Siren's Song

Part 1

Staring in the mirror, I watch my eyes start to water. From happiness I believe, but even I have trouble reading my emotions. Cleaning up my face, I walk out into unfamiliar surroundings. My new flat in London. I was about to start college at Oxford and I had decided that living with my dad wasn't the best idea. I moved to South Kensington, which was closer to Oxford than where I used to live. I didn't start school for another few months, but settling in was always a good idea right? I walked towards my wardrobe, which was a decent size because I was able to still use my father's money. My Doberman Pinscher who I have had since I was just a babe, trailed behind me. I started rummaging through the hangers and the drawers, pulling out some blue baggy pants and a white crop top from the drawers, plus a black-brown leather racing jacket from the hangers. I grabbed some Black and White Nikes from the shelves, plus a blue opal necklace and a star ring. I dabbed on some makeup, letting my dark wolfcut run free. The red streaks in my hair stood out against the light colors. I shrugged at myself in the mirror, looking at the time. It was lunch time, which means that I slept in too long. I wandered out of the house, leashing Harley, and slipping in my AirPods. I put on my grunge playlist, and headed over to the Underground train station, playing on my phone until it stopped at Waterloo. I had heard of this nice Brewery with a café in it. It was called BrewDog. I needed a coffee and some wine. The drinking age here was the same as the voting and tattoo age in other countries. I know that from traveling when I was younger. Moving off the train, I started walking towards BrewDog. Around halfway through the walk, I knew someone was trailing me. I sped up a little bit. Arriving at BrewDog, I hurried in and rounded the corner, sitting on the couch behind a wall. I heard the door open again behind me, but the man just walked to the back of the room, looking around. I let out the breath I was holding, and took out my AirPods. Harley sat by me, looking around for anything he didn't trust. It was mostly empty, save for a few people scattered around and the waiters. There were plants hanging from the second level, and all over the floor. It was comfy. They played all sorts of grunge music, and the waiters were mostly all very smiley. A girl, maybe my age, walked around the corner and stood by the couch with an iPad. She was wearing the black BrewDog shirt all the workers were wearing.

"Can I get you anything?" She beamed, offering a kind smile.

"A double expresso and a cup of Château Lafite Rothschild please" I responded, mirroring her smile.

Her eyes went a little wide at the last part of the sentence, "you know that the wine you just ordered is the most expensive wine on the menu right?"

"Correction, the most expensive type of wine in the wine industry, which means it'll do the trick." I teased

She smiled yet again and disappeared to get my order. I noticed the guy who had been trailing me was sitting nearby, watching me. I sighed, smiling up at the waiter who places down my drinks. I drowned the coffee first, then started sipping my wine, pulling out my phone. I'm there for half an hour before I finished my wine. I looked up from my phone, ready to ask for the check, when I noticed the man who had been trailing me was still watching. There was another person with him now. I waved down my waiter.

"Can I get the check," I asked, glancing over at the man and his friend again, "and a Neat Angel Shot with ice"

Her eyes shot up to meet mine, mouthing; who?. I nodded my head subtly towards the two men staring at me. She nodded, had me pay, then walked away. As I was waiting, I just glanced around, petting Harley unconsciously. I noticed a man crouched down on the floor by the online orders iPad near me. His head was in his shaking hands, and his eyes were closed. His brows were furrowed, and he looked distraught and sad. I wrapped Harley's leash around my wrist, and strolled towards him. His eyes didn't open when I crouched down in front of him, tapping his shoulder. He jumped slightly, but doesn't open his eyes.

He rubs his forehead and mumbles, "sorry, I'll get back to work" really quietly.

"I'm not worried about you getting back to work. Something seems seriously wrong" I answered back, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine" he whispered, covering his eyes.

"Open your eyes and look at me then" I whispered back softly. He just shook his head. "I know I'm a stranger, but would you like a hug?"

He doesn't answer me, and it's quiet for a moment before he lets his knees fall on the floor, and his hands drop from his face, wrapping around my body. I got surprised for a moment, before I let my arms wrap around him, hugging him tightly. There was definitely something wrong. I hear small sobs escaping from the boy, and I hug him tighter. I don't understand why this boy was at work if he was having this much trouble. After a few minutes, I hear footsteps come up behind me.

"Miss, your Uber is here" the female waiters voice tells me

The boys sobs instantly stop, and he unwraps his hands, reaching up to his face, wiping his eyes.

"I hope you feel better" I whispered to him, "I have to go with her."

He nods slightly, and stands up, walking towards the employee area. He keeps his hands on his face until he gets to the door. I didn't get to see his face. Shame.   Walking with me towards the door, the female waiter starts talking to me.

"Do you know Patrick?" She asked me, turning to scan my eyes

"No, I didn't know that was his name until now." I replied honestly.

"Odd. He's normally a semi-quiet guy, but I haven't seen him like that before. He's been extra quiet recently." She answered, stopping at the Uber. I looked behind her and saw the men standing by the door.

"What's your name babe?" I asked her, opening the Uber door and allowing Harley into it.

"Sophia" she smiled

"Thank you for walking me to the car, Sophia. My name is Siren, would you mind telling Patrick my name and tell him I hope he feels better?" I smiled, putting one foot in the car.

"I will" she smiled back, heading back towards the door.

"Sophia," I called, allowing her to turn around before I talked, "be careful of those men in there" I told her, nodding towards the men standing in the door.

She turned around, looked at them, and nodded, leaving me with a smile. I got in the car, smiling at the driver.

"Where to Miss?" He asked

"Hyde park, please" I requested, looking out the window, seeing the men getting into their own car. I checked the time. If we got there at exactly 1:30, I should be able to find my mom, and not be alone.