Borrowed Time ⏱ Enoch O'Connor

~ IX ~

Grumbling slightly I become aware of the hushed voices whispering around me and the gentle but firm grip of the hand grasping mine.

"Hush children she's waking!"

"Come on lets go wait outside to give her some space" a soft voice, one I didn't recognise, said.

I hear a shuffle of footsteps and the door close gently; snecking in place, the warm presence of the hand over mine pauses briefly, squeezes my hand and then disappears as quickly as it came.

My eyes flutter open and I realise my surroundings. Miss Peregrine stands by the door, hand on the doorknob. She just nods to my right and then leaves the room. I turn to my right and see a young male sat with his head in his hands sat on the bed opposite. One I haven't seen or heard from in a long time.

"Jacob" I croak. It must be nearly time for the reset because the light from the window is becoming scarce and his face is shadowed by the darkness.

"Hello Cousin, it's been a long time,"

"Wyn!" I exclaim suddenly rising in my bed and throwing the covers off of me in a sudden panic.

Jacob seems rather taken aback no doubt expecting a warmer welcome.

"Who?" he questions rising to his feet and resting a hand on my shoulder which aches incredibly- thinking about it my whole body aches as if I haven't moved in days. Wait how long was I out? Looking back to Jake I notice the puzzled look on his face, realising his earlier question had not been answered I quickly snap into action shouting "Bronwyn!"

"What about her?" He asks concern etched onto his features.

"I've got to leave!" I exclaim rushing towards the door only to be held back by my concerned cousin.

"You should be resting!" He exclaims sounding just like my mother would.

"I'm fine! Just let me go talk to her," I say as convincingly as I can my voice cracking due to strain halfway through. Just my luck! I still look to him hopefully and he raises an eyebrow his face contorting into a strange look of empathy and resignation.

"Fine!" He huffs as if those were the two words he had been dreading me saying most.

With that I race out of the door trying my hardest not to scream out in utter agony. My head is spinning and my throat burning with every forced breath I take. Passing the mirror that adorns the hallway I catch sight of my dreadful complexion – I am already pale on the best of days but now I look a sickly white like a ghost haunting the young wards in their own home.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs after what seems like an eternity I hear Jake following close behind me. Seeing that Bronwyn and the others are playing outside with the small dolls I have been so often compared to. I walk over towards them, noticing Enoch sat in his usual spot under the shady branches of the tree moulding his usual clump of clay. Miss Peregrine is nowhere to be seen and Jacob has left to help Emma with goodness knows what. I haven't even met the girl yet but I can tell he is already smitten with her just like Grandpa Portman once was.

Reaching Wyn's side I pull her away from the other children and bring her into a tight hug.

"Anastasia what's wrong, you're shaking," she asks concern etched across her innocent features.

"I saw it Wyn, I'm so sorry," I whimper quietly.

"What?" She asks confused by my previous statement.

"I saw him," I squeeze out gasping for breath.

"Guys! Someone please. Something is wrong with Anastasia!"

Enoch who had secretly been watching from his spot under the tree jogged briskly over anger laced in his voice he exclaims,

"Why is she even out of bed I told that Jacob to make sure she's okay, not leave her unprotected!"

Picking her up bridal style he notices her chest rising and falling extremely fast and her eyes are flickering open and closed rapidly only revealing her beautiful blue orbs for a split second before closing tight once again.

"Miss Peregrine!" The others, who had by now realised what was happening, ran ahead shouting Miss Peregrine's name loudly.

Once again Anastasia's tiny room was filled with concerned faces staring at Enoch as he placed her once again on her soft bed and making sure she's relatively comfy. The others are told to leave and finish their daily chores. Enoch leaves reluctantly and finds Emma, Olive and Jacob stood anxiously outside the door wondering what had happened in the brief time they had not been present.  

Enoch's face filled with fury causing the others to step back in anticipation.

"YOU!" He shouts pointing an accusing finger towards Jacob.

"I TRUSTED YOU!" He says advancing towards Jacob with increasing anger.

"If you care that much then why did you leave her with me?" Jacob counters defensively, his features flushing a dangerous red.

"Do you not think I noticed that your last names are the same? Notice how you appeared just after she did? You're her family! I thought it would be better for her to see you not a gloomy stranger who she is forced to live with!" Enoch says exasperated whipping round to check once more on the beautiful girl who is once again laid in her bed. After making sure the small girls figure is still safely in bed he turns around and heads back to his room before the others could even blink their eyes at the shock of Enoch's sudden show of affection towards the weak teen.