Love is a Dangerous Game

My name is Lorelai. I’ve grown up in a vacant cottage my entire life. My family has separated me from the townspeople in order to protect me. However, what my family doesn’t think I know, is that they are protecting me from myself. I’ve done research and found the origin of my name. Temptress. Every month, when the full moon rises from behind the horizon, my body changes. My stature grows to be more beautiful and strong. My teeth sharpen in the process, and my thirst for blood increases. My family sends me away to my aunt’s beach house every month because she is the only one like me. I am a Siren and this is my story. For the past couple weeks, my parents have made sure I’m discreet. They’ve hidden me away, locking me in the basement when they go to festivals in the village. My siblings are not allowed to have friends over, and I’m supposedly invisible until the full moon passes. We didn’t discover I was a Siren until my twelfth birthday, the first full moon I’ve encountered. It was a bloodbath. I wasn’t used to the transformation, and I remember writhing in pain that night. I nearly lost my best friend. She tried to help me, but failed to do so. I still feel guilty, to this day. Ever since, my family has tried to hide the fact that I exist, ashamed that I do. That is why they send me away to my aunt every month, because she isn’t so perfect either. I’m closer to her than anyone. I despise my mother and my father. My aunt is loving and compassionate despite her terrible flaws that I own as well. This morning, I was simply having breakfast with my family, and was about to leave for my closet of a bedroom when my mother said, “Lorelai, wait. Your father and I need to speak with you.” “Yes, mother?” I answered sweetly. “I feel, because you are older, and carry more burdens and responsibilities, that you are prepared enough to go out on your own. So, we’ll give you sixteen pieces to go out to the market and purchase some apples and oranges for dessert. If you don’t mind.” I was in complete shock at my mother’s words. My jaw dropped at the thought of going out on my own. “Of course.” “On some conditions.” My father added. I huffed. They didn’t really trust me. “You don’t speak with anyone, and disguise yourself. The villagers think you’ve been dead for years. Keep it that way.” He said fiercely. “And if you must speak, use sign language like your monster of an aunt taught you.” “Yes, father.” With that, I skipped up to my room in glee. I gathered my things swiftly. A basket with a silk cloth for the fruit, my brown day dress, and the old ratted cloak my sweet aunt made for me. Unfortunately, it was a warmer day, and the layers I was required to wear made moving uncomfortable, but it was worth it. I got to leave our cottage that was tucked away, hidden from the villagers. Traveling to the village only took a few hours at most on horseback, and a days time on foot. There was a beautiful clearing next to our home where we grew most of our crops like wheat and barley. We also owned horses. My father used to work as a farmer along with my two older brothers until I became a Siren. We would be the poorest family in town if it weren’t for my father’s family legacy of the ranch. Now all the tools are rusty and half our livestock has been sold to feed our family. My parents let me spend time on the farm in the summer, so I grew to love horseback-riding. My horse I had the privilege of naming was very obedient and strong. Her name was Fiona. So, I gave her some oats and settled her saddle, readying her for the trip. Taking no time at all, I led Fiona along the path and we made it to the village marketplace before noon. I boarded Fiona to a post, giving her more oats in the process. Reluctantly, I put on my hood, covering my eyes and nose. Goodness, it was a hot day! The market was so beautiful and full of life! Children were running about, chasing one another, merchants were yelling, “Portions! Portions, get your portions!” Some of the more townspeople would perform on the edges, singing and dancing, holding out their hats for coins. I loved the village. It was so unfortunate I was some disgrace who couldn’t be apart of it. I was picking through the apples, and found four beautiful red ones. I gestured to the shopkeeper that I was ready to purchase them, and set all four in a row on the counter. The old scruffy man said, “That’ll be twenty pieces.” I looked up from under my hood and signed, “I only have sixteen.” “Sorry, sweetheart, if you don’t have the money, you don’t get no apples.” He growled. I whispered, “I only have sixteen. Please, it’s for my family.” “If you don’t leave soon-!!” “I’ll cover the other four.” I looked to my right to find a tall beautiful figure. He leaned down and whispered, “Ignore Bert’s rude tone. He’s always like this.” I was in shock, letting the stranger fill my basket with the apples and lead me away. “You didn’t have to do that.” I whispered, ignoring my father’s wishes of signing. “It’s quite alright. Are you a traveler?” He said, changing the subject completely. “Yes.” I lied. “How will I pay you back?” I looked up at him. “I don’t even know your name, kind sir.” He smiled a charming crooked smile. His blue eyes shone in the sunlight, and his auburn shaggy hair fell over his forehead a little. He was probably a blacksmith, because his arms were very muscular, and his hands were dirty despite efforts to clean them, I assumed. I could see his chest through his thin linen shirt. He was handsome. “Hmm.” He thought to himself. “I don’t know your name either. I say, you meet me here, tomorrow, at noon so we can get to know each other. This was obviously fate.” “You’re clever.” I giggled. “That is how you want me to pay you back?” “Yes.” “Alright. I’ll see you at this time tomorrow.” I left the market that day with the biggest smile on my face. I was ignoring my family’s wishes, and would have to suffer a grand punishment for this. However, this was the first human contact I’ve had outside my cottage. It was dangerous, but it was worth it. I could keep it a secret.