The Lights They Snuffed Out

Prologue (1)

Despite not being born with a gift, the m̶i̶r̶a̶c̶l̶e̶ curse still took hold of Alma Madrigal like a parasite on its host, along with the supernatural-like children at her side. In the eyes of the villagers, the Encanto's merciful and generous leader turned dictator out of the blue.

With each passing day, the recollection of her late husband's sacrifice had begun to dwindle away, till she failed to remember the man at all.

The candle, a former symbol of hope, now tainted with the traces of despair. Its wax, once golden, now resembles that of a midnight sky.

With the ability to heal with meals made by her own two hands, Julieta was the town's favorite Madrigal child. Most of her days and nights were spent in the kitchen, slaving away to ensure there was never a food shortage. On others, instead of taking much needed breaks, she was to be presented to hordes of injuries as drastic as infected lacerations all the way down to paper cuts. Regardless, she would always be found with a compassionate smile plastered on her face.

Alma's oldest was once a treasure for the valley's residents, but like her mother, Julieta too soon fell to the will of the m̶i̶r̶a̶c̶l̶e̶ curse that bestowed her magic in the first place.

With their preternatural healer only giving food to those able to afford it, good portions of the population were showing up at one another's door. Being the closest thing to a doctor, Agustín had his work cut out for him. Despite never finishing medical school back in his hometown, he was able to cure almost every wound he was presented with.

One day, he came across her in the plaza. The so-called selfish and depraved healer was strolling alongside her younger sister. While every other citizen strived to not be in their way, some had the courage to send resentful stares. It made no difference, as the siblings seemed unfazed by it all.

Unlike everyone else, Agustín found himself in an almost trance-like state upon making contact with Julieta. The La Pollera Collora she was wearing consisted of her signature color: teal. Her hair was down, almost reaching the back of her hip. Her slender shoulders were pushed back, with hands folded at the stomach and a spine that resembled a board.

Agustín found that he couldn't pull his gaze away from the sight in front of him. Not when a nearby villager began striving for his attention, nor when Julieta's eyes unexpectedly connected with his, along with a smile that displayed everything but good intentions. But just like that, he was hooked. From that day forward, gradually, the man began to form into Julieta Madrigal's carbon copy.

With both their healers being greedy and impure, those in dire situations were compelled to come up with the money, or other forms of payment.

Pepa Madrigal's weather powers were a hit-or-miss in terms of helpfulness. The missing part was linked up with how she was able to sway the elements via her emotions. When this particular detail displayed itself, rumors began spreading like wildfire. The term "weather freak" was thrown around often. Pepa was downhearted whenever she was around to hear them, bringing about a downpour on the encanto, which only further proved their point.

The lion's share of days were spent with the ones that benefited the most from her ability: farmers. The ones who'd needed her to cry to water crops that they were too lazy to do on their own damn selves. Flicking emotions on and off, like a light switch, nearly drove the middle child mad.

Since then, Pepa has managed to tighten the reins around her powers. She now wears the term "weather freak" like a brand. But make no mistake, if the woman (or worse, her family) is harmed in any way, shape, or form, the entire valley will feel the force of her wrath.

Felix had his eyes set on Pepa Madrigal for the longest time.

He had just moved to the Encanto, after the triplets' tenth birthday, when he came across her and her sister in the plaza. Pepa's hair was placed in a high ponytail, allowing her lovely facial features to be shown. Her dark green eyes were filled with euphoria.

The sisters were playing tag, with Julieta being the chaser. The older girl struggled to keep up as her younger sibling was flying. Felix felt as if the whole world had slowed down when the redhead passed him, her eyes interlocking with his as she did. The boy's heart was fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, but he still managed to give her a smile and a small wave.        

Then it happened.

It was like her body had short-circuited. He saw it behind her eyes. One second she was flying then she really was. It took only a second for her to hit the ground, hard. Upon impact, a mini rain cloud appeared over the girl. Felix didn't think twice before running to her aid, the older sister falling in pursuit.

Julieta was fast, but he was faster as he was already helping the younger sister up by the time she made it to them. The cloud above Pepa's head drenched them, but he found that he really didn't mind. Even after Felix assisted her, his hands still held on, their eyes still linked. Julieta's gaze shifted between the two, a smug grin plastered on her face. The older Madrigal bantered with her sister before grabbing her hand and dragging her along.

His captivated eyes held contact with those dazzling forest greens till she and her sister were out of sight.

Timid at first, Felix would stand to the side whenever he witnessed his newly wed treating the townspeople in a pitiless manner.

He's not so timid anymore. In fact, he enables it. If it makes his goddess happy, then who is he to refuse?

Now he knows his wife is more than capable of handling herself and their family, but he won't hesitate to get physical to defend what's his.

   

Alongside his sister, heavy gossip unrolled throughout the village upon grasping the concept of Bruno's power. The ability to look into the future often brings crushing affliction. As the years went by, the effects of the verbal bullying began to dwindle, yet the marks left by the fear-stricken kids would remain forever more.

But now he couldn't care less.

Instead of the self-loathing he would so often feel, Bruno started gaining vile delight upon seeing their petrified eyes, for now they had something to be afraid of.

At first, it was simply terrorizing the citizens with their lowly futures, with a side of keeping tabs on them on the mandate of his mother. But now the villagers don't come across the man too often unless he's out with his family, the visionary mostly cooped up in the basement of Casita.