Chapter 38

40 years before Encanto


Julieta came downstairs that morning to find Pepa and Bruno at opposite sides of the breakfast table.

"Julieta, come sit with me." Pepa urged.

Bruno just sighed, not bothering to ask, even though he wanted the same.

Julieta glanced at both her siblings, then promptly sat at the middle of the table, refusing to pick a side.

"Good morning, mija." Alma smiled, kissing Julieta's forehead as she served up breakfast.

Pepa ate her food as fast as she could and so did Bruno, their angry eyes locked as they raced to finish.

"Enough." Alma groaned, sitting beside Julieta and serving up her own place. "I don't know what's happened with you two, but it needs to stop. It is getting old."

Pepa started to choke on her food, her cloud thundering over her head.

"Dios mio." Alma sighed, smacking her daughter's back as Pepa coughed.

"I win." Bruno announced, standing up and carrying his empty plate to the kitchen.

Pepa scowled after him as he passed, her eyes watering.


Bruno played with his friend while Pepa watched from afar.

She didn't know why, but Pepa really didn't like that Bruno had a friend.

A cloud floated over Pepa's head as she watched the boy. He was just too much like Pepa. He had the same long lanky build, and the two of them were doing the same kind of things Pepa would've done if she were there instead.

Bruno and the boy chased eachother. He tripped over his own legs and tumbled down, starting to cry while Bruno helped him up. Pepa let out a mean laugh, then caught herself and stopped, heading off to start work.


Pepa reached the fields, running and leaping as she played as Sunshine. She waved her hand and grinned as a rainbow appeared.

She made swooshing sounds with her mouth, rainbows appearing just like the powers from the game.

Pepa didn't need Bruno, she decided. She was fine all on her own.

She laughed, jumping and spinning under the rainbows. Her chest puffed with pride as she danced through the fields and reached the crops. She was getting so good at her powers. Today was going to be easy.

Pepa stopped as she heard familiar laughter, her body freezing as she recognised the voices.

"Hey Gringa." One of the boys grinned, his friends gathered around him. "Having fun?"

The sky became grey as Pepa felt terrified.

They'd been waiting for her by the crops.

Pepa backed up, but another of the boys grabbed her from behind. Rain began to fall as Pepa struggled to get away, her heart pounding and eyes wet with tears. She glanced towards town, knowing it was too far for anyone to hear. Pepa whimpered.

One boy moved in closer, grabbing Pepa's hair, then her dress. She cried out in fright, her clouds thundering. Pepa wasn't sure what they were going to do. Her whole body shook and she couldn't breathe she was so scared.

"What's wrong?" The boy asked. "You don't want to kiss me? We thought you wanted a boyfriend."

"She only likes Eduardo." Another laughed.

The boy pulled Pepa's body against him, his mouth moving in close to hers. She shrieked in terror, and felt warm pee run down her legs. She tried to stop it, but it wet her dress and spilled to the ground.

"Ay!" The boy recoiled immediately, stepping back with a cry of disgust as the others laughed at him.

Pepa's eyes widened. Dios. Had she really done that? This had to be a dream. It couldn't be real.

"Are you joking?"

Rain bucketed down as Pepa cried, her chest heaving in panic as she looked around for an escape.

"She got you good, chico." The friends teased.

Pepa ran for it. The boys grabbed for her, but Pepa ducked under their reach. She ran, fast as she could towards town.

"Where you going, Gringa?"

The group chased Pepa through the fields and crops and she screamed, the sky flashing above her. One of the boys caught up with Pepa, grabbing her around the middle and pulling her down. She hit the ground with a thud.

Pepa tried to get up, but was kicked in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her and making her fall back down. The sky thundered and lightning flashed above them. Pepa groaned in pain, hearing them laugh as they crowded around her.

"Let's make it storm." They egged eachother on.

"Make lightning."

Pepa felt another kick to her chest and she choked, her body recoiling from the impact. She tried her best to shield her face with her arms, curling her legs up to protect her body. Pepa gasped as she was kicked in the back, the boys laughing as they continued to hurt her from all sides. The sky lit up with brilliant colours as Pepa screamed, clouds swirling and flashing. The boys stopped to watch in amazement.

"Julieta!" Pepa sobbed. "Help me!"

There was a kick to Pepa's head and she went quiet. The boys watched lines of lightning ripple down through the sky and strike the fields around them, shaking the ground and lighting up silhouettes of the trees and crops.

"Woah!"

"This is the coolest thing ever."

"Get her up." One of the boys called out in a playful voice. "Hold her up for me. I've got an idea."

Hands grabbed Pepa's arms and hurled her up to stand. Her feet gave way under her, but the boys held onto her shoulders to stop her from falling back down.

One came over to Pepa. She blinked slowly, her head hanging limp as she felt tired and sick.

"Wake up, gringa." He smiled, patting her cheek. "We're gonna play."

Pepa looked up, feeling warm blood trickle down over her eye, but she couldn't move her hands to wipe it.

She could hear herself making moaning sounds, but she couldn't stop them. Bloody saliva dribbled down her chin and her mouth felt numb.

Pepa tried to imagine Sunshine, and what she'd do if she got captured by bad guys. She'd probably defeat them with her sunbeam.

But Pepa wasn't allowed to do things like that in real life. She remembered Mama's words.

It's just a game, Pepa. Clear skies. You can't get angry like that. You'll hurt someone.

"I'm king of the clouds!" The boy called out playfully, holding hands up to the storm, as if he were the one controlling it. Pepa shuddered. Maybe he was.

"What do you wish for?" He asked his friends, who all played along as if they were the king's followers.

"Bring us lightning!" One called.

"Lightning, oh mighty king."

They all laughed, enjoying the way the weather changed as Pepa's anxiety peaked.

The boy turned back to Pepa with a grin. He made a fist with his hand and she flinched, the others laughing as they held her still.

Pepa tried to turn her head away, but they held tight to her hair. She tried to cover her face but she couldn't move her arms either. Pepa closed her eyes, her body shaking as she sobbed.

Help me, help me. She thought to herself. What do I do?

"You asked for lightning." The boy announced to his friends, "And king of the clouds delivers."

Pepa remembered the last thing she'd said when her family had played together.

"We fight." Sunshine had said. "We are heroes, no?"

Pepa took a shuddering breath. Help me, Sunshine.

She squeezed her eyes shut, imagining it was all just the game.

As she channeled her character, Pepa began to feel angry. Sunshine didn't like the bad guys.

The boy turned back to Pepa, recoiling his fist. "Any last words?"

Pepa spat blood to the ground, then glared up at him. Her expression hardened as she allowed her hatred to rise to the surface.

Forget Mamá. Forget clear skies.

She was Sunshine. She wasn't going to let the monsters win.

"King of the clouds asked you-"

He stopped, his face dropping as Pepa's eyes suddenly glowed bright.

Clouds rose around Pepa, casting shadows over her face as the wind blew her hair.

"You're not king of the clouds." Pepa said in a dark tone. "I am."

The sky went black.

Pepa screamed, her rage projecting out into a spiral of wind and rain and lightning that threw the boys back. Plants and debris were ripped up from the ground and swirled around them.

Pepa dropped to the ground as the boys who held her were thrown aside. She slowly got to her feet, legs shaky and unsteady as she stood before the black sky.

"We're sorry!" One sobbed, holding up a hand. "Please, stop!"

"We'll do anything!" Another whimpered, curling into the ground.

"We're sorry!"

Pepa's eyes glowed bright and the boys screamed as lightning rained down over them. The ground cracked and shook as thunder rumbled over the fields.

Powerful gusts of wind flung them up into the air and slammed them to the ground.

"Dios, what's happened?" Shouting was heard from people who were running up from town.

"It's a hurricane!"

"Quick, the crops!"

Pepa gasped, her eyes returning to normal as the voices pulled her back to reality.

She looked around at the destruction she'd caused, seeing the boys all cowering and sobbing on the ground, some of them laying silent.

Pepa's chest heaved in panic as the wind spiralled.

Was Sunshine a villain?

Only a bad guy would hurt people like this. Was Pepa the bad guy?

"Dios, come quick!" A voice called.

Pepa whimpered, overcome with fear.

She held a hand to her stomach and escaped, her movements stiff and breathing heavy as she limped away. A black cloud followed Pepa, sparking and shooting electricity to mirror the pain that shot through her body with each step.


Pepa headed through the fields, moaning softly from stress and pain. She knew the crops well, and which way to go to disappear through the plants without being seen.

The cloud sparked and struck at dirt and crops around Pepa as she limped towards town. Her teeth chattered and her body wouldn't stop shaking. It felt like she was walking through a dream, like nothing was real anymore.

Pepa's first instinct was to find Julieta, but she remembered her sister would be in the middle of town. Pepa couldn't let the villagers find her after what she'd done. She groaned, her mind hazy and heavy, as if all the clouds were inside her head. She wanted to find Bruno, but didn't know how.

She considered going home and hiding in bed. Pepa sighed at the thought. She would do anything to just go to sleep right now. But she knew Casita would be the first place they'd look.

Pepa whimpered. She'd been so bad. Maybe she deserved for them to find her.

In the end, she decided to find her friend. Not the group, just the one. She had protected Pepa from the boys last time, she could protect her again.

Reaching the bridge, Pepa discovered it empty. She looked around, her cloud shooting electricity with each breath. Where did they go?

Pepa groaned, the pain making her feel nauseous. She dropped to the bridge, leaning over the edge and vomiting into the water. She sobbed, her body trembling as she lay against the stone.

Her muscles ached and wouldn't stop shaking. It hurt all over. Her black cloud sparked and sizzled as her chest burned.

Pepa heard people approaching and she panicked, knowing she didn't have the strength to run.

"Horrible." Voices spoke as they came closer.

"Everyone is in the fields now."

"It's a real tragedy."

Pepa dragged herself forward, letting her body slide off the edge of the bridge and fall into the water. She drifted under the bridge, leaning into the curved underside and resting her head against the stone. She hugged the bridge, seeing Pezito swim over. Her expression softened as she felt comforted by his presence.

"Pezito." Pepa whispered to him, wincing as her cloud continued to spark. "I wish... It was over."

Pezito swam circles around Pepa. She blinked slowly, her head resting against the bridge. It was dark and hidden under there, and Pepa felt somewhat safe. She relaxed her body, ready to fall asleep. Maybe she could just stay down here from now on, and live under the bridge with Pezito. It might not be so bad.

"I wish Magic and Monsters was real." She whispered to the fish. "I wish I could wake up... and I'm not here anymore." She coughed. "And there's no more Pepa. Only Sunshine... And she's not bad anymore." She took a heavy breath. "And I could have adventures every day..." She groaned, closing her eyes in pain. "And people would like me."

Pepa felt Pezito swim up to her hand and rub against it.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Somebody find Alma!" A voice shouted overhead as people ran over the bridge, their footsteps loud and sudden over Pepa's head.

Pepa shrieked in fright, her black cloud flashing and striking the river. Pepa's back stiffened as the water around her electrified. She collapsed with a splash, everything turning black.


Later


"You gotta breathe into her mouth."

"I'm not doing that!"

"You gotta."

"She's your sister, you do it."

"It would be weird if I did it."

"No, it'd be weirder if I did it. At least you're family."

"I- what? How does that make it less weird?"

Pepa moaned softly, opening her eyes to see two blurred figures standing over her.

She panicked, recoiling as she expected the group of boys to be back. Her breathing became fast and heavy as her cloud flashed. She closed her eyes again, terrified as she saw it all replaying in her head.

"Hey sis. It's okay." The voice was gentle. "You're alright. It's just me." She felt a hand stroke her forehead. "See? Just Bruno."

Pepa's breathing slowed at the sound of her brother's voice. She heard rats squeaking and felt their feet tickle as they ran over her stomach. Pepa exhaled in relief, knowing she was safe.

She opened her eyes to see Bruno sitting by the bedside, his friend standing beside him.

Pepa couldn't help but scowl at the friend. There was just something about him that infuriated Pepa.

"Told you she doesn't like me." The boy whispered to Bruno, readjusting his glasses nervously.

"She's scared." Bruno whispered back, before turning back to Pepa. He gently took her hand in his.

"Hey." He smiled. "You're okay, sis. I promise you're safe now. We're not gonna let anyone hurt you ever again."

She took quick and shaky breaths, looking around. They were in Bruno's tower, Pepa laying in his bed.

"We kinda dragged you up here." Bruno chuckled nervously. "It was tiring work, not gonna lie. But we had to hide the body."

Pepa took his hand in hers, holding it against her face.

Her body felt better, but Pepa still couldn't stop shaking.

"We finally got our magic trick to work, sis." Bruno grinned. "I made you disappear." He waved his hand mystically.

"The whole town is looking for you." The friend added. "But they won't find you up here."

Pepa moaned, her breathing fast and cloud thundering in panic. Looking for her? Pepa's chest hurt as it became tight with worry.

"Hey, hey. you're okay." Bruno spoke in a reassuring tone, continuing to stroke her face. "You're okay, because luckily Hernando found you."

Pepa's expression softened, the thunder stopping. Hernando was Bruno's character in Magic and Monsters.

"Hernando's here?" She whispered.

"Yeah." He chuckled softly. "Hernando's here. He's always gonna be here."

Pepa reached up and Bruno pulled her in for a hug. She hid her face against him.

"And Hernando doesn't give up either." Bruno continued. "We didn't know if we'd make it up all those stairs, but Hernando got you there."

"He did bang your legs on the steps though." The friend admitted.

"They're too long, it was impossible not to." Bruno shrugged. "Besides, he healed them with arepas. A full recovery."

At the mention of their sister's food, Pepa let go of Bruno and sat up. "Is Julieta here?" She looked around, desperate for her sister.

"Ay." Bruno glanced at his friend with a dry expression. "The gratitude too much. Really, it's overwhelming."

Pepa's face fell as she realised she'd said the wrong thing.

She sobbed, rain falling as she pressed hands into her face. Bruno would hate her now. He already hated her. Everybody hated her. Everybody wanted to hurt her.

The wind spiralled with Pepa's thoughts as she went into a panic, her mind replaying what had happened in the fields. She squealed softly as her mind became overwhelmed. It was too much to process.

"Hey, I was just joking!" Bruno tried, but that just made it worse.

Pepa started screaming, covering her face as lightning flashed. Was he joking? People always told Pepa they were joking, but they weren't. People told her they were her friends, but they weren't.

Pepa didn't know what to believe anymore. She didn't know who to trust.

Bruno gently held hands to Pepa's cheeks, his forehead resting against hers.

His friend backed away in fright, worried eyes watching the lightning.

Bruno sung softly to Pepa as she screamed, a song Mama would sing for her when she couldn't sleep.

"Sun, little sun. Warm up my heart." Bruno gently rocked Pepa. "Today, tomorrow. All week long."

Pepa took a shuddering breath as she remembered. She wrapped her arms around Bruno's shoulders, holding tight.

Bruno's singing became more playful as he then sang a song the two of them wrote together for one of their shows.

"Hola, hold up! We are the future, we are the rain," Bruno sung. "Brunito and Pepi, we share the same brain."

Pepa half sobbed half laughed, the music calming her.

Bruno held onto her, gently stroking Pepa's hair as he recited one more.

"This is my sister," He smiled, waiting for her.

"This is my brother." Pepa whispered back, her fingers holding onto his shirt.

"We are siblings and we care for eachother." Bruno finished, Pepa singing quietly along with him.

Bruno smiled.

Pepa took a shaky breath, wanting to just stay here forever.

She could never live a normal life again.

The town would never forgive her. Mama would never forgive her. Maybe they'd make her leave the Encanto.

Pepa sobbed at the thought.

"Julieta will be here soon." Bruno reassured her.

"She went to heal those boys." His friend spoke up. "And to try and save the-"

Bruno shook his head, and his friend stopped. Pepa frowned in confusion, but was too upset to pursue it.

"Get some rest, sis." Bruno smiled. "We can talk about all this later." He gently stroked her fringe. "We're gonna have a sleepover here for a while, yeah? Like old times. We'll just play games till things blow over. We've done it before, we can do it again. For now, you get some sleep, yeah?"

Pepa nodded, taking a shaky breath. Sleep sounded good.

"I'm sorry, Bruno." Her voice was sincere. "For everything."

"Same." He sighed. "But you know, I still got a job opening for my magic assistant." He shrugged. "Case you're interested."

Pepa glanced warily over at Bruno's friend. She thought that position had already been filled.

"Hey, I'm just the roadie." The friend grinned, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Yeah." Bruno chuckled. "Don't worry, Pepa. No one can take your place."

Pepa's nose twitched and a cloud appeared over her head. She'd really needed to hear that.

"So?" Bruno prompted. "You back in the show?"

Pepa took a shaky breath and nodded.

"Alright." Bruno smiled. Pepa hugged him tight.

"Thank you, Brunito." She whispered. "I love you."

"Same." Bruno grinned, then cleared his throat, gesturing over to his friend. Pepa scowled.

"He did help save your life." Bruno reminded her. "You ah, might want to say something. Anything."

Pepa sighed in resignation.

"Thank you." She muttered, then paused, trying to remember his name. She couldn't remember, so she guessed. "Agussy."

Both Bruno and his friend laughed.

"Agustin." He corrected her with a grin.