So, here's chapter 3. This is the last chapter of the story. I hope you liked it. I would be happy to get your feedback!

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"Follow me, we need to talk"

Hugh looked fearful at his headmistress. Never once in his life had he been afraid of Miss Peregrine before. She was his second mother and she should not but be feared. Respected, yes, but not feared. But it was his own fault after all. He was the one who misbehaved, he could see that now and she had every right to be mad at him. Miss P turned around and made her way over to the parlor. Hugh sighed quietly and quickly followed Miss P.

Alma leaned against the window still and motioned for Hugh to sit down on the sofa. Hugh did as he was told. He was so nervous that he could hardly sit still. Alma resisted the urge to move over to him and to simply hug her little boy. But he deserved some sort of punishment. He should realize that as long as he lived with her he had to stick to her rules. Alma didn't like at all that he seemed to be afraid of her because she didn't want to be feared. Respected, yes, but not feared. For a couple of minutes both were quiet. Alma turned around and looked into the dark night. She leaned her head against the window and allowed herself a short moment of peace. She closed her eyes and wished for nothing more than to be able to lie down and sleep. She was unbelievably tired. But she couldn't go to bed now. Their stupid fight had to end now. Slowly she turned around and looked at her boy. He seemed to be even more nervous if that was even possible.

"Hugh" She said and he looked up. She had never seen one of her children look so guilty. "I am very disappointed in you"

That was the last straw that broke the camel's back. Heavy tears were falling from his eyes and he started sobbing.

"I-I am s-so sorry. I didn't m-mean what I-I said. Please, don't hate me." Hugh sobbed. Alma resisted the urge to run over to him to comfort him. She wanted to tell him that she could never hate him or any other of her children. She wanted to tell him that he would always have a special place in her heart. But for now, she resisted the urge to do so. But it was hard. He looked so fragile and small. From time to time she needed to remind herself that he was still a child no matter how grown up he pretended to be.

"I don't hate you, I could never hate any of my children. But you have to understand that the way you behaved was not acceptable and there have to be consequences." Alma said calmly giving up her position at the window and sat down on the sofa next to Hugh.

He nodded eagerly. "Anything, I will do anything…as long as you don't hate me." He said the last word so quietly that they were hardly audible. He took a deep breath and added louder and more determined. "And I don't hate you…at all. I love you."

Alma smiled and put two fingers under his chin and guided his gaze at her eyes. "I love you too and would never willingly do anything that would hurt you. It hurt me very much when you accused me of deliberately and selfishly keeping you away from your friends. I want you to have friends and I want to you to go out and enjoy yourself. But at the same time, I'm constantly worried for you. But not just for you also for the others. There is so much that you don't know about this world, so much to explore. I want to explore this world together with you. I want to teach you how to have a good life in this world."

Hugh nodded while fresh tears were running down his cheeks. "It was so scary when I couldn't control my bees. And now they are gone." He sobbed again and leaned against her shoulder.

"Don't worry, they will come back. But can you understand my point of view a little bit better now? I'm happy for you that you've obviously found a girl who likes you-although I have to admit that you acted a little bold for my liking. You know, every girl likes gentlemen."

Hugh chuckled through his tears. "I'm sure she doesn't like me anymore. Not after what happened today."

"Well, that was in fact most unfortunate. But if she truly likes you she will accept your peculiarity and if she doesn't she doesn't deserve you. It's as simple as that." Alma answered and put an arm around his shoulders. She couldn't get herself to feel angry at the boy sobbing into her shoulder anymore.

"I'll never find someone who loves me, never. How could anyone love someone with a stomach full of bees? I'm going to die all alone. Well, maybe I'm going to get a bunch of cats." Hugh answered bitterly.

"That's nonsense and you know that. How often have I told you that being peculiar doesn't make you less, but more! Someday someone will come along who will cherish your peculiarity, I'm sure. And you are never going to die alone. You'll always have me and you'll always have the others. We are a family, after all." Alma answered. She could not help adding a little joke. "But if the day comes that you feel so lonely that you consider getting a pet-please don't get a cat. I once had an encounter with a cat and let's just say that birds and cats are not very good friends."

Hugh chuckled again and sat up. He brushed over his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. Miss Peregrine offered him a hanky to blow his nose.

"You know, I'm really glad you followed me. I'm sure that boy would have punched the crap out of me."

Miss Peregrine nodded. "Yes, that was a most unpleasant encounter. But I'm sure he'll have some scars to always remind him not to bully a ymbryne's charge."

"To be honest, I think that he's learned nothing. To his mind the only thing that happened was that he was attacked by some falcon that has gone wild."

"And by some bees that have gone wild." Alma added and Hugh nodded consenting.

"For them that must have been one hell of a crazy evening" Hugh said and sighed.

"Language, Hugh! But I'm sure you are right, but to be honest it was an unusual evening for me too. And may I be frank, I'm glad it's over." Alma said suddenly sounding very tired. This evening had really taken a toll on her.

Hugh looked at her guiltily. "I am truly sorry. I promise I'll never be so disrespectful again. I truly value what you have done and still do for me. You know, I could not wish for a better ymbryne."

Alma smiled tiredly. "Thank you. Are you feeling better?"

Hugh nodded and hugged Alma again. "Yes, thank you…for not giving up on me."

Alma nodded courtly. "You might not like it, but you are just a boy. You are allowed to be irrational and impulsive. That's what I am there for. There's just one thing I cannot accept: I didn't like to see you drink alcohol. There is a reason that there is an age restriction for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. You know very well that I do enjoy a glass of wine from time to time myself but I'm a grown woman. You are still growing and alcohol can damage your brain. I want you to understand that you can have fun without alcohol, too. I'm sorry if I was a bad example. If it helps you understand I will restrict my alcohol consumption too."

Hugh shook his head. "No that's not necessary. I know that I am not supposed to drink alcohol. You will probably be glad to hear that I did not like it at all."

"I'm indeed relieved. But now, let's call it a night, I am unbelievably tired. We can continue this conversation tomorrow." Alma suggested and Hugh agreed. It had been a long night for him too.

They were just leaving the parlor when the doorbell rang. Alma raised her eyebrow. Maybe someone had called the police? But she could handle it, it was not the first time there were police officers standing in front of her door. Quickly she composed herself, stretching her shoulders to relieve the pressure and made her way over to the front door. Hugh was waiting nervously in the background.

Alma opened the door. In front of her was not the police but a girl. Marcy.

"Good evening, my name is Alma Lefay Peregrine. How may I help you?"

"I-" Marcy looked at the woman in front of her nervously. Although Alma was not very tall she could be quite intimidating, especially if the first encounter happened in the middle of the night. "May I speak to Hugh?"

For a moment Alma considered declining the wish or at least to tell her how impolite it was to disturb someone so late at night but in the end, she decided against it. The girl looked nice. She wanted to know as well what the girl wanted from her boy.

Alma took a step to the side to reveal the view at Hugh who was waiting a couple of meters behind his headmistress.

"Hugh!" Marcy exclaimed. She quickly strode past Alma and flung her arms around his neck. "I'm so glad to find you here. I was so worried when you left so quickly."

For a moment Hugh was at a loss for words. "I cannot believe that you are here. I thought I would never see you again after what happened tonight."

"Well, I would be lying if I said that I understood what was going on or what you did but I don't care. I'm just glad that Jason had not the chance to hurt you. By the way I have never seen a bird act so strange. He attacked Jason just like that! I mean, don't get me wrong, he deserved it but it was strange, wasn't it?" Marcy said a bit confused. Hugh laughed.

"She, the bird was a she. And if you want to know why she did it you can ask her yourself." Hugh answered and nodded at Miss Peregrine. Marcy looked at Alma both curiously and scared.

"I think I don't understand-" Marcy said and Alma interrupted her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure Hugh is more than capable to explain everything. You may go into the parlor but please don't close the door. I will go to bed now. Can I trust you two to behave?" Alma asked and looked at the two seriously.

"Don't worry. We are going to be good" Hugh said and held up two fingers as a sign that he was serious.

"Good. I then wish you a good night. Please keep your voices down, the others are already sleeping"

"Good night" Hugh and Marcy said at the same time. Alma smiled at the two and made her way up the stairs. Hugh and Marcy made their way into the parlor but did not close the door, just as they were asked. It seemed like the whole story had come to a happy end after all. Maybe the fear Hugh had to go through tonight was punishment enough.