After Their Departure

[Auradon Prep. 8:14 am]

Carlos' POV

I'm glad Mal and Evie left when they did. Because at eight o'clock sharp, Ben and a couple of royal guards showed up at their door. Evie's speculation was correct. After we returned from the harbor, we grabbed our blankets and pillows and returned back to our own dorms and got dressed for the school day. With all that has happened, we almost forgot.

As Jay and I were putting on our shoes, a knock was heard at the door. I got my shoes on first and walked to the door. Only to see Ben and his guards at the other side. We made a promise not to say anything, so we're going to play it like we don't know anything.

"Ben?"

"Good morning, Carlos. Jay. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm afraid I have some disturbing news. May I come in?" Ben asked.

"Of course."

I let them in and Jay stood next to me as Ben and his guards were standing in front of us. Ben was hesitant to say it, as he was stuttering a bit.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's about Mal and Evie. They're gone." Ben finally said.

"What?" Jay asked.

"What do you mean "gone"?" I asked.

"They're not dead, are they?" Jay asked.

"No. I hope not. I'm pretty sure they're not. No, by "gone" I mean they've left their dorm room." Ben said.

"Well that's normal. Evie always goes out for breakfast. I guess Mal decided to go with her." I said.

"No! You don't understand! Mal and Evie are gone because their stuff is gone as well. It's like they moved out of the dorm." Ben said.

We're playing this good so far.

"What are you talking about?" Jay asked.

"That doesn't make sense. Why would they just pick up and leave? They don't have anywhere else to go. Except the Isle, but they can't really get there." I said.

"I'm sure they can by Mal using her magic." a female voice said.

Jay and I turned to the doorway, which we left open, and saw Audrey standing there. She tried her best to hide her injuries with her makeup, but a few bruises were still a little visible, especially on her arms.

"Audrey? Is that some kind of new makeup?" I asked.

Audrey scoffed and walked up to me and Jay.

"Don't play dumb with me, boys. I'm not in the mood." she said.

"What happened to you?" Jay asked.

"You don't know? Mal beat me up!" Audrey replied.

"What? Why?" I asked.

Audrey exclaimed in anger.

"Audrey, go get yourself something to eat. I'll meet you in my office in a little bit." Ben said.

"Fine!" said Audrey, before swiftly leaving the room and closing the door hard behind her.

"What's up with her?" Jay asked.

"I guess you two really don't know. They haven't told you?" Ben asked.

"Told us what?" I asked.

Wow, we're playing this good. If we were able to fool Audrey, then we know we got this in the bag. But we'll still be cautious. Just in case.

"Friday night, Audrey came to Mal and Evie's dorm room to offer Mal a truce between them. Audrey was willing to forgive Mal for what she had done. You know, being under a spell and everything. But for some reason, Mal started to beat up Audrey. She threw Audrey around and hit her in the face with her fists and objects." Ben explained.

"No." I said.

"Yes. And I'm sorry to say, since Audrey is official royalty, any attacks on a royal member will be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law."

"But that was only for villains!" Jay said.

"And Mal is not a bad person. She would never attack without a reason. She must have been provoked. That could be the only reason." I said.

"I'm sorry. I would like to hear Mal's side of the story, but since she isn't here, I only have one side to rely on." Ben said.

We know what Audrey has told Ben is complete nonsense. And even if we were to say anything, they wouldn't believe us.

"So what's with your guards?" Jay asked.

"I was going to bring Mal in for questioning. But it seems they are not here. I must ask. Do you know where they could be?"

That put a chill down my spine. But Mal and Evie are family, and we don't sell them out. We weren't family on the Isle, not exactly friends either, but we never sold one another out then, and we won't now.

"No. I'm afraid I don't." Carlos said.

"Me neither." Jay said.

"Are you sure?" Ben asked.

"Yeah." I replied.

"This doesn't make sense. Why would they leave and not tell you two?" Ben asked.

"I don't know." I said.

This gave me an idea. Ben will keep asking us if we know where they are or where they could be, so why not lead them on a goose chase all around Auradon? They will keep looking for Mal and Evie, but they will never find them.

"We don't know where they could be, but I have some ideas where you might try looking." I said.

"Okay. Good. You can tell me all the places where they might be in my office. Let's go." Ben said.

We followed Ben and his guards to his office. Audrey was already there. It seems easy to fool Ben, but we must make sure we fool Audrey like before. But I'm not too worried. However, Audrey wasn't the only one there, Lonnie was there as well. I was wondering where Jane was, but then I remembered that no one else knows that she and Mal made up and became friends again.

"Lonnie? What are you doing here?" Jay asked before giving her a small kiss on the lips.

"I brought her in to see if she would know anything about Mal and Evie's whereabouts. Because, since Mal is her bff, she must know. But no." Audrey said.

"I'm telling the truth. I have no idea where they are." Lonnie said.

"We'll see about that." Audrey said.

Six royal guards walked into the room and up to Ben.

"Sir?" One of them said.

"Thank you for getting here quickly. I want an APB out on Mal. Inform the other kingdoms about her and tell them to be cautious." Ben said.

"Whoa, hold up! Isn't that a little extreme?" I asked.

"After what Mal did to me, she deserves it." Audrey said.

"What did she do to you?" I asked.

"Hello? She beat me up, Carlos!" Audrey exclaimed.

Why does she talk so loud?

"Yes, sir!" said the same guard.

The guards then left the room.

"Why do you have to go to this level? Okay, so Mal beat Audrey up. Can't you just find her and talk to her?" I asked.

"Do you know where she is?" Ben asked.

"I don't." I replied.

"Neither do we. Therefore, I have to do this. I know you don't understand this kind of stuff, but what Mal did is a felony. And now, the law has to become involved. But assaulting Audrey-"

"That's what you're calling it?"

"Assaulting Audrey isn't the only thing Mal's done."

"Really? What else did she do?" Jay asked.

"Shoplifting, vandalism, aggravated assault and arson." Ben said.

"Sounds like you're charging her for crimes she did when she was spelled." Lonnie said.

"Didn't you let her go from that?" Jay asked.

"No. Not entirely." Ben replied.

"And let's not forget the last charge." Audrey said.

"And what would that be?" I asked.

"Kidnapping."

"Kidnapping?!" Jay, Lonnie and I said at the same time.

"Yes. We believe that Mal may have forced Evie to leave with her." Ben said.

"Or do you mean Audrey believes that?" I asked.

"I know Evie. And I know that she has wanted to break up with Mal since she freed her from that so called "spell". She couldn't because Mal is somehow forcing Evie to be with her." Audrey said.

"And how do you know that?" Lonnie asked.

"I know because Evie would never want to leave Auradon. The only way she would leave is if she was forced to leave." Audrey said.

"So you think Mal is dragging Evie with all of their belongings somewhere around Auradon?" I asked.

"I do." Audrey simply stated.

I scoffed. I can't believe everything that was just said.

"I have an APB out for Mal. And there's also a warrant for her arrest. When Mal is found, she will be arrested, and will be put on trial." Ben said.

"And I can't wait for that day to arrive." Audrey said.

"You three can leave now. I'll call you up if I have anymore questions." Ben said to us.

Two guards opened the door for us to leave. Jay and Lonnie left first, but Audrey stopped me for a moment.

"I know there's something you're not telling us. But continue to keep it to yourself. I don't care. Just know, when Mal is found, she will be prosecuted much more than her mother was. And maybe she'll end up just like her. Or worse." Audrey said.

"You're a mean person, Audrey." I said.

"You'd feel this way too if Mal beat you up."

"I doubt it. Mal would never hurt me, because I'm not like you. I don't tell lies and push people to their limits. You'll never have a prince if you continue to be like that." I said.

That last sentence made Audrey speechless. I pushed her aside and left Ben's office and met the others in the hallway.

"Are you okay?" Jay asked.

"I'm good." I replied with a smile.

The three of us left the administration building and walked to the courtyard.

"So, a warrant is out for Mal." Jay said.

"It's a good thing they left this morning." Lonnie said.

"Indeed. I can imagine Mal being dragged off by the guards. And it's not a pretty thought." I said.

Jane walked up to us, and her and I gave each other a hug.

"I saw you and Jay walking with Ben and his guards. How did it go?" she asked.

"Okay. There is an APB and a warrant out on Mal." I replied.

"Oh no. If they hadn't left when they did, Mal could be locked up right now." Jane said.

"Yeah." I said.

"Should we tell them?" Jane asked.

"We probably shouldn't." Jay said.

"We don't want to stress Mal out." Lonnie said.

"Oh, okay." Jane said.

"At least not this soon. But one thing for sure, we should get going to class. Evie would want us to. And I think Mal would too." I said.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Jay said.

"Alright, let's go have a great day." Lonnie said

"And have many more after today." Jane said.

"Yes. Let's go!" I said.

We laughed and ran to our lockers. Mal and Evie, wherever you two are right now, we wish you the best and we'll talk to you soon.