6

                                    

                                              
Light filtered in through the windows, beams painting the floor in wide strokes. The knife in my hand hit the cutting board with a firm chop with each slice. I dumped the apples into a bowl filled with water, and I glanced at Dad. One arm was slung over his head, the other draped over his stomach holding the ember in a loose grip. I smiled. 
The last time we did anything like this, I could barely remember it. Just the faintest memory of waiting for food to be ready while playing with Ceb. A can of tomato soup if I was recalling correctly. Or maybe it was chicken broth?
I shook my head. Did it really matter?
It did. I knew that as I scooped apples into the measuring cup. While I was being raised on canned food, food fought for and stolen, and sometimes going hungry, kids out here got things like what I was making. Desserts, fruits, ice cream. Things I had only heard stories of before Ben decided to let me and the others leave. Mom told me stories about the feasts she would be invited to before she was slighted, and the actual foods were far beyond my childhood imagination. 
As I mixed the apples into the batter, I hummed. At least more kids were getting a chance to experience this. Though I have to worry what Ben might do since I'm gone. Dad's right when he says I don't know everything about him. Part of me knows that things are different here, but everyone on the isle was a double edged blade. Just as soon as they do something good for you, they do something against you in the next moment. The batter poured into the greased cake pan. I placed it in the oven; the rack rattled. 
"What are you making?" asked Dad. He didn't move.
"Food."
"So a mud pie?"
"It was a perfectly good pie."
"Maybe to someone who's part dragon. Is this, you know, actually edible to people who don't need to eat other things to help with digestion."
"It's apple cake." I rolled my eyes. "I have better control over that now." I padded across the hard floor to lean on the back of the couch. "When did you magic up a television?"
He scoffed but  was smiling. "It's called summoning, Mally. I'm a god, not a fairy." He reached back and grabbed the remote. I hopped over the back of the couch and tried to grab it. Hard plastic pressed against my palm. We locked ourselves into a game of tug of war. And it was only won as I gained a foothold. I planted my foot against his side and leaned back.  "That's cheating."
"All's fair in love and war, and I'm pretty sure war in the name."  I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels eventually landing on the news. Story after story about school events and people rescuing animals and everything happy that always seems to happen here. Dad snorted when a story about puppies needing adopted came on.
"How many of those do you think are descended from the ones from the Isle?" he asked. My shoulders fell as I remembered that year. They took all of the pets because it wasn't safe to leave them on the Isle with a bunch of villains.  "Isn't that your fiancé?"
I looked back at the screen and sure enough Ben was on. I turned the volume up. I should've turned it down, because that was better than what I heard.
"Due to the recent escape of Hades and the kidnapping of my fiancee, I have decided to seal the barrier to the Isle of the Lost. While I know many on the Isle were looking forward to having their chance to come to Auradon, as king I cannot put my people at risk. Even now Hades is out there. We have the best guards working on tracking down both him and Mal. If you have any knowledge of their whereabouts, please contact your local authorities. If Hades is not returned to the Isle soon, he will attempt to bring down our fair kingdom."
The TV flicked off, even without me doing anything. Dad had an arm tossed over his eyes. "Mally, let me make one thing clear. I am not using you. Got it?"
"I already knew that, Dad. I also know you'd probably let me walk right out of here if I wanted to." I changed the channel so I wouldn't have to listen to Ben say things I never thought he would. He was the one who let the VKs have a chance, to not let our parents define who we are, and now, he wants to trap all of those kids on the Isle because Dad escaped?
"Hey, go back a second." Dad swiped the remote and switched to a different news channel. "Well, this might be bad." This screen showed a mobilizing guard detail, headed by Fairy Godmother with her wand. "You know, I've always wondered why they'd broadcast things about criminals on TV. Can't say I hate it, because at least we've got a heads up." He stood up. "I can keep them busy." 
"Dad, they won't stop until they have me back. I'm not-"
"Mally," Dad said. He placed a hand on top of my head. "I'm a god." I swallowed and nodded. I knew that, I really did. It was just...He's a god and the barrier was capable of stripping him of his powers. Dad chuckled and kissed my forehead. "It'll be fine, but if you're really worried" --a leather bound book appeared in his hand-- "You can back me up with some spells."
Hey, it's been a while. And probably over half of this chapter was edited, and I probably should do the rest, but I didn't want to keep you waiting.....uh.....im just going to pretend I've updated more recently than last april yep totally did
See yah