daddy's girl ( complete )

Daddy's Girl | Part Seven

"I hope you know what you're doing," said Cruella when all the villains were crammed back in her car.

"Not in the slightest," said Hades. "Now, see the clearing? This whole trip will go faster if we drive there."

"Drive there?!" said Cruella. "You're insane."

"I know," said Hades. "Look, do you want to find your kid or not."

"I hate you," Cruella snapped. "Oh my precious paint job."

"WAIT!" said Eveline. "There's a road that leads into the heart of the woods a little while back. If we circle around, we could head on in there and drive as far as we can, and go the rest of the way on foot."

"I like her plan," said Cruella.

"Fine," said Hades. "Do it the easy way. But make it quick. It's past midnight."

~*~

Mal was starting to rethink heading off into the woods alone. She just wanted to put some distance between her and her friends. This was her destiny. Her moment. Her friends were loyal, but she needed to do this alone. Her hands were shaking from the cold and fear. Why were the Dark Woods so, dark? Ugh, she should have stayed back. She knew Carlos didn't like darkness as much as the next person. Mal's flashlight flickered and went out.

"Great," she muttered. "Now what?"

A raven cawed from a tree. Mal jumped and tripped over a root, sending her tumbling onto the ground. She scraped her palms on the dirt, leaving red scratches. Her jeans had been torn on a rock and the small scratch was bleeding slightly. Mal looked around, and huddled under a branch. The wind whistled around her as she hugged her backpack close and wrapped her jacket around her as tight as she could. Oh, how she wanted to be back in her own house. Who's stupid idea was this anyways?

Oh, right. It was hers.

Of course she didn't plan on being lost in the woods. She might as well start singing. That's what princesses did when they were helplessly lost. But Mal was not a princess, and she never planned to be. All those dresses made her sick. Her mind began to wander as she slowly drifted off into a deep sleep, the cold sea wind whipping outside her little huddle...

There was darkness everywhere. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face if you wanted too. The sound of a baby  crying echoed the calm halls. The sounds of laughter filled the room.

"A daughter!" said a happy woman's voice. "I have given birth to a beautiful daughter!"

"What shall you name her?" asked an older woman's voice.

"Maleficent Bertha Hades," said the first woman. "I knew this day would come. The day I would pass my reign onto my child. Midwife! Inform this girl's father he may see her now."

There were the sound of hustling footsteps and a scene comes into view. A beautiful young woman is seated in a large bed, cradling a tiny bundle that was her child. She smiled at her daughter proudly. Footsteps echoed again and a stout, old woman came in followed by a handsome young man with blue hair.

"What now Mal?" he asked the woman.

"Hades," she (Mal) said. "Come see her. Come see our daughter."

"I don't want a girl," said Hades. "I wanted a son."

Mal glared at him. "Well you got a daughter. Now be a good father and come look at her."

Hades grumbled and walked over while Mal held out the swaddle of blanket. He pulled a piece of blanket out of the baby's face so he could see her. His face suddenly changed and indescribable joy flooded his face, and tears of happiness pooled in his eyes. He kissed Mal passionately and held them both close. "I'm so proud."

"A minute ago you were angry," said Mal, smiling down at her daughter.

"People change," said Hades, beaming as the child wrapped her hand around his finger. 

"Hades," said Mal, grabbing Hades's arm. "We can finally do it. Take over Auradon and free everyone from this dreadful Isle."

Hades's face completely changed. "Take over Auradon? With our baby?"

Mal nodded excitedly. "We will be unstoppable!"

"But Mal," said Hades. "She's a baby."

"So?" said Mal. "Every evil plan needs one."

"You are willing to sacrifice our daughter so you can take over the world?"

"It's for love," said Mal. "No be gone. I must rest."

Hades left the room with a backward glance at the child in his wife's arms. Something had to be done about her. He knew what he had to do.

~*~

Evie woke up for the third time that night because some root was cramming into her back. Eventually she gave up as the first rays of sun made their way through the trees, casting a golden glow on everything around her. She got up and went around the tree. With a gasp, she saw Carlos sleeping on the other side. "Carlos?"

"Five more minutes Mom," he mumbled sleepily.

Evie rolled her eyes. "Wake up before I hit you with a stick!"

"I'm awake!" said Carlos, sitting up and looking at her. "Evie? When did you get here?"

"I'm asking you the same question!" said Evie. "Jay and I are sleeping on the other side of the tree. Where's Mal?"

"She was right here," said Carlos, hugging his stuffed bear close. "I don't know?"

Evie nodded at the bear. "Chloe?"

Carlos nodded and quickly shoved it in his bag and pulled out an orange thing. "Carrot?"

"I am hungry," said Evie, taking it. "So which one of us is going to wake up Jay?"

"None of you," said Jay, walking up to them. "Because I'm right here."

"Where were you?" asked Evie.

"Out for a pleasure stroll at 5 in the morning," said Jay. "Where else?"

Evie gave him an 'are you serious?' look.

"Bathroom," said Jay. "Don't ask."

"We won't," said Carlos.

"Stop talking," said Evie, standing up. "You hear that?"

"Hear what?" asked Jay.

"Now we can't hear because you started talking," said Carlos.

"Shut up," Jay snapped.

"It sounds like a car," said Evie, scrunching up her eyebrows. "But what's a car doing out here this early?"

"There's a road through here," said Jay. "Maybe that's what it's on."

"Wait," said Carlos. "Is it a 1985 Jaguar with an extremely red paint job?"

"Maybe," said Evie. "I can't tell."

"Mom!" said Carlos. "She's the only one who owns a car that sounds like that."

"Why is she driving through the woods?" asked Jay.

"They're looking for us!" said Evie. "Our parents! Come on!" She grabbed her backpack and ran towards the sound.

"Wait!" said Jay. "It could be terrorists!"

"Be quiet!" said Carlos, grabbing his backpack and making to follow Evie, but stopping. "And you owe me a Snickers."

"What?"

"Give it," said Carlos, holding out his hand. "King size. I know you have one."

Jay held it up and stood up. "Why do you want it?"

"I've been living off of baby carrots," said Carlos. He snatched the bar out of Jay's hand.

"Boys!" Evie called from ahead.

"Coming!" they called simultaneously.