Author Note: Hi, my readers.

I know that I've left you with that horrible cliffhanger for like an eternity already and I've nothing to say but I'm terribly sorry for that. Now, I'm back and the good news is in, perhaps, two more chapters, this story is going to...end. *crying*

Thank you for every support and review as always. Every time I hit the dead end, I always read them to kind of gather my inspiration. Without all of you I doubt that I could come this far.

For Miss Gannett, I'll try to add that in the end if I can. Or if I can't, you can check it out in Long time no see. I'm sure there will be Miss P and Olive moment there. Anyway, I promise it's not gonna end in cliffhanger. I hate the story that ends like that as well. Love you as well, and you're very welcome.

For Ash Wave, thank you for understanding me, but I will try anyway. For me, I don't think Jacob is an idiot but he isn't in the list of my favorite characters. I mean probably because he is the one who told the whole story in the books and in the movie, he looked quite...shocked, like confused, all the time so I kind of get bored and don't really like writing about him.

For Guest who has asked me to update this before Long time no see. I did try but I just can't. I don't know why but it's like I need to distance myself from the story a bit to continue. It happens with Long time no see as well. That's why I updated that before this. Sorry, dear.

And again, a special thank goes to my lovely sister writer who has beta-read this chapter, Yuna McHill. Her Miss P's love story is amazing. You guys should check it out.

Now, I'll let you go and enjoy what you're waiting for.

Chapter XV

The chilly ocean breeze sweeps over the children's faces until they feel nothing but numb. Boarding the ferry this dim morning appears to be such a very terrible idea, especially when the captain is no one but the invisible boy who has never steered any ships before. Yes, he said he has learned it from books and he can bring them this far, but fear still lingers in the children's stomachs, even the captain's himself. They all are afraid that the ferry could capsize before they reach the mainland and also afraid that Miss P would find out how they managed to get there before they should have been, according to the time table.

It's such a long story. That's what Millard plans to tell Miss P.

Are you hurt, Miss? And that's Olive's.

It doesn't matter, doesn't it? And Emma's.

My bees are so excited, sailing across the sea for the first time in forever. Of course, Hugh's.

There's no tree. Just water. Water everywhere. And Fiona's.

I've just woken up, Miss. That will be Horace's.

I can lift an anchor! And Bronwyn's.

Caw! Yes, the twins.

You don't have to know. And yes, Enoch's.

Apparently, no one wants to tell their ymbryne that Olive set the captain's bedroom on fire while Millard stole his ferry's key. And that the poor captain was chased away by a swarm of aggressive bees to another side of the island. Well, in other words, Miss Peregrine's beloved wards have just committed a real crime, at least a bit bigger than any crimes they've done, since this time they stole a ferry. They can't imagine the Bird's face if she learns the truth.

'There!' Hugh cries, pointing at the land and a very high tower in front of them.

'You know how to dock, right?' Enoch asks the invisible captain.

'I... think so.'

The biggest brother nods in understanding, turns around and closes his eyes. The last thing he wants now is crashing the pier and hurting more people. It would be super exciting to see their ymbryne again when they all are handcuffed.

But Millard can really dock the ferry. To avoid people's eyes, Millard takes them to the end of the pier where only a few drunk sailors are sleeping. The children climb up, thanking every bird that they're not lying drowned in the cold ocean. They tiptoe past those sailors and enter the nearest dark alley. They need a plan. They haven't been here for a very long time and they have no idea where Miss P is. Randomly searching for her doesn't sound like a great idea when you have a girl who can fly and a boy whose mouth is full of bees in your team, let alone the twins in creepy masked ballerina costumes and, yes, the floating clothes in case Millard couldn't endure the cold.

'Should I go up?' Emma asks, looking up to the gray sky.

'The last thing you should do, Em, is taking your shoes off here.' Enoch insists.

'My bees could survey the whole place.' Hugh suggests. 'But it might take some time.'

'We have no choice. Your bees seem to be the best way.' Millard agrees.

'Where is Horace?' Olive asks up, finishing counting the children around her.

'He is… hey? Where is he?' Hugh looks around but his friend is nowhere in sight.

'There he is!' Bronwyn cries and points at the boy who has just climbed up to the pier.

'Where have you been?'

Horace stifles a yawn and sleepily replies,

'I've just woken up.'

'You really can sleep everywhere, can't you?' Millard crosses his arms.

'I'm tired.' Horace snaps back at him. 'Besides, I think my dream can help.'

'Your dream?'

'Yes.' Horace raises his chin and adjusts his suit. 'I see where Miss P and Claire are.'

And as if he has just remembered the rest of his dream, his forehead begins to sweat while his face turns pale.

'And they really need help.'

It's a belt.

Alma's heart drops to her stomach when she sees what is in the sailor's hand.

It's a belt!

She struggles to get out of Claire's hands and shrieks at the top of her lungs, trying to warn her girl, but Claire remains unmoved. The girl closes her eyes and hugs Alma tighter. She knows. She knows he's going to hurt her.

Of all the things in this world that Alma will never ever allow to happen, having her child as a shield for herself is beyond anything in her list, especially when it is her youngest child, her sweet Little Claire.

BASH!

When that belt hits Claire's back, it is as if the leather cut through Alma's very skin. When her girl jumps in pain, it is as if a thousand needles pierced through Alma's heart. When Claire's hug looses, it is as if Alma's whole world tumbled down.

The Bird jumps out of the girl's arms and screeches fiercely at the two sailors, flapping her wings to threaten them. But she is just... a bird. A very small one compared to their huge stature. They are not interested in her at all, for her Little Claire is much more appealing to them. And she is about to lose. She cannot fly. She cannot even walk properly now. Her leg is twisted and probably broken. She is literally useless in this circumstance when her child needs her most. How can she not doubt she is a good ymbryne?

Yes, an ymbryne!

Alma gasps a bit when she comes up with an idea. Of course, a pretty girl with a very large mouth on the back of her head is quite fascinating, but she is certain that in their opinion, a bird which can turn into a woman is able to make much more money than the girl. All she has to do is transform back. The only problem is that it's the hardest part and, perhaps, the most painful choice when her whole body is not ready like this.

But there is no other way. If she wants Claire to be safe, she has to give them herself. And if that can buy her girl's safety, Alma will not hesitate to do so.

Just in the very beginning of the process, when she tries to concentrate on the change, Alma can feel her wounds burning as if someone cut them open again. Blood is pumping and boiling under every specimen of her cold skin, struggling to get through it. When she jumps and does the somersault, her brain is, perhaps, exploding. Her head is throbbing like it is going to crack. And when she stands on her high heels, she curses herself for choosing to wear these damn shoes. They are lady-like, yes, but when the lady's ankle is twisted, they are definitely very rude to the one who wears them.

Alma tries to stand tall before realizing that she should allow herself to stand with a hunch, for her whole torso is screaming in protest every time she straightens her back. For all she knows, if she can get through this, she might have to face a series of stitching and bandaging from top to toes. It's no use trying to appear superior in this condition. Fortunately, she doesn't need to wear that look to draw the sailors' attention at all. They both are agape, stop stunned in shock.

Yes, a bird who is a woman is, indeed, quite peculiar.

And then, they stride towards her.

Alma doesn't try to think at all what she will do next. Her point in transforming back is to distract their attention and that means she has to surrender herself to them, doing what they want her to do. They both grin mischievously when she doesn't flee or transform back. When their dirty hands are about to grab her wrists, Alma has to force herself not to close her eyes for she doesn't want to look weak before these filthy men.

'Don't you dare touch her, you bastard!'

BANG! BANG!

Alma has never taught her children to hit others with a brick before, but she did that once to the pub' landlord and she's quite pleased that her biggest boy does that now to the sailors.

'Are you alright, Miss P?'

Yes, it's her Enoch.

Not a cliffhanger, I hope. At least, I didn't leave you with the guys approaching Miss P and then ... end it. I'll wait to hear from you all. Thank you so much for reading this.