A Villager's Catch. (A short story)

A siren luring.

Twine against the shore, making sea waves rise. The song of the sirens, ringing in your ears. Everyone knew not to go to the shore, and be allured by the magical songs. But then again, there always needed to be someone to check out the mystical creatures and what they were doing out in the dangers of the black water.

But as dawn approached, the pirates came calling home bound. In the north wind, lying beyond the trenches of the lake, thousands of sirens. They all waited for their first meal, their stomachs growling with the hunger of the human flesh the pirates gave. Just one song to sing, and the ship was theirs.

Even on the ship as it approached the deck, the crew-men knew far too well of the voyages and creatures under the sea. But one man in particular, the son of no other than Captain Hamato Yoshi sailed on that ship. The WonderSpear, is what the ship was called. And many people knew about this far-fairy tale story for centuries. 

But as the stories continued, only a few of the villagers believed it was true. Was it really true that a sailor boy could fall in love with a siren? Or was it all a myth just like the other folk-tales they tell around the fire at the dawn of night? Depending on the person, only some people would believe this tale.

Finally, the boat sailed towards the docks. Making it safely across the dark ocean, making a few close calls. Hamato Yoshi called out for his son, looking on the boat for him. But, Leonardo was on the other side of the boat looking down into the distant water flowing. He was intrigued. Aching to jump into the water.

His brown hair is freely blowing with the wind, the curls getting into those deep blue eyes. The young man was always dreaming of being a Captain, but craved to be in the water one day. A little background about Leo, he was the oldest of his three other brothers. Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. 

"Leo! Come on!" His father shouted, making Leo lose his thoughts. The other crewmen were taking crates of material off of the boat and onto the deck. They were finally back home. Leo came rushing over to his father, getting patted on the back while he panted softly. "Come on, kid. Let's get back to your mother and other siblings."

The two walked off of the ship, walking onto the rocky road to go back to their village. The air was filled with fog, as usual. 'Golden Tree' is their home. The dad and the son stayed silent as they walked back to their cabin, Hamato Yoshi stopping and talking to some of their neighbours.

He was friends with mostly everyone since he was the Captain and was one of the oldest men there. Some of the villagers just dismissed him, but others were astonished by his work and what he did in life on the boat. "You get going, I'll meet you back at home soon." The father whispered to his son, laughing along with the villager.

Leo kept walking, kicking some loose stones on the pathway. His cabin was up at the top of the hill, making it get the most fog from the darkened sky. He sighed, before even opening the door he heard a voice call out to him. "Leo! Oh goodness, can you give this to your mother for me?" Maria, one of the bakery's main bakers.

She handed the young boy a basket, inside was bread and muffins. "Of course, ma'am." Leo smiled, it showed genuine affection and appreciation for the treats. She waved as she walked back down the path, leaving Leo to the door. He then opened the door, using his foot to keep it open as he walked inside.

There at the table was his mother, Tang Shen. Her flowing black hair draped on her shoulders as she worked on sewing with needle and thread. "Hello, mother." Leo said softly, walking over to the table and setting down the basket. She looked up at him, her pink lips embraced by a small smile.

"There's my sweet boy. How did the sailing go?" She asked, grasping the basket and looking through it. He walked behind the chair, grabbing a piece of thin rope and tying up his mother's hair. "It's like how it always is. Fun yet sickening." "Fun yet sickening." They both said in unison, laughing softly as he finished tying up her hair.

"Where's the three Musketeers?" Leo teased, sitting down across from Tang Shen. "Oh you know, probably off in the forest again getting dirty." She laughed softly, getting back to her sewing. "I hope they know to stay away from the water.." Tang Shen sighed, looking at Leo. "Will you-" "Don't worry, I'll go get them."

The boy stood up from the table, waltzing towards the door. "I'll be back, mom." He looked over his shoulder, giving her a small smile before opening the door and walking out. The stones stumbled across the path as he walked. A few minutes passed and he finally made it to the nearby dark forest.

It wasn't really dark, but they called it that because of all the creatures that laid beyond it. He walked through the opening, his gut twisting and turning in slight anxiety as he looked up at the trees seeming to be caving it. They looked like clawed out hands entangled in one another, holding onto each other for dear life.

But, his thoughts were interrupted as he saw his brothers. He smiled, rolling his eyes playfully as the younger siblings bantered and wrestled one another. "Give it back!" Mikey exclaimed, reaching for the lute Donnie had in his grasp. "Or what? You can't reach it." Donnie teased, being taller than any of his brothers even if he was the middle child.

"Donnie, give it back to Mikey before he starts to whine." Leo chuckled, walking up to his brothers. Raph scoffed, leaning against the tree while crossing his arms over his chest. "He always whines." Leo nodded in agreement, understanding that his younger brother did whine a lot when he didn't get his way.

Mikey pouted, sitting down on a rock. "You guys are so mean." "It means we love you, idiot." Leo smiled, playfully ruffling his younger brother's hair. "But what did mom tell you guys about being close to the water?" Leo mentioned, looking in between his brothers. They all answered in unison. "Not to go near the water."

"You do listen, but don't follow the rules." Leo inclined, standing up straight. Raph sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. "But it's fine! No sirens are gonna catch me and my quick movements." 

Leo rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're all nuts. Come on, let's get home." Leo mentioned, turning on his heel and walking away waiting for his younger siblings to come along. As the four of them walked along the path back home, the trenches of Spirit Lake flowed. Something was underneath. 

Waiting.