Hey Descendants!

Happy first Friday of 2020!

We're so excited to announce that we have finished all rewrites and edits for this book, and are about half way through book three. Don't worry, we'll keep you guys updated if our posting schedule changes.

Back to the story...

Poor Ben finally had so much of what he wanted... And now he's dealing with everyone's opinion without his friends by his side...

Enjoy :D

Ben sighs as he picks at his food. He hadn't bothered showing up for lunch, but he knew from experience that if he missed more than one meal Mrs. Potts would hunt him down.

And she was a force to be reckoned with when she thought something was wrong enough to put a person off their food.

So, here he was. Alone.

It was like everything he'd wanted, all his hard work had all come full circle.

The dining hall felt empty without the gang, without his friends. And at the same time, the volume level was too much. He sighs as he looks around, noticing the way everyone seemed to occasionally watch him before they turned away again.

Everything felt so different now.

"Benni-Boo?"

Ben takes a deep breath before he turns in her direction, "Yes, Audrey?" He smiles up at her. It had been a while since she had sought him out.

"You look upset." She states matter of factly.

"Very observant of you." He nods his head, trying to keep the sarcasm from his tone. "This morning has been very busy."

"Oh, Ben." She frowns before she sits beside him and takes his hand, "It does sound like it's been very stressful. I've heard about all the bad things happening around the school, and have seen some of the wreckage."

Oh, mother help him. He'd rather sit alone. "Some of it is rather hard to miss." How had he dated her so long? She was just so predictable, classist, and bigoted.

Audrey nods, "You don't believe they did it though, do you?"

"No, I really don't." Ben lowers his fork to his plate. "For a lot of reasons, the top one being that they're good, and kind, albeit a little misguided by no fault of their own."

"You've looked forward to their arrival for so long," She pats his hand, "I'm sorry. I know this must hurt."

"Thank you," Ben smiles, surprised by her genuine sympathy. "I just can't believe someone in this school would sink this low." He frowns, "Or what could have triggered it."

"I don't know Ben. I would not have thought anyone in Auradon could be cruel." Her brow furrows as she watches him, "Do you really think someone in Auradon, or any kingdom under its banner, could do something like this?"

He did. How else had children grown up on an isle full of villains? He frowns, "I- I know it's easier for others to believe they did this, but I know they didn't."

"I'm sure things will start to get better once the investigation is complete." She smiles prettily up at him.

He half-heartedly smiles in return, "I agree with that completely."

Audrey nods before she shifts as if to stand and leave, but pauses, "I know I'm not your girlfriend anymore Ben, but that doesn't stop me from caring for you. And I am here if you need to talk to someone."

A genuine smile pulls at his lips when he realizes how honest she was. "And I'll always care about you, we might not be together but I do still consider you a friend."

A smile lights up Audrey's full face, "I do too."

His brow furrows. She had always been a bit all over the place to read. "I'm glad, that means a lot to me."

Audrey nods before she stands up and rests her hand on his shoulders, "I hope you feel better."

"Thank you." Ben grins. "And, thank you for caring enough to stop by."

"Of course." Audrey bites her bottom lip before she nods and walks away.

That was an unexpected interaction. She hadn't talked to him since she told him she and Chad were dating. He turns back to continue eating.

But what had triggered the sudden attack on them? He frowns, thinking over the events of the last week before his stomach drops. Was it because he'd made things official with Mal? It was the biggest event he could think of. He chews his bottom lip.

Someone was trying to get them sent back to the isle. But who? He glances at the table he'd abandoned weeks ago. He was surprised to find Jane where he used to sit. That was certainly something worth taking note of. Mal and Evie had mentioned spending time with Jane recently, and he'd been certain the girl was close to joining their table.

They must have included a make-over because Jane looked different. Definitely more confident. It was odd seeing her among that particular group. They'd never wanted to pay much attention to her before.

His eyes continue to sweep the table to Chad, Chet, Chaz, Chip, and Cayden. They would all be willing to frame the core. But even with how poorly this was executed- he doubted the smartest among them could orchestrate this type of set up. He frowns. But that didn't mean they wouldn't have acted under a greater force. He absently takes another bite of food, refusing to be wasteful after hearing about the food his friends had grown up with. He grimaces. He couldn't imagine eating moldy food or food infested with bugs.

He sighs as he hangs his head. He was happy the other three had stood in defense of the core. He really was. It just sucked being left behind. Was this how the core felt when he'd accidentally separated them? How Deez had felt when her gang had been tugged out from under her feet? The thought made his chest constrict.

He quickly finishes his meal, not even tasting it. From now on he was eating in the kitchen, at least until his friends were back.

Roy looks up from his phone at a strange sound. He frowns as the noise tugs strangely at his heart. But then it stops.

He looks around the room in confusion before he shrugs and settles back against his pillow. He clicks his phone back on and continues playing his game.

When he hears the noise again he puts his phone away. It sounded like a smothered whimper. His gut twists.

By the third chest restricting whimper he bolts up from his spot, his eyes sweeping the room in concern.

"Shit." He hears Jay shout before he sees the other boy jump out of his sleeping bag.

Roy rushes over, jumping over Doug to join him. "How can I help?"

"Sup brahs?" David sits up in his sleeping bag, rubbing at his eyes.

"It's nothing," Jay says as he shields Carlos, holding the small struggling boy close to his chest.

Roy's eyes open wide as Carlos's tormented face twists and his mouth drops open. He's on his knees with a hand struggling to cover the boy's mouth before he can even think.

"Carlos!" Jay whispers frantically, "You're okay."

"Please no! Not back!" Carlos cries as he fights Jay's hold, his voice muffled by Roy's hand.

"We're not going back Carlos." Jay pulls him tighter, "We're fine." He rocks the other boy slightly as he whispers in his ear.

David joins them silently as he kneels beside Roy, his eyes soft as he carefully catches both of Carlos' hands and squeezes them to keep him from lashing out.

Roy flinches at the sound of the door behind them closing.

"No Mom! No." Carlos continues to shout, "I'm sorry! Please! I'll be better."

Roy flinches as he looks away, but doesn't drop his hand over his mouth. The threads of fear and desperation in his tone starts to make his anxiety jump.

"Not the closet!" Carlos screeches in terror, "No!"

"She can't hurt you anymore Carlos. I will never let her hurt you again." Jay shakes his head, "I promise."

"You're safe Carlos," David adds his voice soft and soothing. "We're not going to let anything hurt you, and no one is going to send you back."

They sit there for several minutes, offering soothing reassurances while Carlos continued to fight as if his life depended on it.

This was killing him. He'd never heard such blood-curdling screams of terror before. It was hard to listen to. He swallows painfully.

He'd never seen anyone shake and sweat like this from a nightmare. Had never shared such an intimate moment with another person.

It was scary. And it made him want to shoot an arrow through who'd ever hurt him like this. One arrow, straight through the eye.

He blinks at the thought. That wasn't like him at all. But he couldn't help it. Carlos was such a sweet kid and to see him like this was heartbreaking. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen anything that hurt to watch this much. Or felt his heart ache before. Whoever had done this to such an amazing kid deserved a swift kick to the crotch. And then some.

He swallows hard, flinching as he continued to try to keep Carlos from waking everyone else in the house up, but was failing miserably. The shakes and jerks make his stomach hurt.

Eventually, only whimpers and an occasional scream escapes his lips.

"That's a good pup." Jay wipes sweat-soaked curls out of Carlos's face before he pulls him back to his chest, "You're safe. I've got you." He pauses for a second and looks around, "David's got you. Roy's got you. No one's letting her touch you."

"Jay?" Mal kneels on his other side, her fingers quickly sinking into Carlos' curls.

Jay lets out a half-choked sob, "Here, he does better in this part with you and Evie."

Evie and Jay quickly, gently switch positions with practiced ease.

He slowly lifts his hand away from Carlos' mouth. So much for letting the others sleep. He stands up and backs away. He'd be embarrassed if he woke up with so many people over him.

Evie puts her cheek to Carlos' and starts humming softly as Mal continues to gently runs her fingers through his hair.

Jay sniffs as he stands, "I'll be back." He barely explains before he walks out of the room.

Roy silently follows behind, heading down the stairs to find Doug staring out the back windows. He flinches as the door slams. His head was reeling. What the fuck had just happened? He wasn't sure he'd ever had such a visceral response to someone else's suffering.

Fuck.

Was he supposed to pretend that hadn't happened tomorrow? He already knew the answer to that question for Jay. Because he certainly hadn't seen tears in his eyes.

He was pretty sure he understood why the four of them shared a room now.

"You okay?" Doug asks as he looks back over his shoulder.

"Tch." Roy waves dismissively, quickly trying to put on a brave face, "Better than half the house," His shoulders slump, "but still somehow worse than ever."

"Uh-huh." Doug slowly shakes his head, "I just, I couldn't stay in there. He was-" He turns back to look out the window.

"Raw." Roy plops down on the couch, hanging his head back as he covers his eyes.

"Scared." Doug takes a deep breath, "Like real terror."

"Yeah." He agrees with a frown as he drops his hand and lets out a sigh before he shakes his head. "They act so fucking normal, sometimes I forget…"

Doug nods, "Same." He furrows his brow, "Where is Jay going?"

"Probably to go scream at the ocean? That's what I want to do. Scream at something. Or hit something. It's not fucking cool bro… Carlos has gotta be the sweetest kid I've ever chilled with. What the fuck did his mom do to him? It's fucked bro."

"Should we follow him?" Doug asks as he watches Jay's shadow disappear over a sand dune.

Roy chews his lip, "I think if we do, it should only be one of us."

"Probably." Doug sighs.

"I got it." Roy pushes himself up. "You just do the whole research thing to see how we can help."

Doug's shoulders sag in relief, "You know me so well."

Roy grins before he heads to the door. "I'll make sure Jay doesn't do anything stupid."

"Anything stupid is a long list."

"Bet my list is shorter." Roy winks before he startles when a hand lands on his shoulder.

"Which is why I should go brah."

"Fair." Roy nods as he holds up his hands. "I'll help Doug."

"Let Lonnie and Nani know Mal and Evie are staying with Carlos for now if they come out."

"Understood." Roy salutes him with two fingers.

"Good." David nods as he grabs his and Jay's coats. "Thanks."

David smiles as he finds Jay sitting in the sand, staring out towards the ocean. The kid was even working on his breathing.

Progress.

He walks over, standing beside Jay before he plops down crossed legged. He could wait.

"This is going to happen every time something even hints at us getting sent back." Jay eventually says, his voice rough with barely contained emotion.

David tilts his head up to the stars before he sighs. "Eventually you will start believing us when we say we won't let any of you get sent back there. But it's going to take a lot of time." He reaches out to rest a hand on Jay's shoulder, knowing the boy needed a form of touch to start grounding himself again, "It seems like the four of you have a system that works. And I'm sorry we didn't just let you sleep together. Tomorrow night we can all sleep in the living room."

Jay wipes his face with his forearm before he works his hands back into the sand, "We've gotten so used to them not happening to any of us." He shakes his head before he clears his throat, "I'll do anything to keep him safe."

"Today was a pretty rough day, it's normal for that to trigger these events." He sighs and gently squeezes, "I'm happy to hear that it's been a while since one of you had a night terror though. Those are scary to watch and harder to experience." His somber expression lightens to soften his features. "And no one doubts your dedication to your pack brah, least of all me. You'd do anything to keep every one of them safe." He chuckles, "Even your new recruits."

"The stupid recruits." Jay half growls, "And I saw how scared they were. I wouldn't be surprised if they realized they didn't actually like us, if they left us and went back to their normal lives like nothing ever happened." His voice catches in his throat before he looks away, pulling his knees to his chest.

David slowly drops his hand from Jay's shoulder to lean back, bracing his hands in the sand as he tilts his head back and studies the stars. "Brah, I was scared when I saw what was happening to Carlos. It was hard to hear him so scared. Harder still to understand his fear." He shakes his head, "But hey, I don't want to run and leave you guys. In fact it makes me want to stay longer, get closer, help you find your strength."

"Yeah, well you're a weird adult." Jay hunches over his knees.

"Brah, you haven't even met my ohana." David chuckles, "If you think I'm weird, wait till you meet Lilo."

Jay draws in a deep breath, but doesn't turn back, "It's not fair."

David shifts closer before he starts rubbing Jay's back. "No, it's really fucking not."

"We're doing everything we're supposed to, and still- It hurts that someone can fuck it up for us so easily. Someone made that happen. Made him dream about fucking Cruella and her damn fur closet." Jay shakes as he wraps his arms around his legs, "He was so happy, but he's going to be so haunted for days now."

David frowns. "Carlos is a strong kid. He has you, and Mal, and, Evie. Roy, Doug, and Lonnie. Ben. Hours of video games. Nani and me. And starting tomorrow I'm pretty sure a new idol to focus on. He might be off for a couple of days, but he won't be facing it alone. But you're right, it still sucks."

"I just-" He shakes his head, "I can't let him get sent back. Not to her."

"That's not going to happen." David states sternly, "None of you are going back to the isle. She's never going to be able to hurt him again. I-" He bites his lip, "We won't let it. I'll stake my license on it because if I let that happen I'll have failed as a counselor anyways."

Jay turns to face him finally, biting his lip and unaware of the tears on his face, "Do, do you think you can talk to him, about the virus thing. I saw him looking up stuff about his mom after what Chad said."

"Already planning on it," David assures him. "Did you want to talk about the accusations against you?"

He shakes his head, "It's no less than I deserve. I did steal stuff-"

David holds up his hand. "Stop." he shakes his head. "You don't deserve this. No matter what you did on the isle. What you did over there you did to survive. What you are doing over here is discovering your identity. You're so much more than a thief. And anyone who knows you knows that."

Jay shakes his head, "I don't care what people think of me." He shouts, "They can say whatever the hell they want to about me. As long as they know Carlos, Mal, and Evie are good."

Oh. This iki brah was insane if he thought he was getting away with that. Over his dead body was he letting this kid sacrifice himself. "You might not care, but I do." He explains with a low growl.

Jay's eyes widen as he kicks out in surprise, sending sand flying before he overcompensates for the loss of balance and lands on his back, "What the fuck brah?"

David shakes his head. Control it. Control the anger. Jay didn't need to be scared by this right now. "Sorry Jay. I'm not perfect, and what is happening to you and your pack makes me very angry on your behalf."

"Sorry."

With a sigh David flops to his back to lay next to Jay, straightening out his legs before he continues, "Brah, you're kind, caring, and okay, maybe a bit too overprotective, but it is nobly so." He grins up at the stars, "You are an older brother to so many people, and you feel responsible for them on such a level that it hurts you when you feel like you've failed them." He reaches over and pats Jay's leg. "You're pulling a Deez. She didn't feel like she belonged here, and she got left behind because of it. Think about what that did to the rest of you. What do you think the other three would do without you? How would they feel if you were suddenly gone?"

Jay's face furrows in pain, "I'm not pulling a Deez."

"Aren't you brah?"

"No. She couldn't see past her stupid morals and fucked up justice and self-punishment to see what a good person she was. I don't think I'm a bad person, I just can't let people torment Carlos like this. Carlos, Evie and Mal. And if Auradon wants a scapegoat, might as well be me." Jay shakes his head as he sits up and curls around his knees again, hiding his face. "At least I'd be keeping them safe."

David takes a deep breath and lets it out. He knew part of Jay wanted to go back to the isle. Could even understand it, wholeheartedly. It was one of the things he could truly empathize with him over. For a kid brought up on an isle of despair and unimaginable horror, he was incredibly altruistic to a fault.

"My dad doesn't throw me into a room full of traps or break booze bottles over me. Doesn't shove me into the shards of broken glass because I missed a spot while cleaning. Doesn't starve me when I forget to steal bleach or hair dye, or when I gain a fucking pound. He doesn't make me think I'm nothing but a fucking empty-headed princess that can't be anything more than a baby factory for royalty."

David grimaces. These kids lived a nightmare. And part of Jay felt responsible for all of it. He clearly wished he'd been strong enough to fix it. Regretted not stopping it. His chest tightens as he looks to the stars and waits for Jay to continue talking. To continue unloading the horrors he'd been hoarding.

"He doesn't set up elaborate traps for me to walk into so he can berate me and make me feel like an idiot, doesn't beat me for not being exactly like him. My dad doesn't work with others to put me in dangerous situations to make me stronger, or isolate me from everyone I care about, and lie to me about everything, all so I'll kill myself trying to free him because that's all I was born for."

Jay's tone was gut-wrenching. The worry, the concern, anger, disgust; all mixing together, but each one so undeniably potent he could taste them. Taste his regret and sorrow. Feel the helplessness that went hand in hand with how powerless he'd actually been on the isle.

Tears well in his eyes. His heart was breaking for him. He wanted to shield Jay, tell him everything was going to be okay. But all he could do for now was let him bleed this out. This was the damn holding everything else back, it needed to break so Jay could start healing.

"And he definitely doesn't lock me up in some fucked up church, color my skin and dye my hair to make me look like some hero just so he can fucking rape me. Fuck, my dad hasn't done anything to me for years. Years! He barely even talks to me, except when he's disappointed the fucking lamps I bring him never work."

David takes several deep breaths, letting each one out slowly before he can gather himself enough to help Jay to the best of his abilities, "That's all pretty heavy shit to be carrying around Jay," He takes another deep breath before turning back to Jay, "Come on." he stands up and offers his hand to him.

Jay curls tighter around his knees and shakes his head.

David frowns as he sits next to him. Well, if he didn't want to try yelling into the waves, he wraps one arm around his shoulder before pulling him to his side. Jay gave everything he had and everything he was, felt guilty for never being able to stop adults from hurting his friends, and his father- "It sucks to feel like the lucky one in such a shitty situation."

"You can't tell them." Jay chokes out as he blindly pushes and pulls against his jacket, "They'd be embarrassed I know so much."

"I promise I would never do that Jay," He squeezes him tighter so he couldn't take off. "Consider any conversations between us safe, even out here. Nothing but you, me and mother earth." He assures him, not sure he could kick the need to protect this specific protector, not that he wanted to try and stop the feelings, "You might not be able to see it, but you are incredible and selfless. I've never had the pleasure of meeting someone like you before. You hold your family together when it would otherwise fall apart."

Jay grabs David's jacket with both hands, forming tight fists around the material before he buries his face against his shoulder.

"Let it out brah, you'll feel better." He reassures him as he rubs his hand up and down the boy's back. His head tilts back. It was as if Jay just needed his permission as the held back sobs suddenly rack his side. "That's right brah. You've earned this. Just let it out."

For the second time since they'd met Jay clings to him, muffling his sobs and screams against his jacket for an hour before he slowly calms.

When Jay doesn't move for a few minutes he looks around for the jacket. When he turns he finds a pile of blankets behind him.

When had Nani snuck out here? He gently lowers Jay to the sand, letting his head rest on the pile.

He carefully grabs a blanket from the middle, slowly pulling it out before he covers Jay. He remembered to grab the jacket for the kid but forgot to make him put it on.

He frowns as he sits back up to stare at the dingy yellow barrier glowing across the ocean. He'd never hated the color yellow so much in his life.

That isle was a literal hell on earth, and it disgusted him that there were actually children stuck behind it. What the fuck was wrong with these kingdoms' older generation. Hawaii wasn't perfect, but his home state would never stick kids with monsters.

He bites his lip as he turns back to look Jay over. From the sounds of it, these kids had been used for nothing short of slavery and entertainment, it made his stomach turn. He was going to have to talk to Cobra after this week, or sooner if he could slip away for a few hours.

No wonder Jay felt so responsible for everyone. He had no doubt Jay was being honest with himself about his father. If the man could be called that. Neglectful piece of shit. It hurt. And he couldn't even begin to empathize, not that it stopped him from trying.

They needed the rest of these kids over here now. The more they learned about life on the isle, the more certain they became. This was child endangerment, abuse, neglect, and kai only knew what else.

He was feeling Jay. Being powerless to fix it hurt on every level.

The thought was driving him and Nani crazy.

So much so that they'd been working tirelessly searching through the profiles of Auradonians who carried clout in the councils, pouring over Auradon's laws, and seeing what red tape they would have to cut through to do something right for these kids.

Because Ben was the only one in this entire monarchy that made any sense. That kid was another one in a million, like Jay, his pack, and the kids he spoke highly of from the isle.

No one should have grown up the way these kids had. And now that he knew they existed, he was going to put all he was into Ben's dream. These kids needed help.

How had this situation gotten so completely out of hand so quickly?

"I heard the investigators took some stolen stuff as bribes so they'd rule in favor of the villain kids not being guilty. How else are those assholes still in Auradon?" Chet rolls his eyes.

Ben blinks, "What!?" So much stupid was pouring out of his mouth it hurt his head. "Why would you think that?"

"I told you. It's because it's the only thing that explains why they're still here." Chet snorts, "You awake Prince Ben?"

"So, you're saying we would bribe them with the evidence?" Ben asks as his pointer finger rubs circles into his temple. The old adage was take the stupidest person you know, half their intelligence and that level made up a majority of the world. If it was true, the thought scared him.

"We don't know." Chad shakes his head as he throws his hands in the air, "We have no real idea what's going on now, do we?" He shrugs, his face screwing up in a look of disgust, "Sounds like a cover-up to me."

"Because they're not finished doing their jobs, we just know who it isn't at this point."

"Yeah," Chad snorts, "Clearly no one from Auradon."

"So, all of this mess was done by a ghost? Because we know it wasn't my girlfriend or her friends at this point."

"No," Chad huffs, "We don't know that. We only have your word. And Ben, you're a little blind to the current situation. Personal conflict much?"

Ben takes a deep breath. "As the one who made the proclamation, it is my job to oversee all things concerning them. If you paid attention in law class, instead of getting other people to do it for you, you might know that. If you like I can tutor you."

"You are dodging the real issue here." Cayden shakes his head as he folds his arms over his chest.

Chet laughs as he mirrors the action, "Yeah. Like the fact that they're bad."

Chad exaggerates a frown and nod as he walks up to stand between the identical twins, "You really are."

"I'm not dodging anything." He forces a polite smile. "And they're not even rude, let alone bad."

"Pfft!" Chad shakes his head, "Not rude? Not rude? Have you actually met them? Jay is a monster who likes to hurt people. Evie is a cheater and only interested in the size of people's castles. Mal, don't even get me started on that one, because rude is like her main personality trait."

"Sorry, let me rephrase, rude to people who haven't earned it." He smiles when he realizes no one can find fault with Carlos. "One. Jay isn't a monster anywhere but on the field. Two, Evie's moved passed all that, and on to much better, smarter things. Three, if Mal is rude to you, I'm sure it's for valid reasons at this point."

"Ben, we're friends. We are. But you are so wrong about them. I warned you. Audrey warned you. But you wouldn't listen to anyone. You were too blinded by an idea that only you believed to be noble."

"I already told you the investigators have confirmed it wasn't them."

"Then there's a cover-up going on." Chad shouts, "No one wants them here. They're corrupting Lonnie and the band kid."

"Doug." Cayden shrugs.

Chad nods, "Right, Doug. What about Doug and Lonnie?"

"Not worried about Roy?"

"Does anyone worry about Roy beyond worrying about where he is and what he's slipping into his pockets?" Chip rolls his eyes.

"I do." Ben raises his hand.

"Well, then you should save him from the bad influences." Chad groans in exasperation.

"Last I checked the five of you weren't hanging out with them," Ben quips back politely. "So one could consider him saved."

"Ben. Rude." Chad holds out a finger as if to shame him, "Audrey was right. The longer they're around you, the ruder you get. Like you stopped caring about us. You're real friends."

"Or they've got him under some type of spell or something." Chaz points out loudly.

A crowd that Ben had not noticed ooohs and starts talking loudly over each other

"Rude, or just more honest." Ben frowns. "Are you accusing me of turning a blind eye, or being so unintelligent that I would bring incompetent investigators into a matter that is so important to this school, me, and this kingdom. If you were really my friend, you would know that I would never do either. And it is so insulting that you would think me spelled rather than right about the justice I'm trying to bring to our kingdom." The coldness in his tone surprises him. But he was so done arguing the truth with these five. It was like talking to a brick wall. Worse.

Chad takes a step back, his face stunned as he looks Ben over, "Wow man. I guess that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? You'd rather be alone with no one to tell you how wrong you are, than with people who care about you that refuse to let you ruin the kingdom. No one wants those four here. No one believes they're capable of goodness. Everyone knows they've got some kind of evil plan up their sleeves. They were raised by villains Ben. Villains! What do you think they were taught over there?"

Ben lifts his brow as he crosses his arms. "That's enough Chad. I have more important matters to attend too, and you've clearly got all the information you need to make an informed decision." He was sure even Mal would be proud of the level of sarcasm he'd just mustered into a single sentence.

As he turns to walk away he catches sight of Jane standing with Audrey. They were both looking on with wide eyes, as if neither could believe what they'd seen.

"Ben?" Audrey calls out softly as she extends a hand towards him.

He pauses, turning to her with a small smile, "Yes?"

Jane shifts uncomfortably beside Audrey, unable to make eye contact.

Audrey tilts her head to the side before she pulls a heavily embroidered handkerchief from her purse and takes a bold step closer to him, "You're sweating." She lightly dabs at his forehead, "And there are cameras outside nearly every door to the school."

"Thank you very much." Ben offers her a genuine smile. He didn't personally care if they caught him sweating right now, but he knew Audrey did. Probably as much as Evie.

"They'll jump all over you if they think you're nervous." She tucks the cloth back into her purse before she pulls another out and offers it to him.

"That's… That's actually a really good point," He chuckles. "Thank you." He takes the offered cloth. "I hope you ladies have a good rest of the day. I have some matters that need tending." He bows slightly before he tucks the handkerchief in his pocket. He needed to go sit by himself for a minute and collect his thoughts before speaking to the reporters.

We know Ben was a little OoC with Audrey, but he was under a lot of pressure and feeling lonely and left behind.

It sucks being the only one at your table, been there done that. It's very dispiriting.

That being said, what do you guys think about the conversation between their?

Do you guys think she had an ulterior motive? Or was she genuinely concerned? We're leaning more into the book version of her than the movie or mini-series if that helps.

Every time we write C having a night terror it breaks my heart, and this time it seemed to break a few more. Did you like getting to experience it from Roy's pov? We were playing around with trying to make the scenes more impactful. Did we succeed?

And that scene between Jay and David was just heavy. Jay feels so guilty that his dad doesn't fuck with him like the other OVs fuck with their VKs. It's just so painful for him. Was it painful for you?

Fucks know it was painful for David, who might be too close to this situation. What do you guys think?

And poor Ben. He's getting it from all sides and has no one to lean on for support. It was hard to write another one of our cinnamon rolls getting shafted, but it would make sense that those afraid of the VKs would only speak up when they were outta sight. The five C's are real twats.

Let us know what ya'll think in the comments below,

Much love and appreciation,

-Twisted