Things started to go quick thankfully, as paramedics then suddenly appeared and pulled Ben onto a stretcher before pulling him into the back of an ambulance, which had been there in case any members of the public needed assistance. When I quickly climbed into the back with them I noted that the doors of the Cathedral were still closed; I could only imagine what was on the minds of those inside but I couldn't wait around. My main priority was Ben and we needed to get him to Doctor Cameron and his staff.
I watched as both paramedics continued to work on Ben I felt as if my panic was only getting worse at the fact that Ben hadn't regained consciousness yet. I asked why this was the case and one of the paramedics told me that it was due to the blood loss before they opened the door and quickly closed it. Thankfully the press weren't close as I knew that they were trying to take photos of me and Ben; I didn't know why someone would want to do this to Ben. But I knew one thing - they were going to pay, dearly for this!
I couldn't help but take a sigh of relief when the ambulance pulled away with it's lights and sirens on. We were on our way to hospital, and on our wave to save Ben, my beautiful Beast.
When we arrived at Auradon General Ben was quickly wheeled into recus; I was asked to stay outside and I simply shook my head at this. However unlike last time they didn't push me on this; but I now put this down to my recent coronation.
After watching them work on Ben for what felt like a tortured eternity Doctor Cameron approached me and told me that they needed to get Ben into surgery now. I asked him how bad it was and he told me that the bullet was currently lodged into his shoulder blade; but he had been quite lucky as if it had been any lower it would have killed him.
I then had to watch as Ben was quickly wheeled away, part of me wanted to share a brief moment with him but I knew that his surgery was more of a pressing matter. So I quickly pressed a kiss against the back of his left hand before muttering that I loved him; I then had to watch as he was wheeled out of the room and away from me - looking so helpless and vulnerable. After he had left the room I made a promise to myself - after this was said and done whoever had done this was going to pay, and I was going to make sure of it.
I was then taken into a private cubicle out of the public eye; apparently Doctor Cameron instructed that I was to be checked over. I put up a fight at the start but I then had Ben's voice echoing through my head:
"You need to be checked over my love, we need to make sure that you and the baby are fine. Please for me"
After I heard this I allowed a nurse and a doctor to check me over; it would appear that I had a head injury that I never knew that I had. I knew that they had seen Doctor Cameron's notes so I knew that they knew I was pregnant; I could tell by the questions they had started asking after they had stitched and bandaged my head. Thankfully the way I had landed had kept our baby safe; but they still wanted to keep me in for observation - which was fine by me, I wasn't going to leave Ben's side anyway!
I didn't know how long I was left on my own in the cubicle before Adam, Belle, Carlos, Evie and Jay quickly appeared and stepped into the cubicle with me. I watched as all of their eyes quickly flew to the dressing on my head; before their eyes locked with mine. I could see the pain, sorrow, concern and horror all show in their eyes; and I knew by the looks on their faces they wanted answers.
"I'm guessing you've been told-" I began as I looked over them all once more.
"Yes," Adam replied.
"Mal what happened?" Evie urged.
"Everything went so fast-" I started. "We walked outside" I continued as my mind started to slowly relive what had happened after we left the Cathedral. "The press were taking our photos," I added. "The next thing I know Ben is pulling me onto the ground and lying on top of me" I said before taking a couple of deep breaths to steady myself before I continued with the next painful memory. "But as we flew through the air a loud gunshot echoed through the air" I admitted; and I watched as all of their faces dropped in shock. "He kept on top of me until Dawson and his team got around us protecting us" I explained as tears began to form in my eyes. "Dawson quickly got the event ambulance and we came here" I finished as I decided to leave it there. The memory of Ben passing out and lying motionless was still too much for me; so I decided to push the conversation on. "What happened after we left?" I questioned; and I watched as they all looked at each other before Evie stepped forward and stood in front of me.
"Well-" she began. "It would appear that the Bobby situation is finally over" she stated; and I froze in shock. Bobby! How on Auradon had this something to do with Bobby! He was on the Isle for Lucifer sake!
"What do you mean?" I asked slowly.
"Mal" Evie answered as she slowly sat down on my bed on my right hand side. "The shooter was Bobby's best friend" she told me as she took both of my hands in her and she gave them a gentle squeeze.
"What?" I questioned in shock. Bobby had asked his friend to do this to Ben? He really couldn't just leave me and Ben alone! I couldn't help but sigh at this; this would mean another trail - and we had just gone through already!
"Yeah" Adam answered. "The police were quick to locate him; however he put up a fight" he went on to explain as Adam, Belle, Carlos and Jay all surrounded my bed. "He tried to shoot the police so in defence they shot him" he added.
"He's dead?" I exclaimed.
"Yes" Adam nodded; and I froze as my mind replayed what happened when me and Ben stood on the top steps of Auradon Cathedral. Ben shouted "NO!" and jumped at me. This shooting wasn't aimed for Ben, it was aimed for me! If Bobby's friend was just a couple of seconds faster I could have died, I tried to push this thought away but I couldn't get this thought and wave of guilt to leave me entirely.
"Mal" Evie stated. "Mal talk to me?" she begged.
"It was meant for me" I muttered.
"What?" Jay asked, which caused me to slowly look up at him.
"The shot was meant for me," I added. "Ben moved me out of the way so it got him, it was meant for me" I said. "Ben was hurt yet again because of me!" I exclaimed as tears started to form in my eyes. "Again!" I cried; and I froze and groaned as a sudden sharp pain engulfed my stomach. "URGH!" I shouted out as my hands flew to my stomach. I moaned out in pain once more and I felt a warmth start to form in between my legs; and when my eyes looked down the bed I froze when I saw blood.
"NO!" I screamed as pain started to assault my stomach further. No! I couldn't lose my baby! I couldn't bear it if I lost them - especially as I didn't know what was going on with Ben at the moment. Yes Doctor Cameron told me that he thought that the surgery was going to be a success but I still couldn't get rid of the unease that I knew wouldn't go away until Ben came out of surgery.
Another thought they came to the forefront of my mind; this was my fault! Every bad thing that had ever happened to me, Ben and our baby was all my fault; and it always will be! And I don't know if I would ever be able to ever forgive myself for all of this misery.
