
Called by the Siren
By: PATRICK V. MIGUEL
Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers.
As Nena grew up from her father’s stories about mermaids, she was warned ever since to never trust them. “Sirens are deceitful,” he always said.
This time, however, Nena neglects her father’s warning as she tip-toes in the middle of the night to reach the shore.
Not far from their house, she spots the sharp fins of the mermaid rising from the shallow surface of the water.
The mermaid looks at her, tilting its head as Nena walks towards her.
Holding up the hem of her skirt, Nena dips her foot to the water, but as she takes one more step, she looks back into their house...