The Legend of the Aztec Goddess [The Road to El Dorado (2000) Fanfic]

Ch. 4 Get us out of here!

Miguel and Tulio were getting bored inside the barrels. They are worried because they haven't seen Isabel, Chihuahueño, or Iago.

" I'm so hungry. When is Isabel coming back with the food?" Miguel dramatically groans, his hand rubbing his stomach.

Tulio looked through the peephole and saw that it was nighttime, which let him know that people would be sleeping by now.

" Miguel! It's nighttime. That means everyone should be asleep. We can escape these barrels." He says, sounding excited.

" Didn't Isabel say there was something heavy on top of us?" Miguel asked, looking confused.

" She must have said that so she wouldn't open the barrels for us," Tulio remarked.

" Now. Are you ready?" He asked, putting his hands above him.

" I'm in position." Miguel puts his hands above him.

" Alright. One, two, three!" The two men shouted, unaware that two crew members picked up the massive item on top of the barrels.

Miguel and Tulio used their strength to open the barrels as they stood and smiled, relieved to feel the ocean breeze on their faces.

" We're free!" Miguel shouted, grabbing some of the crew members' attention.

Tulio looked forward and paled when they saw the crew members stare at them.

Miguel looked forward and shrieked when he realized the crew members were staring at them.

" Oh! I thought this was my house. It must be a mistake." He awkwardly laughs as he and Tulio slowly sink into the barrels.

They were about to close the barrels when two crew members kicked the barrels, causing the two men to crawl out.

In seconds, the crew members put Miguel and Tulio in handcuffs and dragged them to Hernán's office.

" Sir! We found them inside of two barrels." One of the crewmembers tells Hernán, pushing Miguel and Tulio to their knees.

Miguel and Tulio lift their heads, looking at Hernán with mixed emotions.

" Cortes!" Miguel mouthed out while Tulio looked at Hernán in horror.

' Is that why Isabel, Chihuahueño, and Iago haven't returned? Did they get caught by Hernán?' Miguel says internally.

" My crew was as carefully chosen as the disciples of Christ." Hernán firmly says, cracking his knuckles as he turns to stare at Miguel and Tulio.

" And I will not tolerate stowaways." He looks at the two murderously.

" We will flog you." He says, causing Tulio to gulp.

Miguel seemed unfazed by the threat. His thoughts were somewhere else.

' If our punishment is us getting beaten. Then that means, oooo! They better not have touched Isabel!' Miguel internally shouted.

" And when we go into Cuba to resupply, God willing, you will get flogged some more." Hernán closed his eyes, looking upset.

Miguel's hands tightened into fists while Tulio shook, looking scared.

" And then enslaved on the sugar plantations for the rest of your miserable lives." Hernán opened his eyes and looked down at them.

" You better not have touched her!" Miguel shouted, finally mustering the courage to speak.

" Miguel!" Tulio hisses, looking shocked that he would speak that way to Hernán, of all people.