The Siren's Call

How could I tell Ryan that I'd signed away our unborn child to a merman?

They couldn't just kidnap my baby, though, could they? It was months 'til he'd even be born. That's forever. Head deep in the sand, when calls came from Merman & Merman, I ignored them.

They sent legal letters requesting updates on their my child, scan pictures, diet journals. I burnt the letters before Ryan could see. Expensive supplements arrived, which I swallowed.

I persuaded Ryan to move. Heavy-bellied, I hauled us across the country almost by force of will alone. A suggested birth plan arrived in the first week, which I burnt. A blue receiving blanket came the next day. I burnt that too.

The birth was horrendous. In the deeps of it, I saw predatory white teeth and blonde waves on the edge of vision. Laughing at me.

I laboured for days, doctors puzzled why the baby wouldn't come.

I think, deep down, I knew. Inside me, he was beyond the mermen's grasp. Once out...

Despite the pains, I didn't want it to end, these last hours with my baby.

At last, they cut him out, against my tearful begging to leave him where he was. The nurses exchanged serious looks.

They put him straight on my chest, just as I'd asked. Ryan held him steady, because my arms were covered in wires. It seemed too fitting, after all, that I wasn't able to hold him, shield him. Will I ever? I cried, and Ryan didn't understand and he cried too.

The morning I woke up with the sun streaming through the blind on to him in his little plastic cot was heaven. I'd been so terrified to sleep, so sure the bassinet would be empty when I opened my eyes. I had nightmares about it and woke on the hour gasping, checking he was still there.

When morning came, I held him to me, uncaring that a nurse always hovered, never leaving us alone.

Perhaps this is it, I thought. It was all intimidation and hot air. They can't actually do anything.

The phone rang.

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Word count (excluding note): 366

Submitted on 10th February at 12:37

Part One is here:

*Quick Author's Note*

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment so I can reciprocate. Your thoughtful engagement is appreciated. If you enjoyed this, the best compliment you can give is to share it, or read another.

The story behind the story: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes a 41 day streak. You can find all of them in my Index post. It's also pinned to the top of my profile.

If you're joining me on this "story every day" madne adventure, please leave a link to yours in the comments! Whether you're on a creative bent like me and writing fiction, or you have some other self-imposed criteria, I would love to see what you come up with.

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