Strange Worlds [Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children] Enoch O'Connor

nine

CHAPTER NINE
THE OLD MAN

There had been nothing at the children's home. It was as if a bomb went off years before their dated letter. Grass and moss grew inside the house while dolls and furniture were ripped apart. The wooden floorboards on the second floor were charred, the place feeling almost haunting.

It wasn't until the small sounds of something moving did we run away. Looking back, it was probably just the wind. Maybe it was even those two boys playing a dirty trick on us, but there was no way that I was staying a second longer there. What we wished to find was not there.

After coming back from the children's home, we meet with the old curator who worked at the small museum we had been to when we first got here. He was sitting in a booth inside the bar, giving both Jacob and me warm smiles when we caught each other.

"Oi, get those shoes off before the pair of you track mud through my bar!" Kevin scolded.

Retracing my steps, I went back towards the door and removed my mud ridden shoes. Jacob had copied my actions. I headed straight for the bar, ordering what Kevin had called a fried sandwich. I guess the only things bought in this place is alcohol or something that's fried. Jacob had decided that he'd taste my sandwich before getting his own, but when we both tasted it, it wasn't enjoyable.

To please Kevin and to act kind, we decided to share the sandwich and to try to find someone later to get real food. I made my way over to the curator, asking him a few questions about the children's home. My brother gave me a confused look as I sat at the table, smiling at the older man.

"Hello, little missy." The curator smiled. He, too confused at my actions.

"Sophia Portman, and this is my brother Jacob Portman," I smiled, bringing out my hand to shake his own.

"Martin Pagett, what bringing you to my lonely table?" He, too, reached out his hand and shook mine.

"I was hoping you might be able to help me with something?" I asked, taking my hand away from the man as he shook my brother's hand as well. "It's about the house we had mentioned. We went to go see it today."