Lost and Found

28: He was surely going to suffer

May 5th

Edmund raised his head weakly from where he was laying face down on the floor.

He couldn't remember ever laying down, and after a while it struck him that he'd passed out, probably due to the cold and the pain... not to mention the panic.

The last thing he could remember was having what he thought to be a panic attack, so that must of caused him to faint, which was totally understandable.

With a groan and a sob, Edmund pushed himself into a sitting position, his teeth chattering with cold and body shaking from pain and exhaustion, not to mention hunger and thirst.

He felt around for moment before he found his shirt, slipping it over his head with great hesitation. Sure enough it stung the lashes covering his back, but he was too cold to cope now, and had no other choice unless he wanted to freeze.

He had no way of telling what time of day or night it was, and found himself trembling as he sat there, pulling his knees up to his chest and wincing when the shackles scraped along the floor.

He jumped violently when a loud bang echoed from the corridor outside, his heart pounding and breathing picking up speed.

He managed to somewhat calm himself down again, but that was short lived as, suddenly, the door was yanked open with a loud screech.

Edmund's eyes slammed shut against the sudden blinding light, and he only opened them again when he heard footsteps.

He saw one of the guards stood in the doorway, glaring down at him with a key in his hand. "Times up." He muttered darkly, before making his way over to Edmund.

Edmund panicked and shuffled as far away from the man as he could, but he soon found his back hitting the wall.

He couldn't go anywhere, and the guard smirked at him as he knelt in front of him. "These three days have really taken their toll on you." He chuckled, reaching forward, only for Edmund to flinch and try backing away again, much to the guards amusement. "Let's just hope you can still work, because you know what will happen if you can't."

Edmund swallowed hard. He had to be able to work, he had to, otherwise he would be killed without a second thought.

So he put on a brave face and tried his hardest not to flinch as the shackles were removed, but having someone so close to him made him more scared than even he knew why.

"Let's get you back to work." The guard grinned, grabbing Edmund's arm and yanking him to his feet.

Edmund gasped in pain and shock, fear filling him as he struggled against the guards grip, but after a while he gave up even trying, he was way too strong for Edmund. "P - Please." Edmund managed to choke out. "Food?"

The guard smirked. "You will have something before you continue your work don't worry." He said, much to Edmund's relief. "But I'd hurry up and eat it or you'll get another punishment for slacking."

Edmund's heart skipped a beat at this, and he quickly nodded his head, not willing to even risk another punishment, not after the one he'd just endured.

Edmund was dragged through the house and eventually shoved outside, where the heat hit him like a ton of bricks, although this time he actually enjoyed it.

Being locked down in the freezing cold for three days, he actually appreciated the scorching temperature... although he knew it wouldn't be long before he was sweaty and dehydrated again, but at least for now he could enjoy it.

He was shoved across the grounds, and all the way to the fields behind the house, where he was brought to a stop.

The guard still had a look of satisfaction on his face as he handed Edmund a fair chunk of bread and some cheese, although it wasn't nearly enough for the starved boy.

But Edmund didn't complain, he just ate what he was given, downed the cup of water he was handed and waited for orders.

"All these fields need cleaning out before we can plant the seeds." The guard explained. "Between the ten of you working here I reckon you can get it done within a few weeks."

Edmund swallowed hard. There were about five fields all in all, each one rather large, and he doubted it was even possible to get them ready in a few weeks, but for the sake of him and the other ten, it would have to be.

"Well don't stand there staring." The guard snapped. "Get on with it!"

Edmund jumped, his heart skipping a beat as he ran off into the first field, which is where the other ten were.

He glanced around slowly, before he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

This caused him to gasp and swing around, backing away quickly and almost frowning at his reaction, was he really that bad?

The person who had placed a hand on his shoulder was a young girl, perhaps around Susan's age, maybe a year older?

She looked startled when Edmund jumped, but soon enough her face fell. "You don't need to be scared." She said softly, even though she sounded exhausted. "There's nothing to fear up here okay?"

Edmund swallowed hard and nodded hesitantly, although he didnt move nor relax.

"You've been down there haven't you?" The girl sighed. "In that dark room they lock people in?"

Edmund didnt know how to answer that so instead he just nodded his head, trying to still his trembling.

"Well, it's all over now." The girl said. "But you should probably get to work, you don't want to be found just standing around doing nothing."

Edmund nodded a little before doing as the girl had said, keeping an eye out for anyone coming near to him.

It surprised even him, that he didn't like being near anyone, but it was just the fear. The last three days hadn't been kind to him, and he was surely going to suffer because of them.

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