Charlie and I used to be so close growing up. He was my big brother by two years so that meant he was supposed to protect me, right? Physically he's leaving me and I can also feel the pain of him mentally leaving too. Why are we falling apart? I think it has to do with his 'special ability' that mom calls 'a sign from God'. She says Charlie was a gift sent down by the angels from Jesus himself. She's religious, hella religious. If he was so special then why wouldn't they give him wings and a golden halo to go with it? Why would they give him the ability to control air? Sure, it's powerful but why that? Why him? I know I have a lot of questions but that doesn't make me any less valid, at least I think.
Charlie is very athletic. He's outgoing and popular and ever since he has gotten a huge ego about his 'gift' he thinks he's the freaking savior! Of course, no one knows except for mom and me but that doesn't stop him. He used to be so kind and selfless and now I can't even trust him to not eat my leftovers. I'm stuck in my brother's shadow. I clung to music once Charlie began to leave. My psychiatrist tells me that it was a coping method. Mom makes me see one twice a week to discuss my 'problems'. They think I've been having a major depression episode or schizophrenia. I've been diagnosed with anxiety in the past so they're not surprised.
Mom thinks it's a good idea to send us off to a boarding school on some island in Europe. It has a performing arts program and the best sports programs for us. We were hesitant at first but it's no use in arguing with mom. So now Charlie and I are on a boat sailing to some island in the middle of God knows where.
"Alice, do you think this school sucks?" Charlie asked. I shrugged as I pulled up my gloves as did Charlie. The clouds were dark and I could smell a storm was coming. This boat ride feels like years getting to the mainland. The fog around us finally let up as I saw a small island approaching. I don't remember seeing this in the pictures mom showed us.
I look over to Charlie. "I think we got on the wrong boat." He nodded his head in agreement. Before I knew it the boat came to a stop. We grabbed our luggage and headed to the small town. I pulled out my phone as we walked and noticed that I had no service. Hopefully, they have some landlines.
"Alice, stay close," Charlie demanded. I nodded my head and stood closer, our arms brushing each other as we walked.
As we arrived at the town, (more like a village) the people all looked gray and dull. I didn't feel comfortable asking these people for help at all. Charlie spotted a bar that we both hoped at a landline in it. Right by my ear was a loud bird cawed. I jumped and ran right Into the building, pushing Charlie right into the open door.
"Alice!" He complained. I looked back and cringed. Whoops. Inside were filled with a total of four men drinking. What else are you gonna do on this island anyway? Charlie went up to the bartender and asked him a few questions. I started to wander around the really old tavern, observing the pictures on the wall. I sat in a booth right next to a window and pulled out my wallet. We had no money or anything. Just papers to get us to our boarding school. I felt a tap on my shoulder and grabbed the salt shaker, throwing it across the bar.
"Geez, Alice!" Charlie gasped. I was relieved and embarrassed at the same time. I don't know what it is about this island, but it makes me very anxious. "So, mom won't pick up. They have rooms upstairs but we have no money to stay."
"Then what do we do?" I asked.
Charlie let out a loud huff. "It's not the best but I guess we have to camp out tonight until they realize they sent us to the wrong place."
We got up and headed to the forest. The ground was wet and the rain was getting worse and worse. As we walked I kept hearing that damn bird.
"I wish that bird would get eaten by a bear or something…" I grunted.
We went deeper and deeper until we could find a sheltered enough spot to sleep for the night but unfortunately was easier said than done. My makeup was running and my hair was soaked. I can't believe mom sent us to a boarding school. First, we had to get on a plane with four crying babies as a grown man snored into Charlie's shoulder, then sent on a boat that took us to the wrong island! We have no money and we are soaked! What else could go wrong?
"Hey!" Charlie said, breaking me out of my mind ranting. "Look over there!" I squinted my eyes and saw the ruins of a very old house. We both ran to it. Suddenly, the rain stopped and everything around us changed. Charlie grabbed a hold of my bag. In the corner of my eyes, I saw something black. The damn bird again! It flew in front of Charlie and I. Charlie snatched my back and smashed it in front of the bird. The bird flapped its wings alarmingly before landing on the grown. My heart stopped. The thing started to transform. I thought I was dreaming when the bird became a gorgeous woman.
"Children, follow me." She said.
Our feet stayed glued to the floor.
Did- did that bird just turn into a lady? Holy shit-
"Children, I said come now." She now demanded. We scurried right behind her. It felt like when you get yelled at by your mother after doing something bad. We got led to the massive house. Did we get drugged? Oh God, what if we're getting kidnapped? We came to a stop as the young lady greeted a young child in the gardens.
"Fionna, go get dinner ready. We have guests." She said with a smile, referring to us. We continued to walk. The young girl was making plants grow right at her fingertips. Were they special too?
The woman brought us into the house, leading us to a room. There were chairs but Charlie and I stood until she looked us in the eyes and then looked at the chairs. We sat down. I honestly was petrified at this point. I was scared and confused.
"Children, you're probably wondering why you're here, yes?"
We nodded our heads. Why did the bird turn into a lady, why did our surrounding change, and why was that girl growing plants with just her fingertips? Oh God, I had so many questions.
"My name is Miss Peregrine. I'm a ymbryne. I protect the children of this house from Hallows and whatnot. These children are just like you-"
"Bring us back." Charlie interrupted.
Miss Peregrine looked thrown back. Not because of his response but probably for interrupting her.
"Charlie and Alice Lynch," She huffed as she looked at my brother than me. "You two are in grave danger. You were sent here to be protected-"
"We don't need protection from a bird." Charlie snapped.
Oh God, Charlie. Stop talking! Miss Peregrine raised an eyebrow. I never wanted to hide in a hole more than I do right now.
Miss Peregrine cleared her throat before speaking. "As I was saying, you two are peculiar. It is very rare that we see Peculiars from America, despite us having one here with us. You were sent here by your mother to keep you two safe and it is my duty to maintain such."
"What do you mean by peculiarity?" Charlie asked.
"Mr. Lynch, your peculiarity is your manipulation of the air around you, correct?"
Charlie gave a shaky nod.
"And Miss Lynch, your mother says your show signs of being peculiar but can't pinpoint exactly what you can do." Miss Peregrine explained.
"I- I'm not, " I almost laughed "like Charlie."
"Oh dear, but yes you are. If you weren't peculiar like the rest of the children then you wouldn't be able to travel through our loop."
Miss Peregrine glanced at her watch and began to stand up and so did we. She pulled out a crossbow and walked outside. We followed her, too scared to find out if we didn't. We walked outside not knowing where we were going. I think we were taking a stroll outside or she was gonna take us out. Either way, I was petrified. We were walking on a grass field with two soccer goals. A boy with a striped shirt was surrounded by bees and another boy stopped playing once they saw us.
"Children, stay here with Hugh and Millard as I go take care of something." She motioned to her weapon and left to the coast.
"Hi, I'm Hugh." The boy said as a bunch of bees flew out of his mouth. I jumped back but I felt Charlie hit the side of the house with a loud thud.
"Oh sorry, people are thrown back a little at first." He explained.
"I'm allergic!" Charlie's voice cracked, going higher and higher, "Like deathly allergic!"
I looked back and saw Charlie's death gripping his epi-pen. I looked over at Hugh and his mouth was wide open as the bees retracted back into his mouth.
"So, you're American?" Said the boy. "We have an American here too. His name is Jacob Portman." I nodded and Charlie began to come closer to us. The two kids who I've seen are dressed like they're from the early 1900s. Maybe they don't have a lot of money or they just like the aesthetic. I mean it doesn't look bad but then again all of my others are from the '60s-'90s so I can't argue.
"Yeah, uh," Charlie began. "How do we leave?"
"Why would you want to leave?" The other boy, who I assumed was Millard asked.
"Maybe it's an American thing?" Said, Hugh.
American thing? What were they even talking about? I was so lost and confused.
"DINNER." A girl shouted from the house.
Hugh and Millard ran to the house. I had an urge to bolt into the forest and run away but Charlie started walking toward the smell of food. I had to follow Charlie. How bad could these people be anyway?