The Siren (Jaywon)

Moon Pool

After that day, for the rest of the week Jay started to go to Mako everyday after his design class to see Jungwon. And everyday, Jungwon would be waiting in the same spot for Jay, in the pool. He always seemed happy to see him and would greet Jay with his dimply smile as always, which Jay found adorable.

This day however, Jay had decided to bring his sketchbook with him to the cave. Once in the cave he sat on the edge of the pool and opened it. Jungwon swam up and looked at the book in Jay's hands.

"What's that?" He asked.

Jay lowered the book so that Jungwon could see the designs as he slowly flipped the pages.

"Just some clothing designs that I've been working on over the years." Jay told him.

"They're so nice. You draw well."

Jay gently ruffled Jungwon's wet hair as he thanked him, earning a big smile.

"I've been having a bit of trouble thinking up new designs though, so I wanted to give it another try today."

"Oh... then do you want me to leave you alone?" Asked Jungwon.

Jay looked up at him. "Of course not. Stay here next to me."

Jungwon nodded and sat down on the stair in the water. He slowly moved his hands back and forth through the blue water, catching Jay's attention as he began to flip to a blank page in his sketchbook.

"I've been meaning to ask you, why is the water in this pool so shiny?" Jay asked, "I've never seen anything like it before."

"Well, because this is a moon pool." Jungwon responded.

"A moon pool?"

"Yes, a moon pool is a magical pool that gets its energy from the full moon. It has beautiful clear water, and it's usually where a mermaid pod lives. This is only a small one, but there are much bigger ones out in the world."

"I see... you said that moon pools are where mermaid pods live... then where is yours?" Asked Jay as he began to draw while listening for Jungwon's answer to his question.

Jungwon was quiet for a few seconds before saying in a low, quiet voice, "They're.... They're dead..."

Jay felt his heart drop to his stomach at Jungwon's words and sudden change in voice, causing him to drop his pencil into the pool. Jungwon retrieved it and handed it back to Jay, not bothering to look up at him while doing so. He didn't want his new friend to see the sad expression on his face as he began to tell him the story of what had happened.

"Most pods are big with about 20-30 mer-folks, but mine was small. It was only 10 of us, and we lived here at Mako... I was really young when it all happened. I was about 14 years old." Said Jungwon, and Jay listened to every word closely. He could hear a slight quiver in Jungwon's voice as he continued to speak. "There was a huge thunderstorm..... We were all out in the ocean swimming around, far away from Mako, and the waves were out of control. Because of the strong current, and because I was so small, I was pulled underwater by the waves... But everyone else stayed at the surface. Lightning struck the water, and I had to watch as my friends and family were.... electrocuted...."

Jay heard a water droplet hit the pools water and looked down to see Jungwon in tears, but he still continued to talk.

"I saw blood... and... and I watched them sink but I couldn't do anything. I've been afraid of thunderstorms ever since... that day..."

Jungwon then broke down, and Jay immediately set his book aside as he slid down into the water and sat on the step next to Jungwon, not caring if his clothes got wet as the only thing on his mind was to comfort his friend. He put his arms around the crying boy and made Jungwon lay on his shoulder as he cried. Jay couldn't help but think about how much pain he must be in. He had to endure all of this by himself, in this cave alone for over 5 years with no one to talk to. He kept it all bottled up.