A Flickering Flame (A Descendants Story)

Chapter 8

I teleported Sherwood Forest, immediately memories flooding in from adventuring to find a possessed Audrey. The dark forest seemed to haunt me, but provided me with some sort of comfort. 

"Mal, what are you doing?" 

I turned to see the three god fairies: Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.

"I um...needed to get away...from everything" I muttered, trying not to look at them, looking at the ground.

"Oh Mal, what seems to bother you?" Flora asked. 

I sighed.

"It is hard to explain" I said "I just need some fresh air, to clear my mind"

"What of dear?" Merryweather asked.

I looked them in the eye, unable to put my feelings into words.

"I- um...I'm sorry" I exclaimed, sprinting off in the other direction.

"Mal! Wait, Mal come back here!"

I didn't hear their voices clearly, I just had to get out of here. 

I was losing breath, tears filling my vision as I dodged trees. 

I can't think, I can't breath.

"What is happening to me?" I whispered out loud as I ended up at a familiar cottage. 

I noticed a familiar blonde haired girl sitting there, leaving me confused as she turned to me, standing up sharply.

"Mal?" she asked, walking over to me "Are you-"

"How did you get here?" I asked her, confused.

"Fairy Godmother notices my change in...personality due to the staff so she sent me back to the fairies" she replied "Why are you here?"

I sighed.

"I could have made a big mistake" I started "I gave my father's ember back to him but he looked like I was in more danger than he was without it. And I found out fairy Godmother took away my memories for some reason I do not know and now...now I am just confused"

She put her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.

"I guess we both have some issues with trust then" she said.

I nodded.

"Audrey?" I asked, making her look me in the eye "Have you ever thought your path was not the right one to follow?"

"All the time" Audrey reply, "Especially after you came along"

I looked with her with confusion.

"I always thought my role was to be queen along side Ben...but when that was taken away from me...I finally realised that wasn't the path I was meant to follow" She explained.

I looked down, trying to get my thoughts together.

"I love Ben, there is no doubt about that" I said "I feel like there is more to...discover about myself...I feel like there is something missing" 

Audrey smiled, trying to reassure me. 

" Do not worry Mal, it will come to you " Audrey said "Now, I have to go back to the fairies before they notice I'm gone. Go home Mal, you need to think on it before you do anything too rash like I did"

I nodded, silently thanking her as she walked away. 

I would have to go home, or they will be worried.

But my gut is telling me this is only the beginning. 

~~~~

"Mal!"

I looked over to see Ben running over to me, almost knocking me off my feet with a hug. I chuckled, hugging him back. 

"Hi Ben, what's wrong?"  I asked.

"What's wrong? You left without saying a word, are you okay?" Evie asked as Ben and I got out the hug. I finally noticed Carlos, Jay, Fairy Godmother and Jane were also here with Ben and Evie.

I smiled.

"I needed to think over what I once knew" I said, looking over at Fairy Godmother, who looked guilty "It's not every day your hear your life was a lie"

"Your parents did it to protect-"

"I understand the protection" I said, raising my voice "What I don't get is how you kept this from me! What is so bad that I can't remember? I mean, it must be effecting me now, whatever it is"

"Mal" Fairy Godmother said "I am sorry, I truely am. I was surprised when your mother called me over using something only fairies used in emergency. I did not realise what the issue was until after I used the spell. You were not in a great shape Mal, if I did nothing, you would have died"

I widen my eyes, crossing my arms.

"What is wrong with me?" I demanded softly.

"Nothing you need to worry about, your father and I have talked-"

"So it is on my father's side?" I demanded "Is it something to do with the ember? Because I swear if he wants to give it back to me I am not letting him give it back as his insanity relies on it" 

Fairy Godmother was going to say someone but sighed, staying silent. 

"Why don't we take a walk?" Ben suggested, noticing the tension in the room. 

"I have already been on one" I said.

"What about shopping? We need a Hens night dress for you" Evie suggested, almost screaming with excitement.

"Or play with Dude with me" Carlos added.

"Or explore...and maybe steal" Jay said, making me roll my eyes.

"As much as I would like to do all that stuff I would like some time alone please" I said "To think things over more"

"Were you not alone when you disappeared?" Jay asked.

I shook my head, turning away from them.

"No, I wasn't" I muttered and walked to my room, knowing they won't follow me. 

I know they love me, and I appreciate that they care but I need room to breath.

'You love that, wouldn't you deary?' a voice said in my head as I went into my room, surprising me.

"Who are you?" I whispered as I closed my door, not knowing if they followed me.

'They follow you around like dogs to a piece of meat' the voice said 'I would not be surprised. Just wait until they install cameras to watch your every move'

"You know that isn't true and you haven't answered my question!" I exclaimed as I walked over to my bed, and sat down.

'You no need to know who I am' the voice said 'Just know I am a...friend. If you are ever down or need help I will be there! I will be more supportive than your friends ever will be'

"I know that isn't true, they are supportive" I said, looking down at my hands.

'There is a fine line between supportive and clingy, do not be blinded by it'