Sorry this chapter's kinda shorter than the others. I've had barely any motivation the past week, but I wanted to get you guys something. Next Sunday we should be back to normal length!

Enjoy~

Dolores, Isabela, and Alma walked through the streets of the Encanto. The sun's rays just barely bathing the village in light. It was still fairly early, which meant most of the town's inhabitants were still in their homes. The few individuals that they did pass were those whose jobs required them to start their days much earlier than the others.

Their plan was simple enough. While her grandmother questioned the newcomers, she would listen for any traces of deceit. Thankfully, Dolores was well versed in picking out lies. She knew all the tell-tale signs. Elevated heartrates, faster breathing, and changes in pitch were the most common.

The three women came to a stop at the first of the traveling merchant's stalls. Andre had his back to the women, humming to himself happily as he adjusted some items in the crate he stood in front of.

"Buenos Días Andre."

"Buenos Días, Señora Madrigal." The bearded man said cheerfully. Turning around to face them, he offered the girls on either side of the Madrigal matriarch a smile and a nod. "Isabela. Dolores. What brings you down our way so early?"

"My eldest granddaughters and I were just out for a walk this morning."

"And what a wonderful morning for it."

"That it is."

The four fell into silence. If he was aware of their tenseness, Andre didn't comment. Instead, the tan-skinned man just stood with a wide and kind smile. Dolores let her brown eyes drift down the street. From where they stood; she could see that most of the merchants were following in Andre's footsteps and getting their own stands ready for the day.

Alma cleared her throat, ending the slightly awkward silence. "Truthfully, Andre, we were looking for the travelers that accompanied you."

"Santos' group?"

The matriarch nodded. "Yes. Do you know where they might be?"

"I can't say I do. I haven't seen them this morning. Both of their carts were empty this morning." Andre said with a tilt of his head.

This time, it was Isabela that spoke. "Andre, those new travelers that accompanied you. How well do you know them?"

"Honestly, not very well." Putting his hands in the pockets of his purple ruana, he fixed his dark-brown eyes on the trio. "We crossed paths on our way here. Santos and I had a conversation about our destinations. It just so happened that they were also trying to make their way to the Encanto. Something about wanting to meet with his nephew that lived here. Why? Is everything okay?"

Andre's friendly smile faded. His eyebrows knit together slightly in worry. The three women shared a quick glance. Andre and his group of merchants visited the Encanto twice a year, every year, for nearly a decade. Not once did they ever show any sign of hostility or dishonesty.

Both Dolores and Isabela could recall the countless times they'd spent with both Andre and his wife when they were younger. You see, after they closed their stands, the merchants would gather together and hold a small fire. While they sat around the fire each one of them would take turns as they spun their tales of the world outside of their Encanto. There were even a few times the girls had stayed so long, they'd fallen asleep. And every time, it was Andre who made sure they were returned to the safety of their Casita.

But could they risk telling him the truth?

Could they trust him with the information that her mother was missing? How could they know for sure that he wasn't involved in some way? After all, their main suspects had entered with them.

Dolores let out a soft squeak as she made up her mind. She didn't want to believe that the kind man she knew played a part in her mother's disappearance. So, for now, they would keep quiet about it. They could fill him on once they were certain he wasn't a part of it. "Yes. We wanted to know how they were settling in. We've heard from your tales that such a long journey can take its toll. Especially when you travel with family."

"That it does. I know my brother-in-law drives me to drink at times!" Andre's smile returned to its full glory as he let out a hearty laugh.

"Andre!"

Four pairs of eyes shifted to the new voice. Andre lifted his arms out as Santos rounded the corner. "Ah, speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Santos' eyes widened for a brief second as he noticed the three women. Coming to a stop, he tipped his hat. "Hola Señoras."

"Where have you been, my friend? A gentleman should never keep a woman waiting! Let alone three!" The bearded merchant playfully scolded the white-haired man.

Bringing his arm to his stomach, Santos offered an apologetic bow. "My apologies, Señora. I wasn't aware that you would be looking for me. You see, my children and I were fishing."

Dolores watched as Isabela tensed slightly. The movement was so subtle, she doubted anyone other than her and Alma would notice. Crossing her arms, the eldest fixed her hazel eyes on the man. A perfect dark eyebrow arched.

"This early in the morning?"

"Of course. All of the best fish are caught in the mornings. They tend to be more active then."

"Then where's all your fish?"

As if on cue, two figures rounded the corner. A muscular young man, who looked no older than Dolores herself, and a younger girl came to a stop beside Santos. Completely ignoring the women, the man held up two large buckets. Dolores didn't need to see inside of them to know that both were filled with fish. Thanks to her gift she could hear the creatures swimming around inside.

The man sat the two buckets down, but it was the girl beside him that spoke. "Where would you like these, father?"

"Leave the one." Santos said as he righted himself. Gesturing to the bucket to his left, Santos set his focus on Andre. "A gift to you, Andre. A way token of my appreciation for accompanying us on our journey. I'm certain we wouldn't have made it without your help."

"Much appreciated." Andre said happily.

"Señoras, these are my children. This is my son, Lorenzo." Santos pointed to the man. Lorenzo didn't speak. Giving a slight nod of his head, he stepped up to the stand. Placing the bucket down, he returned to his previous spot beside his sister. Coming to stand behind the girl, he placed his hand son her shoulders. "And this young woman here is Zara."

The sound of a heartbeat picking up caught her attention. At first, Dolores thought it might have been Lorenzo's. It would have made sense considering the man had just carried two large, fish filled, buckets from the river.

But it wasn't his.

Instead, the increased beating came from the girl beside him. Until she'd been introduced, her heartbeat was steady and calm. Nothing near the pace it was now.

"Oh wow! Brutus has told me so much about you! It's very nice to meet you." Zara said with a small curtsy.

Brutus was one of Camilo's best friends. He and Julio, a boy who shared an odd fascination with their mother, always hyped up the family and their gifts. More often than not the pair could be found with the village children. They would tell wildly outrageous tales of their friend's family and the gifts they held.

Which is just what they'd done with Zara.

Dolores hid her disappointment. She thought she had been onto something. That the increase in the girl's heartrate was because their presence unsettled her. But it appears that wasn't the case. Her elevated heartrate wasn't due to stress, it was due to her excitement.

"Why don't you two hurry along to Carlos' house. Heidi will be cross with us if we make her wait any longer." The children nodded. Lorenzo leaned down, taking the remaining bucket in his grasp, before they walked down the street.

"I'll be back shortly. I'm going to take these to Adriana. She's going to be so excited. Thank you again, Santos." Picking the offering up off the stand, Andre disappeared behind the back of his setup.

"Andre said you were waiting for me?"

Alma offered a friendly smile of her own. "Oh. Yes. We just wanted to check in and see how you and your family are enjoying our home. Hopefully there's been no problems."

"Not at all." The scarred man said. "Your home is truly beautiful."

"I hope that everyone has been friendly enough."

"I don't think I've come across one villager that wasn't in a pleasant mood! I've truly never been in somewhere that is so welcoming."

"That's good to hear. I know my children can be quite a handful."

"It seems as though that's something we share. It seems like mine are always getting into trouble." Santos let out a small chuckle. Finally, he placed his hat back on top of his head. "If you'll excuse me, I must be going. It's almost breakfast time. Have a nice day, Señoras."

"You as well." The trio watched as he followed the path his children had gone. Once he was out of sight, and they were left alone, Alma turned her attention towards Dolores. "Well?"

Dolores let out a squeak. Her grandmother was asking if the man had given any indication of nervousness or deceit. Unfortunately, he didn't show any sign of either. Dolores gave a single shake of her head. "His heartbeat was even the whole time. There was no sound of elevation at all."

"Great. Now what?" Isa huffed.

"We continue on. Dolores, listen for anything that man says. He may not have been lying to us, but there's still something about him I do not trust."