The Siren's Last Song

Arrival

The ship stopped about three ship-lengths away from the island. They came to land in smaller boats that held six men at a time; sixty total men counted. They all arrived and unloaded their boxes of things just as the sun left the sky. The few of us who braved to watch the arrival stayed back, staring inquisitively at how they communicated with one another. There seemed to be one man of great importance, he wore bright colors like blood, a feather coming out of his headdress. All the other men listened to his commands that he would shout at them, elevating his voice if he was dissatisfied with their efforts. A large fire was constructed, and the men cooked fish and vegetables they brought with them. There was nothing giving off light other than the beautiful full moon and the orange glowing light from the fire as the men ate their supper.

I was the last one still watching their movements. As the crowd of men shifted around, I spotted him, the man in the window. He sat on a fallen tree eating his meal, staring into the fire, his eyes glistening in the light. He had a long beard that came to his chest, and long curly hair to match. I found myself drawn to him, wanting to know what he was thinking about, and almost as if he heard my thoughts, looked directly up from the flames in my direction. I froze for about half a second before ducking down into the water, swimming fast to my cave. I hope he didn't see me for a second time.

Sirens stopped trusting humans generations ago when they first made contact with them. At first, when they discovered us, they mistook us for people needing help. We fled, which confused them. One of the sirens got close enough and the man spoke to her. He kept her a secret from his people. We did not understand their words, but the man was patient, and gained her trust. She learned how to speak English like humans, he became a teacher to her. He was so astonished by her that he decided to share this secret with another. The other man was not amazed, but frightened by her. The man made him swear he would never tell another soul about her, and he would let him live.

Her name was Athenia; she was very beautiful. Her teacher was named Halvar. Because she trusted him, she decided to show him that, when on land, we look like humans. He fell madly in love with her and begged her to stay on land. She would stay for periods of time but told him she would choose when to be in the water and when she'd be on land. He was not happy with this, but agreed. They spent about a year's time together. It was when she became pregnant that everything changed. Halvar told his crew about this woman he had been hiding who had come to the island. Now that he was expecting a child, there was no hiding his pride any longer. They say she was around six months pregnant at the time. He convinced his crew she was lost at sea, and that he had found her and nursed her back to health. He told them that feelings between them grew as she got healthy and now that her belly was swollen they knew they were expecting a child.

She was accepted with open arms, beloved on the island, boasted of her beauty. There was harmony. Whenever she would go back to the water, she would teach the young ones English so that they would know how to talk to humans should they encounter them. It was passed on through our people as a means of understanding of human intentions.

The man whom Halvar told his secret to, out of jealousy of the beloved couple, then halted their wedding celebration. He told them all she was a fish woman and the child would be a monstrosity. At first there was laughter and doubt, but the man grabbed a bucket of seawater and threw it at her. She screamed as her skin turned to scales and fingers webbed. The village people were outraged at how he could be with such a creature. They were both captured and sentenced to death by fire, ensuring they would all be dead for good. When our people found out about the humans' heinous crimes, they plotted revenge. As the humans slept, the warriors emerged from the water. They shifted to human form, wielding spears, slaughtering everyone on the island. The Elders then sank the ship and forbid any of us to set foot on land while humans are present. We were told to avoid them at all costs.

I have always been curious about humans, their lives are so unique and carry so much wonder. I have always just watched them from afar, but I needed more this time. I needed to find a way to make contact, but I had to be cautious of my kind's safety. I decided to get some rest for the long day of watching starting at sunrise. I woke up and saw the glow above the water forming. I swam up to the island, opposite where the men had set up their camp. I emerged my head from the water on a beach shaded by many trees. I laid upon the beach until my body made the painful transformation into human. I buried a dress I stole from a line of clothing many years ago. When we transform around other Sirens, there is no need for clothing like humans have. I put on my dress and crept quietly through the tropical terrain. I got up near to the camp and hid myself behind a tree. There were large constructions of cloth hung up that housed the men's sleeping quarters. It appeared the men were headed to the large ship for more items, with only a handful of men left on the island. Looking at them doing tasks, I noticed through the trees that there was one of the men sitting on a rock alone by the beach. I crept my way around the campsite to see what the lone man was doing. As I got up close enough, I realized it was him. The same man who looked at me, possibly twice now. I stood absolutely still as to not be heard, watching what he was doing.

He sat atop the high rock writing in a small leather book and watching the waves. I couldn't help but stare at him, he was beautiful. I had never seen a human this way. He held strength, knowledge, and adventure in his eyes. Time seemed to stand still admiring this stranger. He then started moving his eyes around to the scenery, eventually turning his body around to face the island. I squatted down behind the plants to not be seen. I heard scraping sounds against the rock, he was coming down. I crept backwards and shifted diagonally away to stay out of his line of sight. A twig snapped under my foot and I froze. The footsteps gained speed; I had to run. I sprinted away as fast as I could, using the foliage to cover me. He was faster than I expected. I ran to the waterfall knowing he would not dare be stupid enough to jump in after me. The water was deep with a hidden cave below the waterfall. A human wouldn't be able to make that dive. As I neared the water's edge, a voice yelled out to the man. I looked back, and we locked eyes for a moment before he was grabbed from behind. I left him nothing to look back on besides rippling water. Even though I cannot transform in this water, I am still able to hold my breath for long periods of time. I waited as long as I could before coming out of the water. There was no sign of him. Thanks to the goddesses that I was not captured. I had to be more careful.