Disclaimer- I'm only playing Mr. Lewis's sandbox or Narnia. : (

I've lost count of the days and time in general. It always seems like night time in the dark closet and the small space is starting to make me feel like I'm suffocating. The walls seem like they're closing in on me inch by inch and I just have to wait from the to crush me all together. I'm allowed out three times a day to use the toilet, shower and drink the little water they provide me with. This of course allows me plenty of opportunities to collect new bruises and cuts from our dearest Aunt and Uncle. I have no idea what's happened to Lucy and it scares me to no end. She tries to sneak down and talk whenever she feels she can escape without being noticed but it's rare. She's also been my only source of food for however long it's been. Not only do I want to see her but my life depends on her.

My thoughts are interrupted as the door knob wiggles slightly. Finally with a creaking noise that reminds me slightly of a dying frog. Light spills into the room momentarily blinding me. I blink several times but I give up and keep my eyes shut. An old wrinkly hand grips my forearm and drags me into a standing position. I sway slightly on my feet but I recognize the person as Aunt Alberta by the hideous amount of Chanel No. 5, or at least that's what Lucy said it was. I personally thought it smelled a bit like watered down sun block, not even one of the expensive kinds, one of the kinds that you can purchase on clearance one week into summer.

"I hope you're experience in the closet has taught you a lesson about respect and doing as you're told. I nodded slightly and murmured a small, "Yes ma'am ." I would do just about anything from going back into the closet even if it meant obeying orders from one of the most wicked women in England.

"You may go." She declared, obviously pleased with herself. I opened my eyes a fraction and tried adjusting to the lat once more, only this time with a bit more success. My head is still spinning from the lack of food but I manage to stumble my way up the stairs. I have to see Lucy. Aslan knows what's happened to her since the fight. I just need to know that she's okay. I pass the door to my room and pick up speed until I'm at the end of the hall. The door is closed but it's probably sometime early morning. I tap on it lightly. The bed groans and a muffled "Go 'way Eustace!" can be heard faintly.

"It's not Eustace Lu. It's me Edmund." A loud squeaking noise, (also probably from the bed) was followed by the pounding of feet. I waited a moment for the click of a latch being slid open and then the door swung open. Her hair looked like a rats nest and there were dark circles under her eyes. Bruises littered her cheeks, neck arms and legs but that was just what I could see.

"Are you okay? What happened? When did it happen?" Questions spilled from my mouth even as I winced at the hoarseness of my voice from lack of use.

"Hush Ed, I'm alright. It was about a two or three days after you were locked up and Aunt Alberta caught me sneaking food to you. The only reason she found out is because she realized we were one can of tuna fish too short to make tuna salad. And before you say anything this wasn't your fault in the least. I would have gotten the beating anyways for breaking Eustace's nose."

"You broke Eustace's nose? Good for you!" I stated with a smirk. I still couldn't help but feel the guilt eating away at me but I wasn't about to worry my baby sister with it.

"Oh Aslan Edmund, you look far worse than I do. I suppose that's what spending a week and a half in a closet will do to you. Now it came time for her inspection. I knew this wouldn't be pretty, not with the weight I lost and the new collection of bruises I have. I still can't believe it's been an entire week and a half. It felt so much longer than that but at the same time I expected it to be much shorter.

"How about we sit down." Lucy gestured towards the squeaky bed as she narrowed her eyes when I swayed slightly on my feet. She puts a steadying hand on my shoulder for comfort and supports as she leads me across the room. We sit in silence for a few moments until I notice a painting of a ship on the far wall. I cock my head and attempt to remember where I recognize it from. Apparently Lucy is thinking the same thing because she mentions how Narnian it looks. I nod in agreement.

"I must agree dear sister, it reminds me of the-"

"I see Alberta finally let you out. I think she should have kept you there longer. I was personally enjoying myself without you lot constantly getting into trouble."

"Getting into trouble? Is that what you call it? It seems to me that we keep getting hit because of something you did! I know this might be hard for you to understand but people generally don't like people who blame them for things. You would know this if you had friends that aren't six legged and nailed to a board!"

"Well you've been nothing but a nuisance since you came here! You and you're sister deserve every punch you've gotten." I could take the insult about me but no one insults my baby sister. I rise from my spot on the bed and Eustace's eyes grow larger than I thought possible. He tries to turn and run out the door while he can but I slam and lock it before he can leave. He is whimpering and pressing himself against the door as if he can just walk through it with pure will. I raise my arm to punch his already bandaged nose when Lucy cried out, "Edmund, the painting!" I turn around to find water leaking from edges of the frame. Transfixed I walk slowly towards it to stand next to Lucy completely ignoring the panicking Eustace.

"Do you think it's time?" I ask quietly, still slightly afraid the answer is no.

"Yes." She replies simply with a smile. Only now do I register Eustace's screaming voice as he ran around the room trying to pull the painting off the wall. I quickly clamped my hand, firmly over his mouth but the painting was already. The water level grew steadily until we were forced to hold our breath and attempt to swim up. Eustace didn't seem to understand what was happening but he followed our lead as he prayed it was only a dream.

Seconds later our heads popped above the surface one by one. To our surprise the regal, Narnian, ship we saw in the painting was closer than we could have imagined, as a matter of fact it was about to run us over. Lucy screamed at Eustace to keep swimming and surprisingly he obeyed. I could hear the shouting of men aboard the ship as they prepared to bring us up. Suddenly my mind was clouded with worries. How much time has passed? Is Caspian dead? Will they remember us? I let out a sigh of relief as I heard Lucy scream, "Casipian!" and engulfed him in a hug.

We finally made our way up the ship and we were handed blankets. Wait, where's Eustace.

"Get off of me! This is disgusting! I demand to be taken to the British Consul at once!"

"I thought we were in luck and he drowned." I said with a sigh. Lucy punches me on an arm and begins to lecture me about at least trying pretend I'm a nice person. "

"Caspian," I change the subject quickly, "it's good to see you! How have you been holding up?"

"Quite well actually but it doesn't seem like I can say the same for you. You've lost a bit of weight I see…did you get in a fight?" I can't meet his eyes. Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold will not ruin our most likely last trip.

"Lucy, what happened to you? What's going on?" Lucy responded the same as I and attempted to change topics before this went any farther.

"We'll talk about this tonight in private." Caspian whispers in my ear. He pulls me in for a hug but involuntarily flinch. His eyebrows slant and he puts a hand on my shoulder. Caspian looks if he's going to interrogate us more but Eustace just fainted. Finally, he's actually good for something.

A/N Here it is! I hoped you enjoyed it! I was writing this on the back porch but it started pouring outside and I was getting soaking wet along with my lap top. I stayed outside until the chapter was finished because my parents don't really like it that I write fanfiction so I have to go a place they won't find me. Forgive me if there are any mistakes I had some issues seeing my screen. X D

Love,

Hain