Outside the Encanto

Changes For The Better

"Analysis." You demand, and the twins immediately perk up.

"Well, the majority of the Encanto villagers are not happy. After close examination, most are either starving, abusive, or under extreme pressure from relatives." Vanessa explains, turning her head to Valeria.

"Under strict new rules, we can keep order in this town, and make sure everyone stays safe and we'll fed." Valeria continues, looking back at Vanessa.

"We've already made several arrests, but most people share a jail cell with their relatives or friends. We wouldn't want them to be hurt while in prison." Vanessa clarifies, nodding back to Valeria.

"Anyways, the jail you built is perfect, and very easily designed. Love the layout." Valeria compliments.

"I never built a jail-" Something clicks in your mind. "You told me it was a shelter!" You accuse, focusing on Papa. You're anger was unfathomable, ready to screech out of you in an instant.

"Yeah.. that was a white lie. Sorry." Papa hangs his head guiltily. Your mouth drops in astonishment, the family never lies to one another. Steam practically flies out of your ears.

"Y/n, please. Try to see the good in this! With the town under control and the Madrigals locked up, we can restore peace in this town." Tia Sophia soothes, rubbing your back.

"How can you be okay with this? Your side of the family could be in danger!" You counter, shoving off her embrace.

"My family will be better off this way. My dad killed my mother in an alcoholic rage, and after he remarried, he had another daughter. They'll be protected by the new laws." Tia Sophia retorts, clear resentment for her family. "This family accepted me from the start, even before they met me. So you can see where my loyalty lies."

"Abuela?" Your last hope for justice is futile, you can tell already just by looking at her. Her poker face is on, a sign she doesn't want you to be hurt.

"Alma Madrigal has lost sight of what we built the Encanto for. Pedro's death led her down a dark path, one she hasn't pulled herself out of. Her family is every bit as dangerous as she is now." Abuela defends, unwilling to agree with you.

"Where are they?!" You demand, staring her down. She's easier to break than anyone else.

"In the jail, hija." Papa informs. Strange, you'd though it would be harder to get them to confess. Or maybe it was no secret.

"I want to see them. All of them!"

"You've got to complete your tasks first. Deliver these medicines to the addresses on their packaging. There aren't too many, but the homes are pretty far apart." Papa instructs, dumping a basket filled with bags into your arms.

You're about to protest, but understand the urgency of medicine. These people must have a weakened immune system, especially considering they've never had time to build antibodies or resistance to disease. You stomp out the door, racing to deliver the packages.

The hostile air becomes apparent in an instant, although you hate to admit it, you see positive changes in the town.

The poor side of town, the one you live in, has children from all around playing together, instead of separated. Women gather around to donate their old dresses, swapping jewelry and stories. Men play games of cards, gambling not money or food but simple things like a candy or guitar strings. Everyone enjoys themselves, even forgetting to be rude to you.

"Y/n! Know how to play a game of Sriracha?" One of the men calls out, flashing a smile to you.

"I've got to deliver some medicine, maybe another time!" You reply, shocked at the gesture.

"Alright kiddo, be safe! Oh, would you mind asking Pablo if he'd come for a round or two? We're due for a rematch." Another man asks, no trace of sarcasm in his voice. Just a smile on his face and glee in his eyes.

"Of course! Have a good day!" You wave goodbye, smiling and shouts of "you too!" ring out as you walk away.

The first house you deliver the medicine to is opened by the woman you know as Fish Lady, because she has an immense collection of fish and sea creatures.

"Hello there! Oh thank you, my daughter's quite sickly. Here, have a chocolate." Fish Lady offers you a sweet, which you humbly reject.

"Do me a favor.. give it to your daughter when she gets better, alright?" You graciously suggest, gaining a beaming smile from Fish Lady.

"Will do. Well, if you go, I'd assume those packages are for others in need. You take care!"

The rest of the deliveries go just as well, something you'd not been expecting. You wonder if they're just sucking up to you, but shrug off that notion. If they were only sucking up, why would they be kind to each other? The answer is simple; people are happier.

Well, the once poor and average people are. When you enter the rich part of the village, all you gain from the deliveries is harsh words and doors slammed in your face. You're treated no differently than how you were before.

You'd forgotten about the Madrigals until you'd gotten home, tired from playing soccer with town kids. Cecilia's team had won, a surprising feat considering how quiet she is.

"Go ahead, the Madrigals are all the way down, take a right at the hallway, second door on the left."

"Thanks Papa."

You sprint downstairs, although are stepped in your tracks by what you see.

The bare spaces are now separated by huge metal bars, behind them are stone beds jutting out of the wall, with rags for blankets. Each room is occupied by at least three people, sometimes entire families. A smell of must and human filth fills the air.

As you walk through, people boo at you or hide their faces. Nevertheless, it's pure anger and resentment coming from them.

You hurriedly walk towards where you know the Madrigals are kept, although hesitate to open the door. You bite your lip, playing through the scenarios in which could happen. None of them seem very pleasing.

You grip the door handle, breathe in, and enter the room.

Conditions are so, so much worse here. The stench has intensified, although the room has become smaller. Chains line the walls, thick barriers are used to keep some Madrigals in isolation, with only a small barbed wire window atop the wall. You're separated by bars, although it seems as if there's nothing there. You see a meak trapdoor, although the board looks one tug away from snapping. You don't see any doors, shiver, realizing that's the toilet.

Worst of all, Antonio lies on the ground, bloody and covered in his tears, sweat..

And blood.