Alkmini

Iravan stepped away from the tray, casting a fleeting glance toward Jonathan, igniting a flicker of hope within me that he grasped at least a fragment of my words.

His disinterest in the tray suggested a shift in his focus, leading him to explore a new path. Jonathan, a distance away, answered his phone, his voice mingling with the air.

I yearned to eavesdrop on his conversation, yet Iravan's presence was a constant distraction, drawing my gaze like a moth to a flame.

With an air of curiosity, Iravan approached a shelf, his demeanor piqued. Intrigued, I edged closer, eager to uncover the source of his fascination.

Yet, as footsteps echoed nearby, I noticed Iravan's body tense, a silent warning of impending interruption. I ventured to break the silence, "What captures your attention?" It was then that my eyes fell upon a diminutive statue perched atop the far right shelf.

Iravan, stretching on his toes, reached for it with his left webbed hand. Once he secured the statue, he examined it closely before advancing toward me.

Confusion washed over me as he halted beside me, a faint scent wafting through the air—an essence reminiscent of the ocean's embrace.

Despite our residence in Hawaii, near the North Pacific's shores, the aroma felt oddly distant. He raised the statue, as if attempting to convey a message beyond words. Communicating with someone who remained silent was a challenge I had yet to master. Through his expressive gaze, I discerned his intent to share something profound.

I accepted the statue from his grasp, studying it intently. It depicted two children, likely siblings, their hands intertwined, sharing a moment frozen in time.

Turning my attention back to Iravan, I noticed him pointing at the boy, then at himself, repeating the gesture. A spark of understanding ignited within me; the boy must symbolize Iravan himself.

Though I was certain of the statue's representation, I sought confirmation, gesturing toward it, "This statue embodies you. It is meant to be you."

In that moment, Iravan's voice broke the silence once more, a whisper of affirmation. "Yes."

I nodded slowly, a calm facade masking the flutter of excitement within me at the sound of Iravan's voice once more. It felt like a sign of progress, a thread weaving us closer together.

Jonathan, ever vigilant, was engaged in a phone conversation, yet his gaze lingered on our interactions. I could sense the weight of unseen eyes boring into the back of my head, a discomfort I fought to ignore, suppressing the urge to glance behind me.

In solitude, I would unravel the mystery of Jonathan's watchful demeanor. There was something unsettling about the way he observed us, as if he held secrets just beyond our grasp.

Iravan gestured towards the girl, then pointed to himself, leaving me perplexed, lost in the ambiguity of his intent. It dawned on me after a moment that he often scanned his surroundings, as if searching for something elusive.

In the depths of the woods, Iravan roamed restlessly, his hunger driving him to the brink of devouring a turtle. But what if his wandering was not mere curiosity? What if he sought someone?

I glanced at the statue cradled in my hand, then back at Iravan, a flicker of understanding igniting within me. Sirens, despite their unique perspectives, possessed a keen intelligence.

They must recognize the peril of traveling on land in their fragile, transformed forms, where they were vulnerable.

In the water, however, they thrived, their true strength unleashed.

Jonathan ended his call and approached us, his eyes falling on the statue I held. "I think Iravan is searching for someone," I ventured. "Remember how we wandered in circles in the woods? Did it not seem like he was looking for something? What if it was not food he sought, but a person?"

Jonathan paused, the silence stretching between us before he replied, "How do you know this? Did he say anything?"

I turned my gaze away from Iravan, shaking my head slowly. "No, he used that statue to reach out to me. He kept gesturing towards it, then to himself. The boy embodies Iravan, yet there's a longing in his eyes, as he persistently pointed towards the girl." Jonathan absorbed my words, nodding thoughtfully before shifting his attention back to Iravan. "I understand. It makes sense. Sirens have shunned these lands for ages; Iravan's sudden appearance in the woods is indeed puzzling."

He then inquired, "Iravan, who is it that you seek?" A heavy silence enveloped us, tension thick in the air, as Iravan remained mute. Yet, the sharp glint in his eyes sent an icy tremor through me.

For a fleeting moment, I caught a subtle shift in his demeanor, a contemplation brewing beneath the surface. With a voice that pierced the stillness, he finally uttered, "Alkmini..."