Anna Peregrine--Library of Souls

Chapter One

I flew through the streets of London, trying to separate myself as far away from the underground as possible. I had no idea where I was going, but all I knew was that I was safe from my uncle for now.

I eventually stopped, diving to a tree in a park, sitting on the highest branch, collecting myself.

A half hour ago, I, Anna Marie Peregrine, left everyone I knew behind in the hands of my uncle and his army.

What the hell, Anna?

If I was going to get anywhere to rescue peculiars, I had to change into my human form, and find some clothes. Across from me, I could see a small market. Knowing that there could potentially be some clothes there, I flew off of the branch and got closer. I circled the market finding where a vendor was selling some clothes. I circled it to see an outfit that I could throw together quite well. There was a white polo, a black belt, a pair of dark blue trousers, and black boots. I had no idea if they would fit me, but I could try. I also would have an easy time getting them into my beak one at a time, and bring them somewhere so that I could change.

I did my first swoop when no one was looking, grabbing the white polo before flying to an alley, putting the polo down. I repeated three more times, grabbing the belt, trousers, and boots without going unnoticed. As soon as I dropped the trousers on the ground, I changed, hoping that I was out of sight from everyone.

I threw on the clothes, and ran my fingers through my hair through my hair, brushing it a little bit. Everything was a perfect fit. Now my search would begin.

I walked out into the crowded streets of London, and right away something pulled me to a nearby body of water. I got excited and started to speed walk towards it, only to find no one.

"Anna!"

I turned my head to see Jacob, and . . . Addison! What my uncle said about him being dead was wrong! I screamed in happiness and ran to them, pulling the human into a hug, and petting Addison on the head.

"How in the name of Elderfolk did you escape?"

"Long story," Jacob said with a smile.

"And the others?" I asked.

"Gone. The wights took them. We're looking for them, and we believe the wights took them across water. And now we're looking for a boat to pilot, which isn't going very well."

"Wait a moment," Addison said, sniffing the ground underneath us.

We followed him as his scent led us down a ramp, away from people. We got down to the water's level, but there was no one around.

Addison stopped sniffing, "Peculiars have come this way."

"Our peculiars?" I asked.

Addison sniffed again and shook his head, "Not ours. But there are many trails here, new and old, strong and faded, all mixed together. This is an oft-used pathway."

I looked ahead of us to see the docks being swallowed by shadows. We weren't in 2011 anymore.

"Oft used by whom? I've never heard of any loop entrance underneath a dock in Wapping," I said.

Addison didn't reply. We kept walking around. The boards underneath us were rotting by the minute. After walking, we found a small boat along the dock.

"Well, I guess that would do. . . ," Jacob said.

"But it's filled with rats!" Addison said.

"It won't be for long," I said. "Rats don't care much for my company."