A Conversation Between Worlds

The girl's breath was unsteady, but she didn't move away. Her eyes stayed locked on his, searching, questioning.

Siren felt exposed under her gaze. He had spent centuries unseen, unheard—existing only in the depths. But now, standing here with her, he wasn't sure if he wanted to remain a secret anymore.

She took a cautious step forward, the sand shifting beneath her bare feet. The waves curled around her ankles as if welcoming her.

"…Lost?" she echoed, her voice soft. "You don't look lost."

Siren let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "Looks can be deceiving."

She tilted her head slightly. "Who are you?"

For a moment, he considered telling her the truth. That he was a merman, a creature of legend. That he wasn't supposed to be here, wasn't supposed to speak to her. That the ocean itself feared him.

But those words felt too heavy.

So instead, he said, "Someone who doesn't belong anywhere."

Her expression shifted, and something flickered in her eyes—understanding.

"I know that feeling," she murmured, her gaze dropping to the waves. "Like no matter where you go, there's always this… emptiness inside you."

Siren's fingers curled slightly at his sides. How could a human—someone from the world above—describe the same ache that had haunted him for centuries?

"How long have you felt that way?" he asked.

She let out a small sigh. "For as long as I can remember."

Siren's chest tightened.

The night air was cool, the waves gentle. The world had shrunk to just the two of them, a merman and a human, standing between two worlds that were never meant to collide.

"What's your name?" she asked.

Siren hesitated. No human had ever spoken his name before. It felt… sacred. But somehow, he wanted her to know it.

"…Siren," he finally said.

A small smile ghosted her lips. "Suits you."

Siren didn't know what to say to that.

For the first time in his long life, he wasn't just watching from the shadows. He was here, standing in front of someone who saw him, spoke to him.

And he wanted this moment to last forever.