Skeletons and a Siren
Chapter 1: No Ordinary Girl
Your heart was pounding against your chest as you stood on the small stage, with your guitar in hand, and sweat forming on your brow. The warmth of the small bar and the loud chatty monsters made you feel a bit on edge.
Maybe you should have thought this through. Then again you were the kind of person who act now and think later…. And you really needed a job right now. Your last job paid you next to nothing and the owner was a greedy man. You didn't think it would be too bad singing for monsters. You can sing and play the guitar well and you didn't have a problem with monsters. Plus, the pay wasn't bad either especially if you are just entertaining. But you forgot one very teeny-weensy important detail about your new job.
People would be watching you. Staring at you. Judging you!
Your whole body feels like it was convulsing, you had so many thoughts going through your head like water!
What if I forget the lyrics?! What if I'm not good?! What if they laugh?! What if this is one of my dreams where I look down and I'm only wearing my underwear? Or worse!
Although the room was loud through all the chatting to and from the monsters in the bar, you heard your name being called. You looked over to the bar and saw Grillby, the tall, well-built monster who always wears a fine suit, which surprises you how his clothes don't burn off considering he's a fire monster. Grillby gave you a concern look, you gave him your biggest smile to tell him "I'm fine! Don't worry about me." But that didn't seem to convince him. You sighed in exasperation. He nodded his head towards the crowd of monsters, then gives you the sincerest smile and a wink at you?!
You couldn't help but blush.
You inhale and exhale a series of breath, letting the smell of burgers, fries and booze fill your nostrils, until you strummed your first chord. The chatting quiet down a notch, eyes turns to you. You let out one more final breath before you begin to play a series of notes as you started to sing.
As you played, you still felt nervous. You hope beyond hope no one will notice. As you play, you looked through the small bar and saw some of the monsters were enjoying the song. You felt a little pride swell inside your soul. Some of the monsters, especially the two dog-like monsters in black hoods, got up and started to dance near the stage. Some where listening and enjoying themselves whilst others…. Were glaring at you which made you a bit nervous.
You looked around some more as you sing. You spotted, at the very back, a bunch of skeletons. Three to be exact! One big one and two small ones.
The big one was wearing an orange hoodie, and judging by the smoke around the table, he was a smoker. The small one on the left had a heavy black jacket, with white fur, a red-looking turtle neck underneath, and he had a golden tooth that shines whenever it hits the light. And the small one on the right was almost wearing the same thing has the one on the left, but his jacket is blue with a white (very stained) t-shirt.
And they were drinking…. condiments? Yeah…. Condiments.
You don't know why but you couldn't help but stare a bit. Maybe you were staring at them too long. The orange and blue skeleton avert their eyes to their condiments, but the red skeleton gave you the widest smile then…. wink at you?
Did he actually wink at you?
SMACK!
The other small skeleton hit the red with his condiment bottle. The cap of the bottle flew off and mountains of ketchup got on his head. You almost laughed how red he was and almost messed up the song, but you manage to keep your composure. You finished the song with a soft finished. The monsters applaud cheerfully, you got up and gave them a bow. They cheered for another song, you smile happily. You could see even Grillby is cheering you on as well. Even those skeletons in the back. You play a couple of notes before you begin the song.
After about several songs, you let out a worn-out sigh. You wave goodbye to Grillby as you left the warm establishment. You enter your old worn car, set your guitar in the back, pull out your keys and after a few clanks you shift it to drive and went off.
You enjoyed tonight. As you drive through the dark streets of Ebott City, you remember the smiles, the laughing, and cheering. You couldn't help but feel so prideful about the talent you love and cherish. And yet….
You couldn't help but feel FEAR.
Not from your talent, but something else. Something you have been hiding for years. Ever since your mid-teens you had a secret. A secret that still haunts you till this day. You are no ordinary human girl. No, you are much more then that.
And you were afraid of it. That someone, even a monster, would find out and would hunt you toward the edge of the earth. Chase you until they capture you and lock you in a cage for the rest of your life.
You turn off at an intersection, taking your usual path to your home. As you continue down the road, a majestic wave of a beautiful sound reached your ears. You realized you're near the ocean. It was calling you. Calling your name. Calling you home.
Suddenly you switched lanes and went straight towards Ebott's Beach. You didn't realize you changed course until you saw sand in your view. You looked at the ocean and you couldn't help but admire the beautiful blue jewel in front of you. You have the sudden urge to swim, but you needed to go home. Betsy is probably missing you and you hated to leave your best friend alone.
As soon as you change gear to reverse, the call whispered in your ears, singing and praising you. The call got louder and louder until you took the keys out of the ignition, kick the door open, and sprint towards the ocean like your life depends on it. You took off your shoes, pants, and shirt, leaving you with a two-piece bathing suit, into the sand until finally you jumped into the water.
Sweet relief.
As you jumped into the water you felt a familiar simmer around your legs and neck. Your legs weren't there anymore. A long blue and purple tail appear as well as gills on the side of your neck.
You let out a fit of giggles as you begin to swim forward to look for your adventure.
Because well…
you are no ordinary boring human girl.
You're a Siren!