Remember last chapter? When I said it went down a path I wasn't expecting. And it got longer than indented. Well, this chapter was meant to be a short addition to the end of the last one. Short. Chapter 3 was the longest chapter. This one is 2,000 words longer than. I hope you enjoy long chapters because this one is long.

On a calm, clear Saturday evening Mal was sitting with Ben under the shade of a large oak, soaking the last rays from the day.

"Stop looking at your phone," Mal took his chin between her fingers, tilting it up.

"I'm replying to an email," He returned his gaze to his phone.

"And I'm trying to draw you," She tilted his head up again.

He gave an exasperated laugh, "Alright, alright. You know I'm going to have to leave soon anyway. I have that dinner meeting today, which you're still welcome to join,"

"Nah, I'll just fall asleep. I will go to the next one, but only if they're serving strawberries with dessert,"

Ben chuckled, "As you request my lady,"

"What could do you to stop me if I decided to kidnap you for the evening?" Mal asked with a smirk.

"I know you won't do that,"

"I could," She arched an eyebrow.

"But you won't," Ben replied, leaning forward.

Mal chuckled, rolling her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her phone started to ring. She glanced at it but didn't pick up.

"Aren't you going to get that?"

"It's just Jay. He'll leave a message,"

"And what if it's urgent?"

"Then he'll call back,"

She'd just pressed their lips together when the phone started ringing again. They pulled apart.

"I really think you should get it," Ben said.

She nodded, as she picked it up, "Okay, yeah, twice in a row is strange... Hey, Jay, what's up," Her brow furrowed the moment she answered and was met with a burst of noise and voices, "Whoa, slow down. Jay?"

"Mal? Finally, I've been trying to call you and Evie for the past ten minutes,"

"I'm with Ben. Evie isn't here,"

"Do you know where she is?"

"Not exactly, I kno-" She was cut off by a new voice on the phone.

"Hello, Mal? It's Fairy Godmother, is Dizzy Tremaine with you?"

"Dizzy? No," Mal's frown deepened, "Why, what's going on?"

"Oh dear, oh dear," Her voice faded off without answering. There was a beat and Jay's voice returned on the line. "Mal, can you come meet us in front? Things are kind of in chaos,"

"Yeah, we'll be right there," Mal said standing, "What's going with Dizzy?"

"I don't know exactly. Apparently, no one can find her,"

Mal's stomach dropped, "We're coming Jay,"

"What's up?" Ben asked.

"Something with Dizzy. They don't know where she is," She said, hurrying towards the front of campus.

They found Jay with Fairy Godmother in the administration's office. She was on the phone, speaking quickly. When she saw Mal she placed a hand over the phone's receiver and said to her, "Mal, there you are. Do you have any idea if Dizzy would have gone anywhere on her own?"

Mal faltered for words, shaking her head, "I-I… no, I don't,"

"Are you sure she isn't here on campus?"

She shrugged, "I don't think so. I haven't seen her. Evie isn't even on campus right now, so I don't see why Dizzy would be,"

Fairy Godmother started repeating everything Mal said to the person on the side of the phone.

"Where's Evie?" Jay asked.

"She and Doug went into town for a date. They left a while ago. As far I know they were planning to spend the whole day out,"

"Maybe Dizzy came onto campus and is looking for her?" Ben suggested.

"I was in the room when the two of them were picking out Evie's outfit for today. She knows Evie isn't here,"

"Still, we should search the campus. Maybe she's with her cousin," Ben said.

"Unlikely," Mal said.

Jay was on his phone again, "Carlos where are you right now?... Perfect, past by Mal's and Evie's room and see if Dizzy is there… Yeah, Dizzy… She's missing. If she's not there see if you can find Anthony. We're in the admin office right now. Call if you find anything,"

"Have you tried calling Evie?" Ben asked.

"She was the first person I called," Jay said, "I left a message, and sent texts, once she checks her phone she'll get them,"

"Let me try," Mal said, her phone already by her ear. She lowered it after a few seconds, shaking her head, "Do we know the last time anyone saw Dizzy?"

Jay shrugged, "Audrey found me saying Fairy Godmother was asking for the four of us. When I got here all she told me was they didn't know where Dizzy was and were trying to figure out if she was with us,"

"Doesn't Dizzy always let Florianna know when she's coming here?" Ben asked. Florianna was the niece of Flora, Fauna and Merryweather and she was placed as the head of the household for the lodging for the younger kids from the Isle who were attending the lower school. She was in a way their guardian in Auradon.

"Yeah," Mal nodded, "Usually Evie or one of us goes to pick her up. The only time she didn't tell anyone was coming here was when she skipped classes,"

"No chance of that being the case right now," Jay said.

Carlos came into the office just then, Lonnie with him. Between them, being dragged by his arms, was Anthony.

"Anthony, have you seen your cousin today?" Ben asked.

"Why would I have seen the pipsqueak?" He asked, roughly shrugging off Carlos and Lonnie.

"She's missing. No one knows where she is. We thought you would," Ben said calmly.

He looked at Mal, "Where's the blue princess wannabe? The runt's usually following her around like a flea follows a dog,"

Mal clenched her teeth, a thought suddenly crossing her mind.

"Did you do something to her?"

"Dizzy? No," He snorted and grimaced, "She isn't even worth my time,"

Mal closed the distance between them, grabbing him by the collar.

"Mal, hold up," Ben said. She didn't step back.

"If you did something, I swear…"

"I didn't!" His voice cracked, trying to stumble back, "I swear I didn't. I don't know where she is. If I did I would say,"

"Everyone, calm down," Fairy Godmother said, voice ringing with authority.

Mal let him go, actually believing him.

"Do you know where she could be then?" She asked.

"No," He shook his head, "You guys are with her more than I am,"

Mal tried calling Evie again with the same result as last time.

"Mal," Fairy Godmother came over to her, "Florianna is on the verge of a panic attack, I'm going to head over there to help her. Can you all keep looking here in case she does show up?"

"Actually, can I come with you? Jay and Carlos can keep looking,"

"I think I should come as well," Ben said.

"We can handle the search here. I can get everyone involved," Carlos, holding up his phone, "I just sent a picture of Dizzy to everyone on my contact list asking if they've seen her around,"

"Okay," She nodded to Mal and Ben, "You two come with me. Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled,"

On the way over to the house, Mal tried calling again, almost tossing her phone in frustration, "Damn it, E, pick up,"

"Hey, it's going to be okay," Ben said.

"We don't know that we have no idea where Dizzy is or what could have happened to her,"

"Then we have to believe it will be okay,"

The house that was home for the younger kids a large manor. It was much too large to house only three kids, but the intention was for it to house all the younger kids they eventually brought over. It was only a short distance away from the lower school for Auradon Prep.

As they got out of the vehicle a woman looking to be in her thirties came out of the doorway, rushing out to meet them.

"Oh Fairy Godmother, King Ben, Lady Mal, I'm so sorry. I don't know how I let this happen. I assumed when she didn't come back with the others she must have gone to your campus. I didn't even question it. It's only when it started getting dark I asked. I'm so sorry. I should have known hours ago," She said in a rush of words and flurry of hands.

Fairy Godmother took her hands, "Florianna, breathe,"

She nodded quickly, taking deep gasping breaths.

"Can you tell us exactly what happened?" Mal asked.

She nodded, slower this time, "There was a function in school today. A ceremony of commendation for the students. Dizzy and the other two all received tokens, something to help them feel welcomed. Afterwards apparently something went down between the three of them and some other students. Milo said they pushed Dizzy and she ran off. I'm so sorry. If I'd asked for her when they came back I would have known sooner,"

"It's not your fault," Fairy Godmother said in a calming voice, "Right now blaming ourselves isn't going to find her,"

"We should let the authorities know," Ben said.

"I called the police already," Florianna said, "I've been waiting for them to arrive,"

"Do you mind if I talk to the kids? Hear what happened from them?" Mal asked.

"Of course, they're inside," She nodded.

Mal jogged inside, nodding in way of greeting to another one of the workers at the manor. She found the boys in the game room. They both stopped what they were doing when Mal walked in. She gave them a small smile, going to sit with them on the floor.

"Hey Milo, Emu,"

"Hi," Milo said as Emu waved,

"Hi Mal,"

"I know you told this story already but would you mind telling me what happened today with Dizzy?"

"Marcel hit her and tried to take her gift," Emu said.

"Marcel? Is he a classmate?"

They both nodded and Emu said, "He's always mean to us. But Dizzy most of all,"

"He is?" Mal was surprised to hear about this.

"Him and his friends. They don't like us,"

"This happens a lot?" Mal asked, deeply concerned.

"Most days,"

"Do you tell anyone?"

Milo shrugged, "The teachers. They gave him detention once but he didn't stop,"

"But what happened today? Why did Dizzy run?"

"We got gifts and he didn't. He tried to take mine," Emu said.

"Dizzy stopped him," Milo added, "But he grabbed hers and jumped on it until it broke,"

Emu got up, walking to a desk in the corner and bringing back two pieces of wood for Mal. Once in her hands, she saw it used to be a small wooden plaque that had Dizzy's name on it.

"Marcel pushed her down and grabbed her and wouldn't let go until an adult saw us," Emu said.

"We tried to stop him. But then Dizzy ran away," Milo said.

"We couldn't keep up,"

"She's really fast when she wants to be,"

Mal processed the story for a moment, "Okay, thanks, guys. If I need anything else I'll come find you. Keep playing in here, alright?" She ruffled their hair for a moment with a smile before leaving. The second she was out of their sights the smile fell. She sent a text to Evie, hoping she checked that if she wasn't answering her phone.

Ben came up to her in the hall. He glanced at his watch before asking her, "What did the kids say?"

"Someone was bullying them. That's why Dizzy ran away,"

"And still no clue where she could be?"

"None," Mal sighed, running a hand down her face, "And I still haven't gotten through with Evie,"

At that moment Evie was sitting at a small table with Doug in a charming little café waiting on their dinner.

"I told you'd like the movie," he said with a grin.

She chuckled, lifting her glass to her lips, "It was alright,"

"It was more than alright. But just you wait until you see what I have planned for after dinner.

"Oh? Do I get a hint?"

"Umm… no," He laughed, "I'm glad we got to this. It's been forever since we got to do something that was just us,"

"I know. It's just been so busy lately,"

That's when Evie heard a chime from her purse. She reached in blindly for her phone. Her smile faded slightly when glanced at the screen.

"Something wrong?" Doug asked, noticing.

"I don't know. I have two missed calls from Jay and three from Mal, and a dozen texts. Let me just make sure everything is okay," She stood, stepping outside and calling Mal. It barely rung one time before Mal answered.

"Finally. We've been trying to get you for the past hour,"

"Mal? What's wrong?" She could tell something was off by the sound of her voice.

"E, it's Dizzy. She's missing,"

Evie felt like she'd been punched in the gut, "What?" Her voice came out in a whisper.

"There was a thing at their school and some kids were jerks to her. She ran away and no one has seen her since,"

"How long?" Evie was strutting back inside, the phone pressed to her cheek and shoulder. She grabbed her purse, fishing out her wallet.

"A few hours. She ran away from the school grounds, that's as much as we know. We're waiting on the cops now,"

Doug frowned as he watched Evie throw some money down on the table.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"We're leaving,"

"What? Why? But dinner,"

"We have to go," She said, "Dizzy is missing,"

"Dizzy? Wait, Evie! We just got here. We haven't eaten yet," He stumbled to his feet to follow her.

"E, do you know anywhere she might have gone?" Mal asked.

"No. I don't think so. Where are you now? I'm on my way,"

"I'm at the manor. I'm with Ben, Fairy Godmother and Florianna,"

"I'll be there soon," She was already on the street, hailing a cab.

"Evie, wait up," Doug called out.

"Hurry up,"

A cab stopped and she got in right away, telling the driver the address as Doug fell in after her, "I'll pay you double if you can be me there in less than twenty minutes," She said to the driver. She and Doug were thrown into the seat as the car pulled off with a screech.

Less than ten minutes later the cab pulled up in front of the manor. Evie pushed her purse into Doug's hands telling him to pay as she ran out of the car and through the front doors.

"Mal!" She ran to her, quickly taking in the scene. Ben was leaning against the wall next to Mal, constantly checking his watch or phone. Florianna was pacing back and fought, Fairy Godmother with her, trying to get her to calm down.

"What's happening?"

Mal quickly told her everything they knew.

"Dizzy's just out there? Alone?"

"Once the cops get here I'm sure they'll organise search parties," Ben said.

Evie bit her thumb, a far-off look in her eyes. Mal took her hand, pulling it away from her mouth, "Dizzy grew up on the isle, she's a tough one,"

Evie tried to smile, "But she's only ten,"

Doug came in, handing Evie's bag to her, "I think I saw my life flash before my eyes on that cab ride," He looked around at the group, taking in the grim faces, "No good news as yet?"

"No news at all," Mal said.

"What about the magic mirror? Could you use that to find her?" He asked.

Evie's brow furrowed in thought.

"We don't need to use to mirror," Ben said.

Mal turned to him, her eyebrows arching up, "We can consider it,"

"The cops will be here any moment. We don't need to do anything drastic. At least not yet,"

"At what point do things become drastic?" Mal asked.

"If and when the police can't find her, then, maybe, we can consider it,"

One of the workers at the house popped his head into the room, "Flori, A squad car just pulled up,"

"Oh thank heavens finally," Florianna sprinted out of the room, Fairy Godmother following her.

Doug placed a hand on Ben's shoulder, "I'm just thinking of the most efficient ways to find her,"

"It wouldn't be fair," Ben said.

"Wouldn't be fair to who? Dizzy?" Mal asked.

"No, the public at large," Ben crossed his arms, "If she used that to find to Dizzy then why can't she use it to find every missing person. It would cause public scrutiny,"

"We can care what everyone else thinks when Dizzy is safe,"

Evie held up her hands, "Stop. Stop it. Ben's right,"

"But E," Mal started to say.

"I'm the only one who can use it anyway, so it's my choice to make. The police are here so let's go see what they have to say,"

They walked out to the foyer together. As they approached it was clear the conversation they were having with the officers had Florianna increasingly agitated.

"What do you mean you can't do anything?"

"Ma'am, it's protocol, twenty fours haven't passed," One of the officers said.

"Surely the protocol is different for children?" Fairy Godmother said.

"Kids run away all the time," The second officer said.

"The lass will come home when she's hungry," The first one said.

"She's a ten-year-old girl!" Florianna shouted.

"Look, from what you told us she ran off 'cause she was upset. She can find her own way back. If she doesn't by morning then we can do something,"

"Besides, if it's one of those isle kids this is probably normal for them. Who knows what they get up to on that island?"

Mal felt a rush of heat, clenching down on her jaw hard. She felt Evie tense next to her. Before she could do anything Evie was striding forward.

"Excuse me?" Her voice was sharp, cutting the air. Mal hadn't heard her use that tone since before they got off the isle. "If she doesn't come home by the morning? She could be dead in a ditch by then! Or worse,"

"Miss, we have our protocol," He said, tone condescending.

Mal watched as Evie's hand folding into a fist. She held her breath, certain if this were on the isle that man would already have a black eye or busted lip.

Ben cleared his throat and Mal never got find out if Evie was really going to hit him or not. "Excuse me, but I know there have been exceptions made with missing person cases before,"

Both officers went at attention when they saw Ben.

"Your majesty,"

"We didn't realise…"

"Listen, it is imperative we find Dizzy safe and sound, as soon as possible. I'd like every available officer on this at once,"

"Of course your majesty, at once," He turned away to speak into his radio, while his companion started apologizing profusely.

Mal stepped up behind Evie and placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her away. Her thumb made a small circle against her shoulder blade. She watched as Evie drew in a slow breath, closing her eyes and opening her fist. The tension in her shoulders eased away under Mal's hand.

"Okay?" Mal questioned.

"Okay," she murmured, turning her gaze to Mal. She glanced at the officers out of the corner of her eyes, her index finger twitching against her thumb, "I wasn't imagining things just now, it sounded like they were ready to write off Dizzy as a runway because she was from the Isle?"

Mal rubbing her hand up and down her arm, drawing Evie's gaze to her again, "Forget them okay. They're going to look for her now. They'll find her and she'll be home soon enough,"

"Yeah," She gave weary sigh, wrapping one arm around her torso, "I hope so,"

Mal gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and a small smile. Doug joined them, placing his arm around Evie's waist. Mal stepped back, watching as he led her over to a sofa in the next room. Ben came to stand next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders.

"It's going to be okay now," He said, kissing her brow.

"What happened to 'worried about public scrutiny'?" Mal asked.

His head tilted to the side, a questioning expression on his face.

"You didn't want us to use the mirror, but you use your influence to get them to go against their so-called protocol,"

"I couldn't help that,"

"Sure you couldn't," She drawled.

"Beside the point. Don't you want them looking right now? Or would you have rather wait until tomorrow like they said,"

"No. I wanted to go with the plan that would have already had Dizzy back with us. Or at the very least we would know where she is,"

"We can't do that. This needs to be done the right way. By the right people,"

"And we're the wrong people?"

"That's not what I –" Ben was cut off by an alarm on his phone. He swiped it out of his pocket, smashing the screen several times to silence it.

"Go," Mal said dryly.

"What?"

"You have your dinner meeting. You're late enough as is,"

"I can miss the meeting,"

"Why? Like you said, the right people are searching for Dizzy. Not much you can do here now. Go to your meeting and be the charming king,"

He stared at her blankly for a long, tense moment. Then, he took half a step towards her, leaning down slightly only to stop himself. He turned on his heels leaving the room.

"What was that about?" Evie asked when Mal sat down next to her.

"Mm? What?"

"You and Ben just now?"

"Oh, he had to leave for a dinner meeting. He's sorry he can't stay,"

Evie arched an eyebrow, eyes burrowing into Mal. Mal got the feeling that Evie didn't believe her. But she didn't push further. Evie's gaze turned down, to her lap. Her hands were clasped together. She picked at the edge of her thumb. Mal watched for a moment before placing her palm over Evie's hands, stopping her. Mal gently pulled Evie's interlocked fingers apart and wove their hands together, bringing it so they lay in her own lap instead. Evie followed the movement with her eyes the entire time before they fluttered closed. Her free hand wrapped around her torso again, fist clenching around the fabric of her jacket.

A while later Fairy Godmother came up to them, "Do you children want to return to campus? I can arrange a car. I'll call as soon as we hear anything,"

"I'm going to stay if that's alright," Evie said.

"I'll stay too," Mal added.

Fairy Godmother gave a thin but meaningful smile, nodding, "Of course. Doug?"

"Oh, um, yeah, I'll stay for now,"

"Then if you're staying would you like something warm to drink? I know Mal prefers coffee, what can I get for you?"

"Tea please," Evie said, "One sugar, a little milk,"

"The same as Evie,"

"I'll be right back," She said with a nod.

When she returned with three mugs balanced in her hands Evie, with some reluctance, pulled her hand from Mal's to accept the cup. She sighed as she inhaled the aroma, taking a small sip. She watched as Mal took a mouthful of her coffee, giving a full-body exhale as she lowered it from her lips.

The night wore on slowly. An hour passed where nothing happened. Carlos called at one point to find out what was happening. They sat in relative silence. Doug tried a few times to start a conversation. It ended up being between him and Mal mostly, and they died as quickly as they'd been started.

Evie had long finished her tea and was simply cradling the now cold mug between her hands, gazing listlessly at the dark dregs at the bottom. Mal slowly took it from it her, asking, "Do you want another cup?" She nodded, managing a smile.

Mal stood, holding out a hand for Doug's mug, "Another for you too?"

"No, I'm good, thanks,"

"Okay, be back in a minute,"

Mal made her way to the kitchen, hovering the doorway for a moment. Florianna, Fairy Godmother and one of the other hands in the house were sitting around the counter, talking in hushed voices. Mal could see Florianna dabbing her eyes as Fairy Godmother rubbed her shoulder. She hadn't been seen yet, so she took a few steps back and made a point of knocking the mugs in her hands together as she stepped back in.

It had the desired effect, giving Florianna the warning and the time to pull herself together.

"Mal, dear, is something wrong?" Fairy Godmother asked.

"Just want a refill for Evie and myself,"

Fairy Godmother started to rise, but Mal shook her head, "I can manage, don't get up,"

She nodded with a small smile, "There's still hot water in the kettle. The coffee and tea bags are in the cupboard to the left,"

"Thanks," She placed Doug's mug in the sink and as quickly as she could make the coffee and tea. As she walking back to the sitting room Doug came out.

"Oh hey," He said, "I'm going to head back to campus. It's getting late, and I'm feeling kind of useless here. It's only making me more nervous,"

"Oh," Mal said simply. She bit her tongue to stop herself from asking if he was feeling useless by being there to support Evie.

"Yeah. Let me know when you hear anything,"

"Yeah, we will," She said with a terse nod.

He swung his hands awkwardly, pushing them into his pockets as he walked away.

Mal returned to Evie, "Are you okay?' She asked, handing her the tea.

"Yeah. Just… you know worried about Dizzy,"

Mal didn't question specifically about Doug, knowing Evie would have told her if she wanted to talk about it.

"She's going to be fine,"

"… She was being bullied Mal. She was being bullied and I didn't know,"

"How could have you known?"

She groaned, dropping her head into her hands, "I'm pathetic,"

"What? Where did that come from?" Mal was taken back.

Evie didn't answer. She had her hands over her eyes. Mal put down her cup, shifting from her seat. She got down on both her knees in front of Evie. With a shock, she realized she was crying quietly.

"E, hey," She said softly, "They'll find her,"

"It's been hours Mal," She sobbed, "I was the one who brought her here. And for what? To get bullied? To get lost? Or who knows what," She covered her mouth with her hand, looking away.

"Dizzy loves it here," She leaned up, placing a hand on Evie's arm, "Evie, look at me. Look at me, please," She waited until Evie turned back to her. Her hair was falling across her face. Mal brushed it back, "Dizzy dreamt of coming to Auradon. And you helped make that a reality. She loves it here. She loves you. I… I know saying she's going to be okay is an empty promise. But this Dizzy, she's smart and creative. She's lost right now. But someone will find her. If she's in trouble she'll think a way out. If she can't, she'll think of a way to get a message to us and we'll save her," She wiped away her tears, "Come on, you know her. She's tough. And I know you. And the Evie I know doesn't let her make up get ruined for anything,"

She gave a laugh that turned into a sob, "I'd let it get ruined for the right reason,"

"Dizzy just being missing isn't a good enough reason,"

She nodded, sniffing. She placed her hands over Mal's hands on her cheeks, "Before… when Doug suggested the mirror I-I didn't want to do it because I was scared,"

"Of what? What people would think?"

She shook her head, "Of what I would see. If Dizzy was…" She couldn't bring herself to say it, "But now I'm terrified that maybe it happened anyway and I could have stopped it if I haven't been so pathetic,"

"You are not pathetic," Mal asserted. Evie's eyes turned down again, "Hey," Mal's voice was firm but warm, "None of that. Look at me. Evie, you are not pathetic. You're brilliant. And you're scared right now. And that's okay. I'm a little scared too,"

Evie's eyes were a swirling depth of emotions. Her lips parted, just slightly, at Mal's admission. The silence stretched out until Evie finally said, in a soft voice, "Our mothers would scoff at us for admitting what we just did. Their daughters? Scared? That's blasphemy,"

"Ever the disappointments we are," Mal said, "You know what would make them really disappointed with us? Doing something brave even though we're scared,"

Evie took a deep, shuttering breath. Standing abruptly she wiped her face and marched out of the room, eyes burning with determination. Mal was transfixed for a moment, watching her. She shook herself back to the moment. She rushed to follow, catching up as Evie was walking into the kitchen.

"Fairy Godmother, I can't just sit around waiting something to happen. I can do something, so I'm going to do it. I need the magic mirror," She declared.

Everyone gaped at her for a moment. Fairy Godmother pulled herself together first, "Do you think you can find Dizzy?"

"I know I can,"

Fairy Godmother clasped her hands together across her lower face, deep in thought for a long moment, "Alright. Let's see if we can make it happen," she was on her feet and hurrying to the door, "Come on girls, we have to get to the museum,"

Mal and Evie ran after her.

"I don't think I'll get them to release it. But I'll get them to let you use it, will that be enough?"

"We'll make it enough," Mal said.

They drove to the museum. There Mal and Evie watched in awe as Fairy Godmother negotiated for the mirror, full out yelling at one the guards at one point.

"Now you listen here! I'm the person in charge of magical artefacts. I say these girls have permission to use the magical mirror. I don't need authorization from anyone else. Need I remind you that was her personal property that she willing turned over? Now kindly step aside this instant, or I may have reason to bring up this incident with the King,"

He paled, handing over the key to the display case the mirror was in.

"Whoa," Mal was stunned, "Fairy Godmother… did you just… threaten someone?" She asked as they walked to exhibit with the mirror.

"I believe I did. Let's keep that between us, shall we,"

Mal and Evie shared a quick grin, "Our lips are sealed,"

When they got to the mirror, Evie took it up, her hands shaking slightly. Mal noticed and slipped her hand into Evie's empty one, giving a small squeeze. She felt Evie return the gesture as she took a steadying breath.

"Magic mirror, small and round, please show me Dizzy, safe and sound,"

The image in the mirror distorted in a mist for a moment. As it cleared Dizzy's small frame came into view. Evie gasped, "She's okay!"

Dizzy was rubbing her hands together quickly, shivering. Her hair and clothes were dishevelled. She took stumbling steps over moss covered ground. Large, looming tree trunks rose around her, making her seem even smaller.

"The forest! The forest behind the school grounds! That's the only place nearby with trees that size," Fairy Godmother said.

"E, you did it," Mal said proudly. She gave her a side hug even as she got her phone out, making a calling, "Carlos! Listen! Dizzy is in the forest behind the school! We don't know where exactly, but she's in there somewhere. We're at the museum and we're going to be there are soon as we can, but you guys can start looking for her now… right! See you soon," Mal hung up, "The search and rescue is underway,"

They got back to school as quickly as they could. They found Carlos set up on one of the lunch tables outside, a map spread out before him. He was making marks on it as they came up to them. He gave them a grin as they got closer. From the forest, they could just hear multiple voices calling for Dizzy, as well see the occasional glimpse of a dull beam of light.

"We've got a grid pattern search going," He indicated to the map, "Everyone is in pairs searching and I'm coordinating from here," As he said this, his phone which was sitting on one corner of the map, chimed. He glanced at the screen, "Message from Jane and Lonnie, no sign of her in sector F2," He marked off a part of the map. As he was doing that another message came through, "Ben and Doug," He said, "K1 is a bust too,"

"Doug and Ben are out there?" Evie asked.

"Yeah, like fifty people showed up to help. And more are still coming,"

"You just got two more," Mal said, indicating to Evie and herself, "Tell us where to go,"

He tossed them two large flashlights, "No one is over in sector N. Head to the tourney field and head in, northeast. Check your phones I'll send a digital copy of the map that you can track yourself on. Every time you clear a box send me a message and I'll mark it off,"

They caught the flashlights nodding, "Got it,"

They ran off together, pushing into the woods. Holding the flashlights above their heads they made their way in deeper, calling out for Dizzy. Occasionally they checked the map to make sure they were searching in their area. Evie was constantly checking her phone, hoping for an update that someone else had found her.

Mal got ahead and didn't realise Evie had stopped until she turned around and found she wasn't there. "Evie?"

"Here," came her voice from behind. Mal jogged back to find her sitting on a log, taking deep breaths.

"Hey, are you okay?" Mal stooped down in front of her.

"Yeah," She nodded, sounding winded, "I just remembered I didn't eat dinner and lunch was technically popcorn and nachos at the movies. All the running, it's catching up,"

"Shit… we can head back,"

"No! I just… I just need a minute,"

"Okay, deep slow breaths," She did them too, getting Evie to mimic her. "We even didn't grab a water," Mal said with frustration.

"I'm good," She placed her hand on Mal's shoulder, standing again.

"Are you sure?"

"We have to find Dizzy,"

"I have an idea. But it may not work, and I'm not sure if it's worth getting your hopes up,"

"What is it?"

"There was a spell in the book Fairy Godmother lent me. It's meant to locate lost belongings. But it will only work in a certain range. If we're not close enough it's useless. Also, I don't know if it will work on for a person,"

"It's worth a try. Even if it doesn't work, it's better to have tried and failed,"

"Second thing. I need your help with it,"

"Me?"

"The spell says you have to be familiar with the thing you're looking for,"

"But you know Dizzy,"

"Not as well as you do,"

"But Mal-"

"Evie, you just need to think about her," Mal took her hands, holding them between her own, "Just think about her. I'll handle the actual spell,"

"Okay... okay, even if it fails we still have half the school searching," She nodded, "I trust you M, let's do it,"

"Place your palms on mine," She said, holding her hands out in front her. Evie rested her hands on Mal's, "Close your eyes and concentrated on Dizzy,"

"Okay,"

"Here goes," Mal whispered.

Evie pictured Dizzy in her mind, thinking hard on every detail about her that she could, down to specks of colour on her glasses. She heard Mal murmuring softly. She couldn't make out the words. She wasn't even sure if it was English. Mal's hand grew warm. It was a soft heat, caressing, inviting. But it was also, obviously not natural. A ghost of a touch rose up her arms in an instant, startling her eyes opened. Mal's eyes were closed, her brow furrowed together in concentration. Her lips were barely moving, the whisper of the spell slipping out into the cool night air. There was a glow emanating from between their palms, so faint Evie was sure the only reason she could see it was because it was night. It pulsed for a moment, only to fade again. She felt the ghost of the touch along her arm again, and, this time, up her spine. She wondered if it was the magic. It was barely there, lighter than a feather.

The glow pulsed again, a bit stronger. It seemed to fall on Mal. No, not fall, the glow seemed to just exist around her. It vanished before Evie could determine if there'd been any real source to the light at all.

In the reclusive darkness of the night, surrounded by the mystique of the forest Evie was struck all at with the notion that Mal wasn't entirely human. That last burst of magic, if only for a moment have given her an ethereal aura. Hauntingly alluring and strange. Disastrously beautiful.

Mal opened her eyes, the green a piercing glow the likes Evie had never seen before. It made the breath catch in Evie's throat. Mal blinked. It was gone.

Mal looked around, frowning. Everything was still. Quiet. "Damn it… I don't think it worked,"

"It's okay M,"

"I'm sorr-"

There was a burst of wind, whistling and wild. It spun around them, picking up dead leaves and moss. Evie yelled. Mal jumped. The grabbed onto to each other, holding close. The wind, spinning faster took on that same glow Evie had seen around Mal. Or she thought she'd around Mal. She wasn't sure. The light itself only existed where it did. It didn't give light to the area around them, nor did the light seem to change its own hue and brightness in the blotchy starlit shadows.

The wind moved, rushing away from them, still glowing in that unnatural way.

"Umm…" Evie's jaw was hanging loose.

"I think that's the spell," Mal said.

"That's the spell!"

"We should go," Mal grabbed Evie's hand and together they were off. Jumping over falling logs, stumbling in moss hidden divots, running, to keep up.

"Dizzy!" Evie called again, eyes never leaving the magical trail. Mal joined her calls. More than once she was sure she would have face-planted if not for Mal's hand, gripping tighter any moment her footing felt unsure.

"Dizzy!"

Then, "Evie?"

There she was, appearing out of the murk of the forest's shadow. She was utterly dirty. She looked scared and tired, but when she saw Evie a smile broke out on her face. She was there. Safe. Alive.

Evie got to her first. She had her in arms with a bone-crushing hug before she even stopped running properly.

She spun her around, crying and laughing, "I'm so happy to see you,"

"I thought I was going to be lost out here forever,"

Evie placed her down, looking over her in a frantic haste, "Are you hurt? Hells, you're freezing," She took off her jacket, pulling it around Dizzy's shoulders. She hugged her again, unable to contain herself.

"How did you find me?"

"It was Mal," Evie turned to look at her, eyes shining with gratitude and adoration, "She used the most brilliant spell,"

"Uh no, Evie used the magic mirror to figure out you were in the forest," Mal said, smiling.

"You used magic? You used the mirror?"

Evie nodded.

"Wow,"

"Don't you ever scare me like this again," Evie said, voice stern.

Dizzy's smile fell, and she nodded her head curtly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I-I went for a walk and I got lost,"

"Oh, Dizzy," Evie said in a hushed voice, "We know what happened and why you ran off. We know about Marcel,"

"Oh," Her voice was soft, sounding fragile. She withdrew on herself, "It won't happen again,"

"It's not your fault. Why didn't you tell me you were getting bullied?" Evie bent down so she was face to face with Dizzy.

"I didn't want to burden you. I know I just have to deal with it. I didn't want you to think I was complaining. I didn't want to disappoint you,"

"Dizzy, you can tell me anything. I want you to be able to tell me these things so I can be there for you,"

"But you were so upset when you found out I was skipping classes,"

"Dizzy," She said softly, "I wasn't upset with you. Everything we do here is going to be scrutinized. One wrong move and some people are going to cast on us the same judgement they do our parents. We can't give them any reason to do that. When I learnt you'd been skipping I was upset because I was scared. Someone could have used that as excuse to send you back, or to stop us from bringing more kids over,"

"Oh…"

"The bullying, is that why you skipped classed?"

She nodded slowly. Evie hugged her again, "Please, please tell me next time,"

"Okay," Dizzy teared up, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. And I'm sorry I ran away. I just got scared you'd be mad again if you heard I punched Marcel,"

"You punched him?" Evie pulled back, surprised.

"Milo and Emu didn't mention that," Mal said with a grin, "Nice going Short-stack," She held up a hand for Dizzy to high five. Dizzy did, with a little giggle. Evie slapped Mal's arm down a second after they had.

"Mal, we don't encourage violence,"

"Oh come on. A little violence never hurt anyone,"

"Actually, yes it did," Evie said pointedly. She stood up straight with a disapproving expression, "By definition any amount of violence is harmful,"

"Funny you say that now. Unless my memory is faulty, I remember a few days ago you offered to punch som-"

"Mal," Evie cut her off, tone wholly unamused.

Dizzy laughed again, louder this time. The burst of giggles drew both their attention. They looked at Dizzy, snorting with happy laughter. Their gazes met above her head, content smiles growing on their lips.

"Hey, what do you say we get out of this forest?" Mal said, "I bet you're both starving at this point,"

"Oh yes, please. And maybe some hot chocolate too?" Dizzy looked up at Evie hopefully.

"We'll see what we can do," Evie said with a smile, placing an arm around Dizzy's shoulders and pulling her to her side.

Mal sent a message to Carlos, letting him know they found her. She moved to Evie's other side, wrapping her arm around her waist as they walked out of the forest. They returned to campus to a tremendous cheer. A small crowd of their friends and schoolmates were waiting where Carlos had been. Anthony emerged from the crowd, walking up to them. Evie pulled Dizzy a little closer.

"Still have all your limbs?" He asked Dizzy.

"Um... yes?"

"Then you're fine," He said. He gave a nod and walked away.

Mal and Evie shared a look, "I think that was his way of saying 'I'm happy you're okay'," Mal said.

"There might be hope for him yet," Evie said.

"Exceptional job ladies," Fairy Godmother said, to Dizzy she said, "Dear, are you alright?"

She nodded, "I am a little hungry,"

"Florianna will be here soon to take you home, we'll get you some food in the meantime" She took her inside, along with Evie.

"Nice job," Jay said, giving Mal a fist bump.

A few other people came over to congratulate her as well, as they all slowly dispersed. She heard them talking in their little groups how happy they were Dizzy had been found safe. Mal felt a surge of joy at that.

"Guys, thank you, so much for helping,"

"Don't mention it," Carlos said with a shrug, "It was actually kind of fun, getting organised the whole search party. I wouldn't mind doing it again, you know, if we could do it without having a person be lost and potentially in danger,"

"I could run off into the woods and you could chase me," Dude said.

Carlos frowned down at him, "We already do that. It's called you refusing to play fetch,"

Mal saw Ben and Doug emerge out of the forest. She watched them have a short conversation before Doug headed towards the building and Ben made his way in their direction.

"You guys head in, okay, I'll catch up," She said.

Carlos and Jay nodded with a glance to Ben. They left her alone. Ben cleared his throat as he stopped a few feet away from Mal.

"You came to help,"

"Of course,"

"Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you before. I was worried and stressed about Dizzy,"

"I'm sorry too," Ben said, "Your points about the mirror were valid,"

"I'm glad you said that because that's how we found her,"

"Oh,"

"You would have found out sooner or later. I wanted you to hear it from me,"

"What's done is done. Dizzy is safe. That's what matters. If there is any fallout we'll deal with it, together,"

"Yeah," Mal smiled. She hugged Ben, only to pull back when her hand squelched against his back. She looked at her palm, seeing it had mud on it, "You're back is covered in mud," She flicked it off.

"I took a tumble climbing over a rotted log," He grinned coyly.

Mal laughed, "Oh, you poor thing,'

"I'm going to take a shower now. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow,"

They went their separate ways inside. Mal found Dizzy and Evie both having some food, a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of Dizzy. Mal sat sideways on the bench next to Evie, leaning against her. The adrenaline and tension from the evening were wearing off. She could feel the weariness set in. From the looks of Evie and Dizzy, they were both going through a similar post-adrenaline downswing. Mal noticed a faint bruise on Dizzy's knuckles. She'd seen many like it, enough to know exactly what caused it.

"Short-stack, next time you come over Jay and I will show you how to throw a punch so you don't hurt yourself," She gestured to the bruise.

"You're not teaching her how to fight," Evie said tetchily. She glared at Mal out of the corner of her eyes, but it was ruined by the tiredness etched on her face.

"She should learn how to defend herself," Mal pointed out.

Dizzy looked curious at the idea but didn't say anything. She glanced between Mal and Evie as they stared at each other, Evie glaring, Mal wearing a small smirk.

"Or you could make her gloves like ours," Mal suggested when it obvious Evie wasn't behind the fighting classes.

That really piqued her interest, "Would you? Not even for fighting. They just look cool,"

Evie gave Mal a look that said, 'See what you've done,' before she looked at Evie, "I'll make you gloves,"

"Yea!"

"If there aren't going to be fighting classes I can teach you my best insults. Some good cutting words can make almost anyone relent,"

"Mal," Evie warned.

"I'll only tell her PG ones,"

Evie rolled her eyes, giving Mal a little shove. When she looked away Mal leaned over to Dizzy to whisper, "Don't worry, they won't just be the PG ones,"

This made Dizzy erupt into giggles. Evie turned back to them, eyes narrowing as she watched Dizzy beside herself with laughter and Mal giving her best innocent grin.

"One of you is going to be the death of me," She muttered tiredly. This made Dizzy laugh even more and Mal join her with a soft chuckle. Evie couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.

Chapter 3 turned out to be longer than expected. It was also my favourite at the time and it remained my favourite until this one. Thank you for reading. I hope the length wasn't daunting.

Nardragon~ until the next page.