Chapter 1

Leaving London

Disclaimer: I do not own Narnia or any of its original characters. This story is written only for me and anyone who enjoys it. I only own Annalise and anyone in her world. Now enjoy!

My musical inspiration: I Dare You by Shinedown

I made my way through the crowded platform, pushing and shoving my way through the sea of people, every second nearing my escape, and my pain.

"Annalise, wait!" My mother called out in exasperation, gasping for breath and attempting to keep up with me and carry my luggage. But my long legs moved faster, and I was more determined. I refused to let her catch up with me. I couldn't face her. She would expect me to apologize and hug her before I left, but I would never give in. How could she do this to me? Sending me off when she knew she could never manage without me. Ever since the start of the war when father left, it was as if we had swapped places.

I was the one who held her hand all those cold nights in the bomb shelter; it was I who hugged her as she cried when father letters did not arrive. I was the one she ran too when the letters didn't come. It was me she ran to when they finally arrived, weeks late, with tears of joy in her eyes. The one who helped her get off to work the days she didn't want to get up. And now she thought she would just send me away?

I suddenly stopped and looked up at the train. It stretched down far past the crowds of people. I heaved an unsteady breath in an attempt to calm myself and closed my eyes in an attempt to push my tears down. I turned my heel away from the train and crossed my arms. My mother stood there, a ghost of her former cheerful self. Her eyes were tired and not even powder could hide the dark circles under her eyes she had gotten from the countless sleepless night she had spent in the shelter or at the foot of my bed, watching over me while I slept. Her brown ringlets were limp and lacked the golden highlight they previously possessed from countless days spent in the sun. Her dull eyes met mine and for a moment I glimpsed the sparkle that had been there during the days before the war.

I lifted my chin and stuck out my hand, indicating for her to pass over my luggage.

"Annalise," I turned my head and looked above her at the ceiling, still determined to ignore her.

"What?" She shuffled closer, gauging my reaction, trying to see if it was safe, or if I would explode again. This made me angrier, but I calmed myself. It was almost over. I would be gone soon.

"Sweetie I am so sorry," she said and pulled me closer and wrapped her arms around me and held me close. For a moment, I was tense; refusing to hug back, but then the tears of anger had been replaced by tears of sadness. I wrapped my arms around her, whispering words of consolation to her. Finally, after both our dresses were damp with salty tears, my mother let me go. All my anger had been replaced by sorrow, and the argument had been forgotten. I realized how silly I had been, ignoring my mother because I had felt hurt and betrayed. I flashed her a smile and she smiled back. Something flickered in her eyes, and for a moment, I thought she might just be alright while I was gone.

"Now let me find Helen," Mother whispered, scanning the crowd. I realized she had just been remembering that we were to meet up with someone. At least I remembered some of what she had said while I was ignoring her. Then I saw them, coming through the crowd toward us. A woman and four children were making their way toward us through the thick crowds. I vaguely remember the woman, perhaps from a dinner party or tea.

"Evelyn!" The woman in the front called as she came closer. "This must be your beautiful daughter, Annalise," Next to her a girl about pretty girl about my age stood, with black ringlets and freckles dotted across her face. Her fair skin looked luminescent even by the train, whose engine emitted black clouds of soot. Behind Evelyn and the girl I assumed was her daughter was a small girl with golden locks clutching her brother's arm. Tears fell freely down her face and she made no move to wipe them away. When she saw me looking she smiled, despite her tears, a warm smile that immediately made me like the little girl. She tugged at her brother's sleeve and whispered something in his ear.

Suddenly, two bright blue eyes turned toward my own green eyes. For a moment, our eyes met, before his turned away dismissively. His reached up and ruffled his golden hair, the same color as his sister's who was still clutching his arm. He stood up straight and his chin was stuck out proudly. I could not help but notice he was very handsome, even if his reaction had unnerved me. I turned to look at the little girl and smiled back. Her brother did not seem pleasant at all. I glanced at his haughty form and angered again. What had I done?

"Are these your lovely children Helen?" My mother asked, although her attempt to be cheerful had not quite reached her eyes.

"Why yes, this is Susan, my second eldest," she indicated to the dark haired girl about my age who nodded politely. "And Lucy, my youngest," the petite golden haired girl stepped forward and shook my hand with another smile, "Peter, my eldest." the handsome boy stepped forward and shook my hand, but not warmly, as his sister had, but indifferently. I pulled my hand away and took a step back from his haughty figure. I was about to turn away from the family when Helen spoke again. "And finally, Edmund, my second youngest." A dark haired boy I had not noticed stepped out from behind the family. His nose was wrinkled in distaste as he looked around the platform. Peter punched his arm and Edmund shouted "OUCH!" Everyone turned around to look at the two boys and the introduction was forgotten as Susan turned and started to scold both of the boys.

"My name is Helen Pevensie," Mrs. Pevensie told me warmly as she smiled and shook my hand.

"Thank you for allowing Annalise to go with your children," My mother told her friend. I looked up in shock and my mother sent me an apologetic glance. I could only assume she had meant to tell me but my stubbornness had gotten in the way.

"Oh don't thank me. It was lucky that the man who is taking my children in has room for five!" Suddenly a high pitched whistle sounded through the platform. The buzz of chatter suddenly picked up as children and parents said their last goodbyes. The Pevensies gathered around their mother and hugged her each in turn. I turned to my own mother, with new determination. I stood up straighter and lifted my chin in defiance, daring myself to succumb to tears. Her face was wet with more tears; they fell freely as she cried. I cradled her in my arms as I hugged her.

"It will be alright Mum," I told her softly as I hugged her. I inhaled her scent, she smelled of honey and wild flowers. The whistle sounded again and I gave her one last squeeze before picking up my luggage. I hurried onto the train and into the compartment and stuck my head out the window. I waved to my mother who stood beside Mrs. Pevensie; both were waving frantically as the train picked up speed, leaving behind both mothers as the train sped out of the city of London and into the countryside. Susan moved over to make room for me in a seat next to the window. I scanned the compartment and was met with a pair of eyes. Peter Pevensie was staring at me strangely, a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn't quite comprehend. I turned away and watched the passing countryside with my face pressed against the cold window, ignoring the handsome boy who made my blood boil.

"What school do you go to Annalise?" Susan asked in an attempt to make conversation. I jumped in my seat, surprised to hear someone talking to me.

"Elizabeth Griffith's school for girls," I was about to turn back to the window when I remembered my manners. "Where do you go?"

"Lucy and I go to Kathryn Henderson's," Susan replied politely again. I wondered if she was always this proper. I was beginning to get bored. "And Peter and Edmund go to Harrison's" I nodded again and pressed my cheek against the window.

"Do you like it there?" Susan asked. I was beginning to get annoyed. Didn't she notice that I did not want to talk. I shrugged.

"It was okay,"

"I found school rather boring," Lucy said as if she was stating the obvious.

"How old are you Lucy?" I inquired. I was starting to like her more and more as the day went on.

"Ten," she replied. "But everyone else treats me like I'm two," she muttered, almost incoherently. Peter glanced up at Lucy and opened his mouth, but closed it again.

"What about you Edmund," I said, attempting to be polite. Oh God I was beginning to sound like Susan. I decided to go with it to break the ice.

"Thirteen," He said, "and a half." He stuck his nose up in the air. I snorted but stopped when he turned to me, his eyes squinted and a frown on his face. And Lucy was supposed to be the youngest? Edmund could take a few pointers from her.

"And you Susan?"

"Fifteen," I nodded and realized I would have to ask Peter too. I couldn't quite understand why I disliked him so much.

"Peter?"

"Seventeen," He replied without looking up. Then I remembered his attitude at the station.

"And how old are you, Annalise," Susan asked with a knowing look in her eyes.

"Sixteen." Susan continued to try to get us all to loosen up, but I was done being polite. It was Susan's thing, not mine. I stared out the window and continued to think about the home I was leaving behind. If staying in the Professor's home was going to be like it was on the train, I had no desire to go there.

In the afternoon the porter came to our compartment to tell us we were at our stop. We all climbed out of our seats and hopped off the train, our bodies stiff from sitting still for hours. I scanned the area around the stop, looking for anyone who might be here for us. But there was no one.

I took in the view of the countryside. It was beautiful. The green, rolling hills seemed to stretch on forever, on broken up by lush green forests. A few ponds and creeks dotted the countryside here and there and the sounds of a brook could be heard no that the train was gone. The sun warmed my face as I clutched my luggage. I no longer felt alone and afraid. I felt at home.

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