Chapter 2
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"Speak your truths, even if your voice shakes."
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"Miss?"
Mal was awoken slowly. Groaning a bit as she sat up, a nurse was leaning over her, gently shaking her shoulder, "Miss? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good." Sitting up solely, the Dragon Girl yawned widely as the nurse stepped back, "sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep here."
"Quite alright. But there are some people here to see you. They are in waiting room B-7."
"Ok." Glancing at Audrey who was fast asleep in the bed, Mal sighed heavily, "I don't really want to leave yet. Any chance you could send them in?"
"Of course. But please don't be long? Miss Rose has had a very rough night, and its best if she gets her rest in before the police get here."
"Police?"
"Yes. The Doctor was required to tell the authorities where to find Miss Rose when the investigation into what happened was started. It's policy."
"No, that's alright. My name...wasn't brought up in that conversation, was it?"
"No miss. The hospital keeps all our records confidential."
"Great. Send my friends in; I swear we'll be out of your hair soon."
"Very well. Talk to one of my on hand nurses outside and they can get you a breakfast voucher for the cafeteria."
Smiling at the woman, Mal nodded as she ran a hand over her eyes. The hard plastic chair wasn't the best place to fall asleep, as it left her back aching. But as she stood to stretch out, Audrey stirred from sleep. She looked a bit better then the previous night, blinking at the ceiling tiredly as Mal came to stand beside her.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty." She greeted, Audrey's head turning to look at her as a brow dropped in confusion.
"Mal? What...what are you doing here?"
"Making sure you're alright, duh." Pulling the Sleeping chair back over to where Audrey's hand was, Mal leaned on the mattress with an elbow, "listen, I know things between us haven't been the best, but I wouldn't just send you off without making sure you were ok. I'm not that cruel."
"You shouldn't have come, Mal." Audrey rasped, confusing the Queen-to-be as she tipped her head. She just gave a gooey, nasty tasting, sincere admission to Audrey, and that's what she had to say? "you're in danger if you stay here."
"What do you mean? Auradon isn't dangerous..."
Gasping suddenly as Audrey grabbed her collar with a fist, the Princess pulled her closer. Her one good eye was pooled with fear, darting around like a deer caught in headlights as she whispered to the Dragon Girl.
"Ben is not what he seems."
Releasing Mal as she slowly sat back, Audrey looked completely serious as she glanced wearily towards the door, "don't trust him, or the royal family, Mal. They're lying to you."
"Audrey, c'mon. This is Ben. He's the sweetest boy alive..."
"No. No, that's what you think but you're wrong." Grabbing onto Mal's wrist, Audrey's hand was cold like ice as she trembled, the two Princesses eyes locked together. "Look at him again. I mean really look at him; take off those rose colored glasses. He's faking it,. He, and his whole family...hell, everyone in Auradon could be faking it. It's all a lie."
"A-Audrey? I don't..."
"I know the secret, Mal." Audrey whimpered, a tear slipping down her cheek as her mood turned from serious to distraught in a blink, "I'm not supposed to know, but I do. They know I know. And now my Grammy is-is d-dead...and I'm next. I'm not ready to die Mal."
"No." Wrapping an opposite hand around the Princesses wrist, Mal held it there for a long moment, "we're going to figure out who did this to you, Audrey. Nothing will be able to get to you...not while we're here."
Lip trembling, Audrey dropped her hand to the bed as the door handle of the room jiggled, revealing three disheveled VK's. Motioning for them to close the door and keep watch for the nurse, Mal stood up from her chair with a wince.
"I'm glad you're safe." Evie whispered, clutching the Dragon Girl tight as she nodded against blue distressed leather.
"I'm fine."
"Audrey, I'm glad you're alright. How are you feeling?"
The Princess just made a sort of half cry in her throat, closing her eye and curling back up into the blankets as Evie frowned sympathetically, "poor thing."
"Listen, E. Ben still doesn't know I'm here right?"
"I've been deflecting him all night. But it won't be long until he sends out the royal guard to find you."
"Then we have to be quick. Huddle up, guys, I need to tell you something."
Hooking arms, the three new arrivals listened intently as Mal relayed what Audrey had told her.
"How do we know it's true?" Jay questioned after it had all been said, "I mean, Audrey's not exactly our biggest cheerleader when it comes to being in Auradon."
"Jay's right. We can't trust her word. Not against Ben's." Carlos insisted, his brows down over his eyes as Mal shook her head slightly.
"I think we need to look into it. Audrey just watched her own Grandmothers...murder." Whispering the word as to not upset the once again Sleeping Beauty, Mal sighed heavily, "something really strange is going on here guys, I can just feel it. Are you with me?"
Holding out her fist, the other three met it with their own, saying their chant softly as Mal straightened herself out and glanced down at her phone. Ben had sent her more then half a dozen texts, and called her just as many times, "I need to get out of here. If the police see me here, Ben will find out and we can't have that happen. Evie, can you stay and come up with some sort of cover?"
"Easy." The bluenette said, hands on her hips as Mal turned to Carlos and Jay, "I need you guys to be Evie's muscle for a little while longer. Watch the room, and report back if anything strange happens."
"Yes ma'am."
"Course."
Nodding, Mal was grateful for her friends as she left the hospital room, skidding around the hall just as one of the nurses entered the room behind her. It felt like ages before she was back outside again, soaking in the beautiful sunlight as she pulled out her phone. It was buzzing, Ben's face on the screen as Mal answered it with a forced cheer in her tone.
"Ben! No, no I'm fine. I just dropped my phone in a puddle when I was out walking and I had to dry it out with rice...Evie? She was out most of the night, I didn't see her. Listen, I'm heading over for the meeting now. Can we talk then? Yeah, yeah I love you too. Bye."
Hanging up with a deep sigh, Mal hopped into the front seat of her Porsche. Kicking it into gear towards Beasts Castle, Mal thought about Audrey's words. Had she really not been paying attention to what had been happening around her for all this time? Why was she even trusting Audrey in the first place? Jay was right in saying she wasn't exactly someone who they had put their faith in before. But knowing that Audrey had held her Grandmother as she died; forced to watch as faceless monster murdered her? It made Mal's stomach clench. She wantedAudrey to be making up stories, or hallucinating or something. After all, Ben was Ben and she loved him with all of her heart. But like Audrey's reaction to the wedding proposal, it just wouldn't rest.
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"Truth can only been seen by people with truth in them."
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Pulling up to the castle steps, the King was waiting for her at the door. He looked frazzled, immediately pulling her into a hug as they kissed lightly.
"Mal, thank goodness you're alright."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I told you it was just my phone."
"So you haven't heard the news?"
Stepping back, Mal had to play dumb as she frowned, and her head fell to one side.
"If you mean Hades then he's back behind the barrier..."
"No, no it's not Hades. It's even worse then Hades. Mal...Queen Leah is dead."
"What?" Eyes lifting in a false bemusement, Mal looked to her shoes, "how?"
"Nothings for sure. But..." Ben sighed heavily, but listening to it Mal got a sense that it was more a sigh of frustration, "the Authorities think Audrey is the killer."
"Are you serious?" Voice tilting with true confusion this time, Mal's heart thundered in her chest. That couldn't be right, Audrey had come to her in a state. Certainly no state to have killed anyone. Or...maybe it was backwards. "why would they even think that?"
"Because she apparently fled after it happened."
"Probably because the killer was still inside the palace." Mal defended without thinking. Ben just shook his head again, hands dropping from Mal's arms.
"Her blood was all over the crime scene. As well as the...erm...the deceased."
"She was probably trying to save her grandmother. That's what anyone would do in that situation. Ben, are you even hearing yourself?"
"Mal, there isn't anyone else who had motive or opportunity to do this!"
Ben's voice was harsh, like a whip again Mal's skin as she flinched. The King seemed to realize his mistake and took a deep breath, deflating slightly, "I don't want to hurt, Audrey, Mal. And I'm surprised you of all people would champion her innocence. But we won't know for sure until after the Police are finished with the questioning."
Staring at the man she loved for a long time, Mal's gut twisted in discomfort. Yesterday everything had been perfect. Now, after Audrey shook her it of her 'love' stupor, she was seeing a new side to Ben.
"Yeah, fine. Let's just start this meeting or whatever. I'm sure your parents are waiting on us."
Brushing by Ben in irritation, Mal felt his arm snake around her waist as they made their way into the palace. The place seemed so much more intimidating now, and the sweet smile of the Queen, and the kind nod of the King, did nothing to settle her nerves. Thankfully, the discussion about the 'Hades' situation was a great distraction.
"Hades is a threat to Auradon," Beast insisted hotly, "we can't risk any more villains like Uma escaping."
"Then we find a way to open the barrier without any escapees." Mal insisted, frowning, "we'll take more security with us."
"Dad is right," Ben admitted, stroking his smooth chin. He had gained a dark glint in his eye as he spoke, something Mal failed to notice before as the King paced back and forth in his pondering, "you saw how small the hole was that Hades came through. Any longer and he could have pulled his way out."
"It's risky." Belle mumbled, her knitting keeping her attention as Mal huffed in annoyance. She was counting on the queen to be on her side this time. After all she was all for bringing down the barrier. But apparently that wasn't the case today as Ben nodded decidedly.
"I think we should close the barrier."
"What!" Mal jumped up from her seat unhappily, fists at her side. "Ben, we can't! We've come so far-"
"Mal, this isn't about just the Isle anymore. It's about all of Auradon."
"But what about those kids? Ben, it was your dream to unite the Isle and Auradon again. We're so close."
"It's an impossible dream, Mal." Ben insisted, shaking his head as he looked out from the castle window at the black mound of rock, "I was a fool to think that I could save them."
"You saved us? That has to count..."
"Of course it counts, Mal." Ben insisted again, taking Mal's hands in his. To the Dragon Girl, the touch which once comforted her now felt chaste and hard. How could Ben think this way? If she hadn't listened to Audrey, would she have gone along with the idea of closing the barrier for good too? Hell, maybe she would have come up with the idea first! "But even you came here with evil in mind. It's just too dangerous."
"Well said son, well said." Beast insisted, "I say we put it to a vote. All in favor of closing the barrier?"
Ben and Beast raised their hands. Glancing to Belle, she looked thoughtful before her hand raised as well. Three to one. And half the time she didn't even count in votes like these.
"I can't believe you all."
Mal wanted to hiss at them angrily, but the ringing of her phone distracted her. Similarly, Ben's phone also began to buzz. Leaving the room in separate directions, Mal ended up in the hallway as she picked up on the third ring, "E, talk to me."
"Mal...we've-we've got a situation."
"Evie, are you running?"
"Mal, the Police never showed up at the hospital. It was a lie."
"What?" Keeping her voice low, Mal tucked herself up against the wall, making sure no one else was eavesdropping, "who showed up?"
"The royal...guard, Mal. They took Audrey. I'm guessing they are headed your way."
"Did the guards see you?"
"No...we went out the window and are running back to the car now."
"Ok, ok. Go back to the house and stay safe, make sure nothing happens to the kids. I'll find Audrey and report back."
"Ok. And...just so you know, Mal. We all believe you now, Jay included."
"Good to know. Talk to you soon."
Hanging up, Mal turned and re-entered the study just as Ben was finishing his own phone call. His smile seemed tighter then usual as he nodded to both of his parents.
"Since were all in agreement on what's to happen at the barrier, I have an appointment I need to attend. Mal...we could meet up —"
"It's ok, Ben. I suddenly have a headache from this little meeting, so I think I'm going to steal a guest room and crash for a bit."
"I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you hoped, Mal," Ben apologized weakly, squeezing her fingers. Once upon a time that would have soothed her. After all, Ben was still Ben, somewhere deep down. But right now, Mal didn't know what to think. Kissing the King on the lips, the two of them parted ways outside the study. Making sure Ben's back was turned, the Dragon Girl ducked into a doorway, peeking around it. Ben shared a quick word with his parents then looked around (probably to make sure Mal was gone), before the trio separated as well.
Making sure the king and queen had passed by her, Mal began following her fiancé to his 'appointment'. She had tailed lots of people on the Isle of the Lost, usually looking for something good to steal, or an opportunity to punch out a traitor within their group. But this was Ben, and he was as oblivious to something following him as a stray dog was to an oncoming car. Keeping to he doorways and shadows, Mal followed the boy into an uncharted part of the castle which she hadn't ever seen. It felt older somehow, the bricks having a darker tone to them. Turning slightly to the right, Ben entered a door tucked behind a heavy velvet curtain.
Racing silently to keep the door open with a shoe, Mal continued to tail Ben, her heart thundering with anxiety and anticipation. The stairway she found herself in was dark, lit only by very small golden lanterns as they descended down into the palaces depths. It was cold down here, Mal having to hold herself to keep from shivering. At last they reached the ground floor. The stairway led to a dimly lit room, similar to a stable. It was dungeon, Mal knew it by the sight and smell of it as she pressed herself up against a wall and glanced around it.
She couldn't see where Ben had gone, but she could hear him walking.
"Where do you want er'?"
It was a man's voice, a gruff one compared to Ben's as Mal pursed her lips.
"Just in this cell is fine. But first..."
Taking a risk to lean a bit more around the wall, Ben was kneeling down in front of Audrey. She was on her knees, back in her own clothing and held between to guards. She looked royally pissed off, her wound uncovered and making her look twice as menacing, "Audrey, you know I don't want to do this."
Audrey said nothing in return, her eyes locked on Ben as he gently touched her cheek with his fingers, "tell me why you did it. Why did you kill your grandmother?"
"I didn't kill her." Audrey spat angrily, pulling her face away from the King's hand as he growled at her. It made Mal's whole being shiver, never having heard such a brutal sound from her future husband before.
"The evidence is stacked against you, Audrey. Everyone in Auradon will know that you're a traitor. All you need to do is tell me why you did it?"
Huffing frustratedly, Audrey's lips turned upwards as she faced Ben head on, dark eyes leveling him.
"I'm no more a traitor then you are a king, Benjamin."
Burned! Mal had to hold a hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp of humor as Ben immediately stood, fists clenched. Stepping away, Mal ducked back behind the wall as his eyes came close to spotting her. The future queen heard the familiar sound of fist to flesh as Audrey grunted, her body falling to the dungeon floor with a sickening thud as Mal winced. She knew that feeling all too well.
"You don't get to talk to me that way anymore, Audrey. You're nothing. Maybe a few days down here in the dark will loosen your tongue. And after that? I'll make sure the whole kingdom knows what you've done, and then ensure you never speak ill will against the crown again."
Audrey said nothing to this as Mal heard another body thump limply against the floor, followed by the clanging of bars and the turn of a key. Addressing his men, Ben huffed frustratedly. "Make sure she stays quiet. I don't need the whole castle knowing she's here. You'll receive extra on your wages for your silence."
"Yessir."
Pressing herself further into the shadows, Mal didn't breathe as Ben stormed by her and back up the stairs. He didn't look back once, slamming the upper door as Mal exhaled in relief. Peeking around the corner, the two guards looked at one another before nodding to the outer door. Leaving their post unattended, Mal took the chance to make her way further into the dungeon. Kneeling at the cell Audrey lay in, she was on her side, curled into herself.
"Audrey?"
"Mal?" Rolling over with surprising speed, Audrey squinted at her in the dark, "is that really you?"
"Yeah. I heard everything. I promise I'm going to get you out of here."
"No, Mal." Crawling to the edge of the bars, Audrey looked sickly in the lowlight as she took Mal's hand in hers, "you have to stop Ben. He's planning something for Auradon...something not good."
"But why?"
"It's the secret Mal, Ben's curse. Under the Museum there is an archive, look for a book documenting Beast's fairytale." Looking somewhat stricken, Audrey carefully unclasped the songbird pendant from around her throat, passing it through the bars, "take this to Jane. She'll know what to do."
"Audrey..."
"The guards will be back any minute. I'll be fine for a little while, but you have to go now."
Pushing Mal gently away from her, Audrey scrambled back into the dark as the door from the outside clicked, alerting Mal that she needed to move.
"I'll come back for you, Audrey. I promise."
And then she was off, running up the stairs and out of the dungeon. Making sure no one was in the hallway, Mal continued through the palace and into a guest room. Shutting the door, she looked at the pretty turquoise and gold necklace in her hand. Closing her fist around it, Mal picked up her phone and dialed Evie."
"Mal? What's the news."
"I know where Audrey is."
"Is she ok?"
"She's fine for now, but we need to work fast. Ben's been lying to us, just like she said." Clenching the bird in her hand even tighter, Mal looked out the window at the quickly darkening sky, "we have a new mission."
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A/N: Hello all! Rose here, back with Chapter 2. I know that Ben seems OOC in this fic, and it'll probably only get worse, but that is kinda the point. I love Ben's character in canon (my dashing goofball), but it's interesting to write him with a darker twist. If ya'll are curious, Jane and Lonnie will be joining this fic (in honor of my other story Who I Am), as well as Uma. Harry and Gil. So, stay turned for that. Until next chapter my lovelies.
-R