Disclaimer: I don't own any characters. All creation belong to Ransom Riggs. Blah. Blah. Blah. Happy reading! :)


Chapter 1

14 April 1904

Cornwall, England

It was yet another rainy day of their vacation in Cornwall, England. Alma Bentham was painting a picture in the playroom when she heard her brothers coming upstairs after their afternoon lesson. Alma quickly searched a place to hide as her brothers love to hurt her. She managed to find a small space under the stairs which she held her breath when she heard her brother kicking her paint easel.

"Almaaaaaaa, come out! Don't be shy!" hollered her brother, Jack. Alma proceeds to stay still which it made Jack more furious that he took the books off her bookshelf and torn them into pieces. Alma held back her tears back as she watched him destroying her books. She should be used to seeing her personal stuff being destroyed by her brother as he had been doing them since she got her first book couple years ago.

"I know you're in the room, Alma! Come out and I will not rip your favorite book, Wizard of Oz." He held her book, readying to rip them into pieces. Alma closed her eyes as she could not bear seeing her favorite book being ruined.

Anything is better than breaking my arm for the third time. thought Alma. She soon heard her another brother, Myron going up the stairs. Jack turned his head to respond his footsteps.

"Come in and help me find Alma!" hollered Jack which Myron accepted without saying anything which they proceeded to do the searching.

"Peek and Boo!" yelled Jack upon finding her in the hidden space. Alma let out a whimper as she was afraid what is the next bone that he will break. He grabbed her arm and began to drag out the room.

"Please do not hurt me." pleaded Alma. Jack rolled his eyes which he proceeds to hit her. He was interrupted by their nanny, Anais, when she came up the stairs.

"Jack? Myron? Alma? I sent you all upstairs to change and get dressed for your father's party not playing with each other."

Jack ignored her words which he proceeded to pull Alma's hair which Alma slapped back to defend herself. Jack let out a holler in hopes that her sister will be punished, "Anais! Alma hit me!" Anais was too tired to deal with the children which she scolded, "Quiet, Jack, and Alma. Get moving. Your father will be furious if we are late."

Alma struck her tongue out which she ran into her room before her brother could do anything. She changed her daily dress into the best dress which she fixed her hair quickly which she made herself presentable when Anais screamed for her to come downstairs so they could leave to their father's party. Jack and Myron are already standing downstairs which he proceeded to mouth at her, "You look ugly, Alma." Alma was used to his cruel remarks so she ignored him.

"Jack, Myron, Alma Bentham, I expect you all in your best behavior. That means no pinching, hitting, slapping or anything to hurt each other. Just get along throughout the party."

Jack and Myron gave a nodding which Alma knew that they were faking. They will go to push her into the water which she made a mental note to stay away from the railings.

"Alma, you are not going to find a husband if you keep hurting your brothers. Husbands want a woman that respect male authority. Just a friendly warning because I do not think you will be like if you end up being an old maid and burden to your brothers." said Anais sternly which Jack smirked as he had overheard her lecture. Alma soon felt her cheek burning with shame.

"But, Anais. I'm only twelve, don't you think I'm quite little too young to think of marriage?"

Anais twirled around which she gave her an authoritarian look, "When I was your age, I was courted then got married at fourteen and had my first child by I was fifteen. You should consider yourself fortunate to be born female because your life couldn't be simpler. Understand?"

Alma bit her lips as to fight back the tears. She loved the idea of falling in love and having children but she always felt like that her destiny is much bigger than just get married and bearing children. Before she could run away to be herself, her father called her over to introduce the people.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill, these are my children with my deceased wife, Arabella. Jack LeFay Bentham is my oldest son. Next is my second son, Myron LeFay Bentham and lastly, my daughter, Alma LeFay Bentham."

The children smiled and politely greeted the people which to Alma's surprise, Jack did not attempt to bully her.

"What delightful children. I'm sure you're proud of them," commented Mrs. O'Neill.

"Thank you, Madame O'Neill." said Alma politely in hopes to win her father's attention.

Mrs. O'Neill shifted her attention to Alma which she smiled at her, "It's a delight to meet you. I do truly see you running a boarding school for ladies. You will land a well-connected gentleman."

Her father chuckled which he tugged her brown braid, "I can see Alma becoming a teacher which it makes me even more proud to know that she will be successful and find a well-connected gentleman and bear my even finer grandsons."

Alma gulped in nervousness about her future. Her father is not very involved most of her life and hearing him talking about having a grandson made her feel like that to win his love, she has to bear a son.

"Stop being so prissy, Alma!" hissed Jack as he was getting jealous of the attention she is receiving. He proceeds to pinch her arm. Alma immediately bit her lip to react to his action. Fortunately, her father had walked off with Mr. O'Neill to discuss politics. She twirled around and hissed, "Jack LeFay Bentham, you stop taunting me this instant or I'll break your toy sword."

"You know how dumb it sounds that you just said out of your mouth." said Myron rudely.

"Yeah, Alma! Why you must hog the spotlight all time. You know you are not only one exist on this planet." snapped Jack.

Alma fought back the tears. All she wanted someone to compliment about her as she rarely gets any attention from elders.

"Children, it is time to board the steamboat for dinner. I'm impressed with your behavior so far. Keep it up." praised Anais as she was neglectful to their recent behavior. The children proceed to walk onto the dock where the boat was waiting for them.

"You better watch out for the fishes. I hear they like stupid girls like you," whispered Jack into her ears. Alma shook her head as she attempted to ignore her brother's words. The steamboat was much better when it was close which Alma immediately felt small.

"Alma, here is your ticket," said Anais while handing her shiny golden boarding ticket. She thanked her nanny and proceed to search for her father as she hoped that they could board together as a family.

"Where is the father at?" she asked her nanny which Anais let out an annoying sigh, "He's on the boat already. You need to stop asking too many questions. It's not ladylike."

Alma proceeds to hide her disappointment. It seems to like her father had given up on the ideology of family when her mother died. She took a deep sigh and boarded the ship with her brothers and Anais. Alma decided that it is better to stare the shiny water that the clouds had cleared away to permit the sun to shine.

Imagine one day I will live on an island somewhere far away from where Jack and Myron can never find me with a beautiful house and filled with children's laughter. I shall run a boarding home for children who are outcasts. I shall call it, Miss Alma LeFay Bentham's Home for Outcasts.

"Catch, Alma!" shouted Jack as he threw a dead fish where he stole from the kitchen toward her which Alma snapped out her daydreaming. It hit her right in the face.

"Nice throw!" shouted Myron who was hiding on another side of the room. Alma had enough with her brother's actions which she marched to confront Jack and Myron, "You are the rudest brothers in the whole world. I hope you fall into the water!"

Jack smirked as the people gasped at her outburst. Her father was standing few inches away from her which he gasped then frowned in the disappointment of her outburst. Alma felt like her face was on fire.

"Alma LeFay Bentham!" shouted Anais as she ran from another side. Alma could not handle the situation which she ran off on impulse which she found an empty floor on the bottom of the ship. She soon broke into crying.

Why must Jack and Myron ruin everything? What do I do to deserve the harm from my family? My father probably never loves me, so what the point of trying to win his love? I wish my mother is still alive. Maybe things will turn out differently.

"Don't cry, Alma." chirped the bird who landed on the railing. Alma looked up in confusion. She did not see anything except the bird.

"Yes. The bird is talking to you, Alma." cooed the bird. Alma approached slowly out of in the fear that it's one of Jack's tricks.

"Are you one of Jack's cruel tricks to make think I'm insane?" questioned Alma.

"No. You are not. You are perfectly sane."

"What? Had the fish poisoned my mind because darn sure I'm feeling insane for hearing the bird speaking."

"Alma, sit down. I will explain everything."

Alma proceeds to sit down which the bird flapped onto the floor and changed into a person. Alma gasped while she crawled few inches back in surprise. She extended her hand to shake, "Pardon me for not introducing myself. I'm Miss Avocet. I run an academy for Ymbrynes."

"A what?" said Alma who is even more confused that further questioned her sanity.

Miss Avocet chuckled, "I'm a Ymbryne. We have the ability to change into a bird and establish time loop."

"I think you got a wrong person. I can't change into a bird."

"That because you had not discovered the ability. We never make mistakes. You're twelve, right?"

Alma shook her head and walked away as she became fearful of Miss Avocet that she knew her age, "Get away and stay far away from me!"

Miss Avocet nodded as she expected her behavior as she had not a great record of people that she can liable on, besides she knew that Alma will come around and accept that she is peculiar.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alma. I hope to see you again soon." called out Miss Avocet which Alma heard everything while she ran off to upstairs. Maybe a punishment will make her mind to come to a sense.

"Here you at, Alma! You're eating dinner alone in the kitchen." hissed Anais while grabbing her arm to the kitchen. Alma fought to hide a smile. It hardly a punishment because she does not mind eating alone, besides eating alone will provide her a more in depth thinking what just happened only twenty minutes ago. She cannot stop thinking how the woman magically changed bird to human. It was like some kind of witchcraft. She soon remembered Miss Avocet telling her that her ability had not discovered yet.

What if Miss Avocet is telling her that she could change into a bird. How wonderful if she could! Imagine the ability to change into a bird and fly away from Jack and Myron when they become so mean.

Alma smiled once again at her thought of the ability to fly away. But again, the idea has been far fetched as if she could change into a bird, should not she know it much earlier?

Maybe it is another ability that she has yet to discover. She eventually smiled at her thought. Maybe Miss Avocet knows more about the abilities than her. She soon frowned at the thought. But how can I see her again? I wouldn't be on the boat anytime soon. I did not do anything to bring her to the attention.

"Almmmmmaaaaaaaa! Father is looking for you!" hollered Jack which Alma sighed once again in knowing that her brother is lying so he can push her.

Maybe Jack torturing you brings Miss Avocet's attention. She smiled at the thought that was the reason why she got there in first place.

"I'm in here!" yelled Alma then she smiled at the thought of Jack's shocked face when he heard her yelling.

"Here you at. You're being smart for calling my attention." He proceeds to grab and squeezed her arm as he dragged her to outside. Not paying attention to the surrounding, Myron was walking couple steps behind, readying to push her off the board. When Jack finally stopped dragging her, Myron saw this moment as an opportunity to push her off the boat. She screamed as she cannot swim very well.

"Help! Someone, please help!" Her brother did nothing as they were busy laughing hysterically. Alma struggled to remain afloat as her red dress was dragging her down.

Where is Miss Avocet when I need her the most?

Her head soon became heavy which eventually her kicking to stay afloat soon gave away as she felt her eyelids becoming heavier every minute.

Maybe if I close my eyes. I can get out this misery into a paradise. Someone will love me for who I am, see me as a valuable instead of a burden.

She soon closed her eyes and stopped moving her legs. The last thing she heard was a boom before slipping unconsciousness.