Evie's Quest

[Carlos and Jay's dorm room. 8:15 am]

Evie's POV

"Evie, I'm really glad I have you in my life. You truly are the best person I have ever met."

"Mal, you will always be loved. If not by anyone else, then definitely by me. I am the one person you can always count on. The one person who will always love you. And the one person who will always be there for you. No matter what."

I suddenly woke up. I looked around, feeling scared. But then I calmed down when I realized I was still in Carlos and Jay's dorm room.

"What's wrong?" Carlos asked as he was awoken by me.

"Nothing. I'm okay. Go back to sleep." I said.

I repositioned myself in bed and closed my eyes. Later, Jay woke me up shortly after eight. I sat up in bed, with a small headache. As Jay was in the shower, Carlos sat next to me.

"I'm kind of afraid to ask, but, how did you sleep?" he asked.

I felt like I was out of it. Hardly aware of my surroundings, but I heard Carlos speak to me.

"I don't know. I saw Mal in my dreams." I said.

"Really? How was she?" Carlos asked.

"It was kind of a flashback. When we went out and had a nice time together. When she was around me, she was mostly happy. There were times where she felt depressed, but I was always able to make her feel better. And now, I have ruined that. God, she must be out there somewhere feeling completely betrayed by me. Who knows what she's doing or how she's feeling." I said.

Carlos held me as I softly cried.

"You didn't mean any harm. You were only trying to help." he said.

"I think in the heat of the moment, I did mean harm. I mean, I called her a bitch. I told her, "why do I waste my time on you when there is someone out there that can be a whole lot better than you?". And I basically said Audrey is better than her. So right there, she has three reasons to run away."

I cried some more as Carlos hugged me tightly. My crying didn't last much longer though. I knew I couldn't sit around and cry all day. I had to do something. I have to find Mal. And I need to convince her to come back.

"I gotta find her. I need to." I said.

"What?" Carlos asked.

"I have to find Mal. I need to quickly get dressed and everything and go out there and find her."

"But you don't know where she could be. After all this time, she could literally be anywhere." Carlos said.

"I will search all of Auradon until I find her." I said.

I meant every word of that. Jay came out of the bathroom, all dressed.

"Whoa, what's going on?" he asked as he saw me pack my stuff.

"I'm going to find Mal." I said.

"What?"

"I'm going to back to the dorm to see if she's there. If not, I'm going to find her." I said.

"Evie, wait." Jay said.

I put my shoes on and grabbed my stuff and walked to the door.

"Thank you so much for letting me spend the night here. I really do appreciate it. I love you both very much."

"Wait, Evie! There's a school party happening later today on campus. Don't you want to be there?" Carlos asked.

"No. Mal is much more important. When people ask about me, tell them I'm sick as well. Now, I must go. Goodbye." I said.

I left the room and hurried across the building to the girls side to our dorm. This is happening suddenly, I know. But something is telling me I need to act fast. I arrived at the dorm room only to find no signs of Mal. Didn't matter. I will find her and bring her back. I did my morning routine and made sure I looked really nice so when I do find her, I'll make a good impression. I wore the same outfit as I did on the first day of summer break. The day when I first had sex with Mal. I know she loved me in that outfit. A blue lace shirt with a golden zipper down the middle. Blue tank top underneath. Expect for a black skirt, I decided to wear black jeans.

I put my shoes on and grabbed my phone, but what use would it be? I looked over at Mal's bed and saw hers laying on it. The memory of when she pushed me down and threw her phone on the bed came to me. But I shook it off and left the dorm building. I didn't bother going to the cafeteria for I was not hungry at all. I needed to find my love. So the first place I headed for was the Enchanted Lake.

I arrived at the lake and looked around while calling out Mal's name. I got no response. However at the ruins, I noticed something sparkling in the sunlight. I walked over to it and almost instantly cried. A golden bracelet that belonged to Mal. I picked it up and held it close to my chest.

"She was here. She definitely was here." I said.

I called Mal's name out a few more times, but heard no response. It was clear that she had left. Who knows how long ago? I continue to look around for any more signs that Mal was there. But there wasn't any.

"Oh, baby. Where did you go?"

I attached Mal's bracelet to my right wrist and thought about where else Mal could've gone. Auradon bay. She could've went there. I decided to go to all the places we went out for our dates. Because I have no other leads at this time. I quickly made my way to the next location.

I arrived at the bay and began to look around.

"Mal?! Mal?!" I yelled.

Still no response. I looked all along the ground for anymore of Mal's jewelry. I noticed another bracelet belonging to Mal. But no other signs of Mal. I attached the bracelet to my right arm near the other one. At this time I was very hungry so I went to the city to eat. While I was there, I asked some people if they have seen a girl with purple hair recently, but no one has seen her. Until I went to a store to buy something to eat. After paying I asked this woman who was running the store if she has seen Mal.

"The girl with the purple hair?"

"Yes! Have you seen her lately?" I asked.

"Why? Are you affiliated with her?"

"Well, she's my girlfriend. She ran away, and I need to find her. Why?"

I was getting a bad feeling now.

"She was here twice yesterday. Stealing from my store."

"What? When?"

"In the afternoon and in the evening. Both times she came in when I least expected."

"What did she take?"

"She grabbed a tote bag and filled it with food both times. But the second time she took a lighter and a flashlight. Plus a pack of batteries."

I stood there shocked to what I've been told. Sadness struck me.

"I'm-I'm really sorry. How much value do you think there was in everything she took?" I asked.

"I don't know. I didn't see everything she got."

I sighed, trying to hold in my urge to cry. I reached in my pocket and pulled out sixty dollars and handed it to the woman.

"Here. Hopefully this pays for at least most of it. I'm really sorry. I hope I can find her before she comes back again." I said.

"I hope so too."

I grabbed what I bought and left the store. I ran a little ways away before I stopped and started crying.

"Oh, Mal. How could you have done this? You didn't need to steal. This is all my fault."

I ate and continued to search for Mal. I walked around the city visiting every store and asking if anyone has seen Mal. But everyone I asked said they haven't. It seems that one store is the only one Mal has been at. As some time went by, I got texts from Carlos asking how I am. I told him that I'm alright. Nothing else. Later after that, I reached the end of a street and saw the mountain in the distance. She couldn't have gone there, could she? Well, it would be far from people. But how am I going to search there? By myself, it would take ages. However, since Mal stole a lighter, it means she'll use it to start a fire. A fire that'll keep her warm at night. And a fire can be easier to track at night.

I returned back to the dorm room and laid in my bed. I took a nap and woke up shortly after four. A knock at the door was what woke me up. I got up and walked over to the door. Hoping it was Mal, but she wouldn't knock. I opened the door and saw Lonnie.

"Lonnie?"

"Evie. What's going on? Where have you been?"

I let Lonnie in and closed the door.

"I've been...here. All day." I lied.

"Where's Mal? Have you found her yet?" Lonnie asked.

"No. I've looked in a couple places and all around the city but...wait. How…?"

"Carlos told me. He told me you and Mal had a fight and she left."

I sighed. I felt like I could cry again. Tears were forming in my eyes and Lonnie noticed. She pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back as I started to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Evie."

I held Lonnie tightly and continued to cry.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Lonnie asked.

"Please. I need to find her." I replied.

"I'm with you, all the way." Lonnie said.

Lonnie is a true friend. I'm so grateful to have her in my life.

"Tell me what happened." Lonnie said.

We sat on my bed with Lonnie holding my hands, trying her best to comfort me.

"It was after Mal came back from being with you. I asked Mal what is going on with her and she told me nothing was and was asking why people were asking her that. Then Audrey showed up to give me back something I left behind at her dorm and then Mal accused me of cheating on her with Audrey and we just started to yell at each other. Then I called Mal a bitch. She got angry and pushed me to the floor and she left." I explained.

After saying all that, Lonnie was speechless.

"I..I don't know what to say." she said.

"It's okay. That's just a summary of what happened. But I feel so bad. I've said many things that I deeply regret. And I have to find her to tell her that I'm sorry. Even if she doesn't forgive me, I just want to let her know." I said.

"Don't worry, we'll find her. Let's go." Lonnie said.

We left the room and began to ask many of the students if they had seen Mal. And many of them thought I said she was sick. So I explained to them that Mal and I had an argument and Mal ran away. Unfortunately, no one has seen her. We walked out of the dorm building and looked at the school.

"She has to be around here somewhere. I'm just getting this feeling that she's close." Lonnie said.

"Same. I think we'll cover more ground if we split up." I said.

"Sounds good. I'll text you if I find her."

"And I'll do the same."

"Alright."

We split up. Lonnie went to the east side of the school and I went to the west. As I was searching, I was about to call out Mal's name, but stopped myself. If she hears her name being called out, she might run farther away, since she doesn't want to be found. I searched all around the school building and some of its surroundings. Over an hour later, I saw Lonnie at the tourney field.

"Hey, anything?" I asked as I approached her.

"No. Have you found her?" Lonnie asked.

"No, I haven't. But I have an idea where we should look." I said.

"Where?" Lonnie asked.

"The mountain."

"The mountain? Why there?"

"I went to the Enchanted Lake earlier and found her bracelet. I then went to the bay and found another one of her bracelets. She's been at the places where her and I had dates." I said.

"So why the mountain?"

"Because, to make a long story short, Mal had a dream about us living in a fabulous home that was in a forest. We went there for a day and she loved it. Earlier today, I was also at the city and was told by a store owner that Mal had shoplifted food, a lighter and a couple other things. Mal needs the lighter to make a fire. She could be up there. That's where she could've been sleeping."

"Okay. I see what you're saying."

"I know it's a lot to ask. But can you help me look for her up there? I can't do it alone." I said.

"Of course, Evie! Anything." Lonnie said.

I smiled. But as we were walking to the school building, we heard a scream and a yell for help. Wondering what was going on, Lonnie and I ran to where we think we heard the scream. As we were getting closer, we heard more screams and cries for help. We soon reached the location and saw that we were at the gardens. A student almost ran into us.

"Help us. She's insane!"

Lonnie and I ran closer to the gardens and I gasped to what I saw. Or really who I saw.

"Mal?"

It was. I finally found her. She looked the same as the last time I saw her. As she walked out from the gardens, students were running away from her.

"There she is." Lonnie said.

"Yes!" I exclaimed.

I ran as fast as I could up to Mal and immediately grabbed her and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, Mal! Mal baby! I'm so glad to see you again! You had me worried so much, but that's alright! You're okay!" I said.

"Uh, Evie? Mal's not okay." Lonnie said.

"What do you mean? She's safe and sound." I said as I continue to hug her.

"No, I mean…"

I let go of Mal and looked at her face. Lonnie was right. Mal was physically fine. But something was off. Something was not right. Mal did not look happy to see me. She was glaring at me.

"Mal?" I said.

Mal continued to glare at me as she grabbed me by the collar of my shirt.

"How dare you think you're worthy enough to touch me like that?!" Mal said.

"What?" I asked.

Mal shoved me to the ground and stood above me.

"Mal. Mal, I know you're mad at me for the things I've said. I know. I hurt you very much. And I don't expect you to forgive me. But I just want to let you know that I'm really, really sorry." I said.

Mal didn't say anything for a moment.

"What are you talking about, Blueberry?"

My eyes widen to that last word. That nickname. She hasn't called me that in years. Lonnie was right. Mal is not okay.

"Blueberry?" Lonnie asked as she helped me up.

"An old nickname Mal called me when we were still on the Isle. Before we became friends. Back when she hated me." I said.

"And still hate you. And what do you mean "before we became friends"? I could never imagine myself being friends with you. Besides, I have no friends." Mal said.

"Mal." I said.

As I walked closer to Mal, she backed away.

"Don't even think about it. I'll let what you just did slide. But don't ever do it to me again." Mal said.

I felt a shiver go through me. But I couldn't let it stop me.

"Mal, where have you been?" I asked.

"Exploring. It's funny. We're in Auradon, obviously, but how? I don't remember getting here. But oh, well. Time to conquer this land." Mal said.

"Mal?"

"What?"

"You really don't remember?" I asked.

"No. But it doesn't really matter. But how did you get yourself to look so good? I mean how? How did you get yourself these nice clothes and your hair? And that tiara? It's so nice." Mal said.

"Well, thanks. I'm glad you like it." I said.

"No! It sickens me." Mal said.

I looked down sadly. I know that Mal isn't herself, as she would never say that to me, but I can't help but be hurt.

"Now, if you don't mind, Blueberry, I got some strategizing to do. So for now, leave me." Mal said before waving her hand dismissively.

There was no point right now to plead and argue with her. Besides I have some strategizing to do myself.

"Will I see you again?" I asked carefully.

"Of course! You will be seeing a lot more of me as I take over Auradon. I will not only follow my mother's footsteps, but I will be better than her a thousandfold. Now go." Mal replied.

"Yes, Mal."

I grabbed Lonnie's hand and we ran off until we arrived back at the tourney field where no one was around. I sat down at the bleachers and began to cry. Lonnie sat next to me and held me in her arms as I cried.

"At least we know she's alright. Physically, I mean." Lonnie said.

I stopped crying and wiped my tears.

"Yeah. But she doesn't even remember me. I mean, she doesn't even remember what we have together." I said.

"I'm so sorry, Evie. I really am." Lonnie said.

I got off Lonnie and sat up on the bleachers.

"Now what do I do?" I asked.

"We must help her. I think Mal is under some sort of spell." Lonnie said.

"Really? How do you know?"

"Mal demonstrated the signs at the gym when she was with me the other day. She scared Chad and her eyes glowed green. After that, she couldn't remember any of it."

"So she was telling the truth when she said she didn't remember. So she's under a spell. Okay. If that's the case, then by who?" I asked.

"That's what we're going to figure out. But I'm with you, Evie." Lonnie said.

"Thank you so much, Lonnie."

"You're welcome, Evie. Let's head back to the dorms. We're going to need Carlos and Jay's help." Lonnie said.

"Indeed." I said.