Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Chapter 4: The birdwatcher

Jake placed his borrowed Jacket onto an armchair in the corner, before slipping the flower attached to it into his palm. He twirled it around and placed it into his pocket as he walked towards a cabinet which had a letter laid upon it.

The envelope he picked up read 'URGENT' and had the name 'Mr Almar Peregrine' scribbled across the front, along with the childrens' home address underneath it.

As he read it, a knock sounded from the door and he quickly shoved it inside his pocket before calling out; "Come in."

(Y/n) emerged from the behind the door with a kind smile on her face. "Ready to go?" She asked.

Jacob nodded and offered a small smile back before she spoke again. "Emma is waiting downstairs for you. She'll escort you out." She informed as she held the door open for him.

"Come along." She gestured to him and guided him out before the two made their way down the stairs to be met with Emma, as well as the headmaster.

Almar stood with his arms crossed as he leaned against the door whilst Emma was waiting beside him.

Before the teen exited the door, he turned to look at (Y/n) as she spoke. "Be safe Jake." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as his went around her back; embracing him in a motherly way.

"We'll see you soon, I hope?" she said from over his shoulder, before letting go of him and holding his arms.

"You will." He smiled before turning to leave with Emma.

Almar's lips curled ever so slightly as the two teenagers walked past him, however, the small smile faltered and fell once they were out of sight.

After watching the two disappear behind the hedge, his wife studied his face and placed both her hands on his left shoulder as she set her chin ontop of them. His head turned to look at her and their faces were barely apart.

"Something's wrong." She concluded as she continued to stare at him.

He let out a small sigh and placed his forhead against hers. "This is the calm before the storm..." He whispered as he closed his eyes. He turned his body to face hers and his hands made his way into her hair.

"What do you mean, Al? what's going to happen?" (Y/n) said with worry as she looked intently for any signs in his eyes.

"I dont know yet... it's like a dreaded feeling. I can't really explain it but something's bound to happen." He explained and gave her a worried look.

(Y/n) repostioned her hands to rest on his face and pecked his forehead, to his nose, then his lips.

"We'll be ready for it." She reassured as he chuckled lightly before sighing again.

"I hope so..."

...

Emma and Jake walked through the cave which held the exit to the loop. It consisted mostly of silence but it was broken when his phone chimed and alarmed the blonde girl.

He explained what the unfamilar device was to her and even showed her how to take a picture, to which she was impressed with. However, it didn't last long as the subject switched and became an upsetting topic about growing up.

Their conversation was then interrupted by the sound of fluttering wings as an american avocet (which was a long-legged shorebird with white and black feathers) crashed into the cave wall with a loud squawking noise and fell to the floor.

Emma and jake's heads snapped towards the sudden appearance and the young girl wasted no time in rushing to the side of the injured animal.

she carefully picked it up and held it in her hand and before turning to Jake. "I think it's the Ymbryne from Horace's dream."