Chapter 1: An Expression

A preliminary note on the OC, Brandon Calhoun: He is male, and probably around 17-18 physically, but around 27 chronologically. His peculiarity is a form of telekinesis, one that is limited on use, just like human strength is. He is very keen on training his abilities, and really likes training himself for combat. Because of this, he opts to telepathically control a number of swords, and typically avoids directly manipulating people.

This is fully based off the movie and information I can draw from the wiki, and so Emma/Olive have the power switch.

WELL, THE CHARACTER IS NOW NAMED BRANDON BECAUSE I'M STUPID! HOPE ITS NOT CONFUSING TO ANYONE!

I usually have a specific song I listen to while I write a chapter, but for some reason this one didn't have one.

Brandon

I never made a habit of writing in my journal, but today was special so I picked up my pen,

It's been 10 years now here at Miss Peregrine's loop. I feel I have to note this as eventually I'll forget what time outside of here even means. I feel as if the impressions I made these first 10 years aren't going to change for half an eternity. Not that that's a bad thing, I guess. I made a lot of good friends, and a few not-so-friends. I don't know how much I actually like it here, even after 10 years. I suppose if I should spend an eternity somewhere this is a nice place to spend it.

I lost my patients with writing. I know there is a lot more I could write about, but it isn't even stuff I would like writing about. And so, my 5th entry to my journal was completed.

12 days later

I walked into the dining room promptly; I was unusually excited about eating today, as Miss Peregrine was cooking something she hadn't cooked in 72 weeks. Olive, Enoch, Brownyn, and Millard were sitting at the table, and I took my seat beside Enoch. I imagine he was happy to have Olive and I form a wall around him during dinners now, to keep other more annoying neighbors away.

Emma made her noisy entrance, "You're wearing a tie today, Brandon."

"Yes I am."

She was not satisfied with the response, "No, why are you wearing a tie today?"

"Because dinner is special occasion today."

"It is?"

Enoch responded for me, "We're having duck today-"

I interrupted, "And you know I love duck."

Millard chimed in, "Well, this ought to be a black tie event!" Brownyn found this funny.

Eventually everyone filed in for dinner, and a large silver platter covered with a silver bell jar was placed on the center of table by Miss Peregrine. Various dishes were scattered about filling the air with scents reminiscent of Thanksgiving, a holiday I no longer celebrated in the loop.

I spent very little time talking as opposed to the time I spent stuffing my face. The duck was falling off the bones with fatty goodness. I washed down every bite with a soda that gets refilled every reset. Typically, I was very tired of that soda, but today it was a perfect complement to the meal.

After I finished the last bit of meat off the duck, Enoch noted, "What use was the tie if you were just going to get duck fat all over it?"

I retorted, "And here I was thinking that you would appreciate it." Not wanting to say aloud that he did, in fact, appreciate it and not thinking of a clever way to phrase a comeback, Enoch looked defeated. Happy with the result, along with Millard who scoffed, I excused myself from the table to get dressed for my evening relaxation.

I sent my flat handled sword flying through the air, striking the tree through at least 15 rings. All the while driving my old English sword into the bark with a deep gouge. Imagining this innocent tree as an off balance opponent, I kicked it with a loud grunt. Understanding that this is where my opponent would be dead or spared, I finished my training. I tried to catch my breath while sweat dripped from my forehead, soaking my tight tank top.

I started towards the back door to head in and got some water. I made sure to keep my swords out of anybody's way. Enoch was sitting on the steps writing labels for jarred hearts. He stopped me before I passed him, "Why swords?"

"What about them?" I said out of breath and confused.

"Why do you choose to fight with swords?"

"Why not choose to fight with swords?" He stared up at me while deepening his ever present frown. I took the hint, "Because their deadly, but fair. Not to mention it's really cool and intimidating seeing 5 or so swords dance through the air."

"I suppose it is pretty frightening, especially when you could easily cut an unsuspecting friend's head off if you're not careful."

I decided to take a seat beside him for a moment, "So, you don't approve of what I do?"

"No, no that's not what I'm saying," he rushed. Perhaps he might have taken my comment with too much hostility. "If I thought that I would've said something about it in the 10 years I've known you."

"So then, what are you saying?"

"Uhm I – Uh," he stumbled over his words for a second, "I don't really know what I was trying to get at, I guess."

"That's cute," I said casually as I started to get up. He made a few funny noises in surprise, alerting me he took it way more serious than I had meant it.

"Hey wait a second!" he urged. I sat back down and turned towards him. His face was red. As soon as his eyes met mine he turned away. "It's cool," He said under his breath. I made a sound of intrigue as if I hadn't heard what he said. "It's cool, okay? I think the swords are really cool actually," He trailed off again.

I cracked a smile and began to laugh. I'm sure it didn't make him feel too good that I was laughing at him, but it was too funny for me not too. "That's very out of character for you Enoch."

I let my laugh die off before looking over at him. He was trying to ignore everything that just happened, still with a red face. I patted him on the back and said, "What you do it pretty cool too, buddy." Then I stretched, and walked off into the house to finally get that glass of water.

Emma, one of the children I was closer with talked to me while I filled my glass at the spout, "How do you get Enoch so flustered? No one can do it quite like you can."

Apparently, she had been watching me. "Ironically," I paused to sip my water, "I don't really even try. It's like my existence puts him on edge."

"Really? How strange. But it hasn't always been like that has it?"

"I suppose not, but surely it has been for a while."

"Perhaps you've really just learned to read him."

"Perhaps," I said raising my glass to my lips.