In Too Deep

Chapter 8

We've had it all wrong. 

Angelica, the Siren, was the girl who used to sing at the Pink Sands. That was why people could hear beautiful songs near the cave Dylon showed me. The Siren was probably already there waiting for us.

"Dylon, we have to leave now. Start speed swimming."

"What? What are you talking about? What do you mean we were wrong the whole time?"

"I'll explain when we get there. Now speed swim us both back to the Pink Sands, please."

Dylon takes my hand and whoosh! The slow motion of the speed swimming calms me for a bit but unfortunately it's over in a flash.

I let go of Dylon's hand and look him straight in the eye.

"We've had it all wrong," I start.

"What do you me-"

"No, listen. We don't have much time. Bubbles, the seahorse that we buried here, told me a story about a mermaid that used to sing here. He said she had a beautiful voice but was banned because singing wasn't allowed. You also said that you sometimes hear mesmerizing singing in that rock," I say pointing to the rock we stayed in.

Dylon takes a minute to process what I said and then suddenly his eyes widen.

"You're right. It all makes sense now."

I look over to the cave we spent the night in. Dylon did say there was another part of it that he's never reached. I know what we have to do.

"We have to go in there. The Siren is already waiting for us. I'm certain."

"Yeah, I know," Dylon says.

Both of us swim over to the rock and look at each other. I don't want to go in but I know I have to. It is the right thing to do. I nod to Dylon and we both start swimming into the dark cave.

"I should go in. You stay out here and keep watch," I tell Dylon.

"No. I'm not leaving you. I care about you."

My heart flutters. He's sweet but I won't let him risk his life for me.

"You can't. I won't let you risk your life for me. I'm not worth it. Just make sure no one comes into the cave, okay?"

"No I-"

I shush him by taking my pointer finger and placing it on his lips. I'm going to be the only one in there. Dylon is going to stay out here where he's safe. That's my plan.

"No. You stay out here," I say with a small smile.

And with that, I swam deeper into the cave and finally when it was too dark, I stopped.

"Come out, Siren! I know you're here!" I yell loudly.

A chill crawls up my spine when a cold hand touches my shoulder. The cold, shivering hand moves until the merperson is in front of me.

"Finally. You've made it. You were smarter than I thought," a voice says in front of me.

Then the crystals in the cave light up and I see a face I thought I would never see again.

My mom.

But instead she has a tail and claws that used to be her fingers. What has happened? This was all very confusing

"You're the Siren?"

"That's right. Didn't you know? Haven't you ever wondered why I've always been so cruel to you? I've been with you all these years and you had no idea. Ha! You are is a stupid silly young girl."

"No! Stop. I'm only like this because of you! You are the one who is supposed to guide me through life and be there when I am down or sad! But you never did that! You cursed me so I couldn't find out I had another home that actually made me feel safe. You kept everything from me. Is that what you wanted? For me to have a sick life and never find out who I truly was? Well it's too late. I've never felt more at home in my whole entire life. But because of you, I have finally realized that I can do something, that I'm not afraid, and that I can be anything I want to be without anyone else judging. So stop saying that I'm a stupid fool because you're the one who is the fool!" I am screaming or crying. I can't tell.

"Silly girl. You are nothing and will always be nothing. I will make sure you die and never have the throne. After your death, I'll kill your sister as well." she says to me with a crackling laugh.

"You are a monster! What have I ever done to you anyway?"

"Oh, please, you know what your parents did to me. Stop trying to act even more stupid than you already are. Listen to me y-"

"Stop," I tell her, "When I went on the journey to defeat you with Bubbles and Leimomi, I was nervous. I will admit that. I had felt I couldn't do anything to help the ocean. But along the way, I actually knew what it felt like to be in love and to fall in love."

I think of Dylon...

"Rubbish!," she says.

Out of nowhere, she starts singing a tune. The singing was soft and delicate. Almost mesmerizing. But, it doesn't affect me so I take this opportunity to distract her by making the high five hand movement at her. Bubbles said I could freeze anything that was water with this power. Since all of our bodies are made of water, the Siren froze!

The minute I did the high five movement she just froze! She looked like an ice sculpture. Yikes, maybe I should warm her up instead. I clench my hand together and point my whole arm at her. The ice begins to melt and with my other hand, I move it counter-clockwise at her body.

She screams in pain and I immediately feel guilty. However, I know it's the right thing to do. "I'm sorry! But it's the right thing to do. I can't let you rule the sea," I tell her while the water around us becomes unstable.

My powers were creating some kind of whirlpool that made everything fuzzy. The Siren screams in more pain whenever I turn my hand even farther.

I guess my powers are stronger than I thought. The Siren screams extremely loud this time and I can't think. 

 I let my hands down and everything else is a blur. 

 I can't see so I have no idea what happens next. 

 I think I'm trying to swim away but the sound of a terrible scream is still ringing in my ears. 

I drift to the pink sand below me and cover my ears with all my strength.

"Melody! Melody!"

"Make the pain stop. Make it stop." I'm begging.

"It's okay Melody. I'm here now," the voice assures me.

All I know right now is that the Siren got away and that I'm drifting off to sleep...