Chapter Seven

Taking a step back from the pyramid of pastry surrounded by a cloud of spun sugar, Rexton began to think he may have gone a touch overboard. Glancing about the kitchen he noticed that not only had the mess he'd made as he baked had been cleaned except for the small area he'd been working at, but he was very much alone. He pursed his mouth and glanced around, realizing that he'd gotten a bit too focused as he baked.

Smells of a delicious roast in the oven filled the small room and he wondered just how much prep work he had missed assisting Miss Peregrine with. With a sigh, he quickly cleaned the last of his baking supplies before removing the apron he'd borrowed. He smiled at his croquembouche and hoped the children would enjoy it as much as he enjoyed creating it. He moved it into the dining room and placed it upon the already set table. She'd been busy as the children played and he allowed himself to be lost. He shook his head as he moved into the kitchen once more to grab the small box of treats he'd made for her as a thank you and then went to search for her.

Which fortunately took no time at all as she had been making her way downstairs. "All done?" She queried, smiling brightly.

He nodded, "I'm afraid I may have been a bit of a hindrance in your own cooking though."

"Nonsense," she waved him off, "I'd only needed to prep the roast for tonight and get it started. The rest relies upon some of the children to assist in various ways. I believe Fiona is planning on bringing in a parsnip tonight."

"Might be a bit of a lonely parsnip." He quipped.

"Not when it's nearly the size of Bronwyn. Lord knows we need her help to bring it in and to prepare."

Rexton felt his eyes grow and she chuckled at his response. "What's this then?" she asked, pointing to the small box in his hands.

"Ah."

He moved closer and handed it to her. "That bit of magic I promised. A small gift, my way of saying thank you for…" he paused, unsure how to voice his gratitude. "Everything, I suppose."

"You didn't have to do such a thing. I'm quite grateful to have a guest in my loop. We don't often have them as I'm sure you're aware. And as for…" she paused, gently tugging at the end of her jacket to set it in place. "Well, as an Ymbryne I have to help someone when they need it while in my loop. It's part of who I am."

"Regardless, I hope you enjoy them."

She gently pried the lid open to reveal six identical macarons that very nearly matched the pink of Claire's dress. "I noticed you had some spare raspberries lying about so I whipped up some fresh jam for the filling and then used some of the juice to help color them. It's been some time since I've been able to craft a proper macaron so I hope my memory didn't fail me," he explained as she lifted one from the box.

"And here I thought you preferred home-baked goods with individuality."

A laugh escaped him. "Yes well," he paused to clear his throat, "I may also have been trying to impress."

"You don't say. You'd think you'd have done enough of that with the tower of pastry." She chided, lifting a macaron to her lips for a taste.

"Years of hunting Hollows and fighting wars tends to block out time for pastries and cakes. I will be the first to admit, I have gilded the lily a bit too much. But I wanted to bring a bit of Parisian goods to your loop, which automatically means striving for perfection."

"And I have to admit that you succeeded." She interrupted, sliding the lid closed. "I may require more macarons as a visiting fee in the future."

"A fee I would gladly pay."

Their eyes met and as slow smiles formed, Rexton felt his stomach flip and instantly began to panic. He turned back to the kitchen, "The children should be back soon correct? I'd like to have a chat with Abe before dinner, so I'll see if I can catch them on their way."

"Are you certain? You've hardly rested since-"

"I'll be perfectly fine!"

She huffed and called out the door after him, "You have an hour and forty-seven minutes until dinner!"

He nodded and waved his hand as he left to acknowledge her. Pushing all thoughts away of what he felt just happened, he quickened his pace to address far more important manners. He'd managed to make good time and easily persuaded the others to hurry back to the house with the hint of a surprise awaiting them. He hoped Miss Peregrine wouldn't be too upset at him for suggesting they could have one of the treats he'd made. He and Abe waited a bit until the children were out of hearing range and very nearly out of sight, and then Rexton turned to his closest friend.

"I swear to God, Abraham Portman, I have baked bread that is smarter than you."

The lieutenant turned to his general, face full of confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His face was blank as he stared down at his friend and fellow hunter. "Think boy. What could make me angry with you?"

Abe sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I thought he could help. If you're going to be forming an actual party of Hollow Hunters you're going to need as many people as possible."

"Not. Children. Abe." He snarled, his teeth clenching together as his arms crossed.

"He's hardly a child Rex."

"Seventeen is not a qualification for an adult."

"Didn't stop you from bringing me in." He mumbled, rocking on his feet.

"The only reason you were brought in was because of your peculiarity and my desire to keep casualties and fatalities to a minimum. And because you were focused on doing what was right as a whole rather than any personal glory that I've seen firsthand," Rexton paused and clasped his hands together tightly.

"You have lived through one war, which was an atrocity and literal genocide, yes. Yet the men and women who fought alongside you were either seasoned veterans from the previous war or were of the few who have experienced a fight with Hollows. You were granted a great privilege in learning from them all. But you have not, and I pray you never will, experience a war where young men enlist due to propaganda, peer pressure, or some false sense of adventure that serving in a war will bring; thinking they would become heroes and protectors of their country and loved ones.

"The majority I served with during the Great War died horrible and painful deaths and those that managed to survive have either buried that experience so deep within them they hardly remember it or joined their comrades when the memories grew far too painful to bear.

"So yes Abe, when I say that boy is a child I know what I am talking about. I have seen hundreds of boys just like him, ready to charge into battle and grab the glory but when reality strikes, they see the horror coming and revert to lost children. If I close my eyes at night I can still sometimes hear the cries for their mothers or the pleading for the pain to just stop. If conditions are right, I remember living in the trenches and how you can be conversing with a friend only for a sniper to get a lucky shot, and then you are wearing their blood."

Silence reigned between them as Abe considered all of Rexton's words, his stomach-churning.

"And that is just war , Abe. Have you forgotten how much more chaotic and fierce Hollows can be? Or the seventeen of our squad that died as we fought to ensure the safety of not only our troops but everyone that was in danger? What of the potential peculiars that live outside of loops we did our best to protect by fighting those monsters?"

He shook his head, tears slowly trekking down his cheeks as he remembered their names and peculiarities. Abe hadn't forgotten but he certainly hadn't thought this through.

"The Hunters are only an idea for now. To be presented to the Council at this year's meeting and only after I have their full approval will I even consider finding those willing to discover where these monsters are coming from and how we can keep the loops and those outside of them safe. The goal is not glory and numbers of Hollows dead; it is protection and peace for peculiars as a whole."

"I'll… I'll talk to Victor. Explain that… that I was wrong." Abe sighed, fumbling over his words.

"You're not wrong though Abe. Victor could very well become a great Hunter, he has the potential and the drive. What he needs is patience and yes, training in time. Which if I'm correct in my assumption, you could easily provide until he's at least twenty-one. Would definitely give him an edge and advantage."

Abe blushed as he wiped tear stains away, "Well, staying for Emma was only one good reason. And if I stay, I could protect the loop and provide Victor some training. So there are the three reasons I was looking for."

Rexton smiled as he clapped his hand upon his friend's shoulder. "You deserve some happiness and fulfillment in life, Abe. Hold onto it with both your hands and never let it go."

Abe nodded, "Thank you Rexton. Only you could give me a good tear down and then prop me back up."

A wide grin lit up his face, "That's what brothers are for. Now, if I remember right, someone quite skilled made some very good pastries this afternoon. Shall we try to sneak some behind the Bird's back before dinner?"

It was with a heavy sigh that Rexton left his room to head for dinner. Having changed into his black suit for the night, he tugged at the sleeves to assure they were in their proper place as he slowly walked past some of the children's rooms. A soft groan caught his attention, just barely heard, and he turned to the door it came from. He gently knocked to ensure whoever was in there was all right. "Come in."

He turned the handle slowly and winced at the sad sight before him. Horace laid in his bed, covers and a pillow over his head to stop sound and light from making his migraine worse. "How are you feeling?" Rexton asked, his voice soft.

A heavy sigh was his answer and though he wasn't seen, nodded in response. Glancing about the attempts to block the windows with thick curtains, he then got an idea. "Horace, do cool temperatures help relieve your pain?"

"Sometimes." He whispered.

"With your permission, I'd like to try to assist. Would you permit me to place my hand where it hurts the most?"

He groaned and peeked out from behind his pillow, eyes squinted in not only confusion but also due to photosensitivity. He gave a nod before taking Rexton's hand and setting it on his left temple underneath the pillow. Closing his eyes, he focused upon the shadows in the room, communicated his idea to them, and slowly smiled as they began to move according to his will.

The windows soon became dark despite the late afternoon sun and just under his hand a shadowy patch formed over Horace's temple. He whispered to his own shadow and felt it flow from his hand to further cool the boy's brow. "This will last well into the night for you. If it becomes worse do not hesitate to send someone for me and I'll adjust them for you."

"Thank you." He breathed out in relief, turning on his side and falling asleep before Rexton could leave.

He nodded and walked to the door with a smile. He gingerly closed it to not disturb the now sleeping boy, but when he turned to go down the stairs he jumped in surprise as Miss Peregrine stood close by. "Thank you for that. There have been so many times where I wish I could have done even a fraction of what you just accomplished for him," she whispered as she took his hand.

He shrugged, "Like you, it is part of my nature to assist those in need."

She smiled, "I'm beginning to see why Abe spoke so highly of you."

They'd begun to walk down the stairs together and he paused on a stair behind her. "Only now? The pastries weren't enough?"

She let out a small chuckle, "Oh no, those were simply a bonus."

"I may have to sneak extra sweets to the children in retaliation for that."

She turned and glanced up at him, an eyebrow lifted in amusement, "You are certainly welcome to try."

Surprise filled his features and he hurried down. "They can't all be that well behaved."

"Perhaps, but I believe you'd be sabotaging yourself."

"How so?"

"Well, you are a guest and have a far more expansive knowledge of the outside world than any of us. I'm sure if I made a few suggestions my children would gladly try to pry any stories from you while I sit and enjoy your attempts to keep them entertained."

They stared at each other for a few moments outside the dining room's doors, a test of wills as to who really would cave in this nonsensical battle. Her eyebrow raised causing his lip to curl slightly and he let out a soft laugh before raising his hands in surrender. "You win this round, my dear. Though it may surprise you to know I've already volunteered to entertain your children tonight, extra sweets bestowed or not."

She grinned, "As kind a man as you've proven to be, I anticipated as much."

He watched her open the door to the dining room to take her seat and had to simply shake his head and sigh. "You Ymbrynes know everything."

Dinner was relatively uneventful though Victor had opted to rest due to a headache. Rexton felt a bit guilty at his approach to dissuade him from the idea of joining the Hunters and made it a point to talk with him before he left in the morning. His thoughts were interrupted by Bronwyn asking, "What story are you telling us tonight Mr. Ambrose?"

He smiled and gave a soft laugh. "I was thinking of one that you may or may not be familiar with. Snow White and The Seven Dwarves."

The children exclaimed in wonder while Enoch rolled his eyes and leaned his head back against the chair. "A princess story? Really?"

Rexton chuckled and gestured for him to lean close. He held his hand to hide his mouth from the rest and whispered "Well, she does die at the end."

Enoch shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, "I suppose that it won't be too bad."

The children helped to clear the table and as Rexton washed the dishes and Miss Peregrine dried and set them away she couldn't help but murmur to him "When he finds out she ends up living happily ever after, he will have your head."

A hearty laugh escaped Rexton and he leaned close, "Maybe a promise to send him some new hearts will help."

Before long, the children had settled where Horace would usually share his dreams with them - whispered excitement filling the room as the adults entered. Miss Peregrine sat in Horace's usual chair as Rexton stood before them all running the story through his mind. Abe stood from his spot and handed him a guitar. "Thought you might use this too."

"You just want to hear me butcher Disney's songs."

"Can't say the thought hadn't crossed my mind." he teased back, sitting with Emma and placing his arm around her shoulders which earned him a stern glance that melted into a soft smile from Miss Peregrine.

Rexton felt his shadow prod at the tips of his fingertips, eager to help him tell this story. Raising his right hand, he allowed it to escape and settle upon the makeshift screen, the words Snow White and the Seven Dwarves taking form. "It appears I'll have some assistance tonight. This story begins much the same as any other -"

Once upon a time, there lived a lovely little princess named Snow White. Her vain and wicked Stepmother the Queen feared that someday Snow White's beauty would surpass her own. So she dressed the little Princess in rags and forced her to work as a scullery maid. Each day the vain Queen consulted her Magic Mirror, "Magic Mirror on the Wall, Who is the fairest one of all?" and as long as the Mirror answered, "You are the fairest one of all," Snow White was safe from the Queen's cruel jealousy.

With the story begun, the children paid rapt attention as he continued, his shadow conjuring the scenes he would describe and he would play the guitar to help him sing the few songs Snow White would sing. As the Princess ran through the woods to escape the murderous plans of her Stepmother, Claire moved from her spot to sit on Miss Peregrine's lap as the trees and animals in the woods would transform into cruel hands to catch her and eyes that watched her flee in fear. Fortunately, seeing Snow White had reached the cottage and singing happily as she worked helped alleviate her own fear.

When the Dwarves came and found Snow White, they laughed as she caught them with dirty hands and forced them to wash before they could eat. "Just like Miss Peregrine!" Olive claimed with giggles.

As the Evil Queen transformed herself into a witch all the children watched in awe and fright, Rexton's shadow flowing on the wall to depict it in detail even as his voice changed to suit the old hag. "One taste of the sleeping apple and the victim's eyes will close forever.. in the sleeping death!" he exclaimed.

Cries of "No!" filled the air before Rexton jumped into a jolly tune upon the guitar and sang the dwarves entertaining song for Snow White. He used a different tone of voice for each, leading to giggles from his audience. Abe reached for Emma's hand and he led her in a light dance, as the others clapped along. When Rexton's faux extreme sneeze of Sneezy finished the song, they sat and he continued to speak. Though as he introduced Snow White's song, he was stopped from singing as Miss Peregrine began to sing the lyrics, rocking Claire in her lap.

Rexton felt himself begin to stare but he truly couldn't help himself. Her voice was lovely and light and her familiarity with the song led him to believe she had sung this for the children on more than one occasion. With its end, he spoke and continued the tale until the moment they all feared, the Evil Queen in disguise misleading Snow White to eat of the apple, only to moments later fall to her own demise.

As the dwarves mourned Snow White, Rexton opted to end the story quickly as a few of the children sniffled in response. "So beautiful, even in death, that the dwarves could not find it in their hearts to bury her; they fashioned a coffin of glass and gold and kept eternal vigil at her side."

"He wasn't kidding. She really did die." Enoch muttered, convinced that Rexton had been exaggerating.

"The Prince, who had searched far and wide, heard of the maiden who slept in the glass coffin."

"And there's the rub." he interrupted, quiet enough that no one heard.

The rest of the children rejoiced as Snow White was awakened from death with True Love's Kiss and went to live with her Prince. "And they lived happily ever after."

Applause filled the room and Rexton gave a half bow with a chuckle. "Thank you for such a lovely story, Mr. Ambrose." Miss Peregrine said as she stood, "Would you like to join us for the reset?"

"Absolutely. I was disappointed to have missed it last night. Abe said it's quite a show."

"It's the best reset ever!" Claire exclaimed, hopping with joy as she grabbed her small gas mask.

Several of the children followed as Miss Peregrine prepared for the reset. Their excited chatter filled the air until the sound of the phonograph being wound silenced them. The familiar sound of German planes sliced through the song to Rexton's ears, a slight panic filling his chest as he watched them fly past. He reminded himself that Miss Peregrine had been keeping this loop running for over five years and would never allow any form of harm to befall her children to prevent his shadow from reacting to the perceived danger above. His heart began to beat faster as the bomb fell and he glanced at her figure focused on the sight above them. Just as it seemed the bomb would brush the roof of their lovely home and ruin it forever, everything froze.

Rexton swore that his heart stopped with the rain and he watched in awe as the world around them re-wound to the previous night, the night sky clear and lit with stars. Miss Peregrine removed her mask, a bright smile lighting her face in having used her peculiarity. The children left to prepare for bed and he walked over to her. "I think I'm not alone in trying to impress." He alleged, helping to move the phonograph inside.

"I don't try to impress Mr. Ambrose, I do impress." She revealed with a confident smirk.

His eyebrows raised quickly before he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "That you do my dear. A far better show than what Miss Avocet and Bunty have on offer."

She was slightly shocked at his casual name for Miss Bunting which prompted him to explain, "Bunty and I bonded relatively quickly when I was first asked to be the liaison between the British government and the Council. It's become something of a habit to refer to her as such and let me assure you, she quite enjoys it. I wrote a letter to her once, addressing her properly, and let me tell you, her response was quite upset that I had refrained from using my nickname for her. From then on she's always been Bunty, even among others."

A soft smile had formed on her face as he explained, "She must think very highly of you then."

He shrugged, "She's a special old bird and I owe her quite a bit."

"As do I. She and Miss Avocet-"

Rushing footsteps coming downstairs interrupted the pair and they turned to see what had happened. "Miss Peregrine! Miss Peregrine!"

Bronwyn came running down the stairs, Enoch and Abe close behind her as she flung herself into Miss Peregrine's arms. "Good heavens, what's wrong?" She asked, trying to lift Bronwyn's face from its place against her torso as she sobbed.

"It's Victor," Abe answered, glancing between the two. "He's gone."

Immediately, Miss Peregrine was in motion. "Abe, you are in charge until I return. Enoch, please take over stories for the little ones tonight." She knelt to make eye contact with Bronwyn, her hand gently caressing her cheek and wiping away her tears. "I promise I will find him and bring him home. Leaving in the middle of the night is no proper way to say goodbye. Especially to you dear."

She nodded and went to stand with Abe who pulled her close in a hug. "Take Rexton with you. If anyone can track someone in the middle of the night, he can."

The two left the house in a near run. "If we coordinate our efforts, you from the sky and me on the ground, we can likely find him quickly."

"He had to have left ten minutes into dinner when we were all occupied, just barely having caught the last ferry at six o'clock this evening after running to make it. Victor, as smart as he is, will know that I will anticipate how far he's gotten and will thus make an effort to either expend himself to make it further or make camp closer to the pier in an attempt to evade my search. I propose I fly ahead while you search the area around the pier. Should I find him, we will return to you on foot but if I am unable to locate him, I will return to you." She explained, her voice picking up in speed.

"Perfect plan. I'll see you on the mainland." He said, following her out of the loop and into the night.

She gave a nod and took off, flowing into her peregrine form, flying away with a cry piercing the night. Rexton paused briefly in awe but then took off to find the ferryman to do whatever he could to get to the mainland in record time to find Victor.