Author's notes

Stories contain spoilers. If you haven't read Ransom Riggs' books yet, you should do it first. English isn't my native language so please be forgivable if you'll see some mistakes. I tried to translate it to English as well as I could. :) And if you can speak polish you can also read stories in polish on Wattpad. I've got the same nickname.

I'm not sure if Abe and Jacob could sense if someone was peculiar or not, but considering that the sensing hollows was one of the side effects of being able to manipulate peculiar souls (or at least the jars they were enclosed in) xd It's possible. Anyway, I decided to include it in this story.

Enjoy! :D


A peculiar feeling

17 years ago…

POV Abe:

I don't remember the last time I felt it. That twist in my stomach and conviction that I'm not alone anymore. Nearby, no doubt, someone appeared, I was sure of it. I should feel fear but I didn't feel it at all. This feeling was different from the one that accompanied me every time a monster appeared nearby. However, I couldn't find its cause, direct its sources. This feeling was far too weak to be able to deduce anything from it. It was barely palpable, but it still existed.

It suddenly appeared from nowhere one day. It was February, an ordinary day just like any other. And yet there was something else about it. I went to the locker and took out one of the guns just in case. I decided to walk around the area hoping to find the reason for this new phenomenon. My actions failed. I didn't think it could be a monster after all. Intuition told me that some new peculiar appeared in the city. However, finding him in my case seemed to be a miracle. Since a part of my peculiar soul was taken from me, my skills have weakened greatly. So even if I could find a person who would presumably be peculiar, it would still be just guesses.

I decided not to bother with this, but over time it became impossible. The feeling grew more and more every day. I couldn't understand it. I was even wondering if anyone was following me. I sat in the shelter for days observing the area from behind, thinking that I might notice a suspicious person. I wondered if I might be paranoid. I called H. explaining everything to him. He came to reassure me while claiming that he didn't feel anything similar. It only worried me more. I began to wonder if this might be something wrong with me. I even wondered whether to let Miss Peregrine know it, hoping that she could somehow help me. But how? She didn't have my gift, so she couldn't understand it. She would only confirm me once again in the belief that maybe I had made the mistake of leaving them by starting her list of arguments. I would be safe on the island, but what else? Such a life is not life …

About two months have passed. The feeling didn't disappear, but I tried not to think about it anymore. I was going to my son and daughter-in-law for dinner today and at least wanted to pretend that everything was all right. I haven't seen them for a long time. Everyone was always too busy with work, and I didn't think they were particularly happy about my visits, especially my son. We've never had a very good relationship with each other. He gave the impression that he invites me from time to time only because meeting his own father once on a few months is a thing to do. It was painful, but I couldn't really blame him. I deserved it. Anyway, I was visiting them today.

Already after crossing the threshold, I noticed that something was wrong. Their behavior seemed to be different. They seemed strangely nervous and relaxed at the same time, happy and angry... I was wondering how you could have so many conflicting emotions at once.

"All right?" I finally asked after the third dessert. Franklin looked at me in surprise.

"Yes, why not?" He asked, somewhat outraged. I raised my hands in a peace gesture.

"You just look like something is bothering you," They exchanged glances with Maryann. "If you have any problems, you know I'm willing to help," Franklin just shook his head.

"It's nothing," He replied with a little embarrassment.

I didn't believe them, I was sure that they didn't tell me something, but I didn't want to delve into the topic. If they wanted to tell me, they would have done it by now. I decided not to press. Franklin came out of the kitchen into the living room, and Maryann began to clear the table.

"Dinner was really delicious," I said and I decided to help. She smiled slightly.

"Thank you, it's nice to cook something by yourself from time to time."

Maryann and Franklin weren't in the habit of preparing normal dinners, mainly because of the lack of time. They spent most of a day away from home, so when they returned they were forced to prepare something to eat quickly.

"What brings this new preferences?" I asked half jokingly half seriously. She shrugged.

"I'm not sure, I felt like changing something and may start eating a little more healthy," I nodded my head. I looked at her shrewdly, Maryann really seemed different to me, but I couldn't figure out what exactly seemed different to me in her. And then I felt it again. This time much stronger than before. That feeling…

I thought maybe she was its source but I quickly rejected this thought. Maryann wasn't peculiar. Something else must have caused this reaction. I asked her if there was anyone else here or if some new neighbors had moved in recently, but she said no.

"why do you ask me about this?" I shrugged my shoulders and a terrifying thought came to my mind. What if I was wrong? What if it was a hollow that appeared nearby and lurking around my family? Perhaps the wights found me and decided to strike a blow, and they accurately chose my family as a soft spot. The loss of loved ones would hurt me more than any physical injury inflicted by a hollow. And my weakened abilities could not tell me if I was right or wrong. That thought scared me and I knew I should warn everyone, and I knew I couldn't do it as well. It was my duty to keep my peculiarity as a secret. So what was I supposed to do in this situation?

Shortly after dinner it was time to come back. I said goodbye to everyone and told them to take care of themselves. I always tell them that but today I saw the importance of my words for the first time. I didn't want to come back, I preferred to stay and see that nothing bad happened. But I knew what answer I would meet as soon as I suggested moving in with them. Even only for a while. All I had to do was wait and hope.

The next three months passed very quickly. Nevertheless, they were really restless three months. The feeling was getting stronger and I had no doubt where it came from. Almost every evening I called Franklin asking if they were all right. I noticed irritation in his voice but tried to ignore it. In the meantime I also called H. And I told him what I discovered while visiting my son. Being intrigued, he came to help me explore the area as much as we could. We tried not to show ourselves near to their plot so that they wouldn't become suspicious. Finally resigned H. repeated his last statement that he feels nothing, sees nothing and probably nothing is there. I am oversensitive.

My birthday has come. I didn't particularly feel in the mood to celebrate. I have been tired of matters of recent months. However, I needed something to de-stress and forget about everything for a moment. Around noon my daughter Susie arrived, she promised to help me prepare for the party. It was supposed to be a modest birthday. I only invited my immediate family and H. I hoped that being in the group of the most important people for me would make me feel a little better. Besides, I preferred to keep me on my toes, and ensuring everyone's safety was the easiest when we were all together.

"Well, tell me what's wrong?" Susie pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Excuse me?" I asked confused. Susan sighed.

"Dad, I can see that something is up. You have been far away since I came."

"It's not important. Don't worry," I said quickly.

"You know you can tell me everything, right?" She asked seriously looking into my eyes.

"I…"

"Because you can tell me everything," she said firmly. I sighed.

I don't know if it was my vulnerability to the situation or her anxious tone but I decided to confide in her. Of course, not everything. I thought I'd only tell her what she could know. I told her about the strange feeling that has been bothering me for some time. A feeling that makes me feel watched. Susan looked at me with compassion.

"It's because you spend too much time alone," she replied. "Since our mom died, you have become very withdrawn, more than ever. You spend a lot of time with yourself, you avoid contact with other people."

"I don't mind it Susan. Over time, I got used to it, and besides, it's not like I avoid contact with other people."

"You can't be locked up in your own world. You can't live that way in the long run. Maybe you can't see it yet, but it will start to bother you soon. Or maybe it has already begun."

"Are you suggesting I'm crazy?"

"No..." She said and bit her lip. "But what you experiencing is probably not normal."

"Are you suggesting that I go to a specialist...?" It was more a statement of fact than a question.

"First of all, I suggest you find a person with whom you will be able to talk freely. A person who understands you or is somehow similar to you…"

"I don't think there is such a person," I said softly.

"Anyway, think about what I told you, okay?" I nodded my head. She smiled in response and hugged me. Maybe she was right. Maybe it's a reaction to loneliness? But on the other hand, nothing like this has ever happened before. So why now?

Over the next few hours, Susan helped me clean and decorate my house. She also prepared a small dinner and went to collect the cake from the pastry shop. H. arrived in the meantime.

"Happy birthday!" He exclaimed as soon as I opened the door.

"Thanks," I replied briefly and took the package from him. He frowned.

"You don't look so happy."

"It's not like that," I said. "I just can't stop worrying," I added putting his gift on the living room table.

"Don't tell me that you will talk about it again," He said shaking his head in disbelief.

"And what, you also think that I should have my head examined?" I grunted.

"No matter what the reason is, please try not to worry about it for a day," He said calmly.

"But..." H. put his hand on my shoulder.

"Abe, it's your birthday," He started. "Please, ease up. You never know, maybe this case will sort itself out in some time. Today is your day and you should celebrate it somehow. With your loved ones and away from problems."

"What if something bad happens?"

"I think that if something were to happen it would already happen," He said and gave me a small and uncertain smile as if he wasn't sure how to behave. I wasn't surprised. I don't know how I would behave if I had to advise someone who would be in a similar situation. I decided to follow his advice and allow myself to relax at least one day.

Susie returned a quarter of an hour, and Franklin appeared in half an hour.

"So how? I think it's time to start the party!" He shouted at the threshold and then came to me with a gift and wishes.

"Where's Maryann?" I asked surprised.

"Maryann will be joining soon. She went to pick up another present for you. She should appear in a few minutes," I looked at him touched.

"You didn't have to spend so much for me," I said bluntly. Frank smiled mysteriously.

"It's really nothing. But you should like the surprise," He said and in the same moment Maryann entered. There was a huge present in front of her wrapped in navy blue paper, with an attached, gold ribbon. Franklin stood beside her with an amused smile and they started walking towards me.

"Dad," Frank began. "We know that we have been acting a bit strange lately and maybe we were a bit more inaccessible than usual," Franklin looked at Maryann.

"But we've been going through a really special time recently and we preferred to think first and sort things out without anyone's intervention," Maryann continued. "We are sorry if you felt rejected in some way but we hope you understand," I smiled and nodded.

"In any case, we would like to wish you all the best, a lot of health and happiness, prosperity and make your dreams come true if you haven't yet had the opportunity to fulfill," Franklin winked.

"And we are very happy that the three of us can be here together with you," Maryann said and grinned. It wasn't until after a moment that the meaning of her words came to me.

"Three?" I asked confused.

"Open the present," Franklin said encouragingly. Confused, I pulled off the lid of the gift and pulled out of the inside a plush, fluffy tiger with a small blue pacifier in its muzzle. I laughed at the sight, and Maryann and Frank once again exchanged amused glances. Suddenly Frank reached out towards me taking the pacifier back. "Actually, I think that now it will be more useful to us," He said with a blush on his cheeks. I stared at them for a moment, confused, and then Maryann dropped the gift box, which she kept in front of her all the time showing in the same way that... Everyone gasped, and Maryann and Franklin burst out laughing. I was stunned. I stood in shock without saying a word searching in their faces a confirmation that it wasn't a joke and that they were really expecting a baby. And they probably understood my message, because they joyfully announced that I'm going to become a grandfather.

"really?" My voice broke when I said that one simple word.

"Yes! In about four months you will have a grandson," Maryann replied enthusiastically.

It's a boy! Will I have a grandson? I still couldn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming or they were making jokes and they'll shout that I was fooled in any moment. Nothing like this happened. I looked at them and saw joy, openness and honesty on their faces. And then I realized. I felt growing happiness, I put down the plush tiger and ran to hug them. My eyes burned with tears. I heard Susie and H. cheering and shouting congratulations behind me. This news is probably the best gift I could get.

The rest of the party passed rather calmly. We ate the cake and talked. Susan couldn't get over the admiration that they had kept the pregnancy secret for so long. To be honest, neither am I. I was also wondering about one more thing – this feeling. I came to the conclusion that it grew stronger every time I was close to my daughter-in-law, but what if she wasn't its source, only her child was? I stated that this could be the reason why only I could sense his presence and H. not. It was an emotional bond, after all he was my grandson. But that didn't explain why I felt it at all. This had never happened to me before, even when my wife was pregnant with Franklin and Susan. And that brought me another question: Can this mean that my grandson is peculiar?

I decided to talk to H. about this, who decided to stay with me longer after the party.

"I think it's possible," he replied. "Provided that he caused your peculiar reaction, not something else," I shook my head.

"Maryann said the childbirth would be in four months. That means she's already in the fifth month. And let me remind you that it all began in February, exactly five months ago." H. nodded with understanding.

"Well," H. said with a smile. "Everything indicates that another peculiar will appear in the family." I just nodded, unsure how to react. "What's happening? You are not happy? Are you afraid that you can't bear it?"

"Not me, just Maryann and Franklin," I sighed. "How will they react when they find out? And what if his peculiarity doesn't let him live among normal people?"

"Are you afraid that you will have to put him in a loop? Are you going to inform Miss Peregrine?"

"Not until nothing is certain," I replied.

"And if it turns out that there is no way out?" I looked at him thoughtfully.

"I really don't want to lose him H.," I said seriously. "I want him to grow up with his family. Among normal people and away from the dangers of the peculiar world."

"It's possible he'll inherit your peculiarity, and then what? Would you tell him who he really is?" I stared at H. for a moment, fighting my own thoughts before answering.

"One day…"

It was very late. I was lying in bed thinking about everything what happened that day. It was hard to believe it. I was wondering if when I wake up in the morning it won't just be a dream. My grandson's case shocked me a lot, but I didn't know if I should be happy about his presumed peculiarity or just the opposite. Whatever was supposed to happen I had no influence on it anyway. I didn't want to think about it. I was glad I was going to have a grandson! First of all, I wanted him to be safe and I wanted to give him safety. I don't know if it's because of this feeling, but I felt an indescribable bond with him. I really wanted him to stay with me so that I could look after him… I sighed and turned on side. I had put a plush tiger from Maryann and Franklin on the bedside table. I have stared at him for a long moment.

"I can't wait to meet you," I whispered then closed my eyes and fell asleep.