The siren had been traversing the forest for what felt like an eternity, a half hour lost in the whispers of the trees. I pushed aside the gnarled branches that threatened to strike my face, my eyes fixed on the enigmatic figure ahead.
Questions swirled in my mind like leaves caught in a tempest. Why had he ventured onto dry land? The barrier of language loomed between us, a chasm of uncertainty, and I was adrift, unaware of his destination. My knowledge of sirens was scant, mere fragments of tales spun through time. Creatures of the deep, they were said to dwell among their own kind, yet here he was, a solitary being on the cusp of danger. How much of the lore was truth, and how much mere shadow?
I realized that understanding would come only through my interactions with this siren. I had to shield him from the prying eyes of humanity and unravel the mystery of his presence.
Where did he originate? What compelled this siren to manifest before me? What was his purpose? Did he grasp the peril of lingering on land?
My gaze shifted to the man in the suit, accompanied by two crows that flitted about like dark omens. He was undeniably human, yet there was an otherworldly quality about him. He seemed aware of the unseen, of the things that stirred in the night.
Our eyes met, and he sensed my scrutiny. "Hi, what's your name? I was told that you had saved Crown's life," he inquired, his voice smooth as silk.
I regarded him with caution. "I am Dawn. And you? You are no ordinary human; your calmness around the siren and your bond with the crows speaks volumes."
He chuckled, a sound that echoed through the trees, and I narrowed my eyes, perplexed by his amusement.
"Hello, Dawn. I am Jonathan Ross. These crows are my companions, aiding me in various endeavors. Your act of bravery in saving Crown has intrigued me, and I wished to meet you."
We navigated through the underbrush, stepping over the remnants of fallen branches. My suspicion lingered like a shadow, and I cast a fleeting glance at the siren before returning my focus to Jonathan Ross—a name that felt oddly out of place. "What is it that you seek?" I asked, my voice steady, yet laced with curiosity.
He spoke with an air of mystery, "There exists a sanctuary for the supernatural. After I intervened to save Crown's life, I felt compelled to ask if you would consider joining. This institution strives to assist all supernatural beings in navigating the human realm, taming their most primal urges and instincts."
A flicker of curiosity ignited within me, yet the thought of how to broach this with my mother loomed large.
Our attention shifted to the siren, who had halted his steps, his senses keenly attuned as he prowled near the underbrush beside the ancient tree.
Confusion clouded my mind as I exchanged glances with the man, my brow furrowing in bewilderment at the siren's peculiar behavior. "What are you up to?" I inquired, my voice laced with uncertainty.
To my astonishment, he plunged his left hand into the foliage, emerging with a wounded turtle cradled delicately in his grasp.
We stood transfixed, watching the siren's gaze bore into the fragile creature, its shell marred by fractures, as he raised it toward his mouth with an unsettling intent.
In a flash, I snatched the turtle from his grasp, igniting a fury within the siren, who began to growl, his claws poised menacingly in my direction.
Jonathan, unfazed, turned to one of the crows, commanding, "Raven, transform now." In an instant, I recoiled, my eyebrows shooting up in disbelief as the crow morphed into a taser—an absurdity that defied logic. Keeping my distance, I felt the siren's gaze fixate on me, his hunger palpable as he lunged forward, drawn to the turtle I held. A wave of realization washed over me; we had trailed him for naught, for in his world, devouring live prey was a mere norm.
I dashed to Jonathan's side, urgency in my voice, "Jonathan, hold off on the taser! Do you have anything to appease the siren? We need a way to subdue him, if only temporarily."
A spark of inspiration lit Jonathan's eyes as he turned to one of his crows, instructing Crown to venture to the nearest market and procure some seafood—fish, shrimp, or perhaps salmon.
A few days past, I had rescued a crow, now known as Crown, who chirped with a joyful melody before soaring into the sky. Not far from us, a siren halted, its gaze fixed on the turtle cradled in my palm, a low growl escaping its lips.
With a smile, I addressed the creature, "I understand that hunting in the water is your nature. Just hold on a moment; Crown will soon fetch you a meal." I tilted my head, observing its stillness. "Is that what drew you from the depths? Were you in search of sustenance?"
Silence enveloped the siren, yet I pressed on, seeking to divert its attention. Turning to Jonathan, I pondered aloud, "How will Crown procure food from the nearest store, being a mere crow? And what shall we do with the siren? It must return to the water."
Jonathan, captivated by the siren, replied, "As you witness Raven morph into a taser, so too does Crown possess the ability to take human form."
I glanced at the taser he held, as he leaned closer, his voice a mere whisper, as if the shadows themselves might overhear. "Crown intends to acquire seafood, laced with a sedative. This will lull the siren into a temporary slumber. Afterward, we shall devise a plan."
Astonishment washed over me. Just then, Crown swooped down, clutching a bag in his talons, dropping it into Jonathan's waiting hands. The siren tilted its head, intrigued by the bag, while I watched Jonathan retrieve an object from within.
He held up a sizable raw salmon, its odor pungent and overwhelming. I wrinkled my nose as the siren hesitated, inching closer before pausing at a distance. Its eyes darted between us, then, in a flash, it snatched the salmon from Jonathan's grasp, leaving him gasping in disbelief at its swiftness.
The siren retreated a few steps, sniffing the fish before glancing back at us. With a tentative lick, it took a bite, and soon, it devoured the salmon with fervor, each movement rapid and insatiable.
I observed his strange behavior, a man seemingly starved of sustenance for ages. A wave of astonishment washed over me as I pondered the last time he had tasted food.
My nose wrinkled in distaste at the remnants of salmon clinging to the corners of his mouth. He approached us with deliberate caution, each step accompanied by a whisper of rustling leaves.
As he parted his lips, a haunting hum escaped, drawing me into its enchanting embrace. I held my breath, entranced by the magnetic allure of his melody.
Beneath the silvery glow of the moon, I beheld the siren, eyes closed, lost in his song, while a gentle breeze danced through his hair, as if nature itself yearned to caress him, weaving a tapestry of sound that was nothing short of divine.