The mid-summer sun shines on my skin, the heat reaching my bones. I smile and take in the slight breeze created by the boat's speed, the water spray tickling my face. My family laughs and chats while we cut through the water. I close my eyes and let the sun and spray take over me.
The sound of the boats motor cutting off draws me out of my sun-induced trance. I open my eyes and see my family letting the anchor down. They all stare at the water, their faces still. They motion me towards them, telling me to come and look over the side. I stand with my hands on the railing and stare into the waves. the water is teal and shining bright, the sun making it sparkle. Small fish swim near the surface, their scales like glitter in the water. We laugh and watch them for a few minutes longer before my dad tells my sisters to pull out the towels and sandwiches we packed.
I stay by the rail, entranced with the fish and the sound coming from below. A soft voice, singing about summer and fruit, wine and sunsets. All the sweet things from life. I start to picture them clearly, smell the nectar and wine, the warmth of the sun on the grass. My head tilts toward the voices, a harmony of promises. I step towards the ladder down into the water. My sisters tell me they'll join me soon as I let my legs and waist get swallowed by the water.
As soon as my head goes under I feel a tug and look down. A pale face with twisted features meets my eyes and I let out a scream, my legs being dragged by more of these things. The voices turn to a symphony of screeching, flashes of death and sadness race through my mind. The water turns thicker and darker, the rocks near me become more jagged and clear. Glass and blood surround me as the sirens pull me further under. My lungs burn and I look to see my family watching me sink lower and lower. I cry out for them but they can't hear.
The sirens scratch my legs and grasp my arms, tugging harder and pulling me further and further down. I fight harder, my lungs feel like they're full of fiberglass. I scream once more and let the water take me, the sirens win. I say a silent goodbye to the ones I love, remembering the feeling of the sun and spray, and my family's laughter.
