Part Four: Edmund
Thank you to everyone who reviewed and followed! Especially Lady Hannah, for the suggestions. I have fixed one thing and will re-write Susan later.
"Ed, are you going to say goodbye to Peter?" Susan's voice broke into Edmund's foggy brain. He had been taking a nap, per his mum's orders, and was not quite ready to get up.
"Go away." It was more of a mumble then an actual response but Susan let it slide.
"He's leaving soon." Edmund just shooed her out with a motion of his hand. Edmund's mind wondered to the future, an alien concept to his seven-year-old mind, life without Peter was scary for him; Peter was always there, looking after him. This was the first year that Edmund would be going to school without having his big brother in the same building.
"Edmund! Come on downstairs!" His mothers call beckoned him to say farewell to the firmest rock in his life.
"Good afternoon Ed." Peter sounded far too joyful, and Edmund's quick moving mind deduced that Peter was glad to be leaving. Edmund's only response was a grunt, his once happy mood sinking quickly at his newest realization.
"Are you ready to leave son?" Everyone sounded happy except his mother, she seemed to be the only one who realized what was about to happen. Peter walked out the door and for a moment Edmund panicked because he thought that Peter was going to leave without saying goodbye.
"Peter wait up!" Edmund called as he dashed for the door. "Wait for me!"
"Don't worry Ed," just hearing Peters voice had a calming effect on Edmund. "I'll be back inside in just a moment." Edmund felt silly for running after Peter, but he really did not care. Peter could not leave without saying goodbye.
"Ed, where are you?" Peters questioning voice reached Edmund and he hurried to find his elder brother.
"Goodbye, Peter." Edmund quickly wrapped his arms around Peter and returned the elders hug. "Goodbye, Ed." The response was whispered into Edmund's dark hair. They pulled apart, these shows of affection were rare between brothers, neither very comfortable with them.
"Peter come, it's time to go!" Peter began to walk toward the door at his father's call.
"Goodbye, Peter." Edmund called one last time as Peter disappeared out the door. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, son." Edmund could hear his father's voice, but he could not say anything in return, he was simply doing his best to keep walking. He had been excited about to boarding school. But as soon as he learned that he was going to a different school than Peter his excitement had dissipated and now he only felt dread.
"Goodbye, Edmund." His mother's voice broke as she tried to control her emotion. "I'll see you soon." Edmund hugged his mother and held on for all he was worth. He knew that he should be a big boy, that he should be strong like Peter, but he could not. He could feel tears beginning to trace down his cheeks and felt angry at himself. But even then he could not let go. The thought of being away from his family for that long was horrifying to his young mind.
He got on the train. Edmund had never felt so alone in his entire life. He quickly scrambled to find his seat before the train pulled out of the station.
"Goodbye, Mum!" Edmund called, leaning as far out the window as he could.
"Goodbye, Edmund!" Edmund returned back at her vigorous wave.
The train began to move with a lurch. Then they passed around a bend and the only world he knew was gone till Christmas.
"Goodbye, mum." He called one more time before pulling himself back into the car.
"Goodbye."
Edmund really did not know what to say. He knew that he was wrong. He knew that he should simply admit that it was his fault. But he could not. Not when it meant admitting that Peter was right. He was so sick of Peter always being so perfect; it was never Peter's fault. So instead of confessing he simply stood there, trying to look as angry as possible, as if he were the victim instead of the perpetrator. And just as he had known would happen, Mum instantly sided with Peter. Edmund could do nothing more than stalk away. Life was not fair here. He could not wait to get back to school. At least he had lots of friends there.
"Goodbye, Edmund." How dare he? Peter thought that he could just walk up to Edmund as if nothing was wrong. The idiot. Edmund did not reply to Peter's greeting, Edmund just wanted to get to the station so he could get on the train. He brushed past Peter too quickly to see the look of hurt on Peter's face. To be honest, Edmund did not realize how much he had changed in the past few months.
"Goodbye." Peter said one more time before he walked away and headed for the house. Then he was gone. Edmund knew that he should have said something. He should have told Peter goodbye, but it was too late for that now. Peter could just go be holy by himself.
Edmund quickly climbed into the car and they pulled out headed for the station. Almost before he could stop himself Edmund turned back to the house and waved at Peter's window. Goodbye, Peter. He thought in the general direction of where Peter probably was. Edmund could not see Peter lift his hand and wave in response, a smile flitting across his face.
Edmund whispered one last farewell, "Goodbye."
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