Dear familia,

I don't know where to begin. I feel so lost. All I ever wanted to do was to help, to make you all proud. But it appears that I was the problem all along. I don't know what I did wrong, but I am sorry.

I am sorry for everything. I'm sorry for always causing a mess, I am sorry for being such a burden, I couldn't be perfect, I am sorry I couldn't be a good daughter, granddaughter, hermana and prima. I wanted to give myself a chance to make everyone proud, but it never worked. No matter what I did, nothing worked. Nobody noticed me, It was almost like I was a ghost.

But now you don't have to worry about me anymore. I have decided to release you all of this burden.

Mami, Papa, please don't blame yourself. It is not your fault. I know you both love me very much. But, I just can't stay around anymore and hurt this family. I love you all too much to let myself do that.

Please watch over Antonio. I know he will be hurt when he finds out about this. He's a very sweet boy and I've grown to be very fond of him. But he won't need me anymore. He got you guys.

I hope I don't wake up. I'm afraid of the chance that I will wake up again. I don't want to wake up to another day of clear skies. I'm scared to wake up to see all of your faces surrounding me. I don't want to regret my actions. I don't want to wake back up. I'm afraid to see what my actions would do and how it affected you.

— Mirabel

…

It has been a couple days since that morning. Since the day they found out about that. Since the day they lost Mirabel forever. The Madrigals were devastated by the discovery, and were grieving.

Julieta

Julieta was a mess. The loss of her daughter had taken a toll on her. She was curled up in her bed as she cried her eyes out.

It was a cruel irony, that even with the possession of her enchanted talent, she wouldn't have been able to fix what truly mattered. After all, what could possibly heal a broken heart?

The grief she was feeling at this moment was really similar to what she felt when Bruno left, but much stronger.

In the case of Bruno, there was still hope that he might be alive and well out there somewhere. There was hope that he would be found, that she would see her hermanito again someday.

But Mirabel won't be back ever again. She was gone. Truly gone. She was never coming back.

She could never hold her daughter in her arms again. She could never see her daughter smile. She could never see her daughter grow up. All because of that stupid candle.

So much has gone horribly wrong.

There had been signs, maybe not as obvious, but they were there nevertheless. And to make matters worse, it all seemed to relate to her littlest girl, who had somehow been caught in the middle of this unfair situation.

But despite that, ironically, the one who still managed to shine amongst everything was Mirabel. The child had forced herself to smile, clearly trying to maintain the illusion that everything was fine, that she was fine, the smile on her face never wavered as she did so.

What a brave girl she was. Her child was just too good for this world. But not even the strongest of people could keep up such an act for so long.

The people didn't want to see or remember the good Mirabel had done. Mirabel worked twice as hard as anyone in this family to prove her worth to everyone. She was a living example of how getting a gift wasn't necessary to help others. She was perfectly capable of doing good like the rest of them without needing a magical ability.

She bore witness to how Mirabel would help in anyway she could. Let that be waking up early to ensure they didn't oversleep and could get ready for the day in a timely manner, or fixing the damages in people's outfits while adding new flawless and perfect details, or offering her assistance to anyone, no matter what the job was, or entertaining the town's children, making them smile with her dances, songs and stories.

But then, did anyone else see that? Did anyone else appreciate what Mirabel was capable of rather than what she wasn't compared to her family? No! all they saw was the giftless Madrigal.

For all of the things she did right, everyone was so quick to focus on what she did wrong. Why did the good tend to be forgotten when the bad happened?

And her mother was the worst example of it. Julieta could clearly recall the event that would be forever burned in her memory. She couldn't ever forgive herself for how she just stood by while her mother threw those horrible accusations against Mirabel. She never realized that's how Alma truly felt about her youngest daughter.

She blamed Mirabel for the cracks, for Bruno leaving, for the messed proposal dinner, for Luisa losing her powers, and even accused her of trying to hurt this family.

Not her or their family. She referred to them as this family. Her mother didn't even seem to consider Mirabel as a part of the Madrigal name! Shs didn't want to believe it was true, but that display of raw tension and blame just cemented that idea.

How did she allow this to happen? Her brother disappeared, without even a goodbye. And now her daughter is no more.

Why did she allow her mother to have so much control over her even after all this time? She knew that she owed her home and life to her, but hadn't she paid her dues over the years? Hadn't she done more than enough?

But more than that, why couldn't she fight for her own daughter? Why couldn't she think for herself? She wasn't just Alma's daughter anymore, she was a mother now too! She had to do what was best for her children.

Mirabel should have come first, not her mamá, not even the Encanto. She should have done more, but she didn't. If anyone was to blame for the tragedies that struck Mirabel, it was her.

She couldn't stop Bruno from leaving. And now she caused the end of Mirabel. Why was she so weak and reliant? Why was she so afraid of disappointment?

Mirabel deserved so much better.

She'd rather lose her miracle, if it meant she could hold Mirabel once again.

She sobbed harder as the image of her daughter's lifeless body came into her mind. The ever smiling girl, who was always so full of life and joy, was gone. The image of her empty lifeless eyes were forever engraved in Julieta's mind.

"Amor…"

…

Augustin

"Amor…" He called out to his wife as he entered the room.

Seeing his wife in this condition broke his heart even more. He sat beside her on the bed and embrace her when she got up. Julieta sobbed in his chest as Augustin comforted her.

The man let out a sigh. The death of their daughter had taken a toll on everyone. Especially them. But he had to be strong for his family.

Days following the discovery, he had pondered where did they go wrong. How could they have messed up this. How could he, of all persons, let her daughter feel so left out. How could he have failed so badly?

Agustín loved his daughters, but he soon realized that he had failed each and every one of them. Especially Mirabel.

He wasn't careful, which had led him to this moment, where everything came crashing down.

When he courted and married Julieta, he had promised to better himself for her. He had done everything in his power to ensure that she wouldn't regret her decision to become his wife.

When he became a parent to three beautiful children, he made sure to devote every single aspect of his life to them. He vowed to be careful for them, so that they could grow up with a reliable and stable father. They needed a positive role model, someone they could look up to and depend on whenever they needed him.

But now? Now he knew that he went wrong somewhere, because he never felt more like a failure than he did in these moments.

All this time, he thought he was doing the best he could for the family, but perhaps his actions were only adding to the damage that had been building up all these years.

He hadn't been careful. He had promised his youngest daughter that he would always be by her side no matter what. But he had failed to keep his promise. How could he stand to the side and watch as his mother-in-law threw such horrible and false accusations at her?

He knew none of those horrible things were true. His little Mirabel loved this family more than life itself. She wasn't a selfish child. She deserved more and better! He promised that he would always protect her.

He had failed, and now Mirabel was gone.

He did his best to keep his tears from falling, but it proved to be futile as they streamed down his face. He held onto his wife tightly as they both cried.

…

Pepa

Pepa sat in her room, with a shawl clutched in her hands. The second eldest Madrigal sibling traced her fingers over the embroidery along the edge of the shawl.

A sad smile appeared on Pepa's face. This shawl was a gift from her sobrina. Tears welled up once again in her eyes as she was reminded of the day when her sobrina eagerly gifted her this shawl.

A simple yellow shawl with sun, clouds, rainbows and thunder embroidered along its edges.

Pepa, sobbed. This was the only gift she ever received from Mirabel. Oh her sweet sobrina, the girl she once wished she could have as her own daughter.

They finally realized that, for a family that supposedly had it all, there seemed to be a multitude of things missing from it. Important pieces that they took for granted, or never truly understood their value and worth. It was true, you never know what you have until it is gone.

Why didn't she learn that the very first time it happened? Why didn't she take that lesson to heart?

At that thought, the middle Madrigal triplet felt her heart waver. Pepa had always done her best to keep it all in, even if it meant sacrificing some of her sanity. But now, she couldn't find herself doing any of that.

With her room limiting her powers to just inside her room, Pepa sobbed and cried, the cloud above her head drizzling lightly.

Words couldn't describe what she was feeling at the moment, all she knew was that it hurt. It hurt her so much, more than anything in this world.

The Madrigals were used to loss.

First was her Papá, who's selfless sacrifice crafted the foundation for their family and community.

And then there was him. Her little brother, her Brunito.

Just the very name alone was enough to give life to a swirl of raging emotions. Her little brother, someone who meant so much to her, was now just gone.

And now, Mirabel.

She remembered the day of her ceremony. How she had comforted her sobbing five year old sobrina, showering her with kisses and cuddles, and proclaimed that no matter what, Tía Pepa would always be proud of her.

Now if only she had remembered such a promise.

Why? Why was Mirabel condoned to such fate. She was perfect! Why did this happen to her? Why did this happen to their family?

Why? Why? Why?

Pepa just sobbed, clutching the shawl close to her, wishing that she were a better aunt.

…

Felix

A dark paint started to ascend the sky, with swirls of blue, black, orange and pink. It was almost like a painting of sorts. The tiny specks of starlight becoming more evident as the minutes passed by. A gentle breeze could be felt. On any other day, it would have been the perfect time to just stand in Casita's hallway or balcony and take in the scenery that could only be found in the Encanto.

Felix rubbed his face as he let out a deep sigh. The man was sitting in the courtyard of Casita, reflecting on the events that had happened a couple days ago.

Not everyone viewed the Madrigals the same way he did. To him, they were a blessed family that came at the cost of a series of sacrifices that had to be given in order to achieve peace. And speaking of family, his mind wandered to the thought of one of his nieces.

Mirabel.

The events of that disastrous night replayed in his mind. He recalled the expression on Mirabel's face as Alma hurled those accusations towards her. How the hopeful look on her face crumbled with every word Alma had spoken.

He knew that Alma viewed Mirabel differently compared to her other grandchildren. But to actually blame her for all the events that happened? It was inexcusable.

He felt guilty for allowing such a thing to occur with Mirabel. Normally he was a very outspoken man when the situation required it, but that whole interaction had left him stunned. He had no idea that Alma thought so negatively of Mirabel, especially when the events she was describing weren't within her control.

Félix slapped his face as he recalled how that night had turned out, and was ashamed of the role in it. If Alma was to blame anyone for ruining Isabela's engagement it was them, his family and him.

They had started it all, not Mirabel. True she had discovered the vision, but Agustín had only been trying to protect his daughter by keeping it a secret until the right time.

However, he felt guilty remembering how he couldn't contain himself, and told Pepa. He was so afraid for what could happen if they weren't informed, that no other thought came into his mind.

And while he couldn't speak about what had happened between Mirabel and her sisters, he didn't believe she would ever do anything to hurt them. She looked up to them, partially worshiped them despite their obvious differences, and always tried to live by their example. So, it wasn't believable that they were losing their powers because of Mirabel.

And more importantly, Mirabel never bore any harsh feelings for her hermanas and primos. She had always expressed her pride over them and how they served their community. A reason why she did her best to show everyone that she was just as much of a Madrigal as them.

When Bruno disappeared, he never considered the idea of it being Mirabel's fault. She was only a child!

However, those realizations didn't come in a timely manner.

He should have done more to support his niece in the same way he had for Pepa and their children. He hadn't been there for her when she truly needed someone to be by her side. None of them were. As far as he was concerned, she had every right to be angry and disappointed at them. And yet, the girl killed herself, believing it would be better for them.

Félix slapped his face yet again, he couldn't believe he had become so blind to it all. At this point, he was no better than Alma. He could only imagine how Pedro Madrigal would have felt knowing how the family he gave up his life for had ended up. While he never knew the man personally, he knew for a fact that Pedro would have been more than disappointed.

Like Alma, Félix had forgot what gave them their paradise, what made them worthy of their miracle. It wasn't their magic or their dedication to the community. It was the love they had for one another. Pedro had died for his family, Alma had devoted her life to her children, in the end it all came down to that. That's what made the miracle candle burn so brightly, and why their foundation hadn't been as stable as they believed it to be. Endless love soon became replaced with a need for perfection.

After all, could you truly say that you loved someone or something if you only adored bits and pieces of them? The answer was no, you couldn't.

…

Isabella

"AGHHH!!" Isabella yelled out as she flung her arm.

A bunch of vines followed her hand motion, crashing against another decorative statue. The entirety of her room was wrecked. Isabella collapsed on her knees and sobbed. She shook her head as more tears welled up in her eyes, even bit her lip for good measure and clutched her other hand tightly, her nails digging into the skin of her palm as she did so. They were attempts to keep the raging storm of emotions at bay.

How had things gotten so out of hand? How did it all come crashing down so easily? How did she let this go unnoticed for so long. She was her big sister. She was supposed to be there for her. She was supposed to be better than this! As the eldest sibling of their group, it was her responsibility to tend to her younger siblings' needs. And yet she had failed in the worst degree imaginable when it came to Mirabel.

The very same sister whom she had just reconciled her relationship with, the little Mirabel she had adored so much when they were children. The very person who had allowed her to feel so free! Free of the unrealistic expectations of perfection and endless pressure.

Mirabel had provided an outlet for her to channel her inner emotions and deepest desires, along with her secret fears and quiet confessions.

She let out a small cry once she recalled all the harsh words and hostility she had shown to her sister. Isabela couldn't believe she had allowed herself to become such a horrible and vain person. Mirabel had been right, she truly was selfish and entitled. And she had no one else to blame but herself for that transformation.

She had been jealous. Jealous of the seeming freedom that Mirabel had. And in her jealousy and frustration treated her so badly. She wasn't there for her when she needed her. She was supposed to look after her, but she failed.

"I'm such a horrible sister, I made so many mistakes… b-but I-I never hated you Mirabel." Isabella said,"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it! I didn't mean to make you feel so bad about yourself!"

With that she let out one final cry, as she collapsed on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "Oh Mirabel! Forgive me!"

…

Luisa

Luisa was curled up in her bed, crying her eyes out. In her arms was a plushy of a donkey with an unicorn horn. "Donkeycorn" was what she and Mirabel called them. It was an inside thing between the sisters. Mirabel had made her this plushy when Luisa was thirteen. And now, Luisa desperately held on to it for some form of comfort.

Luisa had come to realise something important, something she was sure everyone did now. She had spent so much time making sure that she was of service to others and working to protect their miracle, that she forgot about those who truly mattered.

Mirabel, her poor hermanita, the little girl whom the better part of their home had deemed giftless, had a gift after all. Luisa was supposed to be the strong one, she was the one who was supposed to shoulder all the burdens, and she was the one who wasn't supposed to break down. And yet, through some miracle, Mirabel had saved her.

When she had confessed her true feelings, instead of accusing Luisa for being ungrateful for the fact that she actually had a gift, or calling her weak, Mirabel had hugged her, comforted her.

I think you're carrying way too much.

That's what she said to her.

Her sweet, innocent Mirabel. She deserved so much better. Despite going through her own set of struggles, Mirabel had listened to her and placed Luisa before herself. Luisa hadn't known any other Madrigal capable of such a talent. Try as they might, but every single one of them had been too caught up with themselves, with their gifts. So much so that they didn't even realize who they were leaving behind… until it was too late.

And now Mirabel was gone. And she was partially at blame for it. Because the truth of the matter was she had failed Mirabel. She hadn't protected her, like she had promised. Instead, she just stood by, silently ashamed of herself for being honest with her feelings. And all the while, Mirabel had just taken the accusations and blame, until she couldn't take it anymore.

They were a family. They were supposed to love and help one another regardless of the circumstances. She was so ashamed of herself. Luisa would never forgive herself for the lack of effort to help her baby sister.

…

Dolores

Dolores was in her room, curled up on her bed. Her thoughts wandered to the individual who became lost in their shining constellation. And It wasn't because their gift had differed vastly from the rest, but rather because they didn't have a magical talent to call their own in the first place.

Her eyes closed as she contemplated how her position within the family ended up hurting someone she loved. Her primita, Mirabel.

Dolores had been gifted with enhanced hearing and the role of Abuela Alma's most important messenger. She was to give a voice to their people. Yet, she failed to do her job when it came to Mirabel.

She still remembered how close they used to be when they were still young. Mirabel, despite being her prima, has almost like a hermanita to her. How they'd listen to eachother and comfort each other when the world was too much for them.

She and her could spent the entire day in her room, just talking about everything that had happened, how it made them feel, and how they wondered what kind of destiny awaited for them. And while neither could provide the proper answers, that didn't stop them from talking.

They would listen to one another without any judgment or interruption. In that moment, nothing else mattered, only the bond they shared together. That's how it was meant to be, that's how it should have been.

But it wasn't.

Much like the rest of the Madrigals, Dolores soon forgot where her loyalties should have lied. She got so caught up in the moments that would pass after that day, that she didn't remember that Mirabel still needed her.

She forgot that deep down, Mirabel was still that little girl who watched her future fade along with that door. She was still the child who needed to be reminded of how loved she was.

Dolores shook her head as she contemplated the special memories that could have been made with her, had she allowed herself to defy the expectations that had been placed on her. At the end of the day, despite all that she wished, Dolores couldn't deny that a deep part of her yearned to be on the receiving end of pride and appreciation.

She had desired to come out of the shadows and be recognized for who she is rather than who she can be compared to. Maybe that's why she gave Mirabel a hint on where she should start her journey on saving the miracle. She couldn't just stand aside while there was a possibility that her home was in danger.

Maybe that's why she had lied about Mariano's desire for having five children. She wanted Isabela to know what she was getting herself into if she kept lying to herself. It wouldn't be fair for either of them to be stuck in a loveless marriage just for the sake of adding more magical blessings to their community.

And both of these events had most likely influenced the way she acted during the proposal dinner. She thought that she was helping her family, but instead it only seemed to make the cracks in their foundation more obvious, and at the center of it all was Mirabel.

She hadn't meant to throw her under the bridge. She only wanted to do what she could to save their family. After all, the only way she knew to help their community is being the messenger.

Alas, such a role had hurt someone she loved.

Dolores understood why Mirabel would think that she didn't care for her. While that wasn't true, she however never gave Mirabel a reason to think otherwise. Especially when her confession was what that led to their estrangement.

For all of her advantages when it came to communication, Dolores couldn't deny that she wasn't exactly a master of it either. She knew the steps, but not how to work them herself. A reason why she tended to just blurt things out, especially when distressed.

That was the reason people chose to be wary of her despite all the things she did for them. In the end, she thought she was doing the best for her family, but it turns out she was doing the exact opposite of that.

"I'm sorry Mirabel. I wish, someday you will find it in yourself to forgive me." Dolores sobbed, wishing she had done better.

…

Camilo

Camilo sat in a corner in his dimly lit room, with his face stained with dried tears. Some of the many mirrors that decorated in his room were now either cracked or broken. He couldn't bear to stare in a mirror now.

Camilo was sad, hurt, and angry. Angry at what has happened, angry at Abuela for the damage she has caused, and angry at…….. Mirabel.

What was she thinking!? Or do she even think about nothing at all?

How could she? After everything they've been through together, after everything he has done for her, everything they did for her, everything! That's the first thing she does! How could she!?

Camilo clutched his ruana tightly as he gritted his teeth, hot tears were already welling up in his eyes, making it sting a bit. Camilo furiously wiped those tears away, refusing to cry.

"If there is a hell, I hope you rot in there, Mirabel." He growled, not really meaning what he said.

…

Antonio

Antonio was confused. There was this strange grimness in their house. As if, something really really really bad has happened. Yet, no one was telling him anything. Even his animals weren't telling him what's wrong.

He clutched the jaguar plushy in his hands tighter as his mind wondered about his favorite prima, Mirabel.

Mirabel had become an important figure in his life. She was the one always taking care of him, looking after him when his own padres weren't around to do that. In many regards, she has been like a madre for him.

And now, all of a sudden his familia was telling him she was gone. It just didn't sit right with young Antonio.

She had told him she'd be there for him. She had promised him.

It was just unbelievable that she would leave all of a sudden, like this, without even saying a good bye to him. Was she mad at him? Did he do something wrong?

Maybe she will come back once she has calmed down. She will come back, right?... Right?

…

Bruno

The corridors of Bruno's gave shined under a green hue. Moments later the hue stopped and the strained panting of a man could be heard. Bruno coughed a bit as he picked up his new vision plate and examined it.

Nothing.

His eyes widened as he desperately tried to find anything in the hazy swirls shown on the glass plate, tilting it in every direction to see if there's anything hidden in it.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no…." heHe chanted as his desperation grew.

Finally, as he found nothing in this new vision, he threw it towards the wall with a rageful yell. The glass plate crashed against the wall and shattered into pieces, the broken pieces of glass falling down on the sand to join many other broken vision plates.

"No, there has to be a way. This can't be it." Bruno spoke,"There has to be a way! She, she can't…." hiHis words died in his throat as he struggled to breath.

Bruno just wasn't going to accept his nieces death. There has to be a way to bring her back, no matter what he'd have to bargain for it.

Calming up a bit, he threw some salt over his shoulder and began setting up his ritual once more. Bruno began to prepare for another vision, no matter how many visions he'd have to go through, he'll find a way, no matter what the bargain is.

…

Alma

Alma sat on the bed in her room. Ever since the incident two days ago, the old woman had sort of shut off herself, refusing to leave her room unless it was to join the familia during lunch or dinner.

In her hands, is an album. Alma flipped through the pages of her album, staring at the pictures of her familia. The pictures of her three children from when they were still young. Pictures of their wedding, pictures of her grandchildren, and many more.

Her fingers caressed over a picture of Bruno in his adulthood.

Despite forbidding anyone from even talking about him, Alma had always missed her son, always wishing to at least know if he was at least living happily out there.

Flipping through the images, she soon found a picture of her and Pedro on their wedding day. She could feel her eyes getting moist as she was reminded of her late husband.

Oh Pedro, how she wished he could be here with them. But those warlords took everything away from her, her home, her loved ones, her Pedro. Those bastardos would have taken the life of her and her babies, if it wasn't for the miracle Pedro had left behind.

She flips through the pages again, until she finds one other picture. A picture of her and five year old Mirabel. This one was taken a few days before her ceremony, the ceremony that had forever changed their relationship.

A single teardrop falls on the picture as Alma struggles to hold back her sobs as she stares at the picture of her granddaughter. Her vibrant and bright brown eyes seemed to be staring back at her.

Her granddaughter is dead, she killed herself. Her family is broken. All because of her. Because she forgot who the miracle was really for, what it represented.

Because she was unable to process the loss of her better half, oh how disappointed Pedro would be.

"I did this." She sobbed,"L-lo siento mi nieta, Lo siento mucho,…… I destroyed everything…."