing and it wavered, but Casita was strong, bouncing back and gently holding him still.

"Enough!" Alma scolded, grabbing his arms. "Change back, right now! You cannot-"

Camilo flailed his big arms, not knowing his strength until he struck Abuela in the face.

Alma staggered back, and for a split second she was a child again. She made a sobbing sound without meaning to, putting a hand to her face. The ache was only too familiar. It humbled Alma, reminding her of that time in her life and the people she'd lost. She remembered what had been important to her at that time.

Camilo turned back into himself and now he looked small and sad. He looked up at Alma with a wide eyes.

"I'm sorry, Abuela."

Alma shook her head, returning to reality. She felt someone hug onto her legs. She looked down to see little Mirabel. Alma sighed, putting a hand to Mirabel's back. Admittedly she hadn't spent much time with her youngest grandchild since her ceremony, but for some reason, Mirabel never stopped loving her.

There was a crash of thunder from across the balcony and Camilo quickly turned his head.

"Stay here." Alma warned Camilo. "No more."

He turned back to her, tears in his eyes now.

"She needs me." Camilo's voice broke a little. "She needs me, Abuela. I'm supposed to make her laugh. I'm supposed to make her feel better."

Alma took a shaky breath, feeling her heart break for him. She gently brought Camilo in for a hug, holding him tight while he started to cry. Alma kissed him, chin resting on his head as she stared across at Pepa's door.

Mirabel came over to stand beside them, gently rubbing her cousin's back. She glanced up at Candle, who flickered weakly on Abuela's windowsill, dripping wax. She silently wished that she had magic, so she could make everything alright again.

"I don't like when it rains." Camilo whispered, little hands against Alma as she held him. "I hate it."

Alma took a deep breath, putting on a brave smile for the children.

"You know what?" She told them, trying to make her voice more upbeat. "This isn't even real."

They both turned to her in confusion.

"What do you mean, Abuela?" Mirabel asked.

"I mean, this is just a bad dream." Alma encouraged. "A scary dream. It's not really happening. You're still asleep in your beds right now... And you know what? When you wake up, it will all be over, and Mami will be okay."

They looked at eachother, then slowly began to smile.

"You mean I'm just having a nightmare?" Camilo asked hopefully. "Mami's okay?"

"Mm-hm." Alma nodded, her eyes warm as she stroked his hair. "Just a dream, mijo. Everything is okay."

"But it feels real." Mirabel reasoned.

Alma shrugged, knowing if she stuck to it hard enough they'd believe her. "Dreams always feel real when you're in them."

They glanced at eachother, smiles creeping across their faces as they believed it, and suddenly everything felt okay again.

It was an old trick, a coping mechanism Alma learned when she was a child herself. She used to play it all the time on Cora and Mona, to help them sleep when the nights were scary and unsafe. After a while Mona caught on, but she and Alma continued to shelter Cora with it. They treated it like a game, and the more they protected their sister, the braver they felt.

"I wish there were flying capybaras in my dream." Mirabel glanced up hopefully. "Or magic."

"Or dragons." Camilo grinned, joining in. "Or a big party with lots of food and I never get hungry, and I eat the whole thing."

"And you even eat us!" Mirabel giggled, poking his belly, which he changed to be bulging and fat, inflating his body like a balloon.

The two of them burst into laughter, then Camilo changed back, the air escaping his mouth as he deflated.

"I'm glad you're in my dream, Milo." Mirabel smiled. "You always make me happy."

Camilo hugged his cousin. "So do you."

Alma exhaled in relief, kneeling down beside her grandchildren.

"And you know, dreams have good parts too." Alma told them softly. "The good part of this dream is you both get to have a sleepover in Abuela's treehouse."

Their faces lit up in excitement, not used to spending so much time with Abuela, especially Mirabel.

"Really?" Mirabel grinned, hopping a little as Abuela nodded.

"Will you make the shadow animals for us?" Camilo asked, his eyes shining.

Alma took a deep breath, willing herself not to break. "Yes, of course."

Mirabel quickly took Abuela's hand with a laugh and Camilo took the other, a bounce to their step as they followed Alma to her room.

Later

Alma stared at the ceiling until she was sure her grandchildren were asleep, then snuck out, taking Isabela's flower swing down to her door.

She made her way through the night, but as she reached Pepa's door Julieta and Agustin were coming out. They frowned at Alma.

"Don't go in there, Mama." Julieta warned her, dark eyes filled with anger. "She doesn't want to see you."

Alma swallowed, nodding in understanding.

Julieta and Agustin went to leave, but Alma spoke quietly while she still had the chance.

"Is she okay?"

Julieta stopped, still for a moment before turning around, tears in her eyes now. "No, Mama. She's not."

Alma took a shaky breath, feeling sick to her stomach.

"And the baby, did it..."

Augustin scoffed in disbelief, putting an arm around Julieta.

"What do you think?" Julieta frowned.

Alma dropped her head in shame, expecting them to walk away now, but when she looked up Julieta was still there.

"This is the worst thing you've ever done to us." Julieta told Alma, her voice quiet but seething.

"I am trying to save your life." Alma whispered back, tears falling now. "If the magic dies, if the mountains break-"

"Goodnight, Mama."

Alma carefully opened Isabela's room to check she was okay, and heard soft sobbing.

"Isabela?" She checked, but the sound continued.

Alma made her way through her granddaughter's room, past rows of roses and Flor de mayo, seeing a collection of hedges, all shaped into different poses of Isabela.

She spotted a sculpture of the family, made from shaped green hedges, everyone gathered together with a green Isabela in the middle, pink flowers glowing over her while Julieta and Pepa held her from either side, Abuela behind them. Alma smiled sadly, stroking it.

Alma reached the flowery swing and climbed on. It lifted her up to the ceiling, high enough to reach Isabela's bed.

She discovered her granddaughter crying in her sleep, white flowers growing through her hair. Tears ran from her closed eyes and down her face.

Alma's expression softened, gently wiping Isabela's tears.

"I'm sorry." Alma whispered. "I failed you. I promised I'd give you a perfect life, and I failed you." She took a shuddering breath. "But I have to protect you. I have to protect our home. Our Encanto... I can't let you die too."

Isabela shuddered, her body flinching in her sleep. Beside them a plant appeared that Alma had not seen before. It was spiky and hard, and it's shape asymmetrical and lumpy.

Her granddaughter moaned in distress, and two more appeared. Alma's eyes widened and she pushed the plants off the bed, hearing them fall and splatter over the floor below. Alma hissed in pain, discovering her hand had been pricked by tiny spines.

Isabela whimpered, her back stiffening as once again the bad plant appeared. Alma exclaimed, kicking it off the edge.

"Isabela." Alma said with urgency, gently shaking her. "Wake up."

Her granddaughter gasped and sat up.

"It's okay." Alma reassured her. "Just a bad dream. I'm here."

Isabela instinctively hugged Abuela, closing her eyes in fear. She took a breath, and Alma could feel that she was shaking.

"I'm sorry." Alma whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Isabela wiped her eyes, exhaling slowly and putting on a smile as she regained composure. She let go of Abuela and sat back, her expression calm and pleasant now. "I'm fine. Thank you for checking on me."

"Would you like to talk about it?" Alma offered.

Isabela shook her head, still smiling as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"It was silly." She rolled her eyes. "I don't even remember it. Don't worry, Abuela."

Alma exhaled in relief.

Isabela had become so good at lying that even Alma believed her.

They cuddled again, and once Alma's head was on her shoulder, Isabela's expression dropped. Her wide eyes searched ahead as her mind replayed the scene, over and over, Tía trying so hard to have that baby, screaming in distress. The tears, the blood, the snow.

Isabela understood that the family needed another baby to save the magic. A new generation to keep the miracle burning. But it wasn't fair that Tía had to do it. She'd already been through enough. Isabela hated to see Pepa hurt, and was determined to bring this to an end. Isabela decided to take matters into her own hands. If it's a baby they needed, it's a baby they would get.

"There is one thing you can help me with, Abuela." Isabela said slowly, sitting back so she could look Alma in the eye, her smile securely in place.

"Anything." Alma said softly.

"I was thinking about what you said once, about getting married." Isabela continued, her tone bright. "I just think it's a great idea, Abuela. It would be so good for the Encanto. Something for everyone to look forward to."

Alma looked at her in surprise, and Isabela smiled again.

"You want to get married?"

Isabela nodded quickly, then seeing Alma's worried expression she spoke again.

"Not now," Isabela reassured her. "But I'm almost sixteen. I thought I could start by finding a boyfriend. Courting him for a few years."

Alma gently stroked Isabela's long hair behind her ear, unable to understand how her grandchildren had grown up so quickly.

"Will you help me find someone?" Isabela asked, her voice hopeful. "It could be something fun we do together, after the meetings."

Alma sighed, feeling relieved. Now she was awake, Isabela seemed perfectly fine. Maybe Alma hadn't ruined her life, after all. Maybe everything wa going to be okay.

"Of course I will help you." Alma agreed.

Isabela made a little sound of excitement, then gave Alma a hug.

"Thank you Abuela." She smiled. "I love you."

Alma held onto Isabela, feeling grateful to still have her granddaughter's love.