Grandpa Portman

Grandpa Portman was what most people would call crazy. but I think I may be onto something. Before we go there, let me tell you what happened nine months ago.

It was a normal day for me, just trying my hardest to get fired. Yes, you heard that right, I was trying to be fired. Anyways, after making another mistake, there was a call for me. It was Grandpa Portman, frantically asking me for the keys to the attic. In other words, he wanted the key to where he kept all his guns. He told me there were monsters coming after him. I figured he was having an episode. Granpa Portman fought in World War II against the Nazi's, so I figured he must be talking about the Nazi's. I tried to reassure him, but he wouldn't calm down so I rushed over to his house as fast as I could. I searched throughout the house, but I couldn't find him. My best and only "friend" Ricky and I creeped into the forest that bordered Grandpa Portman's house.

That's where I found my grandfather. On the floor of the Florida forest, bleeding out form a gash across his torso. But before he could die, Grandpa Portman told me these words, which sent me on the quest that I am on now "Find the bird. In the loop. On the other side of the old man's grave. September third, 1940. Emerson- the letter. Tell them what happened Yakob." And with that, he died. However, I had no time to grieve. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a strange monster out of my wildest nightmares, a man with tentacles coming out of his mouth. Ricky shot where I pointed to, but he couldn't see the monster.

Now I have a therapist and no job. Ricky is no longer my friend, and I just wish I could've saved Grandpa Portman. But I was too late.

-

Today is my birthday. My family has gathered and brought presents that I don't care about. Except for one present. My mom told me it was from Aunt Susie, but Aunt Susie corrected her, saying that it was really from Grandpa Portman. This present I cared about. It was a book called The Selected Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson from which letter hid between the pages. Now if you've been paying attention, you'll know how important this is. Emerson, the letter. Those were some of my grandpa's last words.

I bolted from the room to read the letter. It was addressed to my grandfather, Abe Portman, asking him when he would return to the island. It was signed Headmistress Alma LeFay Peregrine. Inclosed was an old photograph of a woman's silhouette smoking a pipe. I searched the letter and envelope and found an old postmark that read Cairnholm Is., Cymru, UK. Cymru meant Wales, and Grandpa Portman grew up on an island, so it must of been Cairnholm Island. Before he died he told me to "find the bird" and in the stories he told me, the kids were protected by "a bird who smoked a pipe". Alma LeFay Peregrine. Peregrine is a type of falcon, so she must be the "bird who smoked a pipe".

I had to go to this island no matter what. But convincing my parents wouldn't be easy, especially since they think I'm crazy.