The Sound of a Siren's Call

16.) Hyoll's Finest Sirens

It occurred to me when I was trudging up the beach, I didn't have a plan. I didn't even have a plan to wing it. It was dark and I could barely see. I didn't know where I was. My only hope rested on a light in the distance.

I trudged towards it, and the sight of the cozy little town sent a pang of homesickness through me. I stuck to the shadows, watching the torches lining each dirt lane flare-up and die back out, casting flickering shadows on everything. 

I missed my knife. I felt raw and unprotected. I walked down the street, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The ground could've been ice for how hard and cold it felt.

I needed shoes. I also needed food. I looked around me. The town was much bigger than I initially thought. I'd been walking at least ten minutes and I'd only gotten deeper in.

It was fancier than at home. It was a lot bigger too. To know what was in a shop at home, you had to venture in or try to glean something from a piece of vague signage.

"Hyoll's finest watches, knick knackery, and other oddities," not only had very descriptive signs, but it also had a window display that showed off various watches, knick knacks, and things I could only classify as other oddities.

The only places that ever sold watches were places that could afford them. Apparently Hyoll could afford them. One time when I was little, my father came by a watch, and he went around showing it to the entire crew for about a week until he got over the excitement. I traced my finger on the glass, picturing his dented watch on a chain around his neck. Then, I moved on without looking back.

Each of the shops appeared to have a room above them for the owners. That meant I had to try to be quiet if I had any hope of breaking into them.

My first stop was a clothing store, outfitted with britches and loose shirts I'd need if I wanted to go out in the day. I'd have to if I had any hope of getting back to Juniper.

I tried to door. It was locked. I hadn't really expected anything less. There was a mat by the door and several rocks. I lifted up the mat, and for a moment, the flickering light shined on a key. Then, I snatched it up and opened the door. I eased it open and was inside in a flash.

I could barely see, but I found my way to everything I needed after several minutes of fumbling in the dark. I left the store fully clothed, significantly more comfortable than when I'd left.

I locked the door behind me and returned the key to its original resting spot.

I wandered around, eventually settling down in a narrow alleyway. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

ψψψ

When one stumbles out of an alley onto a crowded street looking like they had just woken up (because they had) they might expect some sidelong looks. When I did that very thing, it was like I was invisible. No one looked at me. No one seemed to know or care that I was there.

The street had entirely transformed from the night before. A million colors had sprung up and people had rushed out to try to haggle with them. I had to constantly sidestep people darting up and down the street, clutching various items from the stands around us to their chests. I stared around me hopelessly.

I gave a brief spin around, chose a direction, and forged my way ahead. The crowd thinned in certain places and swelled in others. I tripped over feet, shoved people out of my way, and got even more lost than I had been. Eventually, I found myself at the end of the booths, some practically falling into the sea. I couldn't see the very last one that was in the sea because it had a large crowd around it. Larger than anywhere else. You couldn't get close without breathing down someone's neck and two people pressed against either shoulder.

I wormed my way in closer, regretting it instantly. I met Juniper's eyes. Several people shoved me and their mouths flapped open in what I assumed was something that I was lucky not to hear.

The two men from the boat were sitting in chairs, the table in front of them reading, "Live siren. Pay to view."

They both looked at me expectantly and I didn't move. I looked at Juniper, the cuts from the rope still painfully red. Then I looked back at the men. I missed my knife.

I tried to slip back out, but everyone held firm. I was stuck.

Then men grinned and held a can towards me. Coins gleamed inside it. A few people threw a small amount in. I didn't move. I was broke anyway. And if I had moved, it would've been to lunge over the table.

Instead, I stared at the man holding the can. He was older than I'd expected. He had to be at least fifty, but he returned my malice. He shook the can.

Don't—trouble now—we, he said. I glanced at Juniper, but she'd stayed still. I was on my own.

I moved then. I jumped forward, and instantly there were arms holding me back. I stayed calm. My father had always said that being calm was key.

My foot was stomping on feet and I was twisting in several people's arms before I had time to think. I kicked and thrashed, and then I was running through the water to Juniper before anyone could recover to catch me.

The younger of the two men, the one I hadn't interacted with, was chasing me in a moment.

"You ok?" I signed to Juniper.

She nodded, and then I was next to her. My knife would've been useful to saw rope, but as it was, I set about trying to untie the thick knots. It didn't help that they were wet.

Juniper's eyes widened. Then a man's head drove itself into my side. I fell over and involuntarily took in a breath of water.

That wouldn't be good. I stood up and tried to cough it out, but it was too late. My legs were starting to tingle.