A/N: Replying to a couple of comments

In terms of updates I like to stay two chapters ahead of what I post. E.g. this is chapter 3 and I have written up to chapter 5. I'd like to post every day or two but how much I write depends on my work schedule, so it might take longer.

A few keen readers have started noticing ties to Greek mythology, there'll be more. If there are really obscure references, I'll leave a foot note. Although I like the Disney movie it has glaring inaccuracies (don't get me started, we'd be here for a week)

Now on with the story

Dream of Escape

Age 5

Hades put the bowl in front of me.

I frowned. "What's this?"

"Dinner." He studied the bowl. "Meat. Don't ask what kind."

"What do I have to do for it?"

He frowned as he sat opposite me with his own bowl of questionable meat. "What do you mean?"

"Mother says food must be earned." I poked the food. "Do I need to scare someone? Take something from them? Do I need to do something wicked?"

"Mal," Hades stopped me. "All you need to do is eat."

For the first time I went to bed with a full stomach.

Present

Evie took the cans of fish, neither dad or I were particularly fond of it and the Evil Queen thought the oil kept her young. We split the fruit and vegetables, not evenly, more 70-30, but Evie didn't complain. Dad loved apples, something about a particular punishment in the Underworld, Tantalus* he called him. I gave Evie one can of beans and one of corn. I took the rest for myself, leaving three cans for Carlos.

Then came the clothes.

I took a leather jacket for myself and a torn coat for dad. Evie took the rest, she was an excellent sewer, I might get a for more things once she made some alterations.

I sat back. "What do you think?"

"One of our better hauls."

I had to agree. "The fruit doesn't seem quite as rotten today. Maybe it'll taste different."

"Better?"

"I didn't say that." I was used to rotten fruit, fresh just wouldn't be the same.

The sound of a rock being thrown signalled Jay's arrival.

He dumped his stolen goods on the floor. Nothing particularly exciting; a few cans, a couple of wallets and a couple of mouldy rolls. I knew Jay, the best of his haul was already safely hidden away, this was just what he was willing to share, or more importantly, trade.

"Peas for the pudding."

"Done." Throwing the cans at each other we swapped the goods.

"Happy birthday." He threw a bag of half used make-up at Evie.

It wasn't her birthday but Jay had always had a soft spot for her.

She squealed as she sorted through the bag. She gave Jay a tin of tuna in return.

He pulled some paper out of his pocket. "Look what I nicked from one of Uma's cronies."

Letters.

They were few and far between the Isle, only coming in, rarely out. A few official petitions for clemency, usually from the goblins, got out now and then but they were ignored. No one even if they made it as far as the king's desk.

Jay would most likely trade them to their rightful owners for a trinket for his father's shop or some food.

That didn't mean we couldn't read them first.

Information was power.

One of dad's lessons, or maybe it was one of mother's that actually stuck.

I snatched one before Jay could pull them away.

Who was it…?

The Evil Queen

Written in neat calligraphy across the envelope.

I passed it to Evie.

Jay actually passed me the next one.

Cruella de Vil

I could have read it but I pocketed it for Carlos. He needed whatever leverage he could over his mother, if only to save him from scrapping her bunions.

"This one's mine." Jay showed me the scrawl on one of the two remaining envelopes.

Jafar of Agrabah.

That left one.

"This is yours."

I half expected Hades to be written on the envelope, even if Jay and Evie didn't know the truth.

It was worse.

Maleficent.

I ripped open the envelope. The others did the same.

Evie must have read faster because she squealed before I even made it past the pompous greeting.

"What the hell?"

I finally made it to the part that made Evie squeal and Jay swear.

As part of this rehabilitation program we are pleased to offer your daughter, Mal, a place in the inaugural class at Auradon Prep.

"What in Zeus' name?" One of dad's favourite curses that I'd picked up over the years.

Evie snatched my letter before passing me her's. Both of us checking they were the same.

"Auradon Prep. They've got to be kidding."

I pulled Carlos' letter to check too.

His was the same.

"So many princes," Evie sighed wishfully.

Jay grinned. "So much to steal."

"So not going."

"Just think about it, Mal," Evie grabbed me by the hands to twirl me around the room. "Auradon, where it's always sunny."

"I like the dark." I lived in a mine after all.

She stopped. "How about revenge on those that sent our parents here."

"I don't want revenge." My mother deserved to be here and dad… dad deserved to come with me.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. I'm happy where I am." It wasn't a lie. I was happy living with dad, if I still lived with mother, I might jump at the chance to leave but dad, I couldn't leave him behind.

"Bull, you want freedom. Just like the rest of us. If we pull this off, convince them we're good who knows what they'll let us do." Jay joined the argument.

Maybe, just maybe, from the other side of the barrier I could get dad out.

"I'll go."

Evie squealed again and pulled me into a hug. "We're going to have so much fun."

Fun. I didn't want revenge but there was a thing or two I could teach those pretty princesses and pompous princes.

Stepping back, Evie frowned. "Are you going to tell your mum?"

"I don't know." She probably wouldn't even notice if I left the Isle. If she knew I was leaving she'd probably try and pull me into one of her evil schemes to try and escape. "I'll think about it."

I honestly did think about it but I needed to talk to dad first.

He was lounging on his throne when I returned, swinging his feet off the armrest as I turned the record off. "Anything good?"

"Oh, you have no idea."

A twinkle of pride appeared in his eyes. "That's my girl."

*In Greek Mythology Tantalus was a King who attempted to serve his own son at a feast with the gods, he was punished to forever go thirsty and hungry in the Underworld despite standing in a pool of water and almost within reach of a fruit tree.