Song of the Sea

Escapees

Genevieve makes tea while we discuss how me and Henry are supposed to get away with this. I stir my tea with my pinky, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone at all. Someone clears their throat, trying to get my attention. I snap my head up, attention at the ready.

"Myra, have you come in contact with any of the other guards yet?" Phillip asks.

I shake my head, no.

"Well that's good, if they saw a random Siren swimming with you, the sister of a captain, then that would't end well."

I roll my eyes. Henry puts his hand on mine and squeezes it. I glance at him, then go back to my tea. Genevieve makes good tea. Very good tea. Yes it's very goo-

My tea distraction is interrupted by Henry interjecting. "So, what are we going to do? We can't hide out here forever."

I look back up. "Yeah, well, right now we don't have anything else. Anyone got any ideas?"

They all think, and suddenly Genevieve says, "I need to go sing. You guys coming?"

I nod, turning to Henry. He shakes his head. Almeta, Damien, and Phillip stay behind as well. Me and Genevieve swim out of the house, warming ourselves up. I haven't done this with her since I was ten.

Her voice got even prettier, but not as pretty as mine.

We sing to the coast, and a couple men fall into the water. We keep singing, drowning them with every note. My brain lights up, and my voice goes even louder. We sit there, in the dark.

Genevieve says, "So, Myra..."

I can already tell what's she's about to say. "Look. Nothing bad happened. Just.. exciting. Fun. Then Almeta had to go and ruin it."

She laughs. "Lucky. I've only ever been kissed. And it was a dare."

I smile. Being with my sister makes me happy. Happier than I though I could be.

"Do you think things will be awkward between you two? After what happened last night?"

I shrug casually. But inside I'm freaking out. Are we a thing? We can't be a thing. I don't need a man. I just need to focus on saving both myself and Henry. I never should have done this.

"Hey, Genevieve?" She looks at me. "Do you think we'll get in trouble? Like big trouble for me doing this? I didn't want to drag you guys into this, but I just... I just needed help."

She swims up and hugs me. "Maybe. But we have to be smarter than the guards. Family sticks together, no matter what. Because we love each other. And since you love Henry, he's family too."

I smile. "Do I really love Henry?" I ask my older sister.

"Well that depends. What does your heart say?"

It says that my sister is a hopeless romantic. But it's also pumping quicker every time I see or talk to Henry. Is that love?

We head back to the house, and I brush my hair out of my face.

Phillip says, "I need to get back to the barracks. It's getting late. The guys will start to wonder where I am. Love you Shark bait. See you Gina. Goodbye, Ameta, Damien. Nice to meet you Henry."

Henry nods to him as he leaves. Genevieve says, "I should get going too." She winks at me. "There's an inn in town and I should be able to stay there for the night. Almeta, don't bother Henry and Myra tonight. Got it?"

Almeta grunts and heads to her bedroom. Damien follows.

I lay down and curl up into the blankets.