How to Find the Truth

An unknown familiar place

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I was finally done. Well, for now. Even though I had done everything on my agenda, I was preparing myself for another surprise call from anyone telling me that I had more tasks to accomplish. I was very tempted to put my phone on silent. But for now, I could breathe.

Evie was in class, and Mal was on another date with my brother, so I was headed to my room to relax. However, as I was walking down the hall, I remembered that I had left my sketchbook in Mal and Evie's room. I kicked myself and headed towards their room instead. I slowly turned the doorknob, expecting it to be locked, but it wasn't. Hopefully, they wouldn't mind me "breaking in".

However, when I opened the door, I saw Mal doing something, and when she saw me, she promptly froze. She had tear-stained cheeks, and was holding a small box- something that looked like it would hold a harmonica. She had a packed bag, and the helmet to the scooter my brother had given her sitting on the bed. She looked at me, almost waiting for me to scold her or something.

"Wh-What are you doing?" I asked her. I set my backpack on the floor and walked over to her, and looked her in the eyes as she avoided eye contact.

"(Y/N), I-I can't do this anymore," she told me, starting to cry. "I don't belong here."

I just tried to listen to her as she continued to talk, trying to think how I could help.

"I'm going back to the Isle, where I can be myself and not worry about being someone I'm not," she told me. "And don't even try to stop me because I have made up my mind now and I don't want to start filling my head with reasons I should stay because then I will stay and then I'll be stressed and-"

"Alright," I told her, cutting her rant off. "I won't try to stop you. But under one condition."

She looked at me confused. "What?"

"Take me with you."

But then she laughed.

"What?!" I asked her, almost offended.

"You're serious?" Mal looked at me, adopting a more serious tone now.

"Yes."

"But you do realize that I'm not coming back right?" Mal told me as she continued to pack her bag in a hurry. She stuffed the little box in the bag, almost like she didn't want me to notice it.

"I'm not worried about getting back," I told her. I had a plan already in motion in my head. "My parents could easily bring me back here if they wanted to," I lied.

I mean, that was true, but not my plan.

"So, what? They are gonna think I kidnapped the princess and brought her to an island full of villains?" Mal looked at me, concerned.

"Mal," I looked at her and paused, forcing her to look at me. "I have been wanting to go to the Isle my whole life. And when I realized what life was like there for you four, it made my urge to go even stronger. I want to help you guys, but also, I want to know the other half of the land my brother rules now. I want adventure, and I want to get away from my duties here for a while. You out of everyone would know how I feel."

She looked down for a moment and then sighed. "Well, Evie and I have said that you seem to have some villain in you," she chuckled.

A huge grin spread across my face. "So, is that a yes?" I asked.

She nodded and I began to squeal, and she rolled her eyes at me. "Alright, alright, relax!" She told me with a smile. "Pack your things, and meet me at the beach in 30 minutes. We are headed to the Isle of the Lost."