Immediately after putting the children down for the night, I swiftly swept downstairs into the drawing room. I found Miss Avocet humming softly as she flipped through one of Miss Peregrine's old photo albums. The ymbryne was so busy getting lost into the many faces and shades of white and black that made up the photographs, that she was oblivious to the fact that the fire in the hearth had almost burned out. She did not raise her head when I entered the room, nor did she even glance up. I noticed Miss Peregrine perched atop the small clock that sat above the fireplace, her feathers were rustled and she was napping softly. She must have come to the conclusion that resting before changing back was probably a good thing. I smiled at her softly before tending to the fire.

When finished, I approached Miss Avocet. She finally recognized my presence and her blue eyes met mine.

"The children have retired," I stated.

"Excellent. Now, Alma will be ready to return to her human form in the time hence. There is nothing left to do," she averted her gaze to the napping flacon, "but wait."

Miss Peregrine ruffled her feathers in her sleep, then settled again.

Suddenly, there was a racket in the hallway. It caused Miss Avocet and I to startle. Miss Avocet set the album on the table beside her and made way to get up.

"No, no," I cooed to her. "Allow me."

Miss Avocet looked at me approvingly. She nodded. "Your use of the ymbryne language is most impressive," she whispered.

"I thank you," I replied, striding toward the drawing room door.

I threw open the door to find Jacob across the hall. He was bent down, tying his shoe. He was dressed in his regular blue jeans and black hoodie from the modern world.

"Jacob," I said. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Stonington," he apologized. "I had a nightmare that the Wights were back. I saw them. They were in the village," he explained.

I stepped closer to him. "Please, Jacob, call me 'Minnette.' We are from the same world. I do not look at you exactly like I look at the other children." I sighed. "You are going to the village to scope things out, aren't you?"

Jacob nodded.

I looked over my shoulder, into the drawing room. Miss Avocet had returned to the photo album. Once again, she was oblivious to what was going on around her, or, at least, she seemed that way. I grabbed Jacob by his sleeve and led him to the front door.

"Listen, Jacob," I whispered quickly. "Miss Peregrine will have a cow if she finds out that I let you leave the house, especially at this hour." I stopped and gazed at the drawing room door, listening. Miss Avocet had began to hum again. I turned back to him. "However, considering that your peculiarity is vital to the protection of the wards, I will permit you to go. But on one occasion."

Jacob perked up a bit.

I held up one finger to him, indicating to stay as he was.

As quickly as I could, I scurried down the hall into the closet that was across the entrance to the cellar. I reached in, and when my hand met the cool handle of Miss Peregrine's crossbow, I withdrew it and went to Jacob.

"You must take this," I said, tossing it to him.

He caught it gracefully and began to examine the weapon. "My, my," he commented lowly, "has the Bird had this all this time?"

I nodded. "Only I know of it, besides Headmistress herself," I stated.

"How is it you know, and none of us do?" he asked oddly.

"She told me about it during one of my Ymbryne lessons, in case there ever was an attack and she was unable to protect us," I explained. What little bit Miss Peregrine and I had actually discussed situations in which she was not accessible to protect us, she made it very clear that either Jacob or I was to arm themselves with her crossbow.

Jacob nodded, a look on his face that was serious, yet glad to accept such a responsibility. I went to him again.

"Miss Peregrine will be transforming back into herself before dawn arrives," I informed him. "Make sure you are back before then."

Jacob gripped the crossbow tightly. "I should only be a couple hours. If I find anything, I'll come straight back so we can warn the ymbrynes."

I gave him a small approving nod and quietly unlocked the front door. I was careful when opening it that the hinges didn't make any sounds, for they had some age to them and could be noisy when not greased properly. Jacob slowly made his way out the door.

"Oh," I said quickly. "And Jacob?"

He turned, "Yes?"

"When it comes to hollows, aim for the eyes," I instructed. "Always go for the softest parts."

He gave a slight half-smile, then moved forward. Once his feet touched grass, he took off at an impressively quick jog.

I took a moment to stand in the doorway and observe him until he disappeared into the forest. I then closed the door as silently as possible and locked it.

When I turned to head back to the drawing room, I was surprised to see Miss Avocet standing in the hallway, wrapped in a shawl. She had her arms crossed and she bore an expression of curiousness.

"What is going on?" she asked haughtily.

"My apologies, Miss Avocet," I began. Perhaps allowing Jacob to sneak out was the wrong thing to do. "But -"

"That's quite alright, Miss Stonington," she interrupted, holding up a flat hand, signaling me to hush. "I am aware that he dreams of Wights being about the island. Although allowing him to leave without proper permission from Headmistress Peregrine was rather irresponsible, it was a precaution taken to protect the wards. That is, if I do say, rather ymbryne of you," she explained.

I stood quietly. I couln't help but feel a ping of regret. What if Jacob found himself in harms way, and no one was able to get to him? Surely then I'd blame myself.

Miss Avocet softened. "Come, child, it's all right," she soothed. "It is natural for an ymbryne to act irresponsibly once-in-a-blue-moon. Irresponsibility is inevitable, especially in Peculiardom. Sometimes it is required to survive."

My mind could only imagine all of the "irresponsible" measures I knew Miss Peregrine would take if she knew it was the only way to protect us. The woman would die for us, if she knew she had to. I guaranteed that Miss Avocet would do the same for her children. After all, it was Miss Avocet herself that trained all the other ymbrynes.

Miss Avocet then motioned me to the drawing room. I nodded and went in.

Miss Peregrine was now wide awake. She began to coo as Miss Avocet and I entered the room. Miss Avocet held out her hand, and Miss Peregrine flew to her.

"How are you feeling, Alma?" Miss Avocet asked, carrying her to the settee.

The falcon stiffened her posture, then, began to spread her wings. "I am feeling well enough," she replied.

I couldn't help but smile. After all the events that Miss Peregrine had been through in the past few weeks, she was beginning to act like her old self again. It enthralled me to know that the children could happily have their ymbryne back. I would be glad to have her back too, for I was eager for a few days rest.

I watched intently as Miss Avocet studied Miss Peregrine's wound, which was healed almost fully. She may have some scar tissue, but she was well beyond the window of time in which she could contract infection. Miss Avocet had taken exceptional care of her, and had began to instruct me in basic first-aid in the process. Back in my world, the only thing I knew about first-aid was that every time I had gotten a cut, it was antibiotic ointment and a band-aid. Miss Avocet had instructed me in stitching wounds, cleaning wounds, how to properly inspect for infection and a handful of other useful acts.

Miss Peregrine then flew to my shoulder. "Miss Stonington," she asked, "how are the children?" She hadn't seen the children in a few days. She had instructed me to inform the children that they were to live as normally as possible, and were allowed to resume playing and roaming about the house, so long as they did not disturb her or Miss Avocet.

I gently reached a hand up to her, and she softly stepped onto it. I held her before me at a level where our eyes met. "They are well, Headmistress. They have been very obedient to me, and have put up no fuss."

"Excellent," she replied happily. "I should see to it that they are rewarded heavily."

Miss Avocet stood from the settee and stood beside me. "Are you preparing to assume your rightful form, Alma?" she asked. There was a hint of excitement in her voice. I think she knew just as well as I did that having Miss Peregrine back in her human form would make it easier to decide what to do about Caul and the other Wights, which, although there was no solid proof, I had a feeling were still stalking about the island still, just waiting for the opportune moment to strike again.

"I am, indeed." She opened her wings to stretch them a bit. "If you wouldn't mind, ladies, I would care to transform back in the privacy of my quarters. I would like to bathe myself and put on a fresh change of clothes. Miss Stonington, if you would be so kind as to carry me to the second floor."

Miss Avocet yawned loudly. She, too, was as tired as I was. "Alma, I believe I will retire as well."

"Absolutely, Esmeralda. Oh, I cannot thank you ladies enough for all that you have done for me and the children."

"Anything for a Sister," Miss Avocet commented as we began to make our way towards the front hall. She then bade me goodnight and mounted the staircase.

Miss Peregrine hopped back on my shoulder and instructed me to travel across the first floor of the house, checking all the locks on the doors, and making sure that all the windows were shut securely. I then went about turning off any lights, extinguishing any lit candles in the dinning room and kitchen and then presumed to go ahead and put the fire out in the drawing room. When I was done, I re-checked the front door one last time before ascending the staircase.

Once on the second floor, the door to the bathroom opened, and out walked a very groggy Claire. She stopped in the middle of the hall, yawned and rubbed her eyes. When she saw me standing there with Miss Peregrine on my shoulder, she smiled.

I gently put a finger to my lips.

She said nothing, she just winked at us and silently went back to her bedroom.

I made my way to Miss Peregrine's quarters. I had never been in them, and honestly I felt odd having to go in there, even though she had asked me to.

Once inside, Miss Peregrine flew from my person to the big four-poster bed. She then hopped across the surface of the bed to her nightstand. She picked up a match in her beak and flew over to the dresser. Beside her was a candlestick. I gently took the match from her and lit the candle for her.

"That'll do, Miss Stonington, you may leave me. I shall see you in the morning."

I nodded. "Goodnight, Miss Peregrine," I said, before striding from the room.

I then immediately thought of Jacob. As quietly as I could, I scurried back down to the first floor. I couldn't believe that I had totally forgotten him. I went to the door and unlocked it.

I opened it to find Jacob just coming up onto the porch.

"All clear," he stated. "Not a Wight or hollow in sight." He had the crossbow laid across the back of his neck. He stepped into the house and handed it to me. "Miss P gone to bed?"

I nodded. "She will be herself in the morning."

Jacob smiled.