I apologize for not updating sooner. My grandparents are sick and I wanted to take care of them first.
Rushing about to prepare for the last-minute trip, Jay, Evie, Carlos, and Ben arrived on the Isle of the Lost just a couple hours after discovering the fairy's disappearance. It gave Evie enough time to make Ben a suitable outfit so he wouldn't be out of place.
During the entire drive, the VK trio discussed the reasons for Mal's sudden departure. While Jay and Carlos insisted she was just homesick, Evie argued that there must be something more. Although the letter claimed she'd be back by cotillion, Evie believed it was a lie to keep everyone hopeful. After all, why would Mal suddenly stop acting like an Auradon princess, return to the Isle, and leave behind Ben's gold ring on the same day? It just didn't make sense!
During the conversation, Ben remained silent as he pondered his own theories. He hoped it was just a misunderstanding on Evie's part; Mal left for a quick visit as the letter stated. Perhaps going to the Isle is what she thought she needed to process their conversation. Maybe Mal was genuinely nervous about Cotillion being hours away, and only seeing her daughter could calm her nerves. Or, she was packing Mallory's belongings to take her to Auradon.
That last thought might have been a long shot, but Ben was eager to meet the little girl who would steal his heart with one look.
Hiding the royal limousine under some tarp in an abandoned alley, the rag-tag group crept through the twists and turns, with Ben trailing a short distance behind.
Just when the king thought he was close to losing them, the trio stopped in front of what appeared to be an abandoned building, which could be said about everything on the Isle. Jay chucked a large rock at the hanging sign like it was a typical routine. The sign flew back, raising the gate high enough that someone could climb underneath.
Releasing a breath, Ben cautiously walked up the stairwell alone, expecting the fairy not to be there.
Before they left Auradon, Evie claimed Ben was the only one who could convince Mal to return. That started the king's silent solitude, thinking about their conversation repeatedly. The fairy showed no signs of being unhappy with him or the mainland. If anything, the king could see a visible weight being lifted from her shoulders at the confession.
Would she leave after such a breakthrough?
Inside, Ben climbed the unusual passageway toward the sound of someone shuffling about. A moment later, the king paused on a platform, gazing into the living quarters of the hideout.
Open doorways connected three separate rooms. Two of the three contained makeshift beds, while the room in the center had a lumpy couch. It was obvious which rooms belonged to whom since Mal had painted murals of herself and her friends in each room.
But the fairy wasn't using her artistic talents now.
Instead, Mal—looking beautiful in punk Isle clothing and hair a pretty lavender—was bustling about from room to room, shoving sketchbooks, fabric, and various other objects into a duffle bag on the couch. The worried side of Ben wondered if she would be toddler-proofing the place to raise Mallory on her own, but that didn't seem to be the case.
After watching her make many trips, Ben teased, "This is some walk you went on."
Whirling around, Mal's eyes widened at seeing the king standing so close to her. "Ben?" She snarled her nose in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking on you," Ben insisted softly. "Evie thought you ran away from Auradon forever because you left your ring behind."
"Dammit!" Mal groaned in annoyance. "I knew I should have brought it with me. I was worried there would be a misunderstanding, but I was more worried I'd lose it."
"It's safe with me," Ben reassured, smiling warmly. "How are you feeling now that you are home? Did you visit anyone while you've been here?"
"Just the Isle hair salon so I can get my hair as close to normal as possible," Mal answered with an aggravated sigh. "I only intended to grab a few things we left behind and head back. I'm sorry Evie blew it out of proportion. The letter I left said I'd be back by cotillion."
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Ben paused, tilting his head curiously. "But something's not right. Even though you seem better, you're still . . . off. Did something happen?"
"Yes . . ." Mal admitted reluctantly, fearing his reaction. "I . . . ran into my rapist while at the salon."
Ben tensed, clenching his hand into a fist to control his temper. "What happened?"
"He tried provoking me, so I threw him over the cashier counter." The fairy shrugged carelessly, masking her discomfort about the situation. "I could have done more, made him feel the same hurt as he did me, but I don't want to waste any more energy on him. He doesn't deserve my attention or my fear."
"I could do something, if you'd like," Ben offered, a growl begging to be released. "Or rather, the Beast could make him pay for the hell he put you through—"
"No," Mal denied firmly. "I don't want your reputation or your secret in danger because of revenge for me. Mom risked too much already when she escaped the Isle with the intent to get revenge on her rapist and mine—"
"Wait," Ben interrupted. "What do you mean . . ."
Eyes widening in realization, Mal pleaded, "Please don't tell anyone. I wasn't supposed to say anything."
"Not a word," the king vowed, tilting his head curiously so he could change the subject. "How much longer do you need to grab the rest of your belongings? A couple hours?"
"Maybe an hour?" Mal guesstimated, unsure of the actual time she needed. "That's how long I was giving myself before you arrived."
"An hour it is then," Ben declared. "If you forget anything, we can come back when or if I convince Fairy Godmother to let us visit."
Obviously, Mal gaped at the new information. "Was that your surprise for me?"
"One of them," Ben corrected. "The other one will be revealed at cotillion, but do you still want to go through with it? Or do you want to postpone it? I will understand since you need time to process the new path in our relationship."
Smiling happily at the supportive king, Mal shook her head in denial. "No, we will still have cotillion tonight. Maybe we'll be back in time to sleep a few hours before then. During cotillion . . . I know I'll be able to tell you those three words."
"No rush," Ben reassured, though he chuckled softly afterward. "I've waited a year so far. I can wait an entire lifetime if that's what it will take. Would you like your ring back now?"
Mal's smile grew as the king revealed the gold beast-head ring from his pocket. "Give it to me after I keep my promise," she requested carefully. "You told me to wear it to remind myself I was loved. When you give it to me next time, I'll use it as a reminder that I don't have to fear telling you anything, especially my feelings for you."
Chuckling at her determination, Ben lovingly kissed the fairy's forehead, which was still part of their original deal. "I'll see you when you're done packing. Take your time, my queen."
Taking a giant leap of faith, trust, and courage, Mal quickly pecked the young man's lips, lasting barely a second. Pleased with his shocked reaction, Mal affirmed, "I'll see you soon, my king. And . . . can I make a small request?"
Minutes later, the trio stirred as they heard Ben walking down the stairwell. Once he slipped through the gate, Ben smiled at the group. "Mal never intended to stay on the Isle," he calmly informed. "She's packing some stuff you guys left behind, and then she'll be ready to go home."
Evie's mouth hung open at hearing the news. "Seriously?" she questioned incredulously. "And what about cotillion?"
"Still happening tonight," Ben answered with no hesitation. "She just needed to clear her mind, and the Isle was the best place for her. But Jay, she wants to talk to you alone."
Raising a curious eyebrow, Jay slipped under the gate and hurried up the stairs. While the two watched, Ben decided to stroll down the street. With an hour to kill, he could make the best of his time by exploring the Isle.
But he should have thought better about going alone.
Once his friend disappeared from his view, Carlos gazed down the alley decorated with torn rags when he noticed something peculiar. "Evie!" he shouted in distress. "Where's Ben?"
Joining his friend's side, Evie peered down the dim alleyway to search for the missing king. "Ben?" she called out. "Ben?"
A moment or so later, a dark silhouette strolled to them. Hands shoved in his coat pockets, his head was hunkered down like the trio had taught him.
"Ben!" Evie shouted in alarm. "Don't scare us like that!"
"Don't scare you?"
The dup tensed at the familiar voice as the mysterious figure entered the light.
But it wasn't Ben.
This man's hair was slightly longer than Ben's, being much darker and wilder than imaginable. The man's deep red trench coat reached well past his knees.
Harry Hook grinned deviously at their reaction. "But that's my specialty."
Carlos seethed as he made a threatening step toward the pirate. "What did you do with Ben!"
"We nicked him." Harry bravely confessed, motioning to the dark alley where the crime was committed. "If you want to see him again, have Mal"—he pointed to the hideout— "come to the chip shop tonight." He gestured to the two with his hook. "Alone. Uma wants . . . a little visit."
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Evie barked, amusing the pirate with her courage. "We aren't your errand rats."
"Well, I'm afraid Mal isn't too fond of me at the moment," Harry revealed without giving too much away. "I 'bumped' into her at Tremaine's hair shop. Let's just say . . . she didn't like my playful banter too much."
Nonetheless, Harry grinned as he casually strolled down the alleyway, whistling as he went.
Fuming in anger, Carlos and Evie surged up the stairs of the hideout, hoping Mal wouldn't be too pissed about what happened.
Emerging from the entrance, Jay snarled his nose as he watched Mal rushing about the hideout, grabbing some sentimental objects and some they probably could have lived without and placing them in either of two duffel bags. "Everything ok?" he wondered, cautiously stepping into the room. "Ben said you wanted to talk."
Straining to zip an overstuffed bag, Mal turned with a light frown on her delicate features. "I told Ben," Mal revealed slowly, "during our date yesterday."
Jay's eyes widened in realization. "How much?" he interrogated. "About Lory or just the incident?"
"The incident," the fairy confirmed, before listing off, "you knowing, my father, the truth about coronation with my mother . . . nearly everything. If he hadn't interrupted my babbling, I would have told him about Mallory, too."
"How did he react?" Jay wondered cautiously. "Did the Beast come out?"
"He tried, but Ben calmed his anger before he could appear." Mal smiled softly, remembering the interaction vividly. "Ben was so understanding and compassionate toward me. He soothed me from my emotional fit. When we talked a little bit ago, he was only concerned about ensuring I was okay. I don't know when I will tell him about Lory. But I do know, during cotillion, I'll be able to tell him I—"
"Guys!" Carlos shouted as he and Evie burst through the entrance. "We have a problem!"
Taking a moment to breathe, Evie announced gravely, "Ben's been taken by Uma's pirate crew."