Siren

Chapter 1

It was early morning in the harbour, and having been forced outside, Senera was waiting along the damp stone wall of the bakery for her mother to finish her shopping. The waves were crashing against the sandy shore, each wave cresting high above the rocky edge, spraying white water everywhere. Seagulls had begun their daily begging of food from tourists who took to the coast with awed expressions. The smell of coffee, fresh bread, and seaweed mingled together under the overcast sky. It did nothing to soothe the ache in her chest. Chewing her bottom lip, Senera kept her head down; her hood did nothing to contain the frizzy curls that escaped. It was better than nothing.

"Okay, let's go," her mother said, slightly out of breath. One look and she knew an argument had ensued between her and Mr. Horowitz. This time of year always seemed to cause tension between her and the other townfolk. "One last store." She shifted the bags to Senera's waiting hands. How much bread did one family need? That was all she could think about as she trailed after her mother.

"How long will we have cloudy skies for, do you think?" Her mother asked. Senera could only shrug as she walked beside her. The sounds of the waves grew closer as they made their way to the Mallory's Greenhouse. The shop stood close to the shore and was a tourist hit, with its pots of sea plants and witchy wares.

"Cora!" Mallory called as they entered. Her voice was tight when Senera made eye contact with her. Before she could move back, her arm was tugged forward as her mother stepped in with a big smile.

"Mallory," her mother greeted. "It's been a while since I've been back!"

"I hope this doesn't mean your plant is dying?" Mallory questioned with a half-hearted laugh.

"Not at all!" Her mother was overdoing it with the enthusiasm. Standing there awkwardly, Senera began to pull out of her mother's grip. The action did nothing but force the other woman to latch on tighter. "No, we were in town, and I realized that I needed to restock my supply of Chamomile oils." Mallory's smile grew tight at the mention.

"What's the ailment?" she questioned. It was only then that her mother paused briefly, blinking back the hesitation that lingered there.

Senera decided that if she couldn't leave physically, then she would leave mentally. Her attention wandered through the collection of potted plants, some small but most of them huge. Many were what the tourists to Rocky Point would be leaving with. Wind chimes were hung throughout the store, variations of shells and sea rocks clinking together softly in the ocean breeze. Waves crashing filled her ears as she closed her eyes; the sensation of being at sea was lulling her ever so gently.

It wasn't until she was jerked suddenly that her eyes snapped back open. Mallory's face was filled with fear, and before she could attempt to explain, she was being pulled from the store.

"Must you always, Senera?" her mother snapped as they walked away with quickened steps. The sharp sting of the cold wind kissed her darkened cheeks as she was pulled through the cobbled-lined streets. Her mind was still reeling, her head turned briefly to catch the sight of a mother pulling her child closer as they made their way past. Her chest only ached as the sound of the waves seemed to reach towards her, as her mother continued scolding her.