We Can't Be

by EmmaBloom2006

Bella Scurlock is one of Miss Peregrine's peculiar children. Bella and her friends have rescued Miss Peregrine from wights and are trying to find a way to get here back to her human form. On their journey they meet Joshua Benthem, son of Miss Peregrine's brother Jack. The children don't trust him but Bella thinks he might be able to help them - and her. (BOOKVERSE; Hollow City)

1. Prologue

Hey! So I know I'm already in the middle of Peculiar Mermaids, but I have no idea what to do with that story and I've had the idea for this one for a while...so, yeah. I will still continue Peculiar Mermaids, but it probably will not be updated as frequently.

Sixteen-year-old Bella Scurlock looked around, terrified. She had been traveling for ages, trying to find shelter, but everywhere had kicked her out. She was on a little island called Cairnholm, in the midst of WWII. She was now standing in front of a bomb-ruined house that looked like it had been bombed a year ago.

It was 1941, and Bella was beginning to think the war would never end. She heard the sound of a bomb and ran into a little cairn that was across a bog. She stayed there until she thought the coast was clear.

When she came out of the cairn it was sunny. She took no notice at first, but when she kept walking she noticed something strange. The bomb-ruined house was gone. In its place was a beautiful mansion. In the garden there were big animal topiaries.

A wild-haired girl around Bella's age kneeled down and a giant carrot came out of the ground.

Whoa, Bella thought. This girl is like me! She got the girl's attention and teleported to where she was. "Hi," Bella said. "I'm Bella. Can you take me to the person who owns this place?"

The girl hesitated, then nodded, motioning for Bella to follow her.

"What's your name?" Bella asked.

"Fiona," the girl whispered. She had a thick Irish accent. "Fiona Frauenfeld."

Fiona took her inside the house. They walked through hallways, ignoring curious faces peeking out of door frames, until they came to a room at the very back of the house. Fiona led Bella inside, and they walked up to a woman with black hair pulled up into a neat bun on the back of her neck. "Hello Miss Frauenfeld," she said. "Who is this?"

"My name is Bella Scurlock," Bella answered. "My house was bombed and I've been trying to find a place to stay. Can I stay here for a while?"

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Scurlock," the woman said. "I am Miss Peregrine, and you may stay here for more than a while. Welcome to your new home."