Mal had been shocked multiple times since she left her home on the Isle of the Lost and came to Auradon, since she fell in love with a prince and stood up to her mother, but then she was awoken by a loud thud outside her dorm room door.

She frantically reached for the lamp on the bedside table, switching on the light to see that Evie was awoken by the sound as well, her dark eyes wide. "M…what was that?"

Mal put a finger to her lips as she quietly slipped out of bed, her bare feet silent on the rug. She could feel her magic rising to the surface, her vision flashing green for an instant as she turned the door knob slowly. Mal stumbled back as a weight pushed open the door, a hand flying to muffle her scream as she saw what had made the noise.

It was Ben, skin pale and clothes torn as his body collapsed onto the large area rug. It was when she kneeled next to him that she saw the blood soaking through the blue button-up he was wearing, red spreading across his stomach.

She turning to Evie, whose face was drained of color. "Evie…get the Fairy Godmother…now!"

Mal didn't look to see Evie take off down the hall, magic mirror in hand. She concentrated on Ben, unbuttoning the shirt to survey the damage underneath the blood soaked fabric. Lacerations went across his chest and stomach, each one deep and weeping red when she laid her hands over the injuries. She tried every healing spell she could think of, but nothing worked… Grabbing the comforter off her bed, she pressed down on the wounds. "Come on Ben, stay with me."

He didn't respond to her. His body didn't move as she felt the warm liquid soak through the comforter. Those bright hazel eyes were still shut, those smiling lips slack and quickly draining of color. He was fading fast… Where was Evie?

Her vision blurred as she felt for a steady pulse, only to find it slowing. She pressed harder on his stomach, tears dripping onto his cheek as she bit back the sob clawing its way out of her throat. "Please don't leave me Ben…" She croaked out, "Please…I can't lose you."

Mal barely reigned in her magic when a hand fell on her shoulder and she met the sad eyes of the Fairy Godmother. She hardly resisted when she was pulled back by Evie and watched him be loaded onto a gurney, followed by the Fairy Godmother's urgent incantations that seemed to have little effect. Who did this to him? What could counter even Good magic?

The fairy turned to her then and Mal realized she'd spoken aloud. "I wish I knew."

Jay and Carlos came as the Fairy Godmother and her assistants rushed Ben to the infirmary. Both wore identical expressions of shock and horror when they saw the extent of the injuries.

Mal didn't react to the familiar apple scented presence of Evie as the blue haired girl laid her head on her shoulder nor the others as Jay wrapped his arms around both girls and Carlos squeezed her shoulder. Dude, in Carlos' free arm let out a whine…as though he could sense the wrongness. All she could see was the dark stain on the rug and the blood covering her hands and clothing…Ben's blood…

On autopilot, she pulled away from them and made her way to the bathroom. No one followed her as she shut the door and locked it behind her. Looking up at the mirror, she was shocked to find puffy bloodshot eyes and lips swollen from biting back the emotions roiling inside her. Turning away, she stripped off her pajamas and turned the faucet as hot as it would go and Mal watched numbly as the water went from red to pink to clear as it swirled down the drain. Laying her forehead against the tile, she let the water scald her skin until it eventually transitioned to cold before she finally shut it off and stepped out.

Walking out, Mal found them all huddled in Evie's bed. She thought they were all asleep until Evie's dark eyes once again sought her out. Mal looked away as she quickly changed into clean clothing and towel dried her violet hair. Her gaze returned to the rug, where the blood was beginning to dry... "Please don't leave me Ben…I can't lose you."

None of the three were surprised when Mal let out a wave of magic that shattered every breakable object in the room nor were they surprised to find her gone when the sun rose the next morning.

Mal had walked all through the night and early into the morning, even running at some point and she found herself standing on the other side of the rope bridge that she'd crossed with Ben all those months ago. She slowed to a walk as she made her way to the shore of the Enchanted Lake, remembering each step she took when Ben had held her hand. She ignored the burning in her limbs as she climbed over the rock and onto the ivy covered ruins, finally collapsing to her knees on the cold stone.

She didn't know what to do…she was at a loss. She couldn't go back into that room, couldn't go back to Auradon Prep. She needed a clear head before she could return…before her magic broke something more important than windows and the bathroom mirror. She concentrated on the sound of water against rocks and leaves rustling in the breeze, closing her eyes and crossing her legs.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed before someone came to sit next to her. Mal had expected Evie, Jay, or even Carlos, but was surprised to find the Fairy Godmother. Her heart skipped a beat when she caught sight of the expression. No…

"He is at Auradon Castle. The blood loss was extensive and it will take him a few hours until he is conscious enough to tell us what happened."

"Can I see him?"

"I recommend talking to you friends first…they're worried about you." She got to her feet and brushed off her dress. "But yes, you can go see him."

Mal got to her feet as well. "Can I catch a ride with you?"

"No problem dear. Let's go."