Chapter Six: Welcome to the Isle
Aubrey had never returned the janitor's car so that was the unanimous decision for their ride. It was discrete and had ample room in the back since it was used to carry excessive amounts of brooms and buckets.
Chad led the way, running down the stone steps to the student parking lot. He had the engine gunned by the time Jane scrambled into the back, her hands already shaking.
"Wait!" Audrey called after Mal. She tugged the scarf down lower to hide Mal's new bangs (she was really upset after the argument with Ben). "There."
Mal climbed in the passenger seat while Audrey slid in next to Jane.
"Once we cross the bridge, park under the pier in the old garage," Audrey told Chad as he peeled out of the parking lot. He nodded, eyes focused on the road. He was barely blinking.
They neared the edge of Auradon much too quickly for anyone's liking. Mal hit the remote, but Chad coasted to a stop as the dark bridge with green magic and black brambles folded out in front of them.
"We can do this," Audrey assured him, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. Chad never looked at her but floored it. They sailed across the bridge at record speed.
Once they'd parked in the old garage, the Isle kids sprinted out. Mal and Chad grabbed a nearby tarp to cover the car while Jane shivered in the breeze, her gingham tank dress not exactly the warmest thing.
Audrey, in a pink lace dress with a light blue cropped shawl, put her arm around Jane. She too had goosebumps.
"It's really weird being back here," Jane muttered. Her fingers were tugging on the lopsided pink bow at her throat.
Audrey fiddled with the crown shaped ring on her finger, a gift from her Grammie. She hadn't worn it in six months. "We'll get Ben and get out. Don't worry."
Chad finished covering the car with the tarp while Mal glanced around. Her curiosity was piqued by a fluttering cloth that revealed a tunnel carved into the cliffs surround the parking garage, clearing leading somewhere.
"What's in here?"
Chad pulled her back. "You don't want to know."
"Let's keep calm, everyone," Audrey instructed as the headed out. "Last thing we need is our parents finding out we're here."
Jane's hands shook even more.
The alleys were filled with people, even at the late hour. Chad walked right past a homeless woman who was sitting on a crumbling stoop, but Audrey paused and dropped a coin in her cup.
"Act the part, Chad," she hissed when she caught up to him. Everywhere, there were eyes.
Turn after turn. Jane was sticking to Chad's side who losing his Auradon confidence with every step. Mal kept her head down, but her eyes were darting everywhere, full of suspicion and a bit of curiosity.
Audrey, on the other hand, kept stopping. She felt her blood boil at the makeup ads pasted on buildings, watched homeless beggars who just sat there day after day, never getting up to try.
But worst of all were the children. She stood absolutely still at the playground where a bunch of boxes stacked high with a metal sheet served as a slid and thin ropes with wooden boards hanging from fire escapes served as swings. A little girl clambered onto a swing, only to be pulled back her mother.
"Princesses do not swing, Melody," Ariel hissed, her red hair duller and held up with cracked seashell combs. "It's immodest."
The little girl started to cry as her mother shoved a handsewn baby doll into her arms and dragged her off to the small wooden boards that leaned together to serve as a playhouse. A little boy was inside, pretending to make soup.
"Herkie, where are you?" Hercules called across the playground, his toga sagging a bit and his leather sandals cracking. "Come on, let's toss the old javelin around!"
The little boy in the house ducked as his father passed, fear on his face.
Audrey turned, about to leave, and watched Wendy, her eyes lined with wrinkles, take an apple out of her daughter's hands.
"But, Mummy, I'm hungry!" the young girl protested, snot dribbling out of her nose.
"We have to help those who are less fortune," Wendy chided, handing the apple to a man begging on the streets. He gave them a toothless smile while the little girl began crying. She was so skinny, her clothes were falling off her bony shoulders.
"Audrey, come on!"
The group turned down another alley and into a much less crowded square. An old fairy held out a stale cookie from her cart, smiling widely.
Mal glared, her eyes starting to glow.
Audrey yanked her back. "Stop, Mal."
"Thank you," Jane said as she took the cookie and dropped some coins into her hand.
"Why?" Mal muttered as the old fairy pushed her cart along and disappeared.
"This isn't a throne room, it's the Isle," Audrey shot back, glancing around to make sure they were alone.
"Make eye contact with everyone you pass and don't forget to wave," Chad added.
"You're a girl so you glide. Boys strut and prance," Jane continued.
"And you always, always smile," Audrey finished. She demonstrated with a blinding grin.
Mal's frown just deepened.
"Just…think good," Audrey suggested. She grabbed Mal's hand and spun her so much her skirt swirled.
"Good-"
"To be a good girl is to know which spoon to use. To be a good girl is to maintain a regal gait and be charming but detached and yet amused," Jane cut in. She sounded a lot like her mother as she gracefully walked by, her small smile not reaching her eyes. "Always do what you're told and be sure to demure to the boys."
"The boys!"
"Don't ever stray from protocol," Chad demonstrated a regal bow as Audrey curtsied. He led her in a small waltz while Mal tried following along, tripping over her feet. "All through the day, there's just one way, you must behave."
"Ow!" Jane dodged Mal as she fell onto the ground.
"Do keep a grip and never crack," Audrey lectured, pulling Mal to her feet. "Stiff upper lip and arch the back. Bend from above and always wave."
Jane pulled Mal's shoulders back and she squeaked with pain. Jane continued listing instructions as she corrected Mal's stance. "Shoulders back and lift the chin and pinky out and slowly turn the head from side to side."
"This is so stupid," the dark queen muttered as she shook her head very slowly.
"Breathing gently, stepping lightly." Audrey led Mal into another alley, demonstrating her princess walk. Mal was getting better as she mimicked her. "Smile brightly, nod politely."
"Never show a thing you feel inside," Chad added.
"Glide!" Jane pointed and Mal slide down the rest of the alley so elegantly Audrey's Grammie would have applauded.
"To be a good girl is to always look your best," Audrey added, fixing Mal's scarf once more before nodding at the evil queen's new pleasant smile.
"To be a good girl is to never get to rest," Jane finished, pointing to a homeless beggar at the end of the alley.
Mal, her lavender ruffles bouncing and her smile perky, glided over and dropped a coin in. She beamed back at Audrey. "Thank you."
And Chad smiled for real for the first time since they'd gotten on the Isle.
The group, all perfectly composed and regal and so good looking, turned a corner into the alleys that held the market. Jane looked down while Audrey smiled at every shop keeper. Chad helped a little boy back onto his feet after stumbling and Mal was waving at everyone, even pausing to let an old lady pass.
Another teen boy suddenly turned away from the stall he was at (after largely tipping the baker for the deflated donuts) and crashed into Mal was leading the group. She took a step back, but her smile never wavered.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, voice unnaturally high. Audrey and Jane were at Mal's side in an instant.
"No, entirely my fault miss," the boy replied, laughing. He had very dark eyes, nearly as dark as his hair. His blue workout clothes were a bit too small for him and definitely stained. "Wait, I know you."
Audrey tensed while Mal just laughed, imitating every princess she despised. "No, I don't think so. I…I would've remembered you."
"Are you sure?" the boy laughed and shifted the donuts in his hands. "I'll give you some hints, okay? My mom has two sisters, saved a princess's life and…" He turned and pointed to the painted wings on the back of his tank. "…used to have a pair of these!"
Mal felt the air leave her lungs. Of all the kids on the whole Isle…
He turned back around, grinning even wider. But instead of looking at Mal, his eyes fell behind her. The three girls turned and saw the poster he was looking at.
The one of Mal setting Phillip's sword aflame at her coronation.
The boy's eyes went back to the girls while Audrey and Jane fought very hard to keep the poker faces they had perfected with all the lying in Auradon.
His eyes narrowed and he reached out…and touched a small curl of purple hair that had escaped from Mal's scarf.
"Well, I'll be," he gaped. He stepped back and his eyes widened. "Audrey. Jane."
"Gotta go!" Audrey suddenly exclaimed, dragging Mal away. Jane grabbed Chad, making him drop the laundry he was helping someone fold.
And Maxwell watched them disappear into the alleys, his smile returning with a darker edge. "Oh Lonnie's going to love this!"
The alleys finally spit the four out by the empty cliffs on the far side of the Isle. The view of the endless ocean, not marred by Auradon and its stormy weather, was a horizon of endless sun and possibilities.
Since the heroes were so intent on never forgetting what happened, they rarely strayed over there. Making it perfect for a hideout.
Mal looked down the rocky cliffs, then back at the Isle kids. "He's down there? That's not possible without magic."
"It is," Audrey replied with a sly smile. "If you know where to look."
She bent down over a storm drain and pulled the grate off. Hanging from the side of the sewer was a rope ladder. "There's normally two. Ben must've used the other one to get down to the cave."
"Okay then," Mal grumbled.
Chad hooked the ladder onto a rock and threw it down the cliffs. It bounced slightly in the wind and did not look safe at all.
But Mal didn't hesitate. She grabbed on and climbed down and down, the wind and waves the only things she could hear.
Finally, she ran out of rope and dropped onto a pretty sturdy rock ledge just overlooking the sandy shore. The barrier shimmered a few feet forward, right before the place where the waves hit, ensuring no one tried to escape by sea
Mal walked along the rocks until she found a cave, its entrance covered by fluttering sheets. She recognized the painted symbols on it, from Fairy Godmother's wand to Aurora's crown, Cinderella's shoe, and the beast crest.
She entered slowly, walking over threadbare rugs and sloppily sewn beanbags all set around a table propped up by crumbling books. A small kitchen covered the back 'wall' with a dented microwave, fridge, and cupboards with mismatched plates. And all along the walls were photographs printed from disposable cameras that were sometimes shipped to the Isle. Some of the Isle, some of the sky, but most of Ben, Audrey, Jane, and Chad. She noticed a picture of little Ben, holding a sword with his father behind him. His smile was so wide, it made Mal's heart ache.
"What are you doing here?"
Mal spun around and saw Ben standing at the entrance to the cave, conveniently blocking her exit. "Ben."
"Did you honestly think you could sneak up on me here?" Ben shot back. Every muscle in his body was tense. "There are mirrors and tripwires all over these cliffs. We couldn't risk our parents finding this place."
She took a step forward only for him to take a step back. "Ben, I'm…I feel really bad about our fight. I should've seen you were unhappy and stressed. I should've helped you, done more for you."
"Mal." Ben was fighting very hard not to run.
She reached up and slipped off her necklace, holding it out to him. The purple gem glittered in the little light in the cave. "Come home, Ben."
But he just shook his head. "Don't you get it? I am home. My parents, Auradon, none of it matters here. This was the only place I could belong. I tired belonging in your world, I really did. But I don't. And…I can't change."
Mal took another step forward and, this time, Ben did not move away. "Ben. Please."
At that one word, Ben felt himself close the gap between them. He was inches from Mal now, his hand over the dragon pendant. He looked into her eyes and, for just a moment, considered taking it. Considered letting her win, letting her save him.
But he couldn't.
"I make you weak, Mal," Ben sighed, stepping back. "I'm not…evil enough. And it's only a matter of time before I screw up in front of everyone and the whole kingdom turns on me and turns on you. I can't…I would never forgive myself if…"
His eyes were wet, and he closed them, fighting the sting
Mal felt her heart ricocheting more painfully than it ever had before. She reached out and grabbed his hands. "Ben don't quit us. The people love you."
His eyes opened and met hers.
"I love you." She placed the necklace in his hand. "Don't you love me?"
She was giving him a choice. Mal had never restrained him, forced him to do anything. And this choice felt like the biggest one of them all.
Ben looked at the dragon in his palm, the carved scales and golden wings. He remembered when Mal had given it to him, that coronation day. When she'd first admitted her feelings. He remembered their first date. He'd told her he didn't know how to love, how to feel it. But could he feel it now?
He searched his heart, his deep emotions. In his mind's eye, he wore a crown and people knelt before him. But he was silent, behind Mal always. And there were eyes, so many eyes. Waiting to label him a traitor and drag Mal off the throne. Loving Mal…loving her meant something so much more than three simple words.
And he wasn't enough.
He hung the necklace back around her neck, watching the pendant land right over her heart. He could feel his emotions chocking him, but he forced himself not to cry, not in front of her.
"I have to take myself out of the picture," he told her, watching her face fall. He'd never seen her emotions so open, so raw. "Because it is what is best for you and for Auradon."
"Ben."
"I'm sorry, Mal, but I can't do this." He walked around her, unblocking the entrance. "Please go."
"Ben, don't-"
"Go!"
And seeing his eyes flash yellow, Mal walked out of the cave. Her heart felt like a pit inside of her, threatening to suck every good feeling away. She was dazed as she climbed back up the rope ladder, barely seeing as Chad hauled her back onto the ledge and Audrey and Jane looked at her with hope in their eyes.
"He's not coming back." The admittance shook her to her core and Mal walked past them, leaving them to their shock.
Ben and her were supposed to the perfect duo. A power couple, ruling over Auradon all their days. She'd designed a crown for him, kept secret in her journal until he was her king. He was the extra perspective, the slow rationale, the one who was there to always have her best interests at heart.
"Stupid white knight," she muttered, pressing her hands against her stinging eyes as she wandered back into the alleys of the Isle, not knowing where she was going. If Ben wasn't so sure he would fail as king, as her partner, he wouldn't be sacrificing himself right now.
And yet…wasn't that why she loved him? Because despite him having dark tendencies and evil impulses, he also had that sacrificial quality about him. That small, good seed in his heart.
Mal felt herself begin to sway. How could she go back now, without him?
Suddenly, a burlap sack was yanked over her face and her arms were pulled back.
"What the-?" she shrieked as her wrists were tied. "What's going on? Who are you?"
"You'll find out soon enough," a taunting voice laughed. Then something hit on the side of her head and Mal's whole world went dark.
Audrey pushed a rock off a small hole on the side of cliffs, revealing a metal cone that led to a pipe, all the way down to their hideout.
"Ben, come on," Audrey said into it. "You can't possibly be staying here."
"Go. Away," Ben's voice yelled back. She could hear him push his metal cone away and storm deeper into the cave.
Chad yanked Audrey back as she got ready to yell and really give Ben a piece of her mind. "Let's give him some time to cool off,"
Audrey glared at Chad but replaced the rock, hiding the evidence of their hideout.
"Guys!" Jane suddenly called, looking behind her. "Mal's gone."
"What?!"
Audrey and Chad joined Jane at the start of the alleys, looking into the maze. Emerging from them was a dark shadow.
"Mal, don't worry us like that," Audrey exclaimed in relief, hand over her racing heart.
But the figure stepped into the sun. And it was very much not Mal.
"You should all be worried," Doug said. He looked very proud of himself, and it made the others' blood boil.
"Where's Mal?" Jane demanded. Doug flinched at her icy glare.
"We took her," he replied, turning to beam at Audrey and Chad (avoiding Jane's anger). "And if you want her back, have Ben come to the dojo tonight. Alone."
"You mean that crumbling tower on the east side?" Chad shot back, eyes narrowed.
Doug shrugged. "And you knights practiced in a crumbling manor. We make do here on the Isle. Not that any of you care about that now.
"Tonight. Or you never see Mal again."
With that, Doug turned on his heel and disappeared back into the alleys.