Torn Away (Disney's Descendants 2 fanfic)

Reoccurring Thoughts

The VKs successfully retrieve various maps of Auradon, varying in dates from decades ago to the present. From sewer systems to typical road maps, the VKs examined the maps in search of any ideal location for hiding Mal.

"We've been at this for hours! There has to be another way, besides if it's such a good hiding spot, I doubt it's on a map." Carlos says frustratedly, throwing one of the numerous maps down onto the table in their dorm.

"Carlos- " Jay exclaims, only to be interrupted.

"No, Jay, we need to think of this another way because I don't know if I can handle staring at another fucking map." Carlos steps away from the table angrily, running his hands through his hair. He paces around in frustration.

Jay steps back, slightly taken aback though not entirely surprised. "Alright, Carlos. We do."

"I agree, actually." Evie adds "as much as these maps could help, we're not getting anywhere. I don't know how long it'll take before we find Mal, but until we do, we have to stop Uma from making Ben do anything we can't stop." Evie paces to the other side of the table, "His parents can't control him forever."

"I know it's only the second full-day she's been gone but we are really lucky Auradon has been in favor of Belle and Beast, otherwise overruling Ben's demands, well, Uma's, would not be playing out so well." Jay adds in agreement with her.

The VKs let those words wander the air, thinking of a way to fix the situation. Doug places his map down on the wooden table beside Carlos' crumpled one.

"The Enchanted Lake." Carlos says, incredulously looking at a single spot on Doug's worn map.

Evie frantically speaks, thoughts rapidly flooding her mind. "Oh my God. Okay. I have an idea."

——
Day 3 of Captivity
Her head pounds, and it takes her a minute to realize she's no longer bound to a chair. She's still restrained, but is now just laying on the cold concrete floor with blood crusted on her face.

The room is no longer filled with blood-thirsty pirates, just cold air and chilling thoughts. It never hit her before, but she's achingly lonely. Her body is riddled with colorful bruises, most of which she can't remember who caused them, but lately her mind fades from the pain on the surface of her skin to a much deeper one. Ben.

She had been too distracted earlier to notice, but now as she's left in the cold cell for her second day of captivity, she's getting lonely. She misses her friends. Though she isn't always alone, given the circumstances, she much rather prefers silent isolation over the violence that comes with her only visitors.

Ignoring her emotional wounds, Mal forces her focus to assess her physical injuries. Bruised ribs, maybe a couple broken; a cut below her left eye, likely from Hook's fist; and other than her painful headache it's hard to identify the other varying injuries because her body aches all over.

She fights to stand on her legs, the movement making her instantly dizzy. She steps forward to the door, examining it for any weak points. (She never has any good luck with these sorts of things).

Eventually she returns to the back wall, sitting with her back pressed against the rough bricks. She can't tell what time it is, but by her guess, it's likely day 2. Hopefully. Her internal clock is thrown off by being forced into unconsciousness repeatedly.

She tilts her head against the back wall, fists clenched in anger and she could feel the dried blood on her knuckles split but it doesn't matter. What's a little more pain? She is trapped in a fucking freezing brick-walled cave and she hasn't eaten in a little over a day. Her stomach hurts, craving food even though she had long since lost her appetite. Her body cries out in pain every time she moves, despite the lack of any real tears. She refuses to be weak.