The Brightest Star

Chapter 34 - The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done

  A single tear fell down Abby's cheek as she finished reading. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard before signing. She then carefully folded the letter up and placed it safely in her pocket.

  All she wanted to do was take the letters and journals down to the beach, and read them in the moonlight. She wanted to read more of Edmund's beautiful words. She wanted to read them forever. She had never read anything more beautiful, and nothing she would read could be this beautiful. Not just beautiful, precious. Precious, not only because of what they were and what they said, but also because of  what they truly meant and who said them. The only person whose words could make her feel this way. Only the words of Edmund Pevensie could make her heart ache and smile all at the same time.

  "Abby." Aslan said slowly.

  She was brought out of her thoughts at the mention of her name. She quickly wiped away more tears threatening to fall and turned to face the lion.

  "Yes Aslan?" She said before sniffing.

  "Dear one," he began fondly. "I know your thoughts before you think them. I keep all your tears in a jar. You don't need to hide your emotions from me."

  Abby smiled slightly. "Right." She breathed. "Sorry, it's a habit. I hate crying, so you can imagine how I feel when I cry in front of others."

   "Your tears are well shed my child. You cry for the one you love. You have finally realized that he truly still loves you."

  "I have." She said with a smile.

  "But I'm afraid we must go. Time is running out quickly."

  Abby sighed. She slowly walked back over to the chest and gently closed it. She then locked it, leaving it just as it was before. Minus the letter in her pocket.

  "Alright, Aslan." She grabbed his mane and closed her eyes, ready for what Aslan had in store for her.

♕ ♕ ♕

  Abby slowly opened her eyes. She was surprised when she saw where she was.

  "Why are we back in the woods?" She asked.

"I'm afraid, you're dying, Abby." Aslan said sadly.

  "But, I feel fine."

  "Your body is dying. Your spirit is safe here with me. As for your body...see for yourself." Aslan nodded behind Abby and she turned around.

Once again, she saw her body, lying on the ground, unmoving. All her friends were kneeling around it, sadness and tears in their eyes and written on their faces.

  Edmund suddenly gasped and sat up quickly from where his head laid on Abby's chest. He slowly looked at her hand, which he had been holding.

  "What's wrong?" Anna asked quickly.

  "Her hand." He said slowly. "It's even colder than before. It's turning blue, and it's smooth, almost wet. It's-" He stopped suddenly, his eyes going wide and filling with new tears.

  "What is it?! Sydni asked quickly.

  "It's turning to ice." He choked. "Abby is turning into ice."

  Abby's eyes went wide as she watched the scene unfold before her.

  "My body's turning into ice?!" She asked, turning to face the lion.

  "You have a frozen heart. As your heart slows down, the blood stops flowing and your body turns to ice. When your heart stops beating, your body will be frozen."