The train rattled its way loudly down the tracks, keeping the Crest children from being able to fall asleep. They were one family of children among the many who were leaving England because if the air raids. Cathleen, the eldest sibling looked out the window as the scenery went by. Her first younger brother at age fifteen, Kenneth was busy scribbling in the journal that their mother had given them before leaving. She wanted him to keep writing about all the adventures they had while they were away from home. The children had refrained from commenting that no adventures could possibly happen while they were away. Karen Crest, the third sibling, sat in a corner of the compartment to herself. Her arms were wrapped around her body as if to keep herself together. She was a lonely girl and had dealt with a lot over the years for only being thirteen. Cathleen had done the best she could to shield Karen from being picked on, being sixteen and a bit of a intimidating force to those who picked on her little sister, but it had not worked as well as she would have hoped. Karen was now very quiet and reserved and outside of the family had no real friends. The youngest and most curious sibling of the Crest family was hugging a stuffed lion to his chest that their father had given him before going off to war. James was spoiled to death, but was one of the sweetest kids. He was ten years old and he loved to share all he received, even all the love that he was given.

Slowly, the scenery of the countryside began to be more visible. The train slowed down and soon the whistle blew telling that children that they were at their stop. Cathleen herded her younger siblings off the train with another family consisting of only children and no parents. The eldest was a boy with golden hair and an air of authority over his younger siblings. The eldest girl had the same authoritative air, but she had a look of someone who is a know-it-all. The younger boy of the family had an unappealing scowl on his face. He seemed the type that caused trouble more than he should. The youngest of the siblings was a young girl with short brown hair. She clung onto her eldest brother's hand as she looked nervously around. The oldest turned and his eyes locked with Cathleen's. She took a step forward and addressed him as the train left them.

"Excuse me, but…are you the other family of kids staying with the Professor?"

The boy smiled at her and nodded. He extended a hand to her. She took it.

"I'm Peter Pevensie. These are my siblings Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. You're the Crest Family?"

"I'm Cathleen. This is Kenneth, Karen, and James. It is nice to meet you. Well…"

She flinched a little, remembering what was going on back home. Peter nodded.

"It is nice to meet you as well, under the circumstances."

The group heard the hooves of horses coming up the path from behind the train stop. Running down the stairs they saw a middle aged woman in a horse drawn wagon riding up the path toward them. She stopped before them and looked at each one, studying them. She had a frown on her face as the kids stared back at her.

"Mrs. Macready?" Peter asked.

"I'm afraid so," she responded," Come on. Into the wagon."

The eight children made their way up into the tiny wagon and packed themselves together.

"OW!" complained Edmund as Karen tripped over his foot," Watch it."

"Sorry," Karen mumbled.

"Ed, leave her alone. She didn't mean any harm."

Edmund pouted at his older brother's reprimanding. The trip to the Professor's house was uncomfortable, but the scenery was beautiful. There were grassy hills scattered across the landscape and gigantic trees lined the dirt road on which they traveled, shadowing them under the abundant foliage. Soon, they arrived at a large, brick mansion.

"Wow," Cathleen murmured for the whole group.

Mrs. Macready stopped the wagon in front of the mansion and let the children out of the wagon.

"Don't move. It'll be back to let you all in," she glared down at them.

She led the horses to what they assumed to be a stable somewhere behind the house. While waiting, Lucy tugged on Peter's hand.

"Peter, I want to go home," she told him," She is scary."

"Lu, we can't right now," he told her, squeezing her hand.

James turned to his eldest sister for confirmation of what Peter said, and he got it as Cathleen looked down at him and gave him a sad smile.

"Everything with be alright. You'll see," she told the younger children.

Mrs. Macready came back around the house and ushered the children inside. After a tour around the house with an education on the rules for their stay, she left them to sort out their things. The girls were in one room and the boys in the one next door. After the boys had finished unpacking, they went over to the girls' room. It had gotten dark and the youngest were put in their night clothes. Lucy was tucked into bed and James sat on Cathleen's lap.

"These sheets feel scratchy," Lucy complained to Peter, who went and sat down on the edge of her bed.

Susan stood at the foot of the bed beside Karen and smiled at her sister.

"Wars don't last forever, Lucy. We'll be home soon."

Edmund walked in only just having changed into his pajamas.

"Yeah, if home's still there."

James looked up at Cathleen in alarm, but she only shook her head at the comment. Susan turned to her brother with a scowl.

"Isn't it time you were in bed?"

"Yes, Mum."

Karen moved over and sat in the armchair by the window. She looked out at the darkness and sighed.

"It'll be over soon. Mum and Dad promised. They never lie."

Edmund rolled his eyes at her.

"Yes, because mothers and fathers never lie and tell children things just to make them feel better."

Karen turned to glare at him and he just sniffed and walked out of the room. Peter looked at Cathleen and Kenneth with an apologetic look.

"Sorry, he's a bit of a pain."

The eldest Crests just waved their hands in understanding. Karen tried to diffuse into the chair as much as possible. She wasn't feeling too great about dealing with another mouthy bully. Especially since she'd be living with him for who knew how long. Cathleen set James to stand and she got up and took his hand.

"This place is huge. We'll find tons of stuff to do and have a lot of fun."

Peter nodded in agreement.

"It'll be fun. Now bed time, Lu."

As her siblings tucked her in, Cathleen and Kenneth hugged Karen goodnight before taking James over to the boy's room to tuck him in.