To Be Brave (Chronicles of Narnia fanfiction)

Chapter 10: Trapped (Part 2)

The two children were placed just a few inches away from each other. Their backs were pressed against a thick, icy wall, and their hands were cuffed with iron shackles that clanked very loudly whenever they shifted for comfort. It was a constant reminder that they were helplessly trapped in the dungeon.

Edmund's complexion was pale, and he seemed like he was trying hard to keep his eyes open. His body slumped against the slick wall as he shivered ever so slightly. He looked over at Hannah, who pulled up her knees to bury her head. Cold licked her face and crept under her clothes, spreading across her skin. Her teeth chattered gently, though she tried to hide it. With each breath, more heat rose in puffs of white vapor.

There was a sudden scraping noise. Hannah lifted her head, only to see Edmund curiously scoop up the piece of dry, crusty stale bread that lay in front of him. He took a tentative bite, but immediately spit it out. His face scrunched up in disgust due to the bread leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Repulsed, he dropped the piece back onto the tray and reached out for the mug of water. However, nothing came out of the cup when he lifted it to his lips. Of course it was frozen, he thought.

"It's not as good as your Turkish Delight, isn't it?" Hannah said, sarcastically.

Edmund slowly turned his head to face her. "What's your problem?"

"My problem?" she mocked. "You're my problem. If you would've just listened to me, we wouldn't have been in this mess!"

"There wouldn't have been a 'we' if you wouldn't have followed me!" the boy retorted, rolling his eyes. She sounds like Susan. There was this strictness that he never thought he'd hear from her.

"How could you be so selfish?" Hannah continued to ramble. "Who would give up their family for sweets? You're such a... you're such a dummkopf!"

He blinked in surprise. No, it wasn't because of her sudden outburst, but the fact that she used a word that sounded so foreign to him. Her German accent was sharp and strong. He was shocked that he hasn't heard it so clearly before. It was hidden inside her somewhat perfect English, waiting to be released; almost like a lion's roar.

"W-What does that mean?" Edmund asked.

"It... means that you're stupid," she told him, awkwardly. Hannah averted her gaze and stared at the sleek floor. The material from her buttoned, green colored shirt started to itch her skin.

"Oh," he said, quietly. "I guess I deserve it."

She tried to sneak a glance at him. His eyes said it all; how much he regretted his decision, and how much he learned. Hannah didn't want to make him feel worse about what he has done. The pain was written all over his face.

"Sorry," she said, quickly. "I was just frustrated."

Edmund raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you apologizing for? You didn't do anything wrong..."

"I just want to ask you why. Why did you do want to help the White Witch?"

He pursed his lips and looked down in thought, trying to hide all his anger and sorrow. His mind was still a surging perplexity."You wouldn't understand."

There was a pause before the girl replied. "Try me."

"I... I don't know," the boy mused. "I didn't like the way the war changed them. Peter started to act like he was our Dad ever since our father was drafted to fight in the army. Susan kept scolding me, telling me that everything I did was wrong. And Lucy... she kept bothering me even when I told her not too. Coming to the countryside only made everything worse," he hit his fist into the icy floor, but regretted his actions when his hand turned numb, wincing afterwards. "Ow."