Broken (The Siren Series #1)

by L. A. Griffiths

  I smiled at both of them while I took a handful of popcorn.

  “Hey don’t eat it all, we all worked for that.” said Becky.

  Lilly gave a disapproving look.

  “What’s wrong Lilly?” I asked.

  “Ellie it’s kind of freaky that’s all.” Lilly replied.

  My face dropped. I could not believe what she just said. Lilly practically called me a freak. I stared at her while clutching my stolen popcorn.

  “Lilly!” Becky yelled.

  She then realized what she said.

  “I’m so sorry Ellie, it just came out. Can you forgive me?” she pleaded.

  “It’s ok Lilly. I bet it can be scary.” I said.

  “Now can we watch go and watch the movie, I’m dying to see some hunkness’.” Becky asked.

  The three of us walked down one of the corridors, passing doors to the other films and glossy film posters. At the end of the corridor we saw the rude girl and her so-called boyfriend, they were waiting to go see the same film as us.

  “Oh god, I hope she doesn’t talk through it.” I said.

  “That girl looks a right state,” said Becky “Even I’ve worn less make-up.”

  “Ugh look.” Lilly said pointing to the floor.

  I looked down at the sticky carpet and saw a thick strand of yellowish blonde hair. The girl was shedding her fake extensions.

  “That’s just gross.” I said.

  “She’s bought a cheap weave, look at the color. It looks more yellow then blonde” Becky said.

  “Just make sure you don’t get any on your shoes, otherwise you won’t be coming in my car” said Lilly.

  As we walked towards them, we had to stop talking about her since we arrived at our screening door. The girl turned to us and gave us a fake smile. Her boyfriend stood there eyeing me up and down. He had thick brown hair that fell around his face and had a thin pre-teen mustache forming around his thin lips. For a moment I felt like a piece of meat. He made me shiver and not in a good way. Before he could do any more ‘looking’ they both went into the screening room.

  “Let’s go in then.” said Lilly.

  “No not yet.” I said.

  “Why not?” asked Becky

  “That guy just gives me the creeps and I don’t want him leering at me.” I replied.

  “Oh ok.” said Lilly.

  After five minutes we entered the dark room, in front of us was the bright colored screen showing adverts. I looked up, scanning the room for the guy and his girlfriend. Both of them were sitting at the back, and she had her phone out, what a surprise. The bright phone lit up her unnatural face, thick with make-up. We climbed the steps and sat a few rows in front of them. I decided to sit in the middle of the girls to share my popcorn. We sat in the dark waiting for the film to start. They showed adverts after adverts. I was already eating my popcorn before the film started, the girls took handfuls too. We were whispering to each other during the adverts but when we saw the lights darken and the film title, we stopped and stared at the screen for the film to start. The film opened with a car chase, (typical). Some known film hunk was speeding down a road while blasting off his gun. Once I got settled into the film I began to enjoy it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  At one point in the film, two people were reveling plot twists and one of them was a woman. A femme fatale. I love the femme fatales on film; they always surrounded themselves with mystery, making me want to know more. I was on the edge of my seat shoveling popcorn into my mouth with anticipation when the girl a few rows back started talking on her phone.

  “Where am I? I’m at the cinema, nah boring film cannot understand the plot at all.” she blabbed.

  I turned around and looked at her, but she was too busy to notice me.

  “Agh I wish she would shut up.” said Becky.

  “Yeah she’s getting on my nerves.” added Lilly.

  “Ellie can’t you deal with her?” asked Becky.

  “What do you..” I then understood what she was saying. I turned to Lilly and was about to ask if she minded but she just nodded her head.

  I got up from the seat and made my way to the back of the room. I climbed up the steps and made my way towards her. I sat in the empty seat next to her and she turned to me.

  “Excuse me what do you think you are doing?” the fake blonde asked. “Hold on,” she said to the phone. She was about to open her mouth again to speak but I grabbed her hand. The girl’s phone dropped beside her and her body went still. Her boyfriend watched in confusion.

  The same feeling washed over me like a tidal wave. The tingling sensation flowed up and down my body. I peered into the girls mind who didn’t have an intelligent thought inside her head, and her desires were only material. This girl gave off a different vibe than the other two, but I didn’t want to lose to her. I slowly squeezed my grip on her hand. Somehow this girl was mentally pushing me away. My whole body rippled with power and I could feel my hair prickle at the back of my neck.

  Then like the others before I could see her soul vibrating with energy, but this time it wasn’t warm or soft. It was cold, like stone. Her thoughts flowed through me. This girl was just another Beth. I could feel her hatred for other people and the person who only mattered in the world was herself. More memories flowed through my mind, and I could see the pain she brought to others. Slowly I started to squeeze her cold soul mentally. I wanted to turn it into dust. The fake blonde started to twitch awkwardly in her seat. But just at the last second I thought she wasn’t worth it. I released my grip and the girl’s eyes adopted the same vacant stare.

  With my hand still grasped on her wrist I slowly said. “Get out.”

  The girl stood up and abandoned her boyfriend along with her phone. I watched her walk down the steps and out to the exit. I turned to the boyfriend who gave me that creepy look again. He moved closer towards me and I quickly ran back to my seat in disgust.

  “All done,” I said with a smile on my face.

  I took another handful of the stolen popcorn and picked at it one by one. I smiled to myself knowing that I could easily influence people. This curse that I was so scared of made me confident and I really liked it. Lilly and Beth were glued to the screen (there was a topless scene). While they watched the film my mind was racing with thoughts and I could not keep up with them. A thought slowly crept into my mind, that I should use my power to get what I wanted, but was I that kind of person who would just exploit my ability just for my selfish reasons. I decided that I wouldn’t use my power until I fully understood it. Maybe Rhea could tell me more? Then my mind went straight into panic mode. Everything Rhea told me was true, even the faceless creatures in my dreams.

  Those things were real. A shiver ran up my spine. I could almost remember the smell they gave off, I tried to shake the horrible thought from my mind, when I remembered again that Rhea said they would come after me. Another chill ran up my spine and I squeezed my eyes shut.

  No, no, no, no. That will not happen I thought.

  I still had my eyes shut when I could feel someone standing over me. My eyes opened to see Lilly and Becky up on their feet. I looked around to see everyone was leaving.

  “What’s going on?” I asked them.

  “The films finished.” Lilly replied.

  I stared at the large screen to see the credits rolling.

  “Don’t tell me you slept through it Ellie?” Becky asked.

  “Did I? I must have.” I said.

  “Come on let go.” said Becky.

  I stood up from my seat and brushed off the fallen popcorn that clung to me. Lilly and Becky were first to leave and I followed behind them down the stairs. Both of them held open the theater doors for me and I thanked them. The bright lights greeted us from the dark room and I had to close my eyes for them to slowly adjust. I squinted to see Lilly and Becky were trailing in front. Quickly I picked up my pace and caught up to them. Both of them were talking about the film they just watched.

  “
O.m.g. He was so handsome.” said Lilly.

  “Totally, I just wanted to see him without his shirt on.” Becky added.

  I plodded along behind them, just listening while they swooned over the main character. We moved passed the food counter and on tip toes I looked for the guy that had served me. There was quite a queue forming but I could almost make him out through the crowd of people, he looked normal while he was serving people. I smiled to myself knowing that he didn’t look like a mindless zombie anymore. As I carried on walking I could hear two people talking very loud. Turning in the direction, it was the cheep blonde and her boyfriend. They were arguing amongst themselves, and I didn’t want to stay in case the girl recognized me. I quickly walked passed them while trying to hide my face.

  I walked passed where we bought our tickets. I could see the woman dealing with some customers. She was smiling while serving, again she looked normal. Another smile formed onto my lips.

  “Thank god.” I said out loud.

  I was relieved that they were back to normal and I didn’t harm them. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt an innocent person.

  “Ellie are you coming?” Lilly called from the exit.

  I nodded and lightly jogged towards them. “Sorry.” I called out.

  We exited through the door and the cold wind whipped around us, blowing our hair up around our faces. I crossed my arms around me while we hurried towards the car park. The wind began to pick up and the three of us ran towards the bright red car. Becky tried to hold her skirt down, but she was fighting against the wind. Lilly rummaged through her bag to find her keys while we waited

  “Hurry up Lilly,” I said while shivering.

  “It’s cold, hurry up.” said Becky.

  “All right, let me just find them,” Lilly dug deeper into her bag. “Got them!” She shouted and the car made an unlocking sound.

  We all jumped in the car. I decided to go in the back again. The car was no warmer then outside. I rubbed my cold hands together to try and warm myself up and pulled my jacket tightly around me. Lilly stuck the key into the ignition and turned it, the car came to life with a rumble.

  “Stick the heating on.” asked Becky.

  I saw Lilly fumble with the heating controls, she was pressing random buttons. She stopped when loud burst of air shot out of the heaters.

  Lilly pulled us out of the car park and we headed back home.

  “Uh girls,” I wanted their attention. “You won’t tell anyone about tonight will you?”

  Lilly looked at me in the rear view mirror. “Of course not Ellie, we wouldn’t do that.” she gave me a smile which reassured me.

  “Yeah we wouldn’t do that to you,” said Becky. “Anyway who would believe us?”

  “Thanks girls.” relief washed over me.

  “It was cool watching you do it though, you could make anyone do what you want.” Said Becky.

  “I don’t want to make anyone do anything. That was a onetime thing.” I answered.

  “Good girl Ellie, don’t take Becky’s advice.” Lilly said proudly.

  “Well I have thought about it, I don’t think I’m the kind of person who could do that to people just to get my own way.” I said

  “Oh come on Ellie we can make Beth do all sorts of stuff, it’d be fun.” she said.

  I began to think it over would it be so bad just to mess around with just a few people in school. My thoughts were cut short.

  “Don’t you dare!” Lilly practically shouted at me.

  “She can do what she wants.” said Becky.

  “It’s wrong, it just is. You just cannot play with people like that.”

  “Oh? But it was ok for you when Ellie made that girl get out?” said Becky.

  “Well she was annoying, but there is a difference, you two are talking about seeking people out and messing with them.” Lilly added.

  I felt like I was torn between right and wrong, Becky in one corner and Lilly in one another. There was no way I was going to side with any of them. I decided I wanted my thoughts to be heard.

  “Shut up you two!” I shouted.

  There was finally silence in the car. I had both of their attention and now it was my turn.

  “Lilly you are right, it is wrong to do such things and Becky, there is a part of me that would love to go to school and make some people pay. But that’s just not me, this thing inside of me it kinda’ scares the hell out of me, and I just want to crawl into bed and never come out.”

  I took a breath. “Everything is getting out of hand since Kate’s death. On the outside I’m all smiles and sunshine but on the inside I’m falling apart” I could feel my face get hot while tears trickled down my face. “I feel that it’s my fault that she died since she was driving me in the first place. I just wished that she’d never died. Sometimes I wished that it was me instead.”

  Both Lilly and Becky gasped.

  “I know I shouldn’t think that, but I do. And on top of that I’ve got night terrors and sometimes I’m too scared to sleep. Those people in there, you saw what I did to them, and for what? A free ticket and popcorn, you’re right Lilly it’s wrong, I’m a horrible person.” I placed my hands over my face and slowly sobbed into them.

  “I had no idea you felt like that Ellie, I’m so sorry and you’re not horrible.” said Becky

  “Ellie I’m sorry, you should never say it’s your fault even if you feel it. It was just an accident.” said Lilly. “Ellie if I could, I would give you a big hug”

  “Me too.” added Becky.

  I wiped my face with the back of my hand. Becky opened the glove box, inside were a small pack of tissues. She took them and handed them to me with a smile. I ripped open the packet and pulled some free. I cleared my face and blew my nose.

  “Thanks girls” I said with a croaky voice.

  “Ellie if you need us just phone, we’re here for you.” said Lilly.

  Becky agreed with Lilly.

  “Thanks” I said again. I dabbed at my eyes with the tissue. How did everything get so messed up in a short amount of time?

  I sat back in the seat and waited to go home.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Ellie you’re home now.” Lilly said softly.

  I looked up from the floor and peered out into the dimming light.

  “Do you want us to come in with you?” asked Becky.

  “No that’s alright, I’m just going to have an early night maybe a bath,” I answered. “But thanks anyway and if I need to talk I’ll call.”

  The two girls looked back in their seats. “Yeah call us anytime Ellie.” said Becky.

  I got out of the car and watched them drive away from the house. As soon as the car disappeared around the corner I felt awful, like someone had flipped a switch inside me. Before I entered the house I took out my compact make-up mirror and checked my face, some of the redness had disappeared. My skin didn’t look healthy at all, it was grey and dull, and I was washed out. The only thing was red was my cute button nose. I put the compact into my clutch and entered the house feeling like crap. Dad was sitting on the sofa still watching TV.

  “Hi Dad I’m back.” I called to him as I hung up my jacket while trying to cover my face.

  I walked into the living room and let myself fall onto the sofa. I felt tired all of a sudden and started yawning.

  “How was the film?” he asked.

  “Um yeah it was alright I guess,” I answered. “The girls said I slept through it.”

  “What a waste of money.” Dad said.

  My stomach knotted when he talked about the money. “Yeah it was,” I said with guilt in my voice. “I think I might have a bath and then go to bed.”

  “Yeah I think your right. I may have an early night as well.” Dad answered.

  I took a deep breath and felt all my energy drain from my body. My old aches and pains were back. I got up from the sofa and dragged myself up the stairs while my body cried out in pain. I switched on the bathroom light an
d turned on the hot and cold taps. While pouring in some of my favorite strawberry bubble bath, I sniffed the liquid and the sweet smell lifted me in a slightly better mood. I grabbed my bath candles and lit them around the edges, having the candles around the bath made it more relaxing. My IPod was docked and ready to go, waiting for me to press play. The speakers started to play soft music that I always used when taking a bath, nothing too loud.

  Once the bath was full I turned off the light and stripped off. I gently lowered myself into the steaming hot water. My bruises cried out as the hot water lapped over them. Once I got use to the water I laid back into the lounge position. The hot water felt nice, I could feel all my aches and pains disappear within minutes. It felt nice to relax as the candles flickered in the dark while the music playing softly. I could have easily fallen asleep while in the bath. I sat up and grabbed my strawberry body wash and started to lather up with soft suds, making sure not to scrub my beaten body too hard. I laid back into the bath to wash all the lather off. As I laid there with my eyes closed my mind began to work. Again I was beginning to think of those monsters I dreamt about.

  I hope I don’t dream of them again tonight I thought.

  Rhea then popped into my mind. For someone who wasn’t human, she was beautiful. I wonder what she was. Should I trust her? I didn’t know. She’d just appeared into my life and I’m expected to trust her. I tried to put it out of my mind. I started to listen to the soothing beats of the music. The water around me was starting to go lukewarm and my fingers starting to prune up. I decided that I had had enough and pulled the plug. I slowly stood up from the soapy water making sure that I didn’t fall back and hurt myself. Climbing out of the bath, I took the towel that was folded on the radiator and started to dry my body with the warm fuzzy towel. The softness of the towel felt nice against my skin, but became wet and soggy quickly. I switched off the music and placed my iPod to one side.

  Wrapping the towel around my chest, I picked up my old clothes that were discarded on the floor. Quickly I stepped out into the hall and hurried off to my bedroom, being careful that my towel didn’t slip. I looked in my draws to find some oversized t-shirts and grabbed the first pair of underwear I could find. I dropped the towel to the floor and changed into the lazy clothes.