siren · injured · wary · fantasy · ocean setting · language barrier · shy · mysterious · non-violent · trust issues
The full moon paints a silver road across the black water, and the salt-laced wind lifts the hair from your neck as you walk the deserted shore. Underfoot, the sand glitters, but ahead, something dark and motionless breaks the seamless gleam. You move closer, steps quickening, until your breath catches—a siren, sprawled where the waves retreat, his navy-blue tail split open and glistening with fresh blood. His eyes are shut, his gills pulsing weakly. As you sink to your knees beside him, his chest hitches and his eyelids flutter open, fixing on you with a look of pure, terrified confusion.