Myths by Maddie

Song of the Deep*

*Based off of the myth that the women thrown off ships became the sirens that sung sailors to their deaths.

I awoke to the sound of shouting and the pouring of rain. Drenched in seconds, I found myself being hauled out of my quarters and tied to the mast of the king's ship. Through the fog of sleep, I could make out arguing voices, shouting things I couldn't name. All at once, it clicked in place.

"We never shouldda brought 'er!" I heard one man shout. "A woman on a boat? She's what's causin' this 'ere storm."

The captain eyed the dissenter warily, then turned his attention to me. "Aye, a bad omen, to be sure," came the silky reply. "The question is 'what to do with her'." He turned towards me, a devilish grin on his face.

He leaned in close, close enough that I could smell the whiskey on his breath. In a whisper, he told me "I could throw you to the fish, but morale is low. Why not let the boys have a little fun?" He dragged his thumb along my jaw, and then bent even closer. I snapped, biting close to his face. He backed away, chuckling. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that, but I think we should be done with you," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

A cheer rose up among the crew. Heathens, I thought, my last glimpse of the world a bitter one. The helmsman came to untie me, securing my ankles and wrists in the process. The crew surged forward and then I was airborne.

I hit the water, and felt the air escape my lungs. Sinking, sinking, down, down, down, the ship faded from view as my vision went black. Suddenly, something shifted. I felt alive and unstoppable. My legs began to fuse together, skin turning to scales. I felt gills forming along my neck and a song bursting from them.

I started swimming, a slow smile taking over my face. After all, I had a ship to catch.