Escapism

Prologue

The world seemed like a broken record to Hope.

The earth spins on its axis over and over and over in the vast universe, but it didn't feel like that for the girl. Rather, the world felt like it was balancing on a spindle, teetering back and forth. Time stood still for Hope. She had nothing to lose, no one to spend the seasons with.

And she thoroughly enjoyed it.

She could spend the rest of her days gallivanting across the world, wasting away at obsolete pubs and counting the leaves in her garden.

For what else could she do in her long life? Her very...very long life.

Hope is not an ordinary girl, well , she is not human at all. She was once what sailors would call a siren. Deadly and alluring, Hope was tasked by the Highest to punish the devious and malicious humans that wandered too close to the raging waters.

She performed her task excellently and was feared by sailors for centuries. And all who have heard of the tale of the half fish-half woman cowered in fear before the ocean.

Hope was a siren, but she now lurks in the land of humans. She had once traded her tail for legs in pursuit of the impossible.

Despite years of mingling on dry land, Hope never strayed too far from the water.

Hope dived headfirst into her favorite pond. She swam and swam and submerged herself into the pond water. A warm sensation flooded her chest and she smiled.

She thought about a time she felt the same contentment. A fairytale that occurred a long time ago.

And she wept.