The Lights They Snuffed Out

Prologue (2)

With the capability to bend plants to her will, Isabela has constructed a large wall surrounding the Encanto, on her abuela's directive. The matriarch decided this would be an effective way to keep their citizens from leaving, but not necessarily from entering.

Following the conclusion of family breakfasts every morning, her cousin Dolores would announce if there were people wandering outside the wall. Abuela would always choose two to come with her to welcome their new residents, Isabela being a popular choice.

As the oldest grandchild grew, she began having some thoughts about some of the new residents that would greet her. Licentious thoughts, and it wasn't just the men that caught her eye, the women also weren't safe from this deadly rose.

With a scheme in mind, Isabela went to her partner in crime to commence it. Dolores had concurred, with a devilish grin. So, one by one, male or female, Isabela started taking them to an abandoned house on the outskirts of town. The building is not even in the eyesight of Casita on behalf of her concern about Abuela finding out. Her grandmother would be furious if she found out that someone from her family was partaking in such impure activities outside of marriage.

Like her tío Bruno, Dolores' gift allows her to monitor the townspeople, keeping them in line with her super hearing. The villagers don't have to watch their tongues after nightfall, though, when she retreats to her soundproof room.

One of the perks of having such a gift is that Dolores has had her fair share of headaches. Listening in on one particular person for too long and too much always brings forth a trail of blood streaming down one of her nostrils.

During breakfast every morning, Dolores would listen for any voices on the other side of their towering wall. The second born grandchild would tell Abuela about the groups and the families, while refraining about the lonely souls. She left them for Isabela.

From time to time, the information overheard would be too good to simply hand over to her grandmother. Instead, she gives it to her younger brother to do with as he pleases. Camilo never disappoints her with the turmoil he cooks up.

Given the gift of superhuman strength, Luisa's the muscle alongside her tío Felix, but the villagers would argue that a beating from her is much more excruciating.

The ones that survive, that is.

Lusia is behind most of the construction work around the Encanto, from building houses for new residents to replenishing existing ones due to her aunt's temper. Of course, none of it comes without a price to her family.

Abuela almost always has her on her feet, sending her nieta to the doors of those who're in debt as well as those who pose a threat to the family. She's one of the most overworked members of the Madrigals, but she doesn't entirely mind. Keeping her family and their happiness safe is what fills her with joy, no matter what she has to do in the process.

Camilo gets off on the psychological games he plays, especially with the villagers. With the capability of shifting into any individual upon eye contact, he taints relationships left and right. The boy's gift can be a horrific experience if witnessed firsthand.

His sinister grin would be wide and filled with mischief, similar to the Cheshire Cat's. Those pearly whites were the last thing the villagers saw before he left them after carrying out one of his inhumane tricks, leaving them to toddle in their dejection.

It was like a drug to him, the realization setting in their faces and the lights steadily dwindling from their eyes.

If he can't find a base to start chaos, he goes to Dolores for ideas, or better yet, she'll come to him with something in mind.

Mirabel. The only Madrigal child that wasn't bestowed a gift, the sole member of the family that somehow was tainted by the magic of the candle. Even after her ceremony, the girl kept her bubbly personality. As she began growing, she kept that shine. But what comes with the development of the body is the consciousness of the mind. Mirabel became affected, but in a different way compared to the rest of her family.

None of the grandchildren went to public school, A private tutor came over every week on behalf of Abuela. Despite Camilo mostly snoozing during sessions, Mirabel found herself intrigued. The man taught everything from mathematics to language arts, though her favorite subject was no doubt geography.

The girl fantasized about hopping on a boat when she was younger, letting the wind propel the sail and carry her away. She wanted to visit everyone and everything, leaving no stone unturned for what the world had to offer.

She no longer dreams of such things.

Antonio came out a bubbly baby, similar to his youngest prima. Throughout his early years, every chance he got, he stuck to Mirabel's side like glue.

If Mirabel was at her desk drawing, Antonio would be beside her chair, sucking on colored pencils.

When Mirabel washed the dishes, Antonio would be beside her with the towel to dry and put up.

Antonio would throw the biggest fit if Mirabel didn't read him a story before bed, not stopping until she gave in.

From spending so much time with the girl, the villagers had hoped that her influence would rub off on the little boy and that they would be blessed with another non-magical child. They soon let go of that foolish optimism after his gift ceremony, when those tiny hands grasped the doorknob, and those noble eyes lost their light. The youngest grandchild was granted the ability to communicate with animals.

When strolling through the town, if he's not with his family, he's with his animals, like a king and his royal guard. His creatures can be another means of surveillance, but their primary intent is to intimidate and... terminate if need be.