A Siren's Call

4 - A Si

e courage to drive away. But it didn't come. My feet moved on their own, taking one step after another-each one pulling me back into

hesitated, trying to figure out if he should talk me out of it. I avoided his eyes. I didn't want him to see my tears. Maybe in some distant memory, he

, handing me a sm

somehow erase the shame trailing behind me. I got into my car and drove off

to myself, This is a terrible idea. You shouldn't do this. But I was already too fa

fought so long, so hard. And still, I'd lost. I lay there on the cold floor, sobbing u

he hands of drugs, remembered only as a junkie. If I was going to die,

ng to end

ain. No more struggling to be seen or loved. No more pretending that I was okay when I hadn't been in years.

o you choose t

be the first person to be summoned. I didn't want him to see me like that.

ew no one would. My mom hadn't called in years. Lucille was probably posting new pictures fro

nt had lived there-before her heart gave out. We had driven past a narrow, forgotten bridge surrou

stomach, but I tried to ignore it. What's the point? I'd be dead and gone soon, what's the point

n behind the counter. The man was in his early thirties, clean-shaven

a Coke and sat at the boot

ing pieces of their conversation. I learned that Bernie wasn't just the guy behind t

, I muttered a quick "Th

y table. "I'm sorry, but I have to go earlier today.

. I didn't ask questions. He

rgot everything. I ate slowly, savoring each

omach was filled. If only the burgers could fill m

w. All the stars shine their brightes

. Playing a song that sounded famil

ife but all of a sudden everythin

really handsome guy and was heavily built. He w

atch him but he was about to close. T

shing on someone I just met. This h