Tangled!

Rapunzel's breath came in frantic gasps as she ran, the night swallowing her in its cold embrace. The Stabbington brothers were close behind, their heavy footsteps crunching against the forest floor. She pushed herself harder, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Then, her world jerked to a stop.

A sharp tug yanked her backward. She gasped, stumbling as her hair snagged on the jagged edge of a massive rock. Panic surged through her. She twisted, tugging at the golden strands, but the knots tightened, trapping her.

No, no, no…

"Looks like your magic's more trouble than it's worth," one of the brothers sneered as they closed in.

Her heart hammered.

Then, THUD!

A shadow burst from the trees. One of the brothers staggered forward before crumpling to the ground, unconscious. The second barely had time to react before another crack sent him sprawling into the dirt.

Silence.

Rapunzel's breath hitched.

A familiar figure stood over the fallen men, panting, gripping a heavy wooden trunk.

Mother Gothel.

"Rapunzel?" Gothel's voice trembled, her eyes scanning the darkness for her daughter.

"Mother?" Rapunzel whispered, tears of relief spilling down her cheeks.

Gothel tossed the trunk aside and rushed to her, her hands immediately working to untangle Rapunzel's trapped hair. "Are you hurt, my darling?" she asked, her voice dripping with concern.

"I—I don't think so," Rapunzel stammered, overwhelmed by the night's events.

Gothel pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I was so worried," she murmured. "I followed you, and when I saw these brutes trying to take you—" she shuddered. "I had to stop them."

Rapunzel clung to her mother, fresh sobs wracking her body. She had been so foolish to leave. She had nearly been taken.

Gothel cupped Rapunzel's face, wiping her tears away with gentle fingers. "Come, dear. We need to leave before they wake up."

She guided Rapunzel toward a small boat waiting at the river's edge. She lit a lantern, its glow casting flickering light over the water.

Rapunzel hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the lake, where Eugene had disappeared. Her heart ached. "Mother… you were right," she whispered, voice cracking. "About everything."

Gothel's eyes gleamed. "Oh, my sweet girl," she cooed, pulling Rapunzel into another embrace. "Shh… it's alright. You're safe now. That's what matters."

But as she held Rapunzel close, her expression shifted, just for a moment. A calculating glint flickered in her dark eyes.

Safe.

Yes. But not from the world.

From the truth.

She had almost lost Rapunzel tonight. If the girl had truly left… if she had discovered the truth… No. Gothel tightened her grip. That would never happen.

She had to be smarter. She had to make sure Rapunzel never wanted to leave again.

Softly, she whispered, "Let's go home, my flower."

And Rapunzel, too lost in her grief, nodded.

Gothel smiled.

Meanwhile…

A low groan escaped Eugene's lips as he stirred. His vision blurred, his head pounding. He tried to move, only to find himself tied to the boat's steering wheel.

Panic shot through him.

The satchel. The crown. The perfect setup.

The palace loomed ahead, its towering walls glowing under the moonlight.

From the docks, guards spotted the vessel.

"Hey! That's him!" one shouted.

Within seconds, the boat was surrounded. Rough hands seized him, yanking him onto the dock.

"The stolen crown," a guard growled. "And caught fleeing the scene."

Eugene struggled. "Wait, this isn't—!"

A punch to the stomach knocked the breath from his lungs.

"Save it for the King."

The guards dragged him toward the dungeons.

As he stumbled through the cold stone corridors, one thought screamed in his mind.

Rapunzel.

She was in danger.

And he was trapped.

To be continued…