Chapter Text
It was the night of Antonio’s ceremony when Mirabel decided to leave. She thought it would be best if she stayed out of her family’s way for good. After all, Antonio wouldn't need her anymore, he had his gift now and soon would join helping the town. She wouldn’t be able to handle Antonio ignoring her too.
It was already too much…So Mirabel had packed secretly everything up before Antonio’s ceremony and since the boy successfully got his gift as expected, she felt like her duty was done, she left a note for each family member saying goodbyes and apologies and was gone before anyone could notice…
It did not take long for Mirabel to leave the town, she soon found herself in the forest, it might have not been her best idea since she was chased down by a jaguar, Mirabel did not realize when she managed to find herself out of Encanto, she doesn’t remember if she climbed the mountains or not… All she knew was that she got hurt, she was bleeding and part of her skirt was ripped…great Mirabel ate one of her mama’s arepas and healed herself, however it was her last one as the rest had been lost during her run.
Mirabel sighed, she was out of Encanto but now what? She had no idea where to go, well, she did know the country she wanted to go to…America, she had read about that country a lot in her free time, she was captivated by New York City, the thing is, she had no idea how to go there. She soon decided it would be best if she found a village and asked for directions there, maybe they could help.
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After walking for what felt like ages Mirabel found a city, Bogota, after talking with some citizens she realized she had to get on a ship in order to go to New York which was on a different continent! Mirabel did not realize how far this was until now… With nothing to lose and only things to gain Mirabel hid on a ship that would sail to New York.
She was inside the ship for about a week until it finally arrived at its destination, upon arriving there, she just had to bump into a police officer. The police officer was a grumpy one…
“Watch it, kid!” He snarled
“Lo Siento senor I-” Mirabel mumbled, the police officer then examined her,
“You don’t look like you’re from around here kid” He soon realized, also realized that Mirabel was not inside a passenger's ship.
“And you shouldn't be here either” He continued, Mirabel gulped slightly
“I-I got lost” Mirabel managed to say, the police officer raised an eyebrow.
“Come with me” He decided and lead Mirabel away from the docks, he took her to a building, it looked nothing like the colorful houses back in Encanto. She already missed Casita and her family but she knew it was for the best. The Officer lead Mirabel inside the police precinct where he began asking her a few questions. Who was she, How old was she, Where are her parents, What was she doing on the docks, and if she had any legal documents with her.
Mirabel remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
“My name is...Rosa, I’m fifteen, my family kicked me out” Mirabel explained, she managed to figure out a fake story to how she ended up in the docks of New York city and the officer seemed to believe her, now she lied about her name because she wanted a new start…Rosa was the first thing it came to her mind. Mirabel did not know why she used Isabela’s mid-name as her fake one but she did…There was no turning back now.
The police officer nodded. He felt sorry for the girl, then he had an idea. He and his wife always wanted a daughter, so he thought why not adopt this girl, which he knew she probably came here illegally why else would she be at the docks her clothes didn’t seem American anyway…. He’d adopt her and save her from being sent back to wherever she came from.
“How would you like to come home with me?” The Officer asked. Mirabel blinked at first then smiled, she needed a home what did she have to lose anyway? She already had lost everything…
“I’d love that” Mirabel replied, the Officer smiled, and he then told her to wait there as he made a phone call, it didn’t take long for a woman who seemed to look like her mum but at the same time didn’t come over. The officer seemed to have a friendly talk with her. Turns out it was his wife and they were talking about adoption papers.
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Weeks passed and Mirabel was starting to get used to her new life in New York, it was nothing like Encanto, Brooklyn was not as friendly as her little town and Mirabel had to learn it the hard way, lucky for her new father was a police officer so he was able to protect her from harm's way. The weeks soon became months and Mirabel had signed up in a Ballet school, which she ended up hating,
“Ugh, how did Isa deal with pink every day” Mirabel grumbled, she was beginning to understand what her sister must have been feeling, the constant pressure of having to do perfect movements all the time was caught up to her.
“If I ever see Isa again I’m going to apologize” Mirabel decided to feel exhausted after practice. It did not help that she had to deal with the other girls on the ballet that were definitely Prima donnas…. Isabela seemed innocent compared to them.
A year later Mirabel couldn’t handle the pressure and ended up starting a fight with one of the other girls, to be fair, that girl had it coming, no one insults Mirabel’s family, adopted one or not. Her behavior lead to Mirabel being kicked out of the school, much to her delight,
Mirabel soon discussed with her adopted parents what should she do now, she was sixteen, tutored at home, and was pretty much growing a cold and questioning altitude.
“What would you say if I signed you up in the Police Academy?” Her adopted father questioned, Mirabel’s eyes lit up, she had been looking up to him ever since he found her that day. She always wanted to help back in Encanto and by joining the Police, she’d finally make herself useful and protect the ones who needed it.
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Back in Encanto, the Madrigals were a mess, they began panicking as soon as they found Mirabel’s notes that were left to each of them
Mama, Papa,
This is not your fault, you did your best to cheer me up and make me feel loved, Mama, don’t blame yourself…I just felt like it would be best if I just…stayed away. You guys are the best and I’ll always love you.
Luisa,
We may not have spent much time together as sisters but you were always nice to me, I know you cared, I know you were busy too…Probably busier than most so all I ask is for you to not overwork yourself, take breaks and please remember to eat normally. I won’t be around telling you to.
Tia Pepa, Tio Felix
I know you guys love me, Tia I know you struggle with your emotions, make sure to let go, it’s not okay to keep them bottled up listen to Tio he’s right…And, make sure Antonio is happy, I know he’ll miss me,
PS: his favorite hiding spot is under the nursery bed
Antonio,
None of this is your fault, don’t you dare blame yourself, you were one of the few people that were the reasons for me not having left a long time ago. I’m glad you received your gift, you deserved it, you’ll always be my best roomie
Dolores.
I know we haven’t spent much time together, but your gift is overwhelming, I made you earbuds, to keep Antonio safe for me
Camilo
Cami, We used to be close when little but after your gift ceremony everything changed, we barely talked and…I know it isn’t your fault, don’t blame yourself.
Isabela,
Isa, I know we haven't been getting along lately…well for the past six years at least, I don’t know what I did to make you hate me… I’m sorry for always being in your way, I guess now you won’t have to worry about me anymore… I’m sorry for not being the sister you probably wanted… Keep an eye on Luisa for me
Abuela,
I’m sorry I was such a disappointment, I don’t know why I did not receive a gift, I’m sorry anyway, You won’t have to worry about the giftless Madrigal anymore
all I ever wanted was to make you proud. I guess I just…was not good enough and probably will never be. I’m sorry….
Julieta had broken into crying as soon as she and Agustin read their note, her husband held her tightly. Luisa ran to her room while having her own breakdown, Dolores was doing her best to try and listen to Mirabel but couldn’t, Camilo was trying to calm Antonio down, Pepa was a mess, Felix was trying to calm her down but to no avail, he was sad too…
Then there was Isabela who was completely frozen as she read her note. She didn’t notice she was shaking nor the hot tears that streamed down her face. All Isa’s focus was to her Abuela. Who had an unreadable expression on her face.
“From now on, We don’t talk about Mirabel” Alma decided, Isabela’s expression darkened as soon as this decision was made… She finally snapped.
“No” Isabela hissed surprising everyone, Alma turned her attention to her but before she could say anything Isa continued…
“This is YOUR fault, all Mira ever wanted was your approval! That’s what all of us want!” Isabela snapped, Alma was looking at Isabela with disapproval
“Isabela! That's no-”
“No way of talking to you?? Guess what I don’t care! I lost my hermanita because of
you!”
Isabela yelled at Abuela’s face
“Mirabel thinks I hate her, I barely got time to spare for her or Luisa and that always leads me to snap at her! I don’t hate my sister and you won’t make me hate her! What I do hate however is this FUCKING PINK I’ve been wearing for my entire life because YOU decided I have to be your perfect little princess that makes no mistakes! Guess what! I do NOT want to be perfect! I just want my sister back!” Isabela yelled as she had her own breakdown, Julieta had placed an arm on her daughter’s shoulder and Isa quickly found herself in her mama’s embrace.
“I want Mira back, I want to be Issy again…” Isabela muttered, Julieta stroked her daughter’s hair as she was holding back her own tears.
“Oh, sweetie…We’ll look for her okay?” Julieta promised her oldest, who ended up falling asleep on her lap tears still streaming down her face.
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The Madrigals minus Alma looked for Mirabel everywhere but got nothing, that was until Antonio’s animals discovered a piece of Mirabel’s dress that had blood on it. The family had another breakdown. However, Julieta and Isa refused to believe Mirabel was dead. Julieta because she had the mother instinct and Isa because she refused to believe she did not have a chance to make things right.
To make matters worse, Casita cracked, the miracle went out the day they found Mirabel’s blooded dress piece. Without their gifts and without their home the Madrigals had to rebuild…
Little did they know they’d soon have to fight for their survival.