Susan and Col walked through a heavy fog.

"I don't remember this in the woods." Susan clung to Col's arm. "I can't see a thing. London has some thick fogs but this…"

Col stopped and put his hand in front of Susan to keep her from going forward. Then he extended his arm and touched the fog.

"Susan, I can feel the fog. We'd better stop."

"Well, we can't just stand here."

"Try it's thinner by the ground."

Col crouched down to the ground and pulled Susan down. She lost her balance and fell. Col reached out to her but only felt the fog.

"Col!"

And then she was gone. Susan had fallen into a pool and a different world.

"Has anyone seen the rat?"

"He was with Susan and Col earlier," said Miller. "I saw them go by. I think they were going for a walk."

"Did they say where they were going?" Mrs. Rogers had a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"No. But I did see Achilles scamper after them."

Garin came through the large door from the lawn, holding an apple.

"Garin, have you seen your mum or dad? Or Achilles?""Not lately, they waved to me from the veranda. Why? Do you need them for something?"

"Help me find them," said Mrs. Rogers. "I've got to find them. Miller, Stevan, you can help us."

"Why is it so important?" Stevan laid down his book. "They go for walks all the time."

"I think she's gone back to the wardrobe and I won't let her go without me."

"What's that?"

"It's a cat. Don't you know what a cat is?" As he stroked the cat's back, it arched its back to accommodate his hand and purred a thank you. "He's been hanging out here lately."

"Have you been feeding him?" She leaned over her son and put her hand toward the cat. The cat snarled and clawed at her. "Get rid of it."

"Mom, I like the cat."

"Cyril, take it to that pool I showed you and throw it in." She stroked her son's head. "Do it or you'll wake up one morning with all of those beautiful curls cut off."

The cat rubbed against his legs, weaving in and out. "Come on cat, we're going on a little trip."

"That was a little cruel, wasn't it?" asked the woman's friend. "Even for you, Cyan."

"I don't want that animal around." She stood at the window watching Cyril walk to the stables. "Besides, it might weaken him. I've got to keep him on track. I have big plans for him."

The other woman eyed her friend warily. "That's rather an odd way to put it."

Cyan smiled. "Yes, well. I must keep up appearances."

"Not around me. I know how devious you are."

Cyril saddled his horse and picked up the cat. "Don't worry, Cat. I won't hurt you." He stroked the cat's head. "I'll take you to the pool, but I won't throw you in. You can stay there and be safe." It was a long ride, but the cat balanced adroitly on the saddle in front of Cyril. When they drew close, Cyril dismounted and picked up the cat, stroking its head. He tread quietly through a copse of trees.

"Cat, we must be quiet, we are in enemy territory." Cyril crept on, approaching the pool. He placed the cat near the pool, and walked away but soon he noticed the cat weaving in and out of his legs. "No, cat. I know you are understand me. Stay here." He walked back to the pool, petting the cat, he didn't notice a woman approaching him.

"Garin, whatever are you doing with that cat? We're looking for the rat and your mother," said Mrs. Rogers. "And why have you changed your clothes?"

"My mother? Why… why, I'm only doing her bidding," he stammered.

"You've seen her? Where is she?"

"She's at home." Cyril stared at this strange woman with the mop of curly red hair. She acted as if she knew him. Maybe it was a ploy. He'd heard of such things.

"You mean she's at the castle? But we've only just left there." Mrs. Rogers approached him. "Are you certain of it? You really saw Susan and your father?"

"Father? I don't have a father." Cyril was so startled, he dropped the cat and ran back to his horse and fled.

Garin stepped out from behind the wall. "We're you talking to me? I haven't seen a cat." Then he looked down. "Oh, is this what you're talking about?"

Mrs. Rogers stood staring at the young man. "I have just seen your double."

Garin cocked his head and smiled his crooked smile at her. "You're seeing double? Whatever do you mean?"

Just then Miller walked over to the pool. He saw some shiny in the grass near it. "What's this?" He picked it up and examined it. "It's a chess piece. Garin, have you lost a chess piece? This one looks valuable."

"Oh, that. It's my mother's. She keeps in on her dressing table with her jewelry." He took it from Miller. "I used to play with it when I was a small boy. I wonder what it's doing here?"

Mrs. Rogers was still staring off into the distance. "Who was that young man?"

"What young man?" asked Garin. "Here, Mrs. Rogers, what do you make of this? Mom's chess piece." He handed it to Mrs. Rogers.

"You're right. It's Susan's chess piece." She clutched it to her hands. "Where did you find it?"

"It was over by the pool, laying in the grass," said Miller.

The cat began to weave in and out of Garin's legs. He picked it up. "Friendly little thing, aren't you?" He petted its head and the cat purred a thank you.

"Quickly, we must hurry back to the palace," said Mrs. Rogers. "I must speak with Tumnus. There is something very strange going on."

"What about Mother? Are we going back to look for her in the palace?"

"No, Garin." Mrs. Rogers put her hand on Garin's arm. "I don't think she will be there. I think your mother has gone into the pool and on into the Woods Between the Worlds."

"Then let's go after her," said Garin. He walked to the pool.

"Not without consulting Tumnus first," said Mrs. Rogers. "We need Tumnus in on this. Now hurry. There's not a moment to waste. And bring the cat."