The Siren's Flute

Sirens are known in this world as predatory beings that lures men just to kill them. Unlike mermaids, they possess an insatiable desire to kill. However, I do not. Yes, I am a siren. It is true that sirens are predators but we don't just kill out of boredom. Just like any other beings in this vast world, we kill to survive. Well, that's the case for most of the sirens. But, I did not grow up in an environment where sirens normally grew up in. I was a product of a relationship between a man and a siren. And I have been living as one ever since, in the Earth's surface. I was named as Lucy. Lucy Edwards, a 17-year-old resident in Astoria, City in Oregon. My mom lived with me in a middle class neighborhood and is working as a human resource manager at a nearby bank. She's not my maternal mother for my maternal mother left me the moment I was born into the hands of my human father, which now has a family of his own. My adopted mother, Melissa Edwards, is a far relative of my biological father who was not able to get married and build a family of her own. She took me as her own when I was five and lived with her ever since. She may not be the perfect mom but, I love her very much. She did her everything just to give me anything to make me happy. I am more than blessed to have her in my life and ask for nothing, other than her happiness. "Lucy! Breakfast is ready! Come here, now. Or you'll be late for school!" My mom shouted from downstairs. It sure looks like I will be late for school one way or another. It's pretty hard to wake up in the morning for me, really. "Yes, mom. Coming!" I replied. I speedily prepare myself for school and run down the stairs as fast as I could. Sirens may be agile in water but in land, we're just the same as normal human beings except that we are far more stronger than a human being. Unless if you're also "abnormal" like me. I immediately took a seat on one of the chairs in the dining table and ate my portions of my favorite cereal and bread. I think I have a child's palate because I really like sweet stuffs and milk. Yeah, I love milk. "Sweetie, I'll be late tonight so eat your dinner first and don't wait for me. Make sure to lock all the windows and doors to prevent burglar attacks." mom reminded me. She's really sweet and caring I wish I could do more for her. For now, all I can do is to be an obedient daughter and try to avoid giving her headaches. "Alright, mom. Take care of yourself, too." I told her and she kissed my cheek before going to her work. I, on the other hand, took my time in eating. Really, I am just prolonging the time since I'm going to be late either way. Yup! I'm not a model student when it comes to being punctual. I mean, who cares. I really don't have a time to worry about it. You see, me being a half-siren or just a siren—because it's just the same—is killing me. In order for sirens to have an ordinary appearance they have to undergo a metamorphosis to change their appearance. And it is a very painful one. When I was a kid these random changes were very seldom and doesn't really hurt that much. But, when I first had my menstrual period, the changing phases rapidly increased and became really really painful. I sometimes shed some scales especially when I accidentally graze them, which becomes very bloody if the shedding happens simultaneously. No matter how fast my recovery is, I still feel the pain and blood still oozes out of my wounds, but not that long though—the bleeding, I mean—. It is very excruciating that everytime it happens, I just submerge myself into the bathtub with a salt water. It alleviates the pain from the changing body of mine. That's why I woke up really late today because I stayed up almost all night enduring the pain. I managed to track the changing period and it usually appears at night. Around 10-11 PM. However, it sometimes appears randomly and the pain varies from bearable to unbearable. It happened once, at school when I was in ninth grade. I had to run out in the middle of the class and cut the entire classes as I hurried home. I was literally bloody red when a took off all my clothes and it was very painful. My eyes were flooded with tears while preparing a salt bath. It was really unbearable. My mom knew about it for she knew the story of my father and my biological mother. But she accepted me anyways. That's why I am really grateful to have her. She also stays with me in my changing phase whenever she's around and always tell me loving words that greatly help me to endure the pain. All I could think of everytime that happens is that, "Atleast I am not alone in this situation." Her presence itself, helps a ton. I owe her my everything. I went to school very late with my usual get up. That is a hoodie and a jogger with a pair of comfy rubbers. So comfortable, right? I can't wear revealing clothes, not because of my scars or anything since I have fast regeneration, but because of my random changing. People might accidentally see me changing and with scales, I don't want that. The moment I reached my classroom, first period was already done. I sat on my chair located at the back, left side of the room. I was writing something on my notebook when I felt someone poking me on my back. "Hey, Lucy. Why are you late again? Ms. Fischer said that you should meet her in the faculty after dismissal." It was Rita. My only friend in this whole class. And also, my entire school life. Really. We've been classmates ever since kindergarten. I sometimes get bored with her face but it's not like I have a choice, right? I just shrugged at her and replied, "Okay." Both Rita and I belong to the nerd/geek group in this campus. It never really bothered me, just some badmouthing and etc. but all in all it's fine. For me only though. I don't know about the others. "Hey, Lucy. I have some interesting book for you. And guess what? It talks about something like a flute for sirens like you." She babbles at me but, before she could even continue, I faced her and gave her a scowl. "Can you shush, Rita. Someone might hear you. You do know that I'm keeping my identity as a secret, right." I frustratingly said. Beside my mom and my father, Rita knows my real identity. Blame it to her for being so nosy, really.