Broken (The Siren Series #1)

by L. A. Griffiths

  “You have quite the gift Ellie, do you know how to use it?” Rhea said.

  “This isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. I’m afraid to go near people, they change.” I pulled my hands away from her grip.

  “I didn’t change.” She said.

  She was right she didn’t change, no crazy horny person trying to get at me. “Why?” I asked her.

  “Let’s just say I’m special.” She gave me a smile.

  “But why is it that other people go crazy and not my Dad or.” I didn’t want to say her name.

  “Kate,” Rhea finished my sentence. “It’s because of blood, you have their blood coursing through your veins and that’s why it doesn’t work on family members.” said Rhea. “Ellie you are one of a kind, that power you have,” she pointed to my hands. “You can become a powerful person.”

  I jumped up from the bed. “I don’t want to become powerful; I just want to be normal. What I don’t want is every time I touch someone, they go crazy.”

  “What if I told you something that could change your mind completely about your power?” Rhea suggested.

  “It’s not going to change anything, I don’t want this.” I said while looking down at my hands.

  “Ellie it’s not going away because you don’t want it. It’s a part of you.”

  “Fine, let’s just say, even if I did want to control it, how would I?” I asked her.

  Rhea got up from the bed and started to pace up and down the room. She stopped by my rack of DVD’s. “My goodness you do like your horror don’t you?”

  “Tell me please, please can you?” I asked ignoring her statement.

  “My my, such eagerness,” she said with a smile. “One question first.” she added.

  “Anything.” I nearly shouted.

  Rhea again, paced around my room with her arms folded tightly. “Have you had any weird dreams lately?” she asked.

  “Well the only dreams I’ve been having are about smelly faceless people, but how do you know?” I tried not to make a big fuss about it.

  Rhea stopped dead in the middle of the room. “We might not have enough time. They’ve moved faster than I thought” she mumbled to herself.

  “They, what do you mean they?” I asked. “Are my dreams real?”

  Rhea had a worried look on her face. She picked up her pacing, this time faster.

  “Rhea please tell me.” I asked her.

  She stopped and turned to face me. “Yes Ellie your dreams are real, they are like premonitions, things that are to come,” she said. “I’ve been protecting you since you were a child, but this will take more than myself alone.”

  I could not believe what I was hearing. This woman had been looking after me since I was a child? No, I would have met her when I was young, she must be lying. But was she telling the truth, my aunt or my Dad had never mentioned her before. This was making my head hurt.

  I ignored her words for now. “So those monsters will come into my home and take me while I sleep?” I question her.

  “I don’t know when it will be Ellie, but I will not allow them to harm you.” She said with anger.

  “But these are just dreams, aren’t they?” I asked.

  “No Ellie, they are much more than that, you need to be careful.” she replied.

  “Great, even if these things are real, I’m totally defenseless.”

  “No you have great power inside of you Ellie. You just need to control it. Let me show you something.” she said with a twinkle in her beautiful eyes.

  Rhea closed her eyes; the air around us started to hum with energy, sending every hair on my body to stand on end. My body vibrated, as if something deep down inside of myself started to slowly awake from its deep slumber. Once I was attuned to the heavy atmosphere, I looked in awe around me. Something inside me did not want to acknowledge what I was seeing. Rhea had my possessions floating around the room.

  My DVD’s flew from the rack and spun around me. My books took flight around the room, using its book covers as wings to flap through the air. Then something nudged at my back, I turned around to see it was one of my small stuffed animals spinning in front of me. Reaching out, I gently touched the bear that was suspended in the air. That’s when everything fell to the ground. (Luckily it wasn’t a big noise for my Dad to hear). Rhea eyes quickly flew open and looked straight at me confused.

  “What happened?” asked Rhea.

  “Nothing, I just touched the bear.” I replied.

  Rhea’s lips curved into a smile. “Ellie, my little darling,” she said. “I think there is more to your powers then even I know of.”

  I gave her a confused look “What do you mean?” I asked “What am I Rhea? Please tell me, it’s driving me crazy.”

  “My dear Ellie, what you are is a Siren.” she said with such joy.

  The words she spoke meant nothing to me. What the hell was a Siren?

  I quickly wanted more answers “What’s a Siren? And are there people like me out there?”

  Rhea’s face took on a grim form. “There are only a handful of people like you Ellie, that’s why you are so special.”

  “Ellie it’s time for me to go, but before I do, I’ll tell you that your power can influence people with just a simple touch. Practice and you might come to love your curse.” Rhea brushed herself off and stood in the middle of the room. “Remember Ellie, you are special. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.” She then disappeared in a cloud of electricity causing myself to stumble back onto the floor. My eyes burned with the quick bright light that had illuminated my bedroom. Within a few seconds Rhea was gone, leaving a scorched mark on my bedroom carpet. Thanks.

  I got on my hands and knees, and picked up all the objects that were lying discarded on the floor. Placing them in their rightful place, I finally turned my attention to the burned rug. It was cool to watch Rhea disappear like that, but it made what she said all the more real. I was in danger.

  Chapter Twelve

  I fell back onto my bed, thinking about what Rhea had told me. I’m a Siren and only a few of my kind remain, that’s what she said. I kept repeating the words in my mind until they lost all meaning.

  I wonder what Rhea is then? And why were people coming after me. Was I really in that much danger? These questions flowed through my head. Was my Dad a siren? What about Kate. Thinking of Kate made me feel awful and I tried to block out the pain. Thinking too much made my head hurt. I turned over onto my side and I caught sight of my clock. It was half past four. I grabbed my phone from my pocket to check any messages. There were none. I decided to text Lilly and Becky.

  Bored out of my mind want to go see a movie?

  A few minutes later my phone beeped, alerting me of a new message.

  Yeah ok, but what about your Dad?

  Oh yeah, crap. I rolled off my bed and walked down the stairs. He was watching TV, (As always). It was a good thing that he didn’t hear Rhea and myself or he would have gone mad, or worse. I approached him who was deeply staring into the screen.

  “Dad,” I started. “Is it ok if me and the girls go and see a film tonight?” I waited for his answer.

  He paused the TV and turned to me. “Ellie I don’t think it’s a good idea, plus you are suspended from school.” he said.

  Crap he had a point. “Please Dad, plus I wasn’t really suspended but I’ll be careful, please.” I waited for an answer.

  “Fine,” he finally said. “But not out late, see the film then back home”

  “Thank you, thank you” I kissed him on his cheek and I was about to go upstairs and changed when my Dad called me back.

  “How you getting there?” he asked.

  “Well I think Lilly is driving.” I replied.

  “Are you sure about that?” he said hinting to me.

  I paused for a second before answering. “Yeah Dad I’ll be fine I promise.” To be honest I was dreading going back in a car. I walked up the stairs and changed into a tight black fitting top and my favorite dark jeans wit
h my comfy flats. I put some simple eye liner on and a bit of foundation to cover the bruises. I grabbed my phone from my lazy trousers and texted Lilly.

  I can go so what time you picking me up then?

  My phone buzzed again.

  Getting in car now going to pick up Becky first then head to yours so won’t be long X

  I opened my wardrobe and rummaged through the box of purses. I had quite a few. I picked a small black one with white sequins on. I placed some money into the purse, along with my phone and a few more essentials and clasped it shut. I walked back down stairs and waited for the girls to arrive. Dad was still engrossed in the TV, not taking his eyes off the screen. They were showing a documentary with wild animals or something, I didn’t catch the title. I sat down to watch it along with him. I was relieved when my phone buzzed in my purse. I grabbed my phone and read the text.

  Nearly there be at yours in 5 X

  I jumped up from the sofa and bent over to kiss my Dad’s forehead. Then I remembered what Rhea had said about the same blood. That’s why my powers don’t work, he’s family. Dad didn’t take his eyes off the screen while I planted a kiss on his forehead. I grabbed my thin black jacket from under the stairs.

  “I’m going now Dad.” I said.

  “Have fun and be safe.” he called from the sofa, his eyes still fixed on the documentary.

  I stepped outside closing the door behind me. The fresh air whirled around me. It was nice to be outside. Being cooped up in the house would have driven me mad.

  I didn’t have to wait too long as the two girls came around the corner in Lilly’s bright red car. Lilly turned seventeen a few weeks back and her Dad bought her a car. (Lucky her), I waved to them as I walked towards the car. My hand went straight to the door handle, and for a second I felt like running away from the metal death trap. I took a few deep breaths and slid into the back see and strapped myself in tightly. Lilly and Becky turned to me and both smiled like naughty school children.

  “What’s wrong, why you smiling like that for?” I asked.

  “Well we’ve been talking, your getting quite the reputation for being a bad girl Ellie.” said Becky.

  “What’re you talking about?”

  “Well fighting in school and sneaking out to go see a film.” she laughed

  “No, I asked my Dad and he said it was ok.” I said while blushing a deep scarlet.

  “Are you sure Ellie? I swore I just saw you climbing down that drain pipe.” Lilly laughed.

  “Just drive will you and I didn’t climb down anything.” I chucked.

  Lilly pulled away from my house and turned around the corner. We went at a slow pace. (More so for me), Lilly looked in her rear view mirror to check on how I was doing.

  “So what do we wanna’ see then girls?” Becky asked.

  Before I could speak Lilly spoke up. “Please Ellie no horror.”

  I sighed. “Fine.”

  “Good,” Lilly smiled.

  “So what are we going to see then?” Becky asked again.

  “Well there is that new romantic comedy showing?” Lilly insisted.

  Becky and I made a gagging noise which Lilly was not happy with. “We will see when we get there ok.” said Lilly.

  “Fine.” Becky and I said together.

  As we approached the movie theater, I could see the bright lights they projected into the air, slowly circling around the building and up into the air. Lilly parked the car in the provided car park. Lilly wasn’t a good parker, so Becky got out of the car and guided her in.

  I didn’t realize that my hand was tightly gripped onto the door handle. Releasing my grip on the handle, Lilly opened my door and waited for me to crawl out. I straightened myself while she locked the car with a press of her keys. The massive theater stood in front of us showing different posters being displayed on the huge walls. The three of us walked towards the building entrance.

  I held back, looking at the high film posters that were blowing in the wind. One of the posters had an attractive woman with a short white dress, with a gun tucked tightly into her garter. It looked like Rhea, getting a better look. It wasn’t her, just too much Photoshop. Thinking about her made me remember of what she said to me, about what I could do to people. The thought of controlling people made my body tingle.

  “Ellie!” shouted Lilly.

  I looked over and saw Becky and Lilly waiting for me. “Sorry just looking at the posters,” I said.

  “Come on then.” said Becky. I broke into a quick jog to catch up with them.

  I pushed open the heavy entrance doors, and one by one we entered into the theater. The entrance was decorated in a deep blue with a tiny hint of purple thrown in. The cinema was an old building that was converted recently. Before it was changed, it used to produce plays and operas for the public. I wonder what I would have been like back then. Inside there were hardly anyone inside. I think we were early.

  The girls were looking up at the screens and pointing at what film they wanted to watch.

  “Ellie!” Becky called after me again.

  I sludge over to them on the sticky carpet. (Great hope my shoes aren’t wrecked.) I stood with them looking up at the monitors, deciding what to watch.

  “Mm,” moaned Lilly.

  “What about this one?” asked Becky.

  “No way, too cutesy” I said. “What about this?”

  “Too gory.” said Lilly.

  “What? No it’s not.” said Becky.

  “I’ve seen the trailer, it’s gory, so it’s a no.” Lilly said.

  In the end we decided on an action film with known hot actors, but no gore. (Sadly) The film was going to start in ten minutes so we stood in line to get tickets. In front, were two people queuing. One of them was a girl who had no manners and had long fake yellowish hair extensions running down her back. She turned around one or twice to get a glace of us, the girl had very heavy makeup on and clumpy mascara. It was like she shoveled it onto her face. The guy next to her had to listen to her talk nonsense while they lined up. He didn’t care; he just stood there while she flapped her lips. They quickly bought their ticket and the girl practically snatched them out of the server’s hands.

  We were next in line and I decided to do something dangerous. I looked around, we were the only ones lining up and the woman was alone behind the counter. I had to see if Rhea was right. We told the woman the name of the movie while Becky and Lilly both handed over the money. I pulled out a note and reached out, handing it to her. She took the money but I held firmly onto it. With my other hand I slowly started to caress her skin. I could hear Lilly and Becky gasp at the side of me. Once I touched the woman’s skin every nerve inside my body exploded like fireworks. Her pupils went wide and I could feel her desire growing animalistic towards me. I tried to control her feelings, if I didn’t get this right she would go out of control. I shut my eyes. Then all of a sudden her thoughts burst into my mind, every desire, every dream she had, I knew them all and right now she wanted me. I trembled with Goosebumps, while I went deeper into her mind. The woman and I were connected. Using that connection, I fought to control her.

  “Ellie what are you doing?” whispered Lilly.

  I ignored her and continued. I opened my eyes to see the woman was in a daze, her eyes stared into nothingness.

  “I can see this movie for free?” I asked softly.

  “Ellie!” Lilly whispered again. This time she wasn’t happy.

  The half dazed young woman turned to her screen and printed off my ticket and handed it to me.

  “Ellie what did you do?” asked Becky.

  “That was such a rush.” I said to them with excitement.

  “That was dangerous, you could’ve have gotten hurt.” Said Becky

  I ignored their worries while I walked away, smiling with my free ticket.

  I headed towards the food section and looked around. I wasn’t that hungry since I had eaten earlier but I did fancy some popcorn. Ellie and Becky browsed what the
y had to offer. Again I looked around hardly anyone was around but this time there were two people serving. Crap, I couldn’t get away with this again could I?

  “Becky, Lilly,” I called them over. “Can you distract that young guy serving over there for me?” I whispered.

  “Ellie you’re not are you?” asked Lilly.

  “I’m going to try and get some popcorn.” I said.

  “Ellie, that’s stealing.”

  “Get us a big fat bucket ok.” said Becky.

  Becky dragged Lilly towards the young guy who looked very bored. I was left with an older man in his late twenties. Slowly walking up to the counter I caught his attention.

  “Hi, yeah could I get a big bucket of popcorn please, the sweet kind,” I said while I got the money out. Like before I handed it over to him first and my other hand seized the opportunity.

  This guys hand was kinda’ rough, he really needed some lotion. I ignored his hard skin and closed my eyes. I concentrated again like I had with the woman. Again I could feel all his desires and his thoughts flow freely. My Goosebumps traveled down from the top of my head all the way down to my toes. Slowly the connection I needed came into place. As we were one for those moments, I could feel something struggling against my control. It was slowly pushing me away. There was no way was I going to give up. I pushed harder until my head began to pound. Finally I found what was repelling me, his soul.

  With my power I pushed forward, mentally grabbing his soul. It felt warm and soft. Once I touched it he was fully under my control. I opened my eyes and I saw he adopted the same dazed look on his face like the woman before him. He grabbed an empty bucket and scooped up the popcorn. He did this until it overflowed and placed it onto the counter. I took the bucket and left.

  I called the girls who were still talking to the young guy and it looked like they were enjoying it,(especially Becky) . Lilly looked over her shoulder and I showed her the popcorn. Both of them quickly ended the conversation and joined me.

  “My god Ellie.” said Lilly.