Siren

Changing

*Aria*

"Aria have you completed your -homework" mother yelled from the downstairs living room

"Yeah"

Locking myself in my room for hours, wasn't the best-laid plan; but my condition was worsting. The smell of oceanic sea water was so resilient that I felt myself drowning, the familiar fumes of Santina Island.

"Aria, your friend is here to see you"

-No now wasn't the time especially now she felt so seasick. She tried to balance herself but a forceful rough hand gripped her tightly; breaking her fall. Jasper stood there, devilishly handsome in black stretched jeans and pairing t-shirt. His expression was of a mixture of worry and concern as he tried to comfort her. His black hair feathered around his head he looked like a beautiful arched angel, Aria suppressed the urge to web her fingers into his hair. 

"You really were not lying about that"

"No, I wasn't"

"Aria-i'm so sorry,--I'll get your mother"

Her mother came in five minutes later a crumpled extraction crossed her face as she realized her daughter's transition. She had the same reddish hair as Aria years of stress had turned their roots grey it was unmistakable that she was an aged beauty. 

"Jasper I'll need you to wait outside, a few seconds down to the living room please"

"but Miss Hough--"

"It will be beneficial for Aria"

The door closed before her mother commenced speaking;

"Aria, she lovingly touched her daughter's temple"there is something you need to understand" as she sat down on the pale blue duvet cover wrapped around her quivering body.

"Mother" she was confused, her mother's voice had never held such deep regret and fear at the same time.  Ms Hough began reciting her tale in a sombre voice from her memory.  

"There was a girl that lived in the ancient city of Rumia, she was beautiful and as graceful as, a bird, but she loved a man that was poisonous. He never could have loved her but she tried to convince him, soon after he accepted her as his own she was his. The pair got married and lived across the edge of Santina Bay Island; one day she found him with another laying together she confronted him but he denied her. The girl was heartbroken and cursed man for all eternity. She plunged herself into the ocean hoping that death would claim her. But the waves pitied her and transformed her into a beast.

Many have named the beast; siren, water spirit, nymph Aria you know them to be mermaids; your descendant was Amelia Hough one of the first reincarnated mermaids of this century, Aria you are destined to become a mermaid.

 Aria was disorientated, she trickled an incandescent laugh whilst in the moment; mermaids are not real, she thought to herself her mother had gone mad. 

"Mum are you all right, I know you are really into this mystical stuff but is this really necessary" it was all she could do not to walk out of the room, or finally having to come to terms with the fact that her mother was a raging lunatic in need of some medical medication or at best treatment. 

"Aria--"

"Don't Aria me, are you aware of what you are saying-- you are saying your only daughter is a fish mum ..it's nonsensical complete utter ... " Aria was thinking of a word to fill in the blanks but this had left her utterly dumbfounded.

"Aria, your reaction is justified given the circumstances but I need you to read this book it will make sense I promise" her mother placed a batted bronzed hardback into her hands, coated with depictions of sea creatures the title was quoted "Tales of the deep" it was a huge volume and as Aria read the blank page chapter written in italic copper text the words:

To my darling Ariana

I leave this book in the hands of your mother until you are of age and able to understand what you are, don't fight it can be a curse as well as a blessing, depending on how you enhance it. I hope you understand; that there is nothing I want to do more than to explain this to you, comforting you while you cry; because being what you are will mean scarifying the ones you love in order to keep them safe, which is why I must distance myself from you and hand you to a human, who will love you and keep you safe. I shed tears of joy and sadness for you must be healthy and well as I watch. Remember that I watch you whenever the full moon rises; for you are forever in my heart and memories.

I love you my darling Ariana 

Signed Mother

Ameliana Hough 

With a shock Aria collapsed to sleep, tears rolling in clumps down her pitifully face as the moon shone over her sleeping figure.