Echoes of pain: Sura

Echoes of pain: Lake crest

I stepped into the warm shower, letting the water wash away the anxiety and dirt of the day. I closed my eyes, feeling the tension melt from my muscles as I breathed in the steamy air.

"Tonight's the night!" I exclaimed to myself, grinning. "Maybe I'll meet someone special... like my mate!"

As I rinsed off, I thought about the Water Halloween Festival. It was a town tradition, a celebration of our country's rich history of mystical creatures such as the sirens and wolves. Of course, no one believed we were real, but it was a fun excuse for a party.

"Who needs mythical creatures when you have cute guys in costumes, right?" I said to myself, laughing.

After toweling off, I began my hair routine, carefully straightening my white locks until they fell like silk down my back.

"I need a trim" I muttered while adding a few subtle white hairpins to keep any stray strands in place, then applied a light mist of shimmering hair spray to give my hair a subtle sparkle.

"Looking good, Sura!" I said, examining myself in the mirror while cackling like a woman gone mad at my foolishness. "You're a total siren babe."

Next, I slipped into my outfit for the night - a cozy black sweater dress with long sleeves and a low neckline, paired with thick tights a giant cozy scarf and a pair of warm boots. The dress was made of soft, chunky yarn that felt like a hug, and the tights and boots added a layer of warmth that was perfect for the chilly early October night.

"Yep, this is the stuff!" I said, admiring myself in the mirror. "You're a cozy, stylish siren, ready to take on the night."

I added shimmering silver earrings in the shape of snowflakes, and a delicate necklace with a tiny mermaid tail charm that my friends gave me last year to match my birthmark. My eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement as I once again examined myself in the mirror - I felt like a completely different person, a confident and alluring stranger.

"Alright, Sura!" I said, taking a deep breath. O"Let's go find your mate... or at least someone who appreciates a good siren costume!"

With a smile, I headed out the door, grabbing my coat on my hanger ready to meet my friends and take on the night.

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I stood outside the pack house waiting for Alexei's car to pull up, it took no more than five minutes for him to show up "Wow, Sura! you look beautiful!" Alexei said as I entered his car, I blushed furiously especially when I realized how he was looking at me.

"Oh um thank you Alex, you're always so sweet to me" I said turning to look around the car

"Well that's because I always mean it sura, you are gorgeous" he doubled down making me smile brightly "Thanks Alex," I said leaning over from the back seat to kiss his cheek "Um where are the girls?" I asked now questioning their absence.

Alex whose cheek turned a light pink cleared his throat before looking at me through the mirror "You know how they are, even after I ask them to come early" Alex sighed making me chuckle.

As if summoned by Alex's irritation Kat and Anya burst through the pack house door rushing down the steps to the black Toyota.

"Hi guys I'm so sorry we're late, I couldn't find my dress," Anya said popping in beside me while Kat who took the front seat rolled her eyes "More like couldn't choose a fucking dress after taking out fifty. Alex stared unimpressed while I folded my lips to keep from laughing at the situation.

Changing the topic Anya gushed running her fingers through my straight locs "Omg you haven't straightened your hair since fifth-grade sura! Babe you look incredible," Anya added, her voice full of admiration.