The Two of Us

Leaving

Alice was lying in her room, staring blankly at the roof when she heard knocking on her window. She ignored it. She was definitely not in the mood for anything. The knocking continued, starting to irritate her.

I should pretend to be asleep, she thought to herself, pulling up the quilt to her chin. Even after at least five minutes, the knocking continued.

It then bothered herㅡ how could someone be knocking at the window? There was no balcony, or anything to hang onto. Quivering with fear, Alice made a slow approach towards the window. The knocking had stopped.

Alice grabbed onto the red velvet curtains, ready to reveal her strange visitor. The second she parted the curtains, she let out a scream. Guards came rushing in as soon as she shrieked. She took multiple steps backwards, her hands hovering over her mouth.

Right in front of her had been a hand, stabbed by a bloody dagger. Whoever's hand it had belonged to was now hanging from her window, only with the dagger stabbed into their hand supporting them. Alice heard a couple more others rush into the room.

"Alice, what happenedㅡ"

Susan followed Alice's horrified gaze to the blood-stained window. Regardless of how frightful the scene was, Alice approached the window to find out who the victim had been. Reaching the window, she looked down, wishing she had never looked. It was her advisor from Valhalla. Narceus.

Almost screaming in terror, Alice left the room with tears streaming down her face. She didn't know where she was running to, but she definitely wanted to get out of here. Fast. Susan raced after her, calling out her name.

"Alice, wait!"

As soon as Alice had calmed herself down a little, she finally came to a halt. She probably needed to hear from Susan. It had been a while since she had last spoken to her best friend.

"I'm going back to Valhalla," Alice said, voice shaking. "I'm going back to Valhalla now."

Susan's eyes were filled with trouble and confusion. "So suddenly? Alice, we canㅡ"

"I'm sorry, Susan. But ever since the time I've come here, I've always felt like I was in danger. Unsafe. It's hard for me to do this to you, but I must go." Alice turned away before Susan could say any more. "My servants will take my things from my room. I'll be taking my leave by noon."

She couldn't face her friend. She continued to rush down the hallways, not sure where she was going. Alice had only started slowing down her pace when she was sure that Susan was no longer following her.

Suddenly, Alice had bumped into something, almost crashing onto the floor. Actually, it was someone. Alice looked up to see the surprised face of Edmund.

"Alice..."

"Edmund."

They stared at each other for a moment, before either of them said anything again.

"I heard about what happened. Are you alright?"

Alice just nodded, looking down. "I'm fine."

"Then why do you look so....troubled?"

Alice thought for a moment. If she could trust one person, it had to be Edmund. When she glanced at him for the second time to answer his question, she had finally noticed a strange mark on his right cheek. It was a red mark, almost like a bruise.

"Edmund, what happened to your cheek?"

"Answer my question first, Alice."

Alice frowned at him, crossing her arms. Edmund sighed in defeat, "Fine. My Aunt found out that I told you things you shouldn't have known. I don't know how, but it doesn't matter. It's no big deal."

"It look like it hurts." Alice looked so worried. "Are you alright?"

The younger boy shrugged. "Well, I'm still standing. Now, answer my question."

"I'm leaving this afternoon, Edmund. I can't stand it here anymore. It's no longer such a safe place for me. I have to go back to Valhalla." Before Edmund could react similarly as Susan, Alice continued. "Edmund, come with me. Come with me to Valhalla."

Edmund stood there, shocked, at the sudden offer. He did want to leave, but what would his brother think? He honestly hated Cair Paravel only for one reason. His Aunt had made him feel like a pigeon, working for her. Alice never liked her either, however. She never seemed to have good intentions.

"But Peter would think of this strangely."

"Peter and I aren't the same anymore. We have ended things between us."

This surprised Edmund. He knew how much his older brother loved Alice. Had things changed so soon?

Edmund looked at Alice, realizing how desperate she had looked. Desperate, and scared. He knew he had to do this for both Alice and his brother. Alice was almost running away, and she definitely needed help. Especially when her only companion had been murdered brutally that morning.

"I'll come with you," he said quietly, "But we must leave as quietly as we speak."

* * *

Peter was in his study, once again, head resting on his wooden desk. He sighed over and over again, his mind only on one thing. Alice. It had always been her.

Where did I go wrong?

He was sober, this time, but his face was covered in tears. No one had seen Peter cry so much. He hadn't left his study since last night, and had no clue about Alice's situation. Or future disappearance. He stared at the walls, thinking of her over and over again.

Everything that happened the day before continued to replay in his head.

I was so stupid.

There was a knock on his door. It had to be Susan, since no one else had the right to walk in until he called them to. She looked terrified. Peter didn't really react the way she had wanted to. He didn't move from his position, barely even looking at her.

"Peter, you have to listen."

His sister sounded so serious and urgent, but this did not waver him. Not even a little. Nothing right now had seemed to be important enough to interrupt his thoughts.

He didn't respond, but Susan continued, hoping he was at least listening. "Alice is leaving, Peter! Sh-She's going back to Valhalla. And I don't think she's coming back!"

Peter felt angry. Yet so sad. He rushed out of his study, towards the gate of the Castle. He arrived in time to see Alice leaving on her horse. With Edmund. The whole scene itself hurt him. It crushed him.

He fell onto his knees, calling out her name. And Alice did not look back even once.