The news reports don't have an explanation for the weather, but Gunther's sure it's the work of a siren. And while his dad's been absolutely essential in telling him the legends and giving him old tomes that've been passed down in their family, he hasn't been able to tell anyone why he's suddenly so interested.
Even the idea of doing so feels like a betrayal.
Besides, it's not like anyone outside his family would believe him, and even then, it's no guarantee they won't think his grief is manifesting itself in the form of children's fairy tales, so close to the fourth anniversary of the boat crash. Honestly, he wouldn't blame them; he has absolutely no evidence or proof to support his thoughts except for a feeling in his gut and two instances where he alone could've sworn seeing Jackie and Kendall.
How on earth is he supposed to explain to people that he thinks the sudden increase in storms is being caused by the broken heart of his beloved?
The only way to make sure he's not sent to a psychiatric hospital is by ensuring that other people see her too, but in order to do that he has to find her first.
Sometimes he visits the area where he first heard the siren's song or the spot where he saw the women disappear, but he always, always, visits the corner where he could've sworn deep, brown eyes were staring back at him from the trees.
"Jackie? If you're here, I just want to talk." He waits a beat. Then another. "Please, Jackie?"
His plea sounds small, even to his own ears, but the wind carries his voice for a moment, before the sounds of the waves take up the space once more. He searches day after day, night after night, always calling out, always listening.
And yet his search bears no fruit.
"Have you read this story yet?" His mother asks one day, "It was my favorite as a little girl, I remember asking my grandmother why the siren could never hear when someone called her true name-"
Gunther devours the story like a man possessed and tries a new tactic, calling a different name each day.
He calls for his beloved.
For his treasure.
His dearest.
Even siren, but still he doesn't find her.
Then he tries "friend", and there is a ripple of something in the air. The same something that had protected him from the siren's song, from the dagger. Something that calls to the Völva blood his ancestors carried.
He decides to see Kick.