Torn Away (Disney's Descendants 2 fanfic)

Only the Beginning

Gil knew he was supposed to go work rounds with the crew. Help clean up, whatever the hell the others ordered him to do. He just couldn't. After seeing Mal, he couldn't help but worry. Sure, she'd always been the enemy. The worst of the worst, their nemesis; someone who deserved to pay.

But maybe he didn't agree with the crew. Maybe he knew that none of this was worth it. If all they did was keep damaging each other, where would they ever get? He'd seen his own kind of hurt, whether it'd be from his douche bag of a father, Gaston, or from the way most of his crew mates treated him like shit. He knew how hard it could be just to be.

After all, each one of them had grown up on the Isle. They all had their own horrors. So what was the point of taking out their pain on each other, especially one of their own? He wanted to fight for growth and progress, and at one point claiming Auradon felt like the right idea, but now? Not even close. He'd rather be apart of it.

What the fuck was he doing? He just sat by and watched someone, who very easily could've been his friend, get brutalized. And for what? Revenge?

He couldn't keep doing this.

He glances up from the floor he'd been mopping, observing his crew mates. They are all busy in their own works, many sharing rumors they'd heard on Uma's progress in Ben's kingdom. He shakes his head. He places the mop into the bucket and moves it to the side of the wall. He has to check on Mal. If nothing else, he needs to try to talk to her.

As Gil makes his way through the tunnel and to Mal's cell, he can feel his confidence waning. He fights to keep his feet moving forward, but he can't help as his head stared down. He's terrified of getting caught but he has to try something. He has to do this.

When he finally reached Mal's cell, he is hesitant. His hand reaches for the keys that hang outside the door, lazily hung unguarded, but he's sure Hook is aware of the security flaw. After all, the chambers are filled with crew members; if anyone would break in to rescue her, it's not like they'd get far. Just as he grabs the keys, he noticed the door is already open just a crack.

He glances around the hall, double-checking his surroundings. He peeks inside of her cell

Gil watches as Hook glares down at Mal. She is lying limply the floor. The blood from her the wound on her cheek appears to have clotted, but a trail had already dripped down her neck and dried. It drew attention to itself, but the streaks of blood that already scattered her body acted as camouflage. The fresher blood was only another layer to the horrid display.

He cringes when he sees the size of the syringe in Hook's hand. It was enormous, larger than anything he'd ever let come near himself. What the hell had they given her? 

Before his remaining confidence could die down, he presses the door farther open.

"Hook?"

———————

When the syringe entered her neck, the darkness felt more welcoming than before. It's arms were open, and warm- almost. Even in unconsciousness she could feel her heart ache and muscles tense. The relief she used to achieve, atleast physically, was reduced to nothing.

Was she even really asleep?

Her mind jumps around, floats. She feels as though she is swimming in nothing. Drifting in oblivion? She is lighter, but at the same time, heavier. Her body feels like lead endlessly sinking. Her head feels clearer, if only because she can't think. Any thought she has passed, she cannot hold on to her train of thought. Her mind and body feel displaced. She is nothing and everything, and the only thing she can be sure of is confusion.