Chapter 7: Donkey

55 years before Encanto

Alma woke to loud noises that sounded like shouting. She sat up quick, her body stiff in anticipation.

Realising she was somewhere dark and unfamiliar, Alma panicked, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath.

"Hey hey... you're okay."

Alma turned to see Pedro come over to the side of her bed, wearing that same soft and caring expression he got whenever he was worried for her.

"You're okay, Mariposa." He reassured her, slowly bringing a hand close to her cheek. Alma leaned into his hand, her breathing becoming slower at his touch. "That's it." He smiled. "You're safe. See? Nothing's gonna hurt you."

There was the loud sound again. Alma turned in surprise, but Pedro just chuckled.

"It's the donkeys." He whispered.

"I don't like them." Alma decided with a frown, then hesitated, her expression changing in realisation. "Mona! She was with us. Where is she?"

"Here." Her sister's voice grumbled from beside her, muffled by the pillow she had covering her head. "Dios, Alma. Can you stop? You're louder than the donkeys."

Alma frowned, slapping the pillow. "I was only worried for you."

"Buena. Worry quieter."

Alma exhaled in a puff, while Pedro grinned at them, sitting down next to Alma.

Seeing his expression, Alma couldn't help but smile too.

"You're gonna like it here." Pedro held Alma in his arms, her back to his chest as he gently played with her long dark hair.

She watched his hands and he stopped, realising he hadn't asked first. "Sorry."

Alma smiled, kissing his hand then looking back to him with a loving expression. "Don't stop. I like it."

Pedro smiled too, stroking her hair from her face as he leaned in closer. Alma titled her head back and their lips brushed, but their moment was cut short.

"Dios!" Mona rolled over abruptly. "You dare. Go to another room."

Alma groaned and got up, Pedro holding back a laugh as he followed her.

The next morning

Alma held onto her sister's hand, the two of them huddled close as they followed Pedro through his casita. They were met with the smell of cooking, and soft sounds of talking and food sizzling. Alma felt tense, because for some reason she hadn't been expecting other people to be here.

An old man and woman stood at the stove together. Alma watched as Pedro approached them, and the woman lifted a hand to Pedro's face. Alma flinched, but the woman didn't hurt him. She stroked Pedro's cheek, then kissed his forehead.

"Buenas Dias, mijo." The old woman smiled. "Did you have a good trip?"

"I did, Mama." Pedro picked the woman up around the middle she giggled. He covered her face with kisses and Alma watched in confusion as the woman smiled, closing her eyes.

"It was good." Pedro told her. "But I'm glad to be home." He then gestured to Alma and Mona. "And I met the most wonderful people."

His papa glanced over at the girls and Alma instinctively stepped in front of her sister, pulling her in close. Ramona clung to Alma.

"Would you like some coffee?" The man offered with a smile. "You must be tired after the long journey."

Alma hesitated. The man's voice was kind, and he had that same soft caring expression as Pedro.

The woman's eyes were on them too. Alma could feel her watching and it made her feel tense.

"You can say yes." She gave them an encouraging smile. "José makes excellent coffee."

"The best." Pedro agreed, still holding his Mama.

Alma looked at them, unable to understand why she was letting him touch her so much.

"Are you hungry?" The woman prompted with a gentle smile.

Alma looked over at the sizzling pan and felt a longing for it. She felt a tug at her hand and saw Mona looking back at her, dark eyes silently urging her to say yes for the both of them.

"Sure." Alma sighed. She pulled out a chair for her sister and sat beside her.

Pedro's family seemed to wait for Alma to say more, and when she didn't Pedro stepped in.

"Mariposa, this is my papa José." He smiled. "And my mama Julieta."

His mama's eyes searched Alma's face in concern, lingering over her bruises and split lip. Alma frowned.

There was a moment's silence as the family waited again for Alma to speak. Mona nudged her.

"Okay." Alma muttered, not sure what else they wanted her to say.

His papa brought cups of coffee to them, and Alma felt her sister lean in as he came closer. She wrapped a protective arm around Mona, but Pedro's papa didn't linger. He went back to the stove, talking softly with Pedro's mama.

Mona immediately drank her coffee while Alma rubbed her back, too on guard to touch her own cup.

Pedro served up plates for them, sitting down beside Alma.

"Can I hold your hand?" He offered a hand to her.

Alma's eyes darted to his parents. They were watching, but didn't seem upset. She stared, trying to figure them out.

Feeling Mona nudge her leg from under the table, Alma turned back to see her sister gesturing to the plate, her own mouth already full.

Alma looked down at the breakfast to see Pedro had arranged the food to look like a butterfly. She looked up at him and he smiled.

Later

Pedro's friends and family threw a fiesta to welcome him and the other travellers back home. Soon Alma was surrounded by people, with more attention on her than she'd ever experienced in her life.

"What's your name, little one?"

"Did you travel far?"

"Do you like staying with the Madrigals?"

She mumbled answers, holding tight to Pedro's hand. Alma felt so crowded, like there was so escape from all the eyes.

"Are you okay?" Someone else asked.

"Fine."

"What brings you here?" Their faces were all so close. Alma felt like shoving them back, so she could run.

"You sure you're okay?" They asked again. "Your face-"

"Stop looking at me!" Alma felt defensive anger rise from within. "Worry about your own face!"

The person seemed taken back. Alma felt Pedro's thumb stroking her hand as he consoled the villager, then turned to Alma with a worried expression. "You okay, Mariposa?"

"I hate these people!" She exclaimed, then immediately felt regret as she saw the pain in Pedro's eyes. He flinched at her words like he'd been hit.

Alma's expression softened, her anger immediately melting away into guilt. She hadn't meant to hurt Pedro. It'd been too easy, as if he was so used to people being kind to him that he was sensitive to harsh tones.

Like Cora, Alma realised.

She turned back to the crowd and grimaced, attempting to apologise to them. She knew it was important that she liked them. She was desperate not to hurt Pedro again. Alma refused to be a bad person.

"Sorry." The word felt uncomfortable leaving Alma's mouth. "I'm not used to so many people. I didn't mean what I said."

"It's okay." The villager smiled. "We only ask because we care. You're one of us now, Alma. Part of our community."

Alma searched their faces, thinking what might be the best response to that. "Thank you."

Alma felt Pedro's arm wrap around her waist and she felt relieved to see him smiling.

Mona headed over with the woman she'd been speaking with most of the night. Alma couldn't help but feel jealous that her sister was settling in quicker than she was.

"We'll see if we can get you to start on Monday." The woman reassured Mona, then smiled at Alma. "This must be your twin-"

"We're not twins!" Alma snapped without thinking, and the woman was taken back by her sudden anger.

"Alma." Ramona urged, her eyes pleading.

Alma turned to her sister, feeling betrayed. Why wasn't Mona backing her up on this?

"What? You're just gonna pretend like she didn't exist?" Alma demanded. "Like she didn't matter?"

Mona went quiet. She quickly shook her head, arms crossed as her body language became small.

The people all stared and Alma felt her face burn up. She turned and ran, too ashamed to look at Pedro.

The night air was cool and fresh against Alma's injuries as she ran. She didn't know where to go. It felt like there wasn't a place in the world where Alma belonged.

She found a tree and climbed, but it was different to the ones at home. The branches were weak and they snapped, causing her to drop.

Alma's back hit the grass with a thud. She opened her eyes to see clouds in the sky and she sobbed, covering her mouth and feeling hopeless.

A single butterfly fluttered past, landing on Alma's cheek. It's tickly legs crawled over her tears, then flitted over to rest in her hand. Alma watched it quietly, feeling comforted.

"It should've been me." Alma whispered to the butterfly, her mouth wobbly as she held back tears.

The butterfly flattened its wings in disagreement, then fluttered away.

"Wait." Alma gasped, following it with her eyes, and then she saw a familiar face come into view.

The butterfly flew past Pedro, who gave her a supportive smile as he came to lay down on the grass beside her.

"Sorry." Alma muttered, looking away. For some reason the tears wanted to come now more than ever. Why were they always harder to hold back around him?

"Do you want to talk about it?" Pedro asked softly.

Alma exhaled slowly, looking up at the clear patches of sky as she tried to focus on remaining calm. "About what?"

"Anything you want." He offered, dark eyes searching hers.

Alma shifted, feeling herself close up and her chest become tight. She didn't like talking about things.

"It must've been scary." He tried again.

Alma shook her head. "I'm not scared of anything."

Pedro watched quietly, trying to figure her out.

Alma held onto one of her braids, feeling her face burn up because tears were filling her eyes and she couldn't stop them.

"I'm sorry we overwhelmed you." Pedro said gently. "I'm sorry we called you a twin."

She quickly wiped the tears before they had a chance to fall. "I'm not a twin. I told you." She spoke quickly.

"I know." Pedro spoke gently. "You're a triplet. Mona told us what happened."

Alma avoided his eyes, for some reason lost for words. She took a shaky breath.

Pedro went quiet, shuffling in closer. "Mariposa. I'm really sorry."

Alma tried to tell him it was fine, but a sob escaped her mouth. She clapped a hand over it, closing her eyes tight as tears ran down her cheeks. She rubbed her face to try to stop them, but more sobs came out, her shoulders shaking now. She shuddered, deeply ashamed because she'd never let anyone see her like this.

"It's okay to cry." Pedro spoke softly, putting an arm out for her in invitation. "Can I hold you?"

Alma nodded, desperate for his embrace.

She shuffled closer and Pedro gathered her up into his arms, holding her close.

"This is going to get easier." Pedro stroked her long hair. "I promise it is."

"I wanted to talk to them." Alma hated how her voice came out soft and broken. "I did."

Pedro went to reassure her, then stopped, recognising that she was about to open up to him. He stayed quiet and listened.

"It feels like there are walls in my mind." Alma explained. "Big tall ones, to keep everyone out. But i don't know how to let them down. Because if I let them down, then I let everything else in, too."

Pedro stroked circles along her back. Alma hugged him close, because it felt nice.

"Like an oruguita, hm?" He smiled, squeezing her a little as he kissed her face. "All wrapped up."

Alma hugged him back, grateful for his understanding. "But I don't know how to get out of the cocoon."

Pedro watched her thoughtfully.

"You know, they spend most of their life in that cocoon."

"I know."

"I wonder if they know what's coming next." Pedro continued. "Do they know they're going to see the sun again? That they're going to fly? Or do they think that's the end for them?"

Alma kept quiet, not wanting to admit that she didn't know the answer.

"I guess that is life for us too, sometimes." Pedro decided. "We never know what's coming next, unless we keep going and find out." He smiled. "Maybe the oruguita just needs more time."

Alma sighed. "Yeah, maybe."

"That's okay." Pedro reassured her. "You have been through so much, Mariposa. And we have all the time we need. Keep resting, and you just wait. The walls come down on their own. And when they do, all you have to do is let them." He smiled in encouragement. "Because then Mariposa," He kissed her face. "Then, you will fly."

A week later

"Keep your fingers flat." Pedro's mama leaned over the wooden fence, head resting on her hand as she watched Alma reach for the donkey.

Alma did as she said, and felt it's soft lips brush over her hand as it ate the grain. Alma couldn't help but smile, patting it's brown fuzzy face and watching it slowly blink its long eyelashes.

"That's good, Alma." His mama praised.

Alma glanced back in surprise, unsure what to say back to that.

"You have a way with animals." His mama commented, coming over to stroke the donkey's face too, pressing her forehead against its fluffy one before gathering up its lead. She smiled at Alma. "Would you like to give me a hand with him?"

Alma nodded, taking the lead in her hands and feeling a sense of importance as she led the donkey into the barn.

"Come on." She said softly, and the donkey nudged her shoulder with its head, feet clopping beside hers as it walked beside her. She smiled, feeling an attachment already. The donkey felt a lot easier to connect with than the people.

"Just that stall there." She told Alma, bringing over a blanket. "And this goes over his back."

Alma nodded, taking the blanket and heading into the stall. The donkey nudged her again, this time resting it's chin over her shoulder.

"Oh." Pedro's mama laughed. "I haven't seen him do that before. He must really like you."

Alma's heart glowed and she smiled. She hugged the donkey, kissing it's fluffy face. It's big dark eyes watched her, long eyelashes blinking again.

"I love you." Alma whispered to it, and suddenly the donkey licked her face. Alma made a soft sound in surprise, jumping back and wiping drool from her face with a frown, her hair swept.

The donkey bounced a little, making hee-haw sounds and trotting circles around Alma. She couldn't help but laugh too, chasing him to put on his blanket. The donkey recognised the game, playfully dodging her while Alma laughed.

Pedro came into the barn, surprised to see Alma playing with one of their donkeys. He laughed, trilling in encouragement as he stood by his mama.

Finally, the donkey let Alma put on his blanket, giving him one last kiss before bounding over to Pedro. She hopped up onto the fence, giving him a kiss before springing down to stand beside him on the other side.

"Look at you," He chuckled. "All bouncy."

Alma grinned, her eyes shining. "I like that one best."

"Better than me?" Pedro teased, and Alma shook her head with a knowing smile. He stroked her face.

"Yes, Bruni is very special." His mama agreed. "You really connected with him."

Alma glanced back at the donkey, waving goodbye as it nodded to her, then turned to Pedro's mama.

"Can I help you again tomorrow?" Alma asked in a hopeful tone.

Pedro's face lit up, turning to her and proudly stroking Alma's hair.

"Of course." His mama smiled. "You can help me with Bruni everyday if you like."

Alma grinned and nodded.

"Okay then." His mama chuckled. "Thanks Alma."

"Come on," Pedro encouraged, taking her hand. "If you like the donkeys, you're gonna love the horses. I'll teach you to ride." His eyes shone with excitement. "They'll make you feel like you're flying."

Alma hugged onto Pedro's arm as he led her out the barn.

"You already make me feel that, Pedro." Alma smiled, her eyes warm with love.