Lost boy || Prince Caspian

12

The beach was curved in an almost natural harbour which encircled the ship as it sailed through. By the time they had dropped anchor and rowed to shore, the sun was dipping over the horizon and the sky was darkening from dark blue to deep black. Only a small party, enough to fit in two rowing boats had moved to shore. The rest of the crew staying with Drinian on the ship. They set out their blankets on the sand amidst the moss covered rocks. No sign of habitation could be seen so they went to sleep. The beach peaceful and quiet that warm night.

Otto had laid his blanket out next to Caspian's. Lucy was on his other side and Edmund across the fire from them. The rest of the group and Gale also curled up on their blankets. Eustaces' snores echoing around them. It was these loud noises that hid the soft thump of big feet on the sand and the hushed whispers as creatures crept closer to the group. The footprints lit by the soft branches of dawn light as the sun decided to begin to appear. "It seems they brought a pig", a male voice whispered to his companions. Heavy feet sunk into the sand as they moved closer.

"This one", another spoke up. "It's female".

"So's this one". A large footprint, almost the size of Gale's sleeping body, left an imprint in the sand next to her blanket.

Next to Otto, the book he had been reading before dozing off was flicked open. The pages flapping as if moved by some unknown hand. "This boy reads", a fourth voice spoke gleefully. It was a book on narnian fairytales. Something he had been reading before he left and was now rereading upon his return. As the book slid shut again, his hand curled in it's sleep. Caspian's sleeve clutched limply in his fingers.

"So does she". A book next to Lucy was picked up and waved. The object hovering in the air before dropping down again softly. In her bed, Lucy shifted in her sleep.

"Which do we take?" The second voice asked.

"I don't know", the first voice responded. "Let's just take both".

Gently, not to wake the sleeping King, Caspian's hand was raised into the air. His grip on Otto's waist failing as he was gently rolled over. For a tense second his hand reached back out but the invisible creatures pushed a bag towards him. Caspian's hand curled int the material and he stilled. A sigh of relief was heard over the sleeping beach. Then they struck. Lucy woke with a muffle scream as something clamped over her mouth and unseen hands picked her up. On his own bed, Otto jerked. Something dragging out of this tangled blanket. He flailed but things caught his hands, bare feet kicking. His boots left next to his bed as he was pulled up. Widened eyes caught sight of Lucy and they shared a panicked look as they were carried away from their sleeping friends.

Otto tried to keep his breathing steady despite the thing clamping his mouth shut. He could feel the imprint of hands on his arms and legs. Fingers clasping him despite the face that there was nothing to see. Adrenaline was pounding in his veins as he struggled uselessly. Whatever was holding them was a lot stronger than them and seemed to have a lot more arms. Lucy was shouting but her voice was muffled as they were pulled and through the undergrowth. Branches hitting at them and catching in their hair.

They weren't carried very far. Merely only ten minutes inland but it was still far enough that they were out of earshot of the camp. If they screamed, Caspian wouldn't hear them. Otto kicked out savagely and was finally dropped. He hit the ground hard but was immediately scrambling back and up onto his feet. He reached out to Lucy as she fell and pulled her up. She was gasping with wild panic. Her hands pulled out her dagger but the blade was knocked from her grasp and too the floor. When she broke forwards to grab it, something knocked her back. Otto pulled her up again. His body between her and whatever was attacking them. He wished for his spear but it was back next to his bedroll on the beach.