Reports had flooded in of bodies found at the edge of the Western Woods. With preliminary scouts verifying that it was Peter's guard, Edmund and Susan took dozens of soldiers with them to find the truth of what happened.

The scouts had promised Peter was not among the dead, but it did not ease Edmund in the least. He had to do all he could just to keep the nerves from overtaking him entirely. Immediately, they had sent scouts all over Narnia to track down where Peter might be or what had happened. No one had found a trace of Peter though.

As he rode on Phillip's back for the journey, Edmund played repeatedly in his head the last time he saw Peter. Peter was laughing and reassuring that he would be fine. All of their intelligence reports had claimed that the heart of the remaining Witch's army was down South where Oreius and their army were seeing to them.

Peter was only supposed to check on their people who were attacked by a handful Witch's soldiers on his way to Beaver's dam. It was supposed to take less than seven days for him to return home.

Today was day two since Peter had gone missing, or at least, since they found out he was attacked.

"Edmund," Susan pulled her horse next to him. "We do not know what happened yet. Try easing your worried mind with that knowledge."

Edmund had been perfecting, or so he thought, how well he could hide his emotions. For the most part, he could hide them well, except from his siblings, who could all apparently read him as easily as a book.

"The varying possibilities are what bother me," Edmund said. "We have no information on where Peter is. What if whoever killed his guard hurt him or worse?"

She reached across, taking his hand. "We will find him," she reassured, despite the plain concern in her own expression.

"All we can do is ask Aslan to watch over him until we find him, wherever that may be," Edmund bitterly conceded.

There was no point in discussing their worries. Edmund knew he would only feel better once Peter was safe at home. That is why he called out for the soldiers around them to be prepared to make haste after this brief rest.

As everyone was resituating their supplies and weapons to make for another run, Susan gave his hand a little squeeze before saying, "He will be alright," Susan released his hand and gave him a smile. "He is Peter after all."


Jadis had left Peter with his thoughts, which were bothering him more than even the physical pain she had inflicted on him. It was probably why she was leaving him alone. The blindfold was back on as was the cloth tied between his teeth. He had nothing else to focus on other than his fear and the words Jadis had been speaking.

At first, Peter was able to distract himself with the hunger growing in his stomach and the thirst that scratched at his throat. That focus last for only some time before he shifted uncomfortably in his chained seat.

He only had a few moments before one terrible question hit him: What if they don't find me? The question hit him like a ton of bricks. He tried to keep himself at bay. He felt a chilling panic creep up on him.

I have to remain strong, Peter reminded himself confidently. I can be strong. Edmund, Susan, and Lucy will realize I am gone once I do not return home—

The supposed comforting thought took a sharp turn. Peter was meant to be checking on their people who were attacked. It had taken him around three days to travel to where he was ambushed, and he was supposed to go visit the Beavers after.

It would be days before his siblings even could reach him. Days.

And that would only be the case if everyone was ready to assemble as soon as they found out he was missing and were able to find him.

How long could he handle what the White Witch had planned for him?

Panic overtook him, and when Peter could not catch his breath because of the gag, his breathing only increased. Sweat covered his body, and he could feel his heart pounding through his chest.

His thoughts raced, and he could no longer stop the intrusive thoughts. I am going to die here. And then Susan, Lucy, and oh, Edmund will have to deal with her. What if she hurts them? I don't want to die, not by her hands, not like this.

There was not much coherency in his thoughts nor could he find a way to turn off the spiral. As the thoughts became more and more terrifying, he found he was shivering and felt the heat around his face.

He could not calm down. He tried to employ some breathing techniques, but he could not ever get enough air in his mouth nor could he try to do it for very long.

I can't breathe. That conclusion sent him down another spiral.

Or she is going to keep me trapped here with her. And I can't get out, and I can't handle this. Not like this. Not without help. What if they don't find me? What if I am stuck here forever with her? What if they never find me—

They will find you. There was such a confidence in the sudden thought; he thought it could not have been his own. His breathing halted until he thought further. I am not going to die.

They will find me. I am not going to die.

He repeated this mantra in his head over and over again, until he was left with a slight tremble and the ache in his chest. These words were a constant thought cycle until his breathing slowed, and he did not feel like he was going to pass out any more.

As he calmed further, he could think clearly again.

They will find me. I am not going to die here.