Anna Peregrine--Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Chapter Two

When the last of the homes in Cairnholm vanished, the four of us got out of the wagon unnoticed. We walked through the woods, Millard humming and kicking at stones. I started to crack my knuckles as we walked nervously. It was a habit that I had picked up ever since I was little whenever I was anxious. Mum would get on me for it, she said it would damage my wings in falcon form. Nothing had happened yet.

I was bracing myself for her scolding when she found out I accused Jacob of being a wight, and keeping him as a prisoner. I knew I would hear it, no matter what excuse I gave.

Eventually we made it out of the woods and to our home. It was all made out of bricks and looked like a small palace. The lawn was beautiful with many topiaries throughout it.

We reached the front door. Despite my protests, Emma tied Jacob's hands behind him, wanting a show. Emma and I went to take him inside only for Millard to stop us, "His shoes are caked with filth. Can't have him tracking in mud. The Bird'll have an attack."

I chuckled before changing my voice to sound like my mother, "'Anna Marie Peregrine what are you thinking allowing mud in here?! Polite persons do not track mud in the house!'"

Millard got a kick out of it, as they all do usually. Mum hated it whenever she heard I did, especially when I did it in front of her.

We waited for Jacob to take off his shoes before walking into the house. I led the three into a small room before dusting off my skirt.

"Watch him while I inform the headmistress," I said before walking out of the room.

I walked upstairs to find my mother in her bedroom knitting. I silently walked over to her, the only sound being my heels hitting the floor. I pecked her temple, announcing that it was me. She looked up at me with a smile.

"We found him," I said, trying to keep the part about me accusing him of being a wight, a secret.

"Bring him here."

I nodded before walking out of the room, going back downstairs to find Jacob looking out the window with Millard while Emma stood by with her arms crossed.

"Oh, good, you let him get some freedom.", I said.

"Against my will!", Emma said.

I rolled my eyes before turning to Jacob, "Come on. The headmistress will see you now."

* * * * *

I led the three to my mother's room, finding her where I left her. I guided Jacob over her, standing beside him.

"Good afternoon," Mum said, looking up at us. "You must be Jacob. My name is Headmistress Peregrine, or if you prefer, since you are not currently under my care, Miss Peregrine. Pleased to finally meet you."

She went to shake his hand, only for Jacob not to be able to. I looked at his hands to see that Millard had not truly freed him.

"Anne Marie! What is the meaning of this? Is that any way to treat a guest? Free him at once!", she cried.

"I accused him of being a wight at first, and I realized! I'm sorry, Emma insisted that we kept him bound! I tried to convince her that it really was Jacob, but she won't listen to me!"

"Oh, come on Anna!" Emma exclaimed in annoyance.

"Miss Bloom!"

"But Headmistress! He's a snoop and a liar and I don't know what else!", Emma said before whispering into her ear.

"Why, Miss Bloom," Mum said with a laugh. "What undiluted balderdash! If this boy were a wight you'd already be stewing in his soup kettle. Of course he's Abraham Portman's grandson. Just look at him!"