Only the Beginning of the Adventure [Narnia Book One]

Chapter 3: Busted. Twice.

Peter's POV:

I awoke to Lucy shaking me. "Peter, Peter, wake up! It's there, it's really there!"

I rolled over, still mostly asleep. "Lucy, what are you talking about?"

"Narnia! It's all in the wardrobe, like I told you!"

Susan walked into the room and said, "Lucy, you've been dreaming."

My youngest sister frowned. "I wasn't. I went and saw Mr. Tumnus again. And this time, Edmund went too."

I looked over at Edmund. "You--you saw the faun?"

Lucy cocked her head. "Well, he didn't actually go there with us. What were you doing, Edmund?"

Edmund seemed to stumble over his words. "I--I was playing along. I'm sorry, guys. I shouldn't have encouraged her. You know what little children are like these days. They just don't know when to stop pretending."

He smiled smugly at our little sister and she burst into tears. She ran out of the room and as I stood up, I shoved Edmund to the ground.

Susan and I followed Lucy and stopped abruptly, seeing that she'd run into the professor. Mrs. Macready and Neila appeared moments later giving me and Susan a confused look that turned angry. "You children are one shenanigan shy of sleeping in the stable. Oh, professor, I'm sorry. I told them that you were not to be disturbed."

The professor looked down at Lucy. "Oh, it's alright, Mrs. Macready. I'm sure there's an explanation. But first of al, I think this one is in need of some hot chocolate. Neila, join her, if you will."

Neila nodded and Mrs. Macready said, "Yes, professor. Come along, dear."

Lucy and Neila followed Mrs. Macready to the kitchen. Susan and I started walking away, but were stopped by the professor. We sat down on the couch and he lit his pipe before saying, "You seem to have upset the delicate internal balance of my housekeeper."

"We're very sorry, sir." I apologized. "It won't happen again."

I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but of course, Susan had to explain the situation. "It's our sister, sir."

"The weeping girl." He recalled.

Susan nodded. "Yes, sir, she's upset."

"Hence the weeping."

I grabbed Susan's sleeve in an attempt to get her to be quiet. "It's nothing. We can handle it."

"Oh, I can see that." The professor answered sarcastically.

Susan let out a sigh. "She thinks she's found a magical land...in the upstairs wardrobe."

The professor suddenly seemed interested. "What did you say?"

"The wardrobe upstairs." I repeated. "Lucy thinks she's found a forest inside. She says Neila went with her the first time."

"She won't stop going on about it." Susan added.

"What was it like?" The professor asked.

"Like talking to a lunatic!"

"No, no, no. Not her, the forest!"

I frowned. "You're not saying you actually believe her?"

Susan rolled her eyes. "Well, logically, it couldn't be possible!"

The professor scoffed and muttered, "What do they teach you at these schools?"

"Edmund said she was only pretending." I informed.

"And he's the more truthful one, is he?"

"No." I admitted. "This would be the first time."

"Well then, if your sister is not lying and isn't mad, then logically, you must assume she's telling the truth. She's your sister, isn't she? You're a family! You might start asking like one!"

With that, we were sent to bed.

The next morning, after breakfast, we all went outside to play. Susan, Edmund, and I were playing cricket. Neila was insistent on sitting by Lucy.

I pulled my club back. "Peter winds up for the bowl!"

I hit the ball and it hit the back of Edmund's leg. "Ow!"

His outburst caused me to give a small smirk. "Whoops. Wake up, Dolly Daydream."

"Can't we play hide and seek again?"

I looked at Edmund with confusion. "I thought you said it was a kid's game."

Susan shrugged. "Besides; we could all use the fresh air."

"It's not like there isn't air inside." Edmund muttered.

I swung my arm back and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Are you?" Edmund replied, as he hit his bat on the ground. He raised it and prepared to swing the ball.

I pitched the ball as hard as I could and Edmund swung. He hit the ball, and the ball flew through the glass and we all heard metal crashing to the ground. The five of us ran upstairs to see a suit of armor on the ground.

"Well done, Ed!" I cried.

"You bowled it!" Edmund returned.

Neila glanced behind her and hissed, "Macready is coming! Run!"