The Siren of Vanavara

The shack stood out among the snowy forest. Its rotting wooden panels and chipped roof tiles gave way to its dilapidated state. My boots crunched in the thick white powder around me as I drew closer to the door. The windows have been long since boarded up and are caked with dirt. There is no seeing through them to what lies inside. Many people have speculated to the horrors that were locked within those four leaning walls. My mind kept to the idea that it was simply an old shack meant to serve as some sort of a halfway house during travel, or even a temporary lodge for a hunter.

As I approached, a part of me in my mind was telling me to turn back; to go home and do something else with my life. I ignored it, deciding that this shack was more important and would serve a greater investment of my time. Especially if I could manage to get it restored to its former glory. Assuming that it had any. Regardless, there was something also incredible alluring about this old shack to me. Something drawing me in that I could not quite place. Almost like the song of a siren to an old, lonely sailor.

Despite the boards and the dust, I tried to peer into the narrow windows, but it was in vain. There was no real way to see inside. Or was there? I moved to try the door. There was an old-style knob embedded in the frame. What was once probably iron had been rusted through. I tried to turn it, but it refused to move. The assumption, maybe the hinges were rusted through as well and would simply fall away from the door or its frame. The wood has to be rotted enough right. I took a couple of steps back and charged with my shoulder dipped. There was a discernable crack as I made contact, but it was not the wood that produced the sound.

I grabbed at my shoulder in pain, wincing at the fire that engulfed my arm as I touched it. Already I was beginning to feel my pulse in the now swelling joint. So much for that plan. I looked around a bit more, holding my arm in place as I did so, to see if I could find anything else that I could use to either pry the door open, or create a hole large enough to look through. There was nothing. The ground was frozen from the cold and the snow. I continued to search for anything. A loose board, a rotted hole, a wood knot that fell out, anything. But there wasn’t…

A blue shimmer caught my eye from by the doorknob and I had to double take to make sure it wasn’t my eyes were not playing tricks on me. I stared at it, unmoving, waiting for it to show itself again. The seconds ticked by with nothing. I was about to give up again and was turning away when I saw it again; this time lingering. It was just below the doorknob, shining through a keyhole I had missed the first time. I rushed over, eager to peer through into the shack.

I knelt down in the snow and braced myself on either side of the base of the knob. With one eye closed, I peeked through the keyhole, hoping there was enough natural light coming through the windows that I could see inside. Thankfully, there was no need.

My eye fixated on a glowing form standing in the middle of the room, its back to me. Was I really looking at a spirit, or was it a trick of the mind. I uttered a weak, “Hello,” and waited. The figure did not move. The glow of its form was blue, but I could distinctly make out the plain white gown that adorned it as well as the long black hair that flowed from its head. Or maybe it was her head? I chose to run with the assumption.

“Excuse me, miss?” I uttered, louder this time and hoping the door had not muffled my voice too much. The figure turned slowly until it was facing the door. It took no time to find where I was peeing in from, like she could see me completely through the barrier between us.

It, no she, walked toward me, seeming to glide across the old floor beneath her, until she was standing directly in front of me. The door began to vibrate beneath my hands and I shot up, taking a step back as it swung inward. There she was in full form, her beauty literally radiating from her. The sunlight shining off the stark white snow did nothing to diminish the hue of blue light that enveloped her. With her small frame, petite face, and long hair, she was the definition of magnificent. She smiled oh so sweetly at me with one corner ticking upwards further than the other. The only imperfection that I could find in her.

I stepped up to her as she beckoned me into the shack with her arms outstretched. Alarms went off in my head, but her allure was so enticing. The idea of her existence consumed my mind and pulled to the surface every inkling of curiosity that I might have. Was she real? How long has she been here? What is her name? Who is she? Why did she choose me?

I stepped into the dark space of the shack as she pulled me in deeper inside. She had me by the hands, but I could not feel her touch. How is this possible? Her eyes so friendly and inviting, filled with a warmth that could combat the coldest of winters. I wanted her. I needed her. I…

The door slammed shut behind me, forcing me to jump, the illusion in front of me faltering, albeit slightly. However, in that fleeting moment, I saw something darker, more sinister than the existence of the shack in general. Her eyes turned to black orbs and her smile widened, revealing long rows jagged teeth. I tried to pull away, but she had a vice grip against my wrists. Her screech pierced my eardrums and shattered my resolve. I was getting my wish; I was learning the truth, I was getting my answers… and I would never leave.