Simply a Siren

Chapter 5: The Book

I heard the soft knocking on my door.
"Sweetie, are you ok? Your sisters told me about what happened. Can I come in?"
"Go away, mom. I wanna be alone." I said into my pillow.
"Can I at least talk to you?" Lara said through my door.
"....I guess. Mom or Layla or Loraine can't come in and have to be downstairs though." I heard the sound of my mom's feet going downstairs. I unlocked and opened the door. Lara walked in.
"Now, what happened?" She asked me as she redid her brunette pony tail.
"The witch, she destroyed the dance. She made huge windstorms, it was pouring, it was thundering and there was lightning. The worst part was I had to leave Preston, no explanation or anything. And she was turning me into a monster. I had scales on my wrists, my legs felt like jelly, and the scales were climbing up my legs. Once I got back inside, everything was fine though. And then, I had fangs and I was a cold blooded monster!" I started to cry into my sister's lap.
"Look, I've gone through the same thing. But you'll get through it. Trust me, all three of us did."
"But what about Preston? He's a merman and I'm a siren. How would we ever possibly be friends after that?"
"Well, if I know my sister, I know you'll find a way." She said. I nodded.
"Now how about you get on your pajamas and get some rest. After all, in a few hours it'll be two days until your birthday." She kissed my cheek and closed the door. I have to say, Lara always knows how to comfort me. She is kinda like a second mother believe it or not. I did what she said. I brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, and put on my pajamas. All they are is a tye-dye t shirt and some black pajama shorts. I turned off my lamp and covered myself up with blankets. I better find a way to save my friendship...fast.
•••
"Preston, please. This is important. Open up!" I yelled as I banged on the door.
"What do you want, Lola?" Preston said. He had on flannel pajama pants and a Navy sweatshirt.
"Woah, it's 11:00! Why are you still in you pajamas?"
"You know I am mad at you. You don't just abandon a person. You know-"
"Look, I'm sorry but I have good reason. I can't tell you though, I'm sorry." He sighed.
"Fine, what do you want?"
"You think I want something?"
"You always want something, Lola. Now what is it?"
"Your library card."
"Why?"
"Just hand it over, Preston!"
"Give me a second. Don't lose it." He went to the kitchen and opened a drawer. Within seconds, he came back.
"Thanks!" I grabbed the card and started running to the library.
"Excuse me, Miss Val, do you have any books on sirens and sea witches. Like, informational books?" I asked the librarian.
"Why?" She asked.
"Uh, well I kinda wanna do research. Aren't you just suppose to show me to the shelf?"
"Well that depends, Lola. Why are you researching it?"
"I don't know, it's for my friend. She wants to know information about them. We have to do a project about Greek mythology." I lied. The reason how I know the librarian is, one, this town is small; everyone knows one another, and two, she's a really good friend of my mom. One of the café's best customers.
"I have one book. It's very important, that's why we don't put it on the shelf." Miss Val handed me the book. It was a thick book with worn down pages, a leather cover, and had gold letters imprinted in it. The only words on the cover were Sirens and Other Mythical Creatures of the Deep.
"Thank you so much. When should I return it?" I asked her.
"Keep it, you may need it later." I nodded and started running back to Preston's house.
"Here's your card. Thanks!"
"No problem, what'd you get?" He said.
"Uh, just a book for my sister. It's for a history project she has to do."
"Cool."
"I gotta go. Bye!"
"Bye." I walked to my house. This book could answer all my questions! Maybe some of Preston's too. Though, his mom kinda is there for him. I only have my sisters, they barely know a thing. I went into my room and opened the book to the table of contents.

Section 3--pages 40-60: Sirens

I opened to page 40. "Siren" was written in big calligraphy on the page. There was a drawing of three women on rocks and a ship in the distance. I flipped through the pages.

Sirens can come in several forms. One is part bird, those are the ones that are born as a siren. There may be one that is part fish and one that is human, the humans just have white hair and scales on their feet and ankles. Both of those are either turned or cursed. There may be hybrid sirens too. An instance of that is that there's a human, they have scales, but everything else is the same. But when they submerge themselves in pure sea water, they may become more of which like a mermaid. Scales may be present on the neck, wrists, or face; not always though.
Not what I'm looking for. I could identify my sisters and I as hybrids though. I need to find a way to stop the transformation. I continued to flip through the pages of the worn book.
"Ugh! There's nothing!" I threw the book across the room and a paper fell out. One that is just as old as this book. I creeped over to it and picked it up. I unfolded the paper.

                                              June 13, 1822
Dear Jonathan,
            I don't understand what is happening to me. All I did was ask her to save my 9 year old sister from dying of  a fever. The doctor or my parents weren't doing anything, just letting her lie there like a helpless rag doll. Now, my sister is developing scales on her legs, neck, feet, ankles, and forehead. I have an aching feeling in my stomach and am also developing green scales. My hair is turning from a dark blonde--nearly brown--to a platinum blonde. I have temper tantrums every hour it seems and I'm so hostile toward many people. Especially close family members and friends. I think I'm turning into a siren; a monster of the deep. She told me once I turn, I'd never see my human side again. I'd have a tail and would have that forever. My family would forget me and my sister would turn early. Precisely when her tenth birthday arrives. Don't worry about me. You will never see me or my sister once I turn 16. I will forever remember you. I guess this is what happens when you sell your soul to a Sea Witch. 
           Sincerely,
                  Karina

I read the letter in horror. Who's Karina? Was this what will happen to me? I looked on the back of the letter.
                Go to the Sea Witch
And that's exactly what I am going to do. Tonight when she calls my sisters.
Who! This is a long chapter! 1239 Words Thanks for reading and I hope you liked this chapter!