Story Post # 5 Isabella W.

Hi there! This is my blog post #5, and this is my short story draft!

“I don’t really know what I plan on doing yet, I have so many dreams about traveling and discovering new places around the world. Since the social studies class with Mr. Stevens, I can’t stop thinking about it.” I twirled my hair between my fingertips and looked up curiously at the clear, spring sky.

“My Mom would not allow any of that. It’s straight to university for me.” My best friend Miranda replied, looking down at her sandwich.

On the bus ride home from high school, I couldn’t help but longingly look out the window at the small neighborhood in Manitoba that I grew up in. The sweet, older homes, and the familiar landmarks passed by. I saw the corner store where I used to buy candy after a long day in school, the park where I would swing for hours, and the old oak tree that had been there longer than anyone could remember. As the bus paused for my stop, I stepped out and walked to my house. The smell of baked cookies greeted me as I opened the door. Today was just like every other day; until that evening when everything changed.

My mom looked serious and a little anxious while putting away the dinner dishes. Normally, she would have the evening news blaring on the T.V. and be complaining about something terrible going on in the world. But tonight, it was quiet. She motioned for me to sit with her at the kitchen table. “Eve,” she began, her voice steady but soft, “we’re moving. To an island. Seahaven Island.” I stared at her blankly, waiting for her to say that it was a joke. But it never came. “What? Why?” I finally replied. “What about this town, school, or my friends? What about everything?” She gave out a deep sigh. “I know this is difficult to hear, Eve. But it’s an opportunity for us to get a fresh start. And it’s important because of my promotion in studying coral reefs for our marine biology team. I can’t pass this up. You always talk about new adventures, well look at us! We have one now!” I looked down at her hands in mine and I stared blankly into them for what felt like hours. I nodded and slowly walked up the stairs, not really knowing what to say.

So, there I was, one month later, walking around aimlessly in the airport of an island I had no idea about. I had to admit, I was a little excited, but the heaviness of saying my final goodbyes to Miranda and my hometown still stung my heart.

The island was nothing like I had expected. When we stepped off the plane, the air was warm and humid, and the sunlight danced around the light blue sky. The sandy shores seemed to stretch endlessly, each dotted with unique rock formations that looked like they’ve been created by some mysterious hands (1). The water was so clear I could see everything at the bottom, including the colorful fish swimming through the coral reefs (5). It seemed as if I stared long enough, I could forget everything that had happened.

As days passed, I started adapting to this new place. Of course, it didn’t feel home to me, but I wasn’t unhappy about my new life. The island was beautiful, the locals were friendly, and I’ve even been able to make a couple of new friends here. Everything was going smoothly until about a week after we arrived. I heard the sound for the first time while lying in my bed. At first, I thought it was the call of a strange tropical bird. It was high-pitched and pleasant-sounding, echoing through the vast land. Curious, I asked my mom the next day if she had heard the strange sound, but she looked at me all confused. “There wasn’t any sound. It’s always so quiet here during the night.” “What? You didn’t hear anything?” I replied. “Nope, nothing,” she answered before leaving for work. Maybe she was asleep by then? I didn’t think much of it.

However, the melody returned the next night, and the night after that. Each time it grew louder, as if it was calling for me. I seemed to be lured to it almost subconsciously (4). I tried to shake it off, thinking to myself that I might have just been imagining it. Everyone I asked didn’t know or heard the sound I was talking about. Still, the melody lingered in my mind, like a dream I couldn’t quite remember. My mind was telling me to ignore it, but my heart had other plans. It wanted me to find out where this sound was coming from.

One night, I had enough. I couldn’t take it anymore. I waited until my mom was asleep, then slipped on a sweater and grabbed a flashlight from the cabinet. When I went outside, I could feel the cold air hitting my face, and I could hear the soft hum of the waves. I followed the melody, which grew louder and louder with each step. It led me to the deep sea, where the waves crashed and swooshed. The clear water seemed to brighten, and without thinking, I knelt down and touched it. Suddenly, a force pulled me under. I gasped, but the water swallowed me whole, and everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in a damp, dimly lit cave. Torches flickered on the walls. Panic surged through me when I realized that I was trapped. I tried to find a way out but found none. Then, I started to hear the same sweet song-like melody again (2). It grew louder, and suddenly, one side of the cave crumbled, revealing a narrow passageway. The melody seemed to want me to follow it. I hesitated.

The passageway led to an even bigger cave, and in the center stood a dark figure. It was unlike anything I had ever seen in my life. It had bird-like features, sharp wings, and glowing yellow eyes (2). Beside it was a long, eel-like creature with a spiny dorsal fin that ran down its back (6). My heart raced and I wanted to bolt away; however, my feet were stuck in place by my own frozen-up body. After a long moment of silence, the figure spoke. “Eve,” it said, “I am here to give you an offer.” I swallowed hard, I could feel my stomach curling. “An offer?” The creature tilted its head. “Yes, I’ll give you a choice. You can return to the island above, or you can stay and explore this place.

I froze, my mind racing. I was in a dilemma. The memories of the island and the life I was starting to build all flashed before my eyes. But so did the dreams of adventuring and traveling through new places around the world (3). I took a deep breath. “I want to stay,” I said finally. The figure nodded, took my hands and led me down a pathway at the side of the cave. I didn’t know what to expect or if this was even the right decision, but I wanted to see anyways.

References:

Mermaid Myths & Legends. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.majesticwhaleencounters.com.au/mermaid-myths-legends

Crystal Rome and Debby Sneed. (2018). Sirens in Ancient Greece and the Near East, https://www.colorado.edu/classics/2018/06/19/sirens-ancient-greece-and-near-east

Sirens in Mythology: Powers, Legends, and Symbolism. (2024). Retrieved from Explore Sirens in Mythology: Origins, Powers, and Legends

John Richard Thornhill Pollard and A.W.H. Adkins. (2024). Siren I Definition, Legend, & History, https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Siren/624604