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

thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY
SHIPWRECK

Now, when Emma said she had a plan which included Olive's peculiarity, I -in no way, shape or form- would ever think that included waiting on the edge of the dock as we watched the two girls swim out to the ocean and dive down, only to see a ship from the wreckage taking their place just a minute later.

Everyone boarded the ship, one by one, the littlest going first. I was impressed that the boat was staying afloat after being underwater for so long, but supposedly a little air and fire can go a long way in renewing a ship. As we walked through the rusty old ship, the girls lead us towards the bridge to which showed a fantastic view of the ocean while the sun started to rise.

"Does anyone know how to steer this thing?" I asked as I looked around the boat's bridge. Everything was dark and rusted, and I was ready for the ship to sink again and have us all drown within it. Well, all besides Olive, that is.

"It'll steer itself," Emma explained as she looked out to the ocean, the island now behind us as we headed for Blackpool.

"Itself?" I asked, sceptical of the whole thing. Emma just gave me a light smile before shaking her head. It was clear that I didn't know much of this period or the full extent of everyone's powers.

While I talked with Fiona and calmed down the younger children, Jacob and Emma slipped out of the bridge with the Map of Days and double-checked where the loop was and the period. It was clear that Jacob was a little worried about heading into a circle in our period. Even I was concerned about Enoch and the others.

"What are you going to do when Miss. Avocet's loop closes?" Fiona asked, a sad look on her face as she lent on the controls that were too old and waterlogged to have been in working condition. Hugh's arm wrapped around her as he stood by her side. At hearing the question, Enoch came over and stood by my side, obviously not as close as Hugh and Fiona, though.

"I'm not sure yet." I sighed as I looked at each of the three, weighing up my options. If I stay, I'm stuck in a time I'm not familiar with but, if I go, I risk leaving behind a family that would love and care for me. I would risk leaving people who want me there.

"Well, I don't want to pressure you or anything, but if you leave, I'm sure there are a few of us who'll be quite upset," Hugh smirked as he sent a wink towards Enoch, who scoffed and shoved his hand in his pockets looking in the opposite direction to mine, the boy turned towards Fiona and gave her a bright smile.

"It doesn't pressure me to make a choice. I know I'll be upset to leave. There are people here I love and care for, but my family is back home. I can't just up and leave them... can I?" I asked, looking between the three. Hugh gave me a warm-hearted smile while Enoch seemed conflicted in whether he should say something or not, but my heart broke as I looked to Fiona, who was on the verge of tears.

"Oh, Sophia, please don't leave." The girl gushed as she removed herself from Hugh's arm and brought me into a hug. I embraced her and held her as tightly as possible, not ever wanting the warm hug that smelt of nature to leave my side.

"Stay with us!" I heard Clair laugh as a few of the other peculiar children came and joined in on the hug. I let out a small laugh as I looked over Fiona's shoulder to see a smirking Hugh and a smiling Enoch, his words lost at the sight of the girl being attacked by the younger children in hugs

"Alright, that's enough. We have to see what Emma has planned." Enoch's thick accent cut through the group hug, causing a few younger girls to groan.

"If you're that jealous, Enoch, why don't you join in on the hug." Olive laughed, which caused Fiona to ruffle the girl's hair with a laugh. I just rolled my eyes, wondering how much the two older girls have rubbed off on Olive.

"Whatever." He sighed, rolling his eyes. He quickly walked from the bridge, searching for Emma and Jacob, leaving the rest of us to follow after laughing amongst ourselves.

Enoch walked briskly through the dining hall and opened the two double doors that lead into an observatory. With the rest of us following behind, we quickly stopped short as we noticed the startled look on the two teenagers faces. I smirked in, knowing that the two were about to kiss which Enoch interjected, "So have you figured out our plan of attack yet?"

"The loop is made early in my year, and if we don't get out before it closes, we're stuck in January twenty-sixteen," Jacob informed.

"Great! So time catches up with all of us. We all die except for you and Sophia! Plan?" Enoch growled. I cleared my throat, sending a slight glare towards the boy. I understood he was worried, but we could deal without the sarcasm.

"The loop closes at four-thirty. That means we need to get in, rescue the Ymbrynes and get out." Jacob informed.

"Yeah, if we're not already dead," Enoch rolled his eyes, uncrossing his arms, "Miss. Avocet said the machine is in the cellar of the Blackpool tower building. That means we'll be indoors with Hollows."

"No, we won't. I've got a plan, but I'm going to need your help." Jacob said. At this moment, I felt as though everything was very close to going to shit. If we made one wrong move, we'd all fall, and this would have all been for nothing.

"What are we going to do?" I asked. Jacob looked to me and wadded through the sea of children, heading back to the bridge, telling everyone to follow him.

"When we get to the dock, we're going to need to cause a distraction, a massive one," Jacob said, and I smirked.

"The people of London are gonna get one heck of a show, then." I laughed, and Jacob gave me a large smile, "So what? We cause a distraction, draw out the hollows and...?"

"We make them incapable of being able to hurt us, drown them, kill them. Whatever we can get our hands-on, we'll use it as a weapon." Jacob answered.

"I like your way of thinking." Enoch nodded with approval. At this, I looked to Fiona in shock, wondering if I had just heard Enoch getting along with my brother, but with her equally, as shocked expression, he had, and I hoped he'd make a habit out of it.