Melody--Katryna

I lived in a small town by the sea, where you could smell the sweet ocean breeze every
time you went outside. I took long walks along the beach, my bare feet leaving footprints in the sand, an indication that I had been there. And yet, the waves quickly washed them away, leaving no trace of my nightly walks along the shore. It was a peaceful life, a peaceful town, where everyone knew each other and said hello in the streets as they passed each other on their way to wherever they were headed. I frequented our local coffee shop, where the whole town came together to talk about the latest happenings. There was a small stage, where people could sing or play music, but no one ever did. I guess it was the fear of being judged. After all, you would see all of these people again. It’d be best not to embarrass yourself. But, you know? Not taking risks makes life boring. Every day was the same. I suppose I can’t complain. I went to school, talked to the same four people, and got coffee afterwards. I did my homework in the shop, then took my nightly walk on the beach. It was pretty mundane, but that’s how I liked life. Predictable. Safe. I remember the day life stopped being so predictable. It wasn’t anything I did to change my life, but rather, what She did for me. I don’t know where She came from, or how She got here. It was a Monday. I had just left school and was headed to the coffee shop. I got there, took my seat, and

ordered my usual. A caramel macchiato upside down with an add-shot. I pulled out my copy of Wuthering Heights and started reading. I was in the middle of the fourth chapter when I heard a voice. Singing. I don’t know what song it was, or even what language it was in. I looked up, and I saw Her. She had jet black hair, with a tint of blue. Somehow, I got the feeling that it wasn’t dyed, Her eyes were beautiful. They were sea green, and seemed to have the calmness of the ocean. And yet, they had the tiniest hint of danger in them, like a wave that could knock you over at any moment. My eyes caught Her’s, and She smiled. Before I knew it, She had joined me on my nightly walk on the beach. Her bare feet stepped so softly into the sand, yet not even the roughest wave could remove the mark she had made. She was beautiful, strong, mysterious, and I wanted her. Lost in my thoughts, She took my hand, and ran Her fingers over mine, never fully gripping it, but playing a game. She let go, letting my hand fall, and laughed. Her laugh sounded like music. “What’s your name?” I asked Her. “Melody,” she said. Life continued on like this, with Melody joining me on my nightly walks and singing to me as I did my homework. My grades began to suffer, but I didn’t care. My mind was occupied with only one thing. And that was Melody. One night on the beach, She sat by the water, gazing at the moonlight’s reflection. “Come here,” She sang. And I came. She looked up, as a flock of birds flew past. She watched the birds, looking as if she longed to be flying with them. “If only we could fly,” I said to Her. “But, alas,” She said in response, “it’s impossible. We can never be as free as them.” With this poetic statement, She stood up and walked into the water. She laughed and said, “Come on! What are you waiting for?” I followed Her into the sea. Once we were wading waist deep in the ocean, She pulled me into her arms. She was warm, despite the cold of the sea. She continued to walk, deeper and deeper, into the sea. “Melody,” I said, or at least, I tried to. As I opened my

mouth, it filled with water, heading into my throat. She laughed, that musical laugh. As I sunk deeper and deeper into the sea, She laughed and laughed, and I realized that Her song meant death. And now I write this warning, from my watery grave: Beware the Sirens, for They will lure you in with Their song, and promises of love, for They will kill you, but do so beauti-