Chapter 10

Skye's POV

Living in a loop for almost four months, one might think that I'd be bored out of my mind right now. No cell phone, no internet and, more importantly, no pizza. To be honest, I am pretty bored right now and craving for a much needed dose of social media but just thinking about leaving, turning my back of this place, leaves me with a shudder. The people in this place made me feel at home than I have ever been for the past eight years; even sulky Enoch, who despised me at first. We managed to have a more civilized conversation from time to time and he finally ceased giving me angry looks. These past few weeks, he'd be making jokes at my expense and I'd do the same to him and the others will laugh until Miss Peregrine told the both of us to stop (though I've seen her struggling on keeping a straight face while scolding us). The other children, by the way, are ecstatic. The newcomer and their eldest brother, finally in good terms.

Miss Peregrine no longer looks, and feels, like she's in need of a week's worth of sleep ever since I confessed everything to her. I guess it finally put her mind to ease because of that. I, on the other hand, still have trouble sleeping but when I do, the nightmares come and I'd wake up, bed sheets twisted tightly around my fingers, sweating heavily and panting like a dog. Sometimes, I'd wake up and see Miss Peregrine sitting at the edge of my bed, stroking my hair with her dainty fingers (I guess I'm too noisy when I'm having a nightmare that it wakes her up). Sometimes, I wouldn't snap out of it easily and I'd get lost in my own world, drowning in my nightmares. When that happens, she'll hug me close to her chest, stroking my hair and whisper comforting words in my ear until I come out of it; gasping, crying and clutching her dress tightly. In both occasions, she'd stay until I've convinced her that I'm okay. I, then, will stay awake until morning comes. I've already begged Miss P to give me my meds back but she won't. She said that I need to wean myself off of that stuff.

I couldn't care less. I can handle the nightmares, as long as I'm away from the very thing that gave it to me in the first place.

Meanwhile, my control over my powers had gotten better because Miss Peregrine suggested something that I have never tried before. It was about two months ago. We were washing the dishes that night: me, Emma and Miss P.

"How does your peculiarity work, Skye? Do you just, will it in to someone's mind?" Emma asked.

"Nope," I answered as I wiped the plates dry, "My grandfather taught me that in order to use it, I have to feel what I want others to feel too. For example, I want you to feel calm and comfortable around me, then I have to feel that way first before I can use to you. If I don't feel that way, then I can't make you feel that way, too."

"Have you tried to use that method for other emotions?" Emma asked again.

"Yeah. Unfortunately, it didn't work," I said with a defeated sigh, "The more I try to use it that way, the more I'd get nervous. Or angry. Or confused. Or … I think you already get the picture. And I'd just get lightheaded doing it."

Miss Peregrine, who already finished washing the last plate, turned to face me, obviously deep in thought and both she and Emma was feeling equally curious and confused as I put down the last plate. After a few minutes of silence, Miss Peregrine spoke up.

"Have you tried to use an emotion of a person to bend it to your will?"

"What?" Emma and I said at the same time.

"I meant, have you tried to use the emotion of a person, an emotion that was already there and then bend it the way that you want it to be?" she explained. When I still gave her a puzzled look, she explained further, "If, for instance, I am angry at you but there is a part of me that still holds sympathy for you, could you use your peculiarity to strengthen that sympathy to drown out my anger?"

My eyes widened in realization as I understand what she's trying to say, "You mean, try to manipulate the emotions?"

She nodded, "In simpler words, yes. Have you tried that method before?"

I looked down at the counter, deep in thought. What if…?

Since that day, I tried to use my powers that way and found it easier to control, easier to manipulate and less exhaustive, although I'm used to using the 'traditional method' of calming other people down. I also started building a 'mental wall', something to distinguish my own emotions from others. That way, I don't mess up somebody else's emotions with my own and not be easily affected by it.

I'm currently relaxing under the oak tree, leaning my head back against its body with my eyes closed. On either side of me were Emma and Olive, both in a similar position as me. We girls would talk, just some little chats from time to time, talking about nothing in particular. Jake and Enoch were on the other side, both of them teaching little Claire draw in Enoch's sketchbook. This is the kind of peace and tranquility that I used to crave back then and now I have it. I can live here forever.

"Skyler!" Miss Peregrine called from the backdoor. I opened my eyes and looked at her. I tensed when I see her frowning face and tightness around her eyes. I stood up and ran hurriedly to where she stood. She quickly turned back towards the house, gesturing for me to follow her. She was frowning slightly but there's an emotion of hers that was so foreign coming from her that I have mistaken it as mine at first. She's radiating genuine fearand it was so intense that she's even controlling her breathing to calm herself.

"Miss P, what happened?" I asked her worriedly, using my powers to calm her. Her breathing turned steady but she didn't answer me, she just continued walking, straight to her study in the first floor (the room beside the living room). She waited until I was inside before closing the door behind me, locking it. She then proceeded to pace in front of me, looking deep in thought.

"Miss Peregrine…?" I asked again. She paced twice more before stopping in front of me, looking at me straight in the eye.

"I was in the plaza just thirty minutes ago," she said. I raised an eyebrow, confused as to where this is heading. I know that for a fact. She said she'd buy some things there, "I was coming out of the store that moment when a man wearing modern clothes approached me, showing me a photograph of you."

My eyes widened, my muscles turned Jell-O and my blood turned to ice. Oh no, this is not good.

"Skyler, I think they're already here and they are looking for you," she says it like she was announcing my own funeral.

I can't breathe. I can't even think straight. My knees buckled beneath me and I fell, landing hard on my butt. Miss Peregrine was immediately kneeling in front of me, gripping the sides of my face with her talon like hands. I can hear the sound of my pounding heart, my erratic breathing and I felt my whole body tremble.

"Skyler," she said softly but urgently, "It's okay, it's okay. I told them that I don't know who you are."

I stuttered a reply, "W-what?"

She smiled slightly, "I told them that I don't know who you are. I told them that you only spent a few days with me in the early May and then left abruptly. The man didn't seem suspicious of my reply. He merely shrugged and asked another local."

I tried to calm my own breathing but it was almost impossible at this point.

"Miss Peregrine," I gasped out, "The moment they showed you my picture, I flashed through your mind, right? It can't be helped, it's almost a reflex."

Her small smile vanished, "What are you trying to say?"

I gulped and said, "Miss, that moment that I passed through your mind is enough for them to be suspicious. I don't think they believe you."

Shock and tension filled the room. We stared silently at each other, a mirroring expression of horror, before she stood up abruptly and left the room with quick strides. I was left confused and nervous but I stood up on my still shaky legs. I raised my hands slightly, watching the visible tremor running through them. I must've stood there, looking at my palms for a long time before Miss Peregrine returned but she isn't alone. With her are Emma, Jake, Olive and Enoch. She closed the door behind them and started explaining our current predicament to them rapidly that I almost didn't catch the words. The room was filled with nerves and distress that I have to use my powers to calm them down.

A plan formed in my head while she was speaking to them. The bad people is here because they know that I'm here. If they find out that I already left this place, they would be off this place in an instant. But I know for a fact that they will still check out Miss P's manor as soon as possible because of what they have seen in her mind. But of course, our ymbryne wouldn't let me leave. That means I have to escape but I would need help.

My eyes drifted to where Enoch and Olive stood, listening intently to what the Bird is saying. She was laying out a few more rules that the eldest children should follow in order to keep the other children safe. In my stay here in this house, I realized that every children here have that intense passion in them that was reserve only for their family: passion to protect their own at all costs. I could've easily picked any of them to complete my plan but Enoch's indifference and mostly expressionless face and Olive's peculiarity would be perfect in my crazy and stupid and idiotic scheme.

I waited for them to finish before walking closer to Miss Peregrine. I don't know why, but I feel safer when Miss Peregrine is close by, the way that you would feel when you're around with your mother. Maybe she really is our mother, a mother who is willing to put her life on the line just to protect her children. Being near her makes me feel as if she can make all my problems go away and we can all just start drinking hot chocolate in the living room while watching Horace's movie.

I know that this could be the last time that I can do it so when the others have left the room, I wrapped my arms around the waist of our second mother tightly, burying my face on her neck and suppressed the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. She was surprised at first before she wrapped her own arms around my shoulders.

I was at lost for words, the lump in my throat tightening until I almost can't breathe but I managed to choke out, "Thank you, Miss Peregrine."

Confused, she asked, "What for, Skyler?"

I swallowed and the tightness in my throat eases ever so slightly, allowing me to breathe rather than to gasp, "For… for everything. For taking me in, for accepting me, for protecting me and the others. You're the best ymbryne in the world."

I released her but she held me at arms length and though in distress, she managed to give a tender smile, touching my face with her hands, "That is my duty, Skyler, but thank you."

I love you. I looked down, arguing with myself if I should say the words but since I don't know whether I can come back here or not, I decided to go for it.

"I know you don't hear this very often from us but… I love you, Miss Peregrine. You're the best mother we have ever had and we can't wish for anything more."

Her smile widened and motherly affection spilled out of her, "I love you, too, Skyler. All of you, children. And I will do everything to keep you all safe," she said, voice laced with determination.

I smiled back and left her study. I went straight to my room, making sure that the door was locked behind me. I opened my closet and took my mostly empty backpack out. I stuffed it with clothes and took a tear gas from its outside pocket and put it in my own pocket. I placed the backpack back at the closet so when anyone comes inside my room, they wouldn't see it.

I went back outside, trying to look for Enoch and Olive. The younger children had not been informed of our situation so they continued to play out here in the backyard. They were not hard to spot though, they were standing underneath our tree, looking at the woods. Jake and Emma wasn't there. Perfect.

I walked up to them and said as nonchalantly as I could, "Hey guys. Where's Jake and Emma?"

Olive answered, "They're called by Miss Peregrine, for what I don't know."

I hummed and asked, "Walk with me?".

They were both hesitant but I used my powers to persuade them to come with me. We walked into the woods behind the house. We were silent and I felt their guilt and sadness. I gripped the tear gas tighter to strengthen my resolve.

We stopped walking when I was sure that we're well away from the house, out of the Bird's earshot. I calmed them down with my power first before I brought the tear gas disguised as hand grenade. Even though they were calm, the sight of the grenade still made their emotions ricochet.

"Bloody hell, Skye! What are you thinking!" Enoch exclaimed while Olive gasped loudly and covered her mouth to keep herself from screaming. I spoke quickly and calmed them down once again before they can shout for help.

"Listen to me, guys, this is not a real hand grenade. It's not real," I said, looking them dead in the eyes. They slowly calmed down and Enoch scowled at me.

"Then, what in the hell is that?" he asked.

"This is only a tear gas. A friend of mine came up with this idea to design a tear gas disguised as a hand grenade," I explained.

He narrowed his eyes at me while Olive asks, "You are planning something, aren't you?"

I sighed. This is the hard part, to try and convince them to save themselves and the children.

"This is my plan: when the Dela Mar comes here, you will distract them with these," I began when Enoch cut me off.

"How do you know that they're coming?" he asked.

"They already saw me in Miss P's mind, Enoch. They're not convinced with Miss Peregrine's alibi. They will come here with more people with them. Anyway, you, Enoch and Olive, you will be in front of the children. If possible, get in front of the Bird too. Try to keep this conversation away from your thoughts. This tear gas will affect anyone within the 20 meter radius so get yourselves away from them as far as possible," my thoughts are already getting jumbled. It kept on going from one place to another so I have to make this quick.

"Enoch, you will be the one to throw these. You know how this thing works?" I asked him.

He nodded, "Yes, but the tear gas is another story."

"Okay, the moment you pull the pin, you have a 10 second head start. Do not wait for it to be over. Olive, once Enoch threw the grenade at them, you throw them a fire. Not so big but just enough to scare them off and make them believe that it was a real grenade. And then you get the hell out of there through the backdoor and run. Don't look back. Keep running away from them. The gas will only clear after an hour so don't come back until its over," I said quickly.

At first they were confused, there is something missing in my plan. It took them a while to realize that the missing piece is me. They became defiant, angry and sad, asking questions after questions, and then just complaining about it.

"What are you thinking, Skye?!"

"No, Skye, no! We won't do it!"

"Guys! I need your cooperation on this. We need to do this! I need to do this!" I argued, "Leaving you will be for the best."

"Where will you go, then?" Enoch retaliated.

"I will run. Away from here. Away from them," I answered.

"Away from us," he added. I sighed. This is harder than I thought.

This time, I used my power gradually, not my usual emotional surge, bending it at my will. Their willingness to save their mother, brothers and sisters is already there, I just need to manipulate their emotions, bend it into a certain way.

"Listen to me, Enoch, Olive, if I continue to stay with you, they will come back. Not just for me but also for you now especially when they found out that you still have me and just hiding me away from them. Think about it, they will come after you and the children. They will not only kill me, they will kill you too! And the children! And Miss P! You can't let that happen, guys! You have to trust me on this. Leaving you will be the best solution for this dilemma. The children and Miss P means the whole world to you. Don't let me get in the way of their safety," I said.

My plan worked. They're already afraid for themselves. I just fueled that fear so they will be afraid for their family too. Their resolves hardened.

"Alright, we'll do it," Enoch spoke even though I can still feel his sadness and guilt over it. He held out his hand and I gave him one of my grenades. Olive had tears flowing freely from her eyes and Enoch wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.

I already feel guilty about it but its their only chance of surviving. I will miss them. I will miss my Peculiar family. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile.

I held out my arms and asked, "Can I get a hug from the two of you?" Olive readily jumped onto my arms, wrapping her arms around my middle so hard, I can't hardly breathe but I don't have the heart to stop her. I just wrapped my arms around her and bathed in her anguish. I remember my first night, when I wondered how they are keeping up the positive vibes around them. I suddenly wished that I could take the time back just to feel it again.

Olive let go of me and Enoch hugged me, just for a few seconds but those seconds are thoroughly cherished.

He pulled back. That is when I felt something coming closer and closer: hostility, hatred, the signature bloodlust. I felt my chest tighten in fear and whispered to them.

"They're here."