Could Have, Should Have, Didn't - A Narnia Fanfiction

Chapter Seven: Things That Come To Light

Air swirled around, sometimes smelling better, sometimes smelling worse. The boat creaked and groaned, tipped and swerved, creating a sickening pattern.

Babies crying and people arguing deafened his ears and made his mood plunge into anger, which wasn't new.

If Rita or Timothy coughed one more time he might lose his mind.

Across from him, sitting on the floor, wrapped in a blanket, green had settled a mask over Ivy's face. Cracks in her lips allowed for blood to settle there, he guessed from the many trips she took to one of the buckets to vomit. Her eyes seemed a paler shade of blue and the light had vanished from them. The sea did not agree with her, and seasickness had taken hold swiftly, not letting up for nearly the whole second day of their trip.

He almost felt bad.

Almost.

The scent of the sea was nearly gone, he'd gotten used to it. But now the scent of vomit was floating around and upsetting his own stomach, making him want to vomit. Then the thought of vomiting made him sick; which led to him almost throwing up.

There was no escape.

And he blamed Ivy for this awful smell, she was the sick one.

Even if the food was gross, he still wanted it, he was forever hungry nowadays. Dinner had sounded good a few hours ago... but now- now it sounded disgusting.

That too, he blamed her for.

He put a finger below his nose to block the air, and breathed slowly through his mouth, keeping away from anybody who was sick, sheltering himself by his hammock. Ed didn't know if he could make this journey, let alone get through the day.

The mix of hunger and queasiness made him feel so miserable.

It wasn't only Ivy who was seasick. There were more people to blame; ten or so more individuals were also constantly vomiting, standing in a long line to reach the few buckets that sat around. That was only in their section anyway, he assumed others were dealing with this too, even rich people couldn't avoid seasickness.

Which, sort of made him chuckle, even if he felt weak.

Then, it being their duty, the sick people would carry the buckets up to the top level of the boat and dump them off into the ocean below. Each taking turns.

And now it was Ivy's turn to dump the bucket. She shook the blanket off, fixed the red shirt she was wearing, leaned down, her light hair rushing to the front of her face, picked up the bucket, grimaced in disgust, and began her way up to the deck.

Hallelujah. Perchance the smell would leave with her. Maybe his appetite would return.

Maybe lunch would come soon.

Lucy watched her go, putting down her book, her lips pouted. Then she turned to look at him and instantly he knew what she was about to ask or suggest, he would disagree with. "Ed... She can't go up alone..."

"She'll be fine." He resumed trying not to breathe, feeling a bit lightheaded, blood draining from his face. In a slow, sharp sound, he muttered, "But I might not be."

That was true, he didn't feel so good. What if he fainted? What a man he would be if he did.

Lu heard him and gave him a motherly gaze that said she thought he was being dramatic. Perchance he was being dramatic; but on the off chance he wasn't, he could faint and then hit his head.

That would be bad.

"I'd go..." Edith said, turning around on the floor, playing a game with her cousins and Rita, picking up small pieces carved of wood, "But I'm a little busy." She shook the pieces in her palms. "Besides, I think Ivy would prefer a tall, strong man to go with her. I know I would."