Siren's Silence

Chapter 1: Of Dreams and Nightmares

James

I awoke to the feeling of cold, extreme cold. My eyes were too heavy to open and my body was so numb that I couldn't move it, but at least I was conscious. I could hear my father's booming voice calling for help. He went quiet and I could vaguely hear a woman's voice. My father began carrying me down what I assumed to be a series of streets until I heard the sound of a door opening. The air changed, getting warmer, though my body still felt half-frozen. My father laid me down on a hard surface, then I felt someone's warm fingers touching the back of my neck, pressing my spine carefully.

"His neck isn't broken, thank goodness," said the woman's voice. "Now we need to get him warm. That'll get easier if he's dry. Um, here." I felt my shirt being unbuttoned and pulled off, warm hands touched my skin as the soaking wet material was pulled away. "Um, I know where there's some dry pants, I'll get those. If you don't mind, it might be best if you change him, being his father and all..."

"Yes, of course!" The sound of feet leaving the room followed my father's answer. "Hang in there, son, we're getting help, we're getting help." His voice trailed off as my world again darkened.

Reality came back to me slowly. I could hear the woman's voice again, "So he was run into, hit the railings of the boat, then tumbled into the water, which, I take it, is what made him lose consciousness?"

"Yes ma'am, the cold shock of the ocean," my father's voice responded.

"So I assume this mark here," I felt a hand trace a wide line across my ribs, "is where he hit?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Alright, so any serious injury would be characterized by heat and possibly inflammation, let's see here." I felt two hands slowly working their way across my bare chest, pressing and prodding a little as they did. They hit a sore spot and my body tensed against my will. The pressure became lighter as the hands continued exploring. "Bruised a little... Quite a strong young man, isn't he?"

"Yes, m'lady, fisherman's son," my dad boomed proudly.

She laughed lightly, "That would explain it." Her soft voice was music to my ears. I noticed that now the hands were doing less poking and prodding, but still gently massaging. I did my best to make sure I didn't give away the fact that I was awake, I didn't want her to stop.

I heard my dad say in a clever tone, "If you need, you could... Check the rest of him for 'injuries' as well..."

"I thought you said he only hit his che..." She trailed off and the heat in her hands increased, I assumed she was probably blushing. "Oh... N-no, I'm-he's fine. Shouldn't, erm, shouldn't have to check for anything." Only one hand was resting on my chest now and I felt it starting to move away.

Seemingly without thought, I reached up and caught her wrist gently. "You forgot something, m'lady..." I opened my eyes just a little and just in time to see the color rise in her cheeks.

"And what is that?" Her lips moved so gracefully, I couldn't help but watch them.

"I don't know if my heart's still beating, I did not think that one could see angels until it did." I gently pulled her hand over and rested it back on my chest, over my heart. I could see her eyes glinting a little with amusement and she let out a small laugh. "Are you sure none of my ribs are broken? You could... Look again, just to be sure, I don't mind."

She laughed fully now, the color rising all the way to her ears. "They- you are fine, young man. I think if you have been awake that long, you have nothing to fear."

She began to try to move away, but I didn't want her to. I tightened my grip on her wrist, careful not to crush it, but making sure it was just enough to keep her from getting more than two steps away. "Aren't you at least going to wish me a good recovery? Maybe bid me a farewell?"