Outside the Encanto

Newly Hatched Jailbirds

"You!" Camilo screeches, slamming into the bars, sliding his arm through, grabbing mercilessly at you. You step backwards, the scenarios you'd played out hadn't included this.

"Camilo, stop!" Felix commands, trying to pull his son back. It takes the help of Augustine and Bruno to get him far away enough to stop his outrage. Camilo gives up, resorting to glaring at you using the one and only side eye.

"What happened to Antonio?" You worriedly ask, peering around Julieta, who's shielding his face with her body.

"When your family came for us, they didn't realize our gifts were gone. They scuffed up all of us pretty bad, but the ones who's gifts were considered.. dangerous.. well, you can see." Julieta explains, caressing Antonio's bloody face.

"Where are the others?" You ask.

"Why don't you ask your precious Papa?" Camilo growls, earning a sharp look from Felix.

"Next to us, in this wall. We communicate through the wire. Pepa's in this one, Isabella, Dolores, and we haven't heard from Luisa. I think this one over here was meant for Antonio." Augustine explains, pointing to each of the small windows.

Antonio begins coughing, accidentally swallowing  his blood, before spitting it out again. He jerks in pain, opening his wounds up again, making him jerk around even more. The cycle is vicious, until Julieta finally stops his moving, although the sobs echo around the cage, causing pain to not only Antonio, but the souls of the surrounding.

"May I come in?" You ask, getting odd stares in response. You realize they must not be used to politeness anymore. "Please, Antonio needs medical attention, real help. If he stays here like this.." Your voice trails off, refusing to acknowledge the obvious.

"You can't take him." Camilo intervenes, scooting over to his brother. His sister and cousins are all separated, he can't reach his mother, and his grandmother is nowhere to be found. You drop your gaze to the floor, crossing your arms nervously. For some odd reason, you blush.

"We'll have to discuss it." Felix says, all eyes turning to you.

You stand there for a minute, realizing your mistake. "Oh! Of course, I'll be back soon." You swiftly exit the room, glad to be free of the musty smell, and head back upstairs to get the presents you'd made for them. You practically fly, until you smack into Papa.

"Sorry Papa!"

"Where are you going in such a hurry? Did the Madrigals treat you poorly?" Papa exclaims, face full of concern.

"No, not at all. In fact." You protest, "They're the ones being treated poorly. You have to let them go, or at least be in the same cell together. Separating them is cruel!"

"Aye, hija, if their powers returned, it would be immensely dangerous. We still don't know where Mirabel or Alma are, and it could be difficult to let them stay together." Papa objects, waving his hand as if brushing off the matter. You were not having it.

"Papa please, how would you feel if we were separated in a harsh prison? I know I'd be terrified that something happened to one of us." You hiss, gaining leverage against him.

"I'll make a deal with you. How would you like to be in charge of the Madrigals? You will have them perform their duties, and take care of their needs. You may not move the Madrigals from isolation. They will stay in the cell unless you're given orders from me stating otherwise." Papa offers, and you could tell he was being generous.

"I'd like to remove Antonio from his cell for medical attention. Just until he's better." You know the request isn't a quick witted one, but without it Antonio won't get the help, even if the Madrigals give you permission.

"That can be arranged. He'll sleep in the same room you did when you were out. He will not leave unless going to the bathroom or back to his cell."

Well, that was not expected. You're grateful althewhile, and rush again to scoop up the gifts. You race back down, avoiding the pugnacious and aggressive eyes of the prisoners, and come face to face with the Madrigal door.

"I say no. I can take care of my son. What if he dies and we're not here for him?" Felix questions, the sound traveling underneath the doorway.

"What if he dies? Without real help, he very well could!" Augustine projects, to your immense surprise. He's always been on your side, but Felix had been the most supportive of you. To see them fight is hurting you more than the boils on your wrists, although those still ache.

"I wish I could make a prediction." Bruno mutters, most likely doing his hunched over pleading stare. You debate whether to knock, though you know they need more time.

"But you can't. We don't know what's going to happen, to any of us! We can't afford separation from one another." Felix argues. "Y/n will be back soon, let's take a vote."

"I, of course, vote no." Felix's voice echos.

"I vote yes. Antonio needs it." Augustine counters.

"I'm with Felix. He's Antonio's father, he knows what's best for him." Julieta's voice shakes even as she said it.

"Well, I uhm.. I'm with Augustine. I know you want to keep us together Felix, but Antonio is dying." Bruno votes.

The room goes silent, you hear nothing of anyone, not even breathing. The family is divided once again, by none other than your hand. Is this what you wanted? Somehow, you manage to bring nothing but despair for the Madrigals. Is that your purpose in this world? You hate the thought of it, but believe it may be true.

"Camilo..?" Felix's voice is careful and cautious, as if waking a sleeping baby, or soothing a baby jaguar.

"I thought I wasn't allowed to vote. Since I'm not of age." Camilo gruffly shoots out, clearly uncomfortable being the tie breaker. A cold shiver runs down your spine, although you're not sure why.

"Of course honey, he's your brother." Julieta swoons.

"Alright well.. I don't trust the L/n's. I think they're nothing but trouble, always have been for us. But, I do trust Y/n. If she told me the sky turned red, I'd believe it." Camilo preached. You turned red, glad he couldn't see you. You back into the wall, sliding down slowly.

"She's a damn good liar, that's for sure. But she lies to help others, not out of greed. With the family she has, the power she has, she alone could've taken the Encanto over years ago. Why didn't they? Because her family knew she would never intentionally hurt anyone here in the Encanto. Y/n is truly fascinating." As Camilo continued, your face transformed from Pink, to Rose, to Scarlett .

"She'll help Antonio. I vote yes."

You wait five minutes to give yourself time to relax, and also so that they don't realize you were spying on them.

You gently open the door, meeting expectant stares. You carry in the gifts you had crafted for them.

"Uhm... I made these for you guys before.. this." You present to them your work, and they all seem genuinely pleased. "I've got good news, or at least what I think is good news. My father placed me in charge of your care, so I can change the way things happen. He won't allow me to move the others in here, but I'll be fighting to bring you all together." You continue, rewarded with smiles from everyone and even a twitch of the lip from Camilo.

"So what? If we're not getting out of here, it's not going to help. Stop acting like you know what's best for us." Camilo hisses, throwing his gifts at the bars, although stops with a sharp look from his father.

"You may take Antonio. I believe in you, Y/n. Don't let him die." Felix gets out, and he suddenly bursts into tears. Not silly little tears, but fierce hot tears, the kind that sting. Deep, rumbling wails come from his chest, echoing around the tiny room, claustrophobia intensifying inside the little cell.

"I promise I won't let him die. He'll be back with you soon, I can guarantee that." You promise, knowing now that if he dies under your care, the Madrigals will never forgive you, never trust you again.

Felix can't watch as you take Antonio out. You bring him upstairs, placing him on a tiny cot. You strip and clean his clothes, dressing him in a tiny white sheet instead. You decide to tend the wounds tomorrow, since it's way past sunset.

You wonder if the Madrigals will ever see the stars again.