Descendants 2: Evil Strikes (Discontinued)

Chapter 12

Carlos walked through the halls with his head down. The stares were unending as he headed for the first period. Evie saw him and ran off in tears with a green-faced Doug not far behind. Blinking back tears the teen tried to focus on making it through day one. Whispers whirled around as most kept a wide berth. A few reached out for a feel but he waved them off. 

Fairy Godmother had stated there was nothing she could do. A letter personally ordering her to not assist the VK had been delivered with the royal seal. Thinking it was a travesty made no difference. He was an example of what happened when you defied the interrogator and angered Auradon. Part of him wished Mal never went after Ben. But he shook it off knowing that she did what anyone would do if someone trusted had lost your mother and kept it secret.   

In class, students gaped and pointed. The teacher gave a pitying glance then returned to the day's lesson. Clearly, the adults had been informed about this predicament but not students. Mage had told him this price was going to be humiliation overload for the week. Anytime he tried to remove the contraption the straps burned his skin. Ironic being stuck to a magical device when a ban was supposed to be in place. 

"What the hell is going on?" Mal froze upon seeing him. Clasping books close with bulging eyes. She looked completely different dressed in bright colors with blonde hair. Looks like he was not the only person being punished. At least she could speak and not look like a freak to everyone.

"Please go to your seat and don't interrupt the class, lateness is enough young lady."

Mal slammed her books on the empty desk next to him and sat. She and the teacher exchanged hard looks before the middle-aged woman sighed and turned away. "What did that fashion reject troll do to you?" she whispered squeezing his hand instead of touching the device.

The rest of the class went with mostly silence. With only a highly embarrassing moment of the teacher calling on Carlos to read his essay and realizing he couldn't. Mal had volunteered in his stead and glared at anyone who dared to laugh. Her voice was strong and secure. He wished to be more like her. Then again standing up to Mage was why he was in this situation.

Minutes before class ended Chad ran in looking flushed with a note. "There was a family emergency..." he stopped noticing at Carlos, "wow, I didn't know that horses were allowed to sit in class. Is this Halloween Carlos? Want some hay to go with that harness?"

Most of the class broke out in laughter as Carlos sunk in his seat. The red harness went around his head and the removable mouthpiece would only loosen at set times for twenty minutes outside of tourney practice and bedtime when he could remove the flap for hours at a time. Bedtime ended at six a.m. sharp when it slammed shut over his mouth, same should happen once practice ended. The harness itself wouldn't come off until the week ended. 

The bell rang and students started piling out. It took several minutes before he could find the strength to rise and follow them with Mal close behind.

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Jay sat in a room with King Charming, Mage, King Ben, and the Fairy Godmother. Chad has been there minutes earlier getting reamed for not reporting Jay's presence last night. The blonde bully looked terrified as Mage and elder king carried on. Any protest from him was quieted by Fairy Godmother who warned him to stay quiet unless spoken to. The fear in her eyes terrified the young man who took the advice to heart.

"Where were you?" King Ben asked his hands folded.

"I told you, I went for a walk to clear my head. Unless you've forgotten my father's life is hanging by a thread and Maleficent is now loose. Thanks for the heads up by the way," Jay countered.