Discovering the Future

Chapter 28- Chapter 10 (Part 5)

Disclaimer: I don't own Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

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We made for the lighthouse in a dead run. When we reached the cliffs overlooking it, we found the rest of the children in a thick patch of sawgrass near the edge.

"Get down!" Millard hissed.

We dropped to our knees and crawled over to them. They were crouched in a loose huddle behind the grass, taking turns peeking at the lighthouse. They looked shell-shocked-the younger ones especially-as if they hadn't fully grasped the unfolding nightmare.

"We probably haven't," Olive said.

That we'd just survived a nightmare of our own barely registered.

I crawled through the grass to the edge of the cliff and peered out. Past where the shipwreck lay submerged I could see Emma's canoe tied to the rocks. Golan and the ymbrynes were out of sight.

"What's he doing out there?" I said.

"It's anyone's guess," Millard answered. "Waiting for someone to pick him up, or for the tide to settle so he can row out."

"Wait!" Hugh interrupted. "We're not actually going to let him get away, right?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Of course we're not!"

"In my little boat?" Emma said doubtfully.

"As I said, we don't know."

Three deafening cracks sounded in quick succession, and we all ducked as the sky flashed orange.

"Do any bombs fall 'round here, Millard?" asked Emma.

"My research concerns only the behaviour of humans and animals," he replied. "Not bombs."

"Fat lot of good that does us now," said Enoch.

"Do you have any more boats hidden around?" I asked Emma.

"I'm afraid not," she said. "We'll just have to swim across."

"Swim across and what?" said Millard. "Get shot to pieces?"

"Sounds fun," Enoch said. Victor rolled his eyes.

"We'll figure something out," she replied.

Millard sighed. "Oh, lovely. Improvised suicide."

"Well?" Emma looked at each of us. "Does anyone have a better idea?"

"If I had my soldiers..." Enoch began.

"They'd fall to bits in the water," said Millard.

Enoch hung his head. The others were quiet.

"Improvised logic," Millard said.

"Then it's decided," said Emma. "Who's in?"

I raised my hand. So did Bronwyn. "You'll need someone the wights can't see," Millard said. "Take me along, if you must."

"Four's enough," Emma said. "Hope you're all strong swimmers."