Staring wide eyed at the sight in front of me, a blend of emotions start to take over me - a mix of fear and excitement causing me to gasp. This cannot be happening, surely this isn't real - it simply doesn't make any sense, but a small ounce of hope bubbles inside of me for perhaps this is our way back. All of a sudden, the painting magically transforms from paint strokes to actual waves - the ship becoming wooden rather than a drawing. More water splashes out of the frame as this happens, hitting my face with a chilling feeling - wincing at the coolness as it drips along my cheeks. More water sprays out of the frame, my splutter's drowning away as the noise becomes louder. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I notice Edmund and Eustace staring wide eyed at the painting - the latter rather pale, as though about to faint.
"What's going on here?"
His question goes unanswered as the rushing water becomes louder - so much so Edmund's voice is practically drowned out as he tries to speak.
"Girls, do you think?"
Eustace's voice can be heard muttering among the sound of rushing water, but I choose to ignore it - the budding hope inside me practically bursting as waves begin tumbling out of the painting frame. The water looks as though it isn't going to stop, the room beginning to fill with rising water. I can feel my hands becoming clammy as the water reaches waist height, knowing that sooner rather than later I'm going to have to start swimming. However, my panic is interrupted as Eustace's shrill voice bounces off the bedroom walls.
"Oh I'll just smash the darn thing."
With wide eyes, I watch as the boy runs forward with his gaze set on the painting - his eyes burning with a blend of fear and anger. Without hesitating, I leap forward to try and wrestle the painting out of his hands - Lucy and Edmund doing the same. I can feel my heartbeat increasing as I struggle against the boy, panic rising within me at the thought of both loosing this chance and being submerged by water. Both are horrifying to me, but my fight isn't strong enough. A sudden splash of water hits my face, falling into my eyes and mouth - startling me so much so I begin coughing and spluttering. I can feel my grip on the painting begin to lessen, watching through blurred vision as it falls to the ground - the waves of water increasing in speed and mass, with water flooding the small room. Just as my vision starts to return to full sight, I take notice of the water reaching my chin - the current pulling me under. Screaming slightly in fear, I take a deep breath and let the water submerge me - trying ever so hard to keep my beating heart under control. I can feel my throat constricting, wanting nothing more than to gulp in as much air as possible - but that cannot happen, especially now as the room is no longer a room but more a lake. The two beds float around me, crashing into the walls and the fireplace - Lucy's and my trinkets scattered throughout the mass of water as well. I dodge a hairbrush that floats toward my head, all while noticing Edmund paddling upwards with Eustace clutching at his legs. Knowing if I want to survive I have to do the same, I try to follow his actions - my arms flailing beside me as I try to manoeuvre my way upwards. Despite feeling as though I'm hardly moving, I try with all my might - keeping my mind clear and happy in order to push myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Lucy swimming beside me with what can only be described as determination adorning her face. She gives me a simple nod and helps me swim up, the two of us slowly rising to the top - myself trying to ignore the strange notion that the water is becoming clearer and harsher the further we go. Suddenly, I burst through the water with a loud cough - spluttering intensely as I try to stay a float. It's only as I hear the sounds of birds squawking that I peel open my eyes - a strangled noise of surprise escaping my lips as I'm blinded by the sunlight beaming down. As I blink rapidly to regain my true vision, I realise that I'm no longer in the small bedroom that resides in the Scrubb household. No, instead I'm struggling to stay a float in the middle of the ocean - land no where in sight and the waves becoming higher. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I notice Lucy bobbing next to me - her hair sticking to her face awkwardly. Attempting to float closer to her, I struggle to keep my head above the water - spluttering softly as waters enters my mouth the more I swim. Just as I reach her, screams of fear catch my attention - my eyes fluttering over my shoulder to see Eustace splashing about, his words jumbling together. I take note of Edmund beside him, rolling his eyes whilst trying to avoid the large splashes of water being thrown in his direction. Keeping my gaze set on the boy, a small ounce of comfort budding inside my stomach, I start to tread water - trying to remember Andrew's comforting words from almost a year ago. Water isn't dangerous, you are in control. Water isn't dangerous, I am in control. I repeat the mantra in my mind, only for it be interrupted by a loud gasp beside me. Focusing on the world around me, I notice Lucy gazing off into the distance - her eyes wide and face starting to pale. Furrowing my eyebrows, I gaze toward the direction she too is looking - biting my lip so hard I wouldn't be surprised if I begin to taste blood. Sailing toward us is a large boat, a dragons head built at the prow. It glistens in the sunlight, but I barely have time to admire its beauty before I'm being pulled away from the ship - splashing as I go, trying to swim as fast as I can without drowning.
YOU ARE READING
The Honest without The Brave // Narnia
Fanfiction"I've been told that the furthest one can sail is to the end of the world; Aslan's country." "Do you really believe there's such a place?" ------------------- Just under two years more have past, and life has never been more complicated for Sophia...
