definitely this time (e.p. fanfic)

Prologue

What happened?

The question that clouded the minds of the Pevensies as they returned home from Raina's place. After a month of not responding to letters, suddenly she moves away? Why? What happened? Why did she cut them out? Susan broke the silence as they walked to the train station.

'Maybe she's just visiting family? I mean, it makes sense.' She proposed, unsure. Edmund maintained eye contact with the ground, as Peter spoke up.

'The lady back there said she moved in. That means she's moved away permanently.' He corrected as Susan glared at him, before eyeing her younger brother, who did not look up.

'Ed, she'll come back-' Susan began.

'Don't.' Is all he said.

'Edmund, have some faith. It's Raina. You'll see her again.' Lucy implored, as Edmund looked up and met his sister's gaze. Lucy was slightly shocked at the emotion that was prevalent on his face.

'You can't promise that, Lu.'

********

'Would you like some tea, dear?' Claire asked her niece, who sat on a couch in the living room, idly staring out the window. Her suitcase was on the ground, as she clutched her carry-on bag to her chest. She slowly turned around to meet Claire's gaze, who was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She nodded slowly.

'Earl grey?'

'Yes please.' Raina practically whispered, trembling.

As Claire disappeared inside the kitchen, Raina wordlessly opened her bag and took in all the unopened letters from the Pevensies. 6 letters from Peter, 4 from Susan, 7 from Lucy, and 13 from Edmund.

Raina felt nothing. She numbly stared at the letters, perhaps feeling a slight tinge of pain as she saw Edmund's handwriting. It was so beautiful, she thought. She always loved his handwriting, but never said it, to not inflate his already large ego. She smiled slightly as she remembered his cocky moments in front of her, believing she would be impressed. Spoiler alert, she wasn't.

But she ruined it. No, life ruined it. The smile was wiped off Raina's face as her past came rushing back. She squeezed her eyes shut to expel those horrifying images from her mind. She buried her head in her hands.

'No, no no no, please no.' She whispered, as flashbacks gripped her. Her grandmother's lifeless figure on the ground, her father's coffin being lowered into the ground, a sheet being placed over her mother's face, and of all things, a strange creature, wreathed in shadow and lightning came forward. It hissed as as lightning struck and it let out a blood curdling scream. That creature haunted her nightmares, as did everything else that came rushing back to her, just as she tried to remember her past, no matter how sweet, or special.

'NO!' Raina screamed, as her chest heaved. She felt a hand being placed on her shoulder. She looked up to meet the concerned eyes of her aunt.

'Is there anything I can do?' She asked, softly.

Raina always loved Aunt Claire. She was perhaps the most understanding person in the world. She knew when to press Raina about what was bothering her, and when to back off. She always appreciated her for that.

'No, I don't think so.' Raina admitted, quietly, as her aunt nodded. 'Thank you.'

'I'm always here for you dear. Whatever you need.'

*************

11 months later:

'Are you ready, dear?'