Worth The Shot

Dilemma of a Prisoner

We need to get the Madrigal's miracle candle. And we need you to take it for us.

You recoiled from the paper, incredulously staring at your father as if he had sprouted wings. "I would never do that! That's your plan?" You widely gestured to the shivering families. "Do they know what you're going to do?"

"They don't need to," Your father hushed, warning you to stay quiet. "I've assembled a small team that I can trust. Only they know."

The serpent man materialized from the shadows, his green eyes flicking mistrustfully around the room. You stiffened. Your father sighed and introduced, "This is my best friend, Sebastian. He was with me when I escaped."

"So these people don't know anything?" Your voice escalated. "Do they know how you use your gift to pry into people's minds?" Your father shook his head desperately at you, but you plowed ahead. "Do they know that I don't remember a single one of them? That I don't even remember our Encanto?"

A collective rush of gasps and murmurs trickled through the crowd. Cristina, the tall girl, whispered, "You don't remember me?" Her face fell with disappointment and hurt.

"No," you shrugged. "I don't at all. Because he," you accusingly pointed at your father, "Messed with my mind. If he was willing to abuse his own daughter with his gift, can any of us be sure of anything?"

"You were devastated after our mountain fell," your father interjected defensively. "I needed to calm you so I could focus on saving our families. Our home." He smiled at you, as if making a generous proposal. "I'll give you your memories back tonight when you sleep."

"I don't want them," you muttered. "And I'm never going to sleep around you ever again."

You sighed, sensing the fearful uncertainty of the people around you. Exasperated, you played your fathers game and pointedly scrawled,

Look, can't you just ask Alma to relight our candle with their flame? We don't need to steal their miracle.

I already tried that. She refused, so I helped her forget that I had asked.

"Oh, you helped her?" You snorted and glared at your father for his delicate wording. "Is that why you've been kidnapping the Madrigals? Are you holding them for ransom?"

"They've been kidnapped?" Your father tilted his head with genuine confusion. "I suppose that should help with the plan tonight."

Shocked, you ignored his selfish application of the disappearances. He really doesn't know. Then who does? The red list was in the house, so-

"You know something," you suspiciously realized, analyzing Sebastian, the serpent man, as he fidgeted uncomfortably. "I found the list in your house. The L was circled, and Luisa went missing first."

"Yes, I know something," Sebastian's lips peeled back with a ghoulish smile. "But I'll only tell you after you complete tonight's mission."

"I won't." Frustration boiled in your veins. "And I won't let you." You drew in a breath to scream for Dolores.

Your father clapped a hand against your mouth before you could alert her, hauling you upstairs, out of the view of the people. With Sebastian's help, he tied you to the railing and gagged you.

"I can't risk you ruining everything. You have until tomorrow to make up your mind." He scowled wearily. "You've made a mess of things downstairs. Rest assured, we don't need you for the plan. We will carry it out with or without you." With an annoyed huff, he disappeared down the stairs. Sebastian hesitated before following him. 

The rope bit into your wrists as you pointlessly struggled. Dolores doesn't know where I am. I can't even call for help. You leaned your head back and shut your eyes. 

The night lingered like a deadly panther, accompanied by shuffling feet downstairs and the continuous threat of your father. Thick, syrupy drowsiness melted your tensed limbs, but you wrestled to stay conscious. If I drift off, I won't be myself when I wake up. I can't do that to the Madrigals... especially not to Camilo. 

Camilo. What was he doing right now? Your careless words burned in your throat, and a cruel imagination plagued you with images of Camilo, exhausted and hopeless, scouring the Encanto for his mother. Was he able to sleep at all? Is he doing okay? 

When the orange rays of dawn glowed on the floor beside you, you heard the front door swing open and closed. People left, people came, people whispered. The day crawled toward evening even more arduously than the night, charged with queasy anticipation. Tonight they're going to steal the miracle, and I can't do anything about it. 

"(Y/n), I need you to hear me out," your father pleadingly began, trudging up the stairs to stand next to you. You rolled your eyes contentiously. Like I have a choice. I can't even talk. "Don't do that. It's unbecoming of the next head Candella." 

That was news. Apparently you were the heiress of a pulverized kingdom. How useful. 

"Our plan has begun, and my team is unstoppable," your father continued. He frowned regretfully. "I consider myself a peaceful man. But without you in our plan, collateral damage is inevitable."

The night sky exploded with fireworks. "Ten minutes! Go!" A voice shouted from downstairs. A string of horrified thoughts slammed into you. 

The fireworks were for Alma's party. 

They would last for ten minutes. 

Ten minutes where Dolores couldn't hear. 

"Ah, I see you've figured out why we chose tonight." Your father smiled knowingly, untying your gag. "The fireworks overcrowd Dolores' hearing like white noise. We only have a ten-minute window, so listen. Of the remaining Madrigals, one gift could severely jeopardize our mission."

"Dolores can't even hear right now! You don't need to hurt her to steal the stupid candle!" You protested. Your father indifferently glanced down at you. 

"Oh, not her. We'll let her live. I'd hate to have to kill a child, but his animals could defeat my men."

"No," you gasped, appalled and outraged. "That's a part of your plan?" 

"Help us, or be responsible for Antonio's death."