𝐀 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

🌹~Chapter 7

-Blackbirds of The Night-

───────────

Excerpt from Y/N's journal: 

"3 years ago, I was on the brink of death while attempting my escape from Encanto. Eventually, some mysterious silhouette pushed me into the waters and probably was anticipated to kill me. I don't know how to swim either. I was sinking in the riverbanks as the river ate me whole. But luckily, they said I was found alive, floating in the waters, and a man named Izan Alejandro rescued me with his companion. Together they stride back to their town to get the best doctors to treat me, and luckily, they found that I was still breathing. After that, I was welcomed by a single mother and her two kids who'll take care of me for the rest of my life... or maybe when I decided to travel back to Encanto. La Pueblo De Velitas is where I feel like... well, home again. But, will I ever feel the same warm tenderness when I return to Encanto? How will my friends react?"

Y/N, Y/N! Can you sing us a lullaby, please?" Martin shook my arm, snapping me off from my reverie while he implores like a desperate puppy begging to be fed. I whirled around in my seat to look down to see Sarah, who is with him. I set the pencil down and I cocked one eyebrow. "Martin? Sarah? Why are you two up?" 

Martin fiddle around with his finger and thumb, gazing at the floorboards before looking up to meet my gazeㅡeventually, he does the same style like he was being sheepish or guilty for stealing. I turned my head to the side to see the hazardous rain pouring and sliding down our rooftop, I got up from my seat and walked towards the window, the wind was howling severely that made the curtains blown out and the air chilly. I close the windows shut and slide the curtains closed; it really was an extreme weather. I wonder how Pepa was feeling...

Martin looked back up with a diffident smile. "We couldn't sleep because the rain was too loud. We want to hear you sing..." He trailed off as his lower lip quivered.

I looked over to Sarah and she gives a brief awkward nod. My heart distend a bit, but I didn't say anything, instead, I sat on my bed and beckoned Martin to sit next to me. Sarah followed shortly. As we get into position, I took a deep breath before beginning my song. It was an old folk tune and it made both of them smile while Martin's eyes lit up like stars.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
take these broken wings and learn to fly"

"All your life... you were only waiting for this moment to arise"

Not long when Martin intervene during the short pause of this song. But I don't mind, after all, singing felt comforting when you had someone to sang along.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
take these sunken eyes and learn to see"

"All your life... you were only waiting for this moment to be free"

I chuckled lightly, ruffling Martin's hair playfully and I continue so sing their lullaby. As we finished our song, Martin's mouth twitched upward to show a cheerful toothy grin. They both stood up from my bed and gave me a tight hug. "Thank you hermana Y/N," Sarah said softly, both giving me a gentle squeeze. My heart softens from their hug, for I have never once felt for having a sibling.

After we pulled apart, I saw Martin's eyes were half-lidded and Sarah was yawningㅡlike she haven't gotten any sleep for a long time. Though, it was just an hour.

"You niños should go to sleep, it's late. Your mama will be upset when she saw you two not on your beds." I say, patting their heads. Sarah nodded, and Martin followed suit shortly after. I let out a deep breath, closing the curtains again to cover the flashing thunder from the heavy rain. I laid down in my bed and I turn my side to face the wall; painted in daffodil yellow with daisy prints. As much as I love being their older sibling, it was difficult not to agonize about myself sometimes.

Sometimes I have yearn for Abuelo could stay here with me. And my friends. Even if they're not here, I crave to be able to hold their hands as four of us friends run along the busy streets of our hometown.

To hold Carlos' hand and run away from everything that holds us down.

That's what I've been longing for since the day I woke up; obscure and agitated in this unfamiliar room and incompatible surroundings. The world is divergent now that I am fifteen-year-old. Different yet familiar at the same time. It's the difference between childhood dreams coming true and something that never happened. Sleep deprivation hates me...

I sat up and stared out of through window, the howling wind finally died down and the heavy rain outside was nothing but a light shower. Thoughts and possibilities run throughout my mind and in all honesty it is becoming too overwhelming to think clearly. All the things I did, who I am and what I'm going to become. What will become of me and the people I care most about. I got up to my feet, touching the cold floorboards which sent a frigid feeling run through my spine, and I saunter forward to the window and opened the curtains. I saw the high mountains that surrounded the Encanto, and apparently, I begin to think of a possibility of a way to climb back.

Everything's changing so quickly and it feels like there's no turning back, even though I've already made my choiceㅡI choose my past, present and future.

No matter what happens, I can accept it and find alleviation within it. Because in all truth I chose this and not any other alternative.
I let out a deep breath, letting my hands slide down to caress the glass pane. My mind is made up...

I'm going back to Encanto, one way or another...

───────────

April 11, 2023