Unburied Past

Siren

Max laughed at something the beauty beside him said.

The girl had introduced herself as Vanessa Alva, a marine biology student minoring in music performance at Turtle Cove University. To him, she was the most stunning thing he'd ever seen. The way the corners of her eyes crinkled when she smiled and lit up when she laughed. The way her inky curls never seemed to be out of place despite nothing tying them back, they looked like the waves of the ocean at midnight.

She was the most gorgeous girl he'd ever seen.

"So, Max," her beautiful British accent rang out. She'd said that she was from Wales originally, so he supposed that it was actually a Welsh accent. "What kinds of things do you like to do?"

"At one time, I wanted to be a pro bowler," he told her.

"You any good?"

"They say I was."

"Why'd you stop?"

"Life happened. I had other priorities."

"Like what? If you don't mind my asking."

Max knew Taylor would kill him, but something told him that he could trust Vanessa with his biggest secret. He looked around and, upon realizing that they were alone on the beach, he looked back at her. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course, Maxy," she reached out and laid a hand on his.

As the boy stared into the chocolate eyes in front of him, he was transported to another time.

He was on a ship in the middle of the ocean when he heard the voice again, beckoning him to follow.

The stories of mermaids his mother had told him weren't of dangerous sirens luring men to their death, but of helpful spirits guiding sailors to where they needed to go. Even if it wasn't their intended destination.

He followed the voice which led his crew and himself to a seemingly deserted island.

The Isle of Spirits.

It was said to be haunted by the ghost of a beautiful young princess who'd been lost at sea whilst fleeing her homeland and washed up on the banks of the island. She then became a vengeful spirit who haunts and kills anyone who dare step foot in her territory.

"You don't believe those tales, do you?" came an Italian voice from behind him.

"Of course I do, Jeremiah," he replied. "Everyone except you does."

"It's childish, Will."

"It's the truth. But a siren brought me here, so there must be a reason."

"Siren. Right."

He glared at the taller man. "Just don't fall in love with the princess's spirit. You'll never return if you do."

Jeremiah looked at him. "Ghosts don't exist, Will. But if there really is something, or someone, here," he patted his sword attached to his hip, "I'll take care of it."

"Don't anger the princess," Will warned as he walked away. "Or the sirens."

"Maxy?"

The blue ranger's attention snapped back to Vanessa.

"I'm a power ranger."

The girl smiled. "I know."