NIGHT CHANGES ▹ P. Maximoff

ONE. el ataque de navidad

[ NIGHT CHANGES ]
chapter one; el ataque de navidad
DÍA DE NAVIDAD, 2015

❝ What are the Avengers like? ❞

CATALINA SANTIAGO Y LEÓN WAS NEVER A BIG FAN OF CROWDS, which was ironic, considering that her royal status forced her to talk to practically everyone. She eventually got used to the masses of people screaming at her. She adjusted to the flashes of the photographers, and she accepted that people would do anything for a picture. It was insanely draining for her, but these happened to be changes that she could deal with.

A change that she couldn't deal with was nearly losing her family.

The entire night was a blur, even before the attack. She particularly remembered the taste of the apple cider that she had been offered. Catalina loved apple cider, so it wasn't a shock that the juice stood out in her mind.

Catalina remembered her elder sister shooting a glare at the littlest royal, Marisol, when she was being obnoxious. Catalina also remembered when Marisol flipped her off for it.

She couldn't recall what she was doing when the first explosion sounded. She knew that she was with Gabriella, her responsible older sister, but that was about it. She could still feel Gabriella pulling her away from the flames that seemed to have sprouted from thin air. Her throat was still raw from coughing up dangerous amounts of soot.

Now, her hands moved on autopilot; Catalina and her sisters were able to return to their rooms, frantically packing bookbags with valuables. Since Catalina kept everything folded and placed in the correct places, she managed to pack many things in a limited time. Before long, the sisters were ushered away from their bedrooms, each girl clutching her bag tightly.

The next events took place at lightning speed. Words were thrown at Catalina left and right, and she had little time to process them. Something about Vengadores? New York?

In an instant, she and her sisters were wrapped in the tightest hug any of them had ever experienced. Marisol had even begun to cry, and Marisol never cried. Even though Catalina didn't really understand what was going on, she knew one thing.

There was a chance that she'd never see her sisters again.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Her next big memory took place on a jet. She supposed that she passed out during the ride between the castle and the hangar. All she knew was that her ears were popping and the pressure was increasing at a dreadful rate. Her breaths became jagged, her anxiety running wild.

Thankfully, Catalina wasn't alone; her royal advisor, Luciana, was right beside her. Each princess had a royal advisor that helped them navigate their royal life. Luciana kept her hand locked with Catalina's as she calmly coached the girl.

"Todavía están averiguando quiénes son los atacantes," ("They are still finding out who the attackers are.") Lucie kept her composure, her thumb rubbing the skin of Catalina's pale hand. "Se que esto es mucho, y lo siento, pero no puedes quedarte en España." ("I know this is a lot for you, and I'm sorry, but you can't stay in Spain.")

"¿Cuándo puedo volver?" ("When can I come back?")

Lucie's lack of an answer caused Catalina's heart to sink. "Oh." She looked down at her lap. She swallowed a deep breath, her leg bouncing up and down as goosebumps raced to the surface of her skin. "¿Qué pasa con todos Los demás?" ("What about everyone else?")

"No puedo decírtelo." Lucie let out a short exhale. ("I can't tell you.")

Catalina offered no other questions. She gave a brief nod before looking down at her lap. There were so many things she wanted -no, needed- to know. Who attacked Zarzuela Castle? Why did they do it? Where was her family? And how the hell did the Avengers get involved?

Lucie could see the storm behind Catalina's sad, brown eyes. "Ojalá pudiera contarte más, bebita. Lo siento." ("I wish I could tell you more, baby girl. I'm sorry.")

"Gracias," Catalina's bottom lip trembled for a moment before stilling. She was still in her gala outfit; a floor-length scarlet gown made out of satin with red ballet flats to match. Her chestnut-brown hair was pulled into a low bun, any flyaways being contained by clear gel that was now mixed with dirt. Everything was covered in some sort of brown or black grime.

Her hand darted to her neck in search of the jade-green pendant on a golden chain that practically lived on her neck. The gift had been given to her by her grandparents on the day of her baptism. Catalina and her necklace hadn't been separated since, and that still didn't change; the cool metal under her fingertips comforted her greatly.

The only sound that filled the cabin was the sound of the jet flying. The flight attendant, the pilots, Lucie... everyone was absolutely silent, their hearts heavy with grief. Somebody died in those explosions, whether Catalina personally knew them or not. Too many questions lingered in the air, and too many answers were out of reach.

They should've been dancing. They should've been opening Christmas presents around the tree. Maybe some people should've been lighting the seventh candle on the menorah. Perhaps others were prepping for Kwanzaa. Either way, everyone aboard that flight should've been with their family in some capacity.

Family.

Where was Catalina's?

Marisol could be in Quito, Gabriela could be in Minsk, Mama could be in New Delhi, and Papa could be in Johannesburg. There were too many 'could be' in the equation for Catalina's comfort. She ached to break up another fight between her sisters. She ached to play chess with her father, even if she let him win half of the time. She ached to help her mother choose her outfits for various events. She ached for her family.

"What are the Avengers like?" The words came out in a whisper.

Silence followed. "No sé." ("I don't know.")

"Ok." Catalina gave another brief nod before looking at the silver watch on her wrist. Cracks decorated the formerly-clean clock face, and Catalina was shocked to find the watch still attached to her in the first place. It was 12:49 am in Spain, so if New York was six hours behind, it was 6:49 pm. Catalina knew to expect the sun to peek through the clouds when she arrived, and she knew to expect her circadian clock would be completely thrown off course. That's what always happened when she traveled; it took days to get back into the groove.

"Am I ever gonna see you again?" Catalina turned to Lucie, meeting the older woman's eyes. "Am I ever gonna see Gabriela and Mama and-"

"Lo harás. Las verás cuando llegue el momento." ("You will. You'll see them when the time comes.") Lucie's hand cupped her face, pressing a kiss on the young royal's forehead. Lucie had been working with Catalina for years, the advisor being a major role in Catalina's childhood. This would be Catalina's first time going so long without Lucie, and neither woman was ready for it.

Catalina allowed her head to rest on Lucie's shoulder as she nervously picked at the smooth material of her dress. Her heart hurt, her chest tightening with anxiety. The adrenaline surging through her was maddening; Catalina was never one for adrenaline rushes. She'd hold the bags while everyone else went on big rides. She was never the one to be screaming happily at the top of the highest ride at the park.

So if she were scared of that before, she was terrified now.

{ AUTHOR'S NOTE }

I swear, Catalina's not gonna be depressed the entire time

- V