Chapter 3: Tragedy

59 years before Encanto

Rain poured over town and lightning illuminated the land. Alma wrapped arms around Alejandro's shoulders, pulling him in close.

She leaned close, feeling his fingers run through her hair as his mouth claimed hers. Alejandro pushed her back into the wall and Alma gasped, her head hitting tile.

"Ow." Alma muttered, pushing him off, but Alejandro moved in for another kiss. Alma turned her head away.

"You alright?" He whispered, but Alma had enough.

"Too rough." Alma shook her head, fierce eyes turning to him. "I don't like it."

"Sorry."

"I told you," Alma waved a finger. "No grabbing tight, no pushing, no pulling my hair, no telling me what to do..."

"I know," He sighed. "I know, Almi. There's just so many rules."

"That was four things." Alma crossed her arms.

"More than four things," Alejandro reminded her. "Don't wear itchy clothes..."

"That shirt you wore to the fiesta?" Alma scoffed. "The fabric was so uncomfortable, I could hardly breathe."

"Shave every time before seeing you," He continued.

"What's wrong with that?" Alma spoke defensively. "I don't want to feel like I'm kissing a capybara."

"No surprises, no sleeping on top, no holding your hand unless you do it first-"

"I just don't see the problem here." Alma's tone was short and impatient now.

Alejandro shook his head. "Alma, don't take this the wrong way, but." He rubbed his head, trying to find a kind way to put it.

"Say it." Alma said in a flat tone.

"I think... You might have some issues," He spoke carefully, "With being in control."

Alma's face became hot and her eyebrows raised furiously. "What?!"

"I just think, that maybe-"

"Don't you dare!" Alma shouted, throwing a hand along with her words. "I make decisions here, because you don't know how to make them for yourself!"

Alejandro went quiet. He hated when Alma yelled at him.

"We were supposed to run away together." She reminded him, voice shaking with anger. "Remember that? But you wouldn't leave the village!"

"I love this village!" He shouted back. "It's not my fault you don't. I think it's time we-"

"Don't you ever!" Alma cried. "I make the decisions here. I say when it's over, not you!"

"Fine." Alejandro held his hands up in surrender. "Whatever. I'm done."

Alma watched him go, standing tall with pride. She'd never admit it, not even to herself, but it hurt to see him go.

Later

It was late when Alma finally got home. The weather seemed to reflect her mood, a fierce storm raging over the land and illuminating up her furious features as she shoved open the front door.

She came through expecting Mama to be there, demanding where she'd been, but no one was there.

Alma frowned, heading upstairs to check the bedrooms. She passed hers and her sisters' shared room and heard coughing, followed by murmurs.

Alma sighed. Great. Now she couldn't change out of her wet clothes without Mama being there to have a go at her.

"I'm not in the mood, Mama." Alma spoke defensively as she barged in. "I've just had the worst-"

She stopped, her expression softening as she saw Mama and Ramona gathered by the bed, wet cloth wiping Cora's forehead.

"What happened?"

"The clouds." Mama spoke quietly. "She was under them for too long. She caught a chill."

"You were supposed to be with her." Ramona's dark eyes were focused on Alma.

"Don't you dare put this on me." Alma shot back. "Where were you?"

"With Mama." Ramona frowned. "Looking for you."

Their sister coughed again, her chest full of congestion and her nose running.

Cora's expression brightened a little at the sight of Alma, reaching weakly for her. Alma came over despite the sharp looks from her other sister and Mama. Alma took pride in being the favourite.

Alma hugged her sister, kissing Cora's hot and sweaty face.

"Why did you stay under the clouds?" Alma asked softly.

Cora coughed again, shivering as she held onto Alma. "The storm... Was so beautiful. I thought-" She coughed again, taking a scratchy breath. "I thought it'd be okay."

"It will be." Ramona reassured her.

"That's right." Alma agreed. "A little rain never hurt anyone."

Later

"So you dumped him?" Ramona asked, then sighed as she saw Alma nod. "Dios, Alma. Buena. It had to be done."

Cora laughed, then coughed some more. The sisters turned back to her with concerned faces, because the cough was getting worse.

"Hey." Alma leaned in, kissing her trembling face and noticing it was cold now. "Mama is making hot chocolate. Are you hungry?"

Her sister shook her head slowly, then coughed again. She moaned and closed her eyes, while Alma gently wiped her sticky eyelids and then under her chin.

"Do the shadows." Ramona whispered, and Alma nodded, sliding the candle closer on the dresser.

Cora opened her watery eyes a crack, leaning into Ramona as she watched a shadowy bunny hop it's way across the bedroom walls. It bounced, then stopped to wiggle its nose. Cora smiled weakly.

Later

"I don't know how to help her!" Mama exclaimed, as her daughter threw up again.

"The chill has led to an infection." The doctor explained. "There is no medicine for it."

"What do you mean, no medicine?" Mama shouted. "You have to do something!"

"There has to be a way." Ramona tried to reason. "Have we tried every option? Isn't there something she could eat, to fix it?"

"There is no medicine that works like that."

Alma saw Cora looking around in fear, so she pushed down her own feelings, putting on a brave face as she crouched down beside the bed.

"I'm scared." Her sister managed to whisper, hiding against Alma's chest.

Alma held her sister's shaking body against hers, gently stroking her long black hair.

"Sana sana, colita de rana." Alma sung softly, then kissed her face. "Do you remember how I told you about the butterflies?"

Cora nodded weakly.

"They're not just butterflies." Alma told her. "They're angels. They are here to protect us."

Cora shivered, goopy eyes filled with tears. "I want to stay."

"I know." Alma whispered back, hugging tight. "I know, mi vida. You will. We will pray for you."

Feeling her sister crying, Alma tried again.

"You know, there were so many beautiful clouds in that storm." She told her gently, kissing her face. "It must've been so beautiful."

Cora nodded, her fingers fidgeting with the collar of Alma's dress. Alma turned her head to kiss her hand.

"And afterwards," Alma continued, her eyes bright. "There must've been a rainbow. Did you see it? A big glittery bright one."

Her sister swallowed, feeling comfort in Alma's words.

"Was it as big as the one we saw on our birthday?" Alma asked. "Remember over the mountain?"

Her sister smiled weakly. "Bigger."

"Bigger?" Alma's eyes widened in disbelief. "No."

Cora giggled, then began to cough. Alma kissed her sister's forehead, stroking her face until she was able to redirect her attention again.

"Do you remember the colours?" Alma prompted.

"I... think so."

"Will you tell me them?"

Cora thought about it, blinking slowly as her body started to relax. Her brow furrowed as she noticed she wasn't in pain anymore.

"Alma." She said in a quiet voice. "I think... I'm better."

"That's good." Alma put on a brave smile.

"If I rest, will you stay with me?" Cora asked. "Till I wake up?"

Alma nodded, holding back her tears. "Of course I will."

"And we can go dancing again?"

Alma kissed her forehead. "Anything you want."

Cora smiled, snuggling up to Alma as her sister held her for the last time.

The next day

Ramona stood beside Alma in the storm, the two of them wearing black coats as rain poured, pattering over their black umbrella.

"Of course it rains." Ramona muttered in a bitter tone.

"I hate the rain." Alma agreed softly. "Hate the clouds."

Ramona shot her sister a scathing look. She blamed Alma for being so careless with their sister.

"I hate you." Ramona decided.

Alma did her best to remain unaffected. "Well, that is your choice." Alma's tone was matter of fact.

She turned back, determined to be stronger than her sister. She didn't need Ramona. She didn't need anyone.

Mama came to stand by them, and Alma didn't look at her.

"She was the best of us." Ramona muttered.

"That's true." Mama agreed, sad eyes staring ahead. "She was perfect, right until the very end."

Alma felt her brave exterior wavering, so she turned and left, wanting it to seem like an act of defiance rather than defeat.

She kept walking, stomping through puddles until the rain finally stopped, and she reached the old tree. Alma climbed up, sitting on the top branch. She eyed the bark where her friends had once lived, stroking it with her fingers. She then turned to the horizon, remembering how they had flown away, all those years ago.

Now the rain had stopped, a rainbow lit up the sky.

"Look after her." Alma said softly, thinking of the golden butterflies. "Teach her to fly."

Alma's expression softened as she saw a golden shimmer in the distance. She watched in disbelief as a single butterfly slowly made its way to her. Alma held out a hand and it landed, long tickly legs walking over her skin.

A tear ran down Alma's face without meaning to.

"You made it." She whispered, watching as the butterfly slowly opened and closed its wings.

Alma held the butterfly close in one hand, covering her mouth with the other. She closed her eyes to try and stop the tears from coming, but before she knew it she was crying.