The Jungle Witch

Part 2

Chapter 2 The Jungle Witch

--Mirabel's pov--

When I reached the top of the mountain that protected Encanto, I looked back again. I was still wondering if this was the right thing to do. Encanto was so distant and secure in its bubble.

I started down the mountain; and tumbled down the rest of the way after I fell over a tree root. I nearly lost my bag and glasses right as I landed by a river by face-planting on the ground. I, luckily, found a calm section of the river and crossed to the other side. Now cold and wet, I stopped to think. Having stopped at that moment, I realized the silence was replaced by a cacophony of noises. I guess I finally left the barrier that protected Encanto.

I found an unoccupied hole and leaned a couple of branches over it as I curled up in the hole to sleep some and continue in the morning away from Encanto.

--the next morning in Encanto--

Everybody woke up late since Mirabel didn't give the morning knock at their doors. Breakfast was lunch. Senora Guzman came by to tell Alma that the talk of marriage was over between the two families. Alma was confused since Isabella and Mariano would have been the perfect couple. When Senora Guzman said Mariano liked Maria and that the marriage would be soon. Mariano also said he would never marry into the madrigal family. While Mariano was alive, not one of his descendants would marry into the madrigal family either. Senora Guzman didn't know what caused this change but was proud that he took the courage to marry who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, in any case.

Dolores heard the entire exchange and was in shock. Mariano wouldn't marry Isabella but also never wanted to be with the madrigals in any sort of way in his lifetime. She went to her room to sob at her broken heart.

Camillo also happened to hear this exchange while borrowing (read: stealing) more arepas from the batches Tia Julietta had been making. He almost dropped his plate in confusion. Then, as he walked up the stairs, he could hear Antonio from the nursery. Was Antonio talking to Mirabel? Camillo thought while snacking. When Camillo heard a purr and a definite Antonio sob he was weirded out. How was Antonio unhappy? He got a great gift but was in tears? Something was up, wasn't it? Camillo knocked on the nursery door; figured as Antonio's big brother, he should find out what was wrong in Antonio's world.

"Come in," Antonio said with a crack in his voice.

" Hey buddy," Camillo said, slipping through the door and closing it behind him, " I heard you crying since you weren't in your room; that is super awesome, by the way! Where's Mirabel? I haven't seen her in a while..."

"That's just it! Mirabel's been gone since the fireworks last night started! Mariano saw her by the bridge over the river and didn't think about it until he saw how uncaring we as a family are!" Antonio rushed out in one breath.

Camillo thought about it. He realized that he'd been so busy entertaining other people that he hadn't seen Mirabel at all. He told Antonio that they should tell the others so that they could search for her before it was too late.

Antonio shook his head, "No one will care. I hope she thrives in a place where she feels like she belongs. Abuela told me last night that as long as Mirabel stayed hidden that everything will be alright. Since Abuela doesn't care, no one will bother to search anyhow. I just decided to get all my tears out. Now I can try to be happy like Mirabel would want me to be. It's just I got the gift just like I wanted, but I lost one of the greatest people I have known yet." Antonio gathered Mirabel's blankets, few there were, got on top of the jaguar, and went to his new room. Antonio left Camillo with a parting glance and the last sentence of, "Oh and Camillo, the miracle is gonna die soon, so you might as well appreciate your gift in the meantime bye."

Camillo was left with silence and thoughts. He pulled down the box that only he and Mirabel knew about for it was filled with what they considered their greatest treasures. Everything was there except two photos and the lucky rock. Guess she thought she'd need all the luck she could get. Too bad no one knew how lucky she was by the side the whole time.

Bruno had awakened from Antonio's sobs in the early light of dawn. Bruno listened to Antonio's conversation with Camillo, and he could see massive cracks emerge after Antonio said his piece of mind. As the door shut behind Antonio, he saw the cracks grow even more. These new cracks were something Jorge couldn't fix. Since Mirabel had left, casita and the miracle with it would fall completely. They already made his very name a taboo in town might as well leave. This family was no longer any family to him. Bruno turned away, took some food from the kitchen's storage, and took his leave from there. He crossed the mountain and the river and went to the city. Luckily he was able to quickly find a job that very day at a small Cafe. Bruno then settled in the apartment building above it. Hopefully, Mirabel could find; him.

--the morning Mirabel's pov--

I have a crick in my neck from being curled up so tight, in the night. It was dawn as the sun was in her eyes. As the more dangerous creatures went to sleep for the day, I stood up and stretched. I gazed at the river behind, almost wishing someone would appear, see me for my worth, but as expected, no one appeared. This is simply expected since no one cared about me in Encanto.

I traveled based on a semi-trodden path and saw a city appear in the distance. Giant buildings taller than the sky were there. There were strange vehicles on a smooth road were everywhere. People were in suits or weird casual clothes. Women could wear pants! I found some money on the ground by a hole that said storm drain. They had methods so that the city didn't flood! Amazing! I saw a store that said second-hand on it. 'Like hand-me-downs?' I thought, clutching the money from the storm drain. I found cheap multi-pocketed black pants made of durable material and a long-sleeved navy blue shirt. The lady at the counter said I could trade the pants and shirt for my outfit, seemingly understanding my situation. I said goodbye to my skirt and blouse that I had since forever ago.

Now, the only things I had from Encanto were my cloak and mom's arepas. Who knows if the arepas had any miracle left in them, though. I put the cloak on and slipped the money into one of the pockets on the pants. I left the store that had such a variety of clothes. I scrounged out some more money; from unlikely areas. I even found an item that had lots of money in it! I took the money and left it with the cards inside. I found a watch that didn't have a face but still told the time with little lines. Someone said it was a "digital" watch, whatever that meant. I saw a store that had plants already grown that a person could buy themselves. It was under the charge of a "florist" who only sold flowers or plants!

I walked into a store that had so much food on shelves and aisles. It was overwhelming and so different that I left without purchasing anything. I wandered all over the city finally sitting on a park bench. I saw a mural that had a familiar face. My Abuelo's face on the mural and the phrase, "to love at all is to love entirely." Well, I guess Abeula lost all love when Abeulo died since all she wanted was magic and perfection to her impossibly high standards.

I saw a green hood in the crowd and immediately thought Tio Bruno. But what I have now experienced is how would Tio Bruno wear the same clothes ten years later? I looked at Tio's photo and placed it back into my bag. I saw a place saying "womens' shelter" as dusk approached. They asked a few questions on how to help me later on during my stay. I told them that my family forgot I existed. They became so busy that though I lived with them, they just pushed me to the side, and when they did see me, they told me to hide so they could be in peace. I told them my Tio left ten years ago. Now, my Tio's very name was taboo in the household, and the neighbors would not speak about him either. Everything terrible that happened would be blamed on me. I couldn't handle their treatment of me anymore and left with the clothes and bag on my back.

The lady who was speaking with me looked at me with sympathy and asked what my family told me specifically. I told her all the degrading words my perfect sister told me or what she said to her friends when no one was looking or my Abuela said I was better hidden to not stain the family's life. Everyone ignored it since I was no one of importance.

The lady told me that my experience was emotional and verbal abuse and neglect. They said stay as long as I needed to warm meals are provided and more clothes would be given if needed. When I was ready to move on with life, I would be given some money as well