The Siren's Song

The Arcane River flows through a series of giant geysers within an untouched forest in the depths of Northern New Zealand. The river run along the emerald green trees that seemed to brush the cotton candy pink clouds of the midsummer sunset. The hills seemed to stare at the truck driving through them almost intently. Just watching. Jim lets off the gas a little to enjoy the view. He rolled down his window and stuck his head out.

“SHEEESH!” he yelled as he honked the sound echoing across the empty hills.

“SHEEEEEESH!” said Gordy and Peter in unison as loudly and as obnoxiously as possible.

With this testosterone filled act, Jim riled up the two gentlemen in the backseat. The woman riding shotgun had a remarkably beautiful face and long wavy blonde hair that rolled down her figure. She rolled her eyes as she stared out at the scenery.

“You know there is an ancient Volcano that keeps the geysers alive and makes these glacial waters so warm.” said Alyssa. “As if you were walking into a flowing bath of water as blue as the sky on a cloudless day.”

“Thanks professor.” joked Jim “Fun fact number 998.”

“If I could swim, I would come with y'all but I am irrationally afraid of the water.” said Alyssa shivering.

A moment passed.

“I cannot wait to see Booby Beach!” yelled Gordy passionately.

The truck fell silent as all eyes looked at Alyssa riding in the front seat.

“Booby” she gritted her teeth, “beach?”

Alyssa looked deep into the soul of Jim with the rage of a collapsing star but she continued to stare out the window. Jim’s truck was a 91’ Dodge truck in cherry condition. Jim received it as a gift from his grandfather when he passed away. Jim cracked the window using the old turn-style handle.

“You’re so fucking stupid G.” Peter muttered to Gordy in the backseat while Jim and Alyssa argued.

“Yeah, gonna pay for that one” grimaced Gordy.

Peter nodded, “You know she doesn’t understand this kind of stuff even though it’s just soft voyeurism... but when she’s mad.”

Peter chuckled, “and we both can agree on-”

“Shes way too hot for him” they both said in unison.

Peter and Gordy couldn't help from laughing hysterically. Jim looked in the rearview mirror with a pissed off look.

“Something you wanna share with the class?” Jim asked sarcastically.

“Nope.” they both said as they looked out their respective windows.

A small empty parking lot had a good-sized sandbar leading to the river. Jim backed directly into the path leading to the river. They all helped unpack the kayaks and gear. Jim reached between kayaks, felt a sharp pain, and soon saw blood pouring from his thumb.

“Fuck.” Jim said while looking for a band aid.

Jim looked across the river to something curious. A large black cat was on a boulder on the opposite side of the river. Its neon green eyes locked on Jim. Jim turned to get someone's attentions but as he looked back the cat had vanished.

“Gotta go powder my nose.” Alyssa said walking behind some trees.

As soon as Jim was sure Alyssa was out of earshot he said, “I didn’t think you could be that stupid Gordy.”

“Why say ‘Booby’ and ‘Beach’ in the same car as Alyssa?” said Peter.

“I don’t know guys -” Gordy paused thinking about his transgression, “I just let it slip out? You know how excited I got for Vegas 3 years ago. I'm sorry Jimmy”

“Well, it’s not 3 years ago Gordy I’m with Alyssa now and I just spent our 12-hour road trip peacefully now I have about 30 seconds to fix this,” said Jimmy. “at least Peter can keep his mouth shut.”

Alyssa appeared from among the trees and finished helping them unpack.

“I guess I’ll see you in 2 days.” said Alyssa still bitter.

“I mean I hope you do?” said Jim questioningly.

“I mean what are the odds you go run off with some Nympho Sorority slut on ‘Booby Beach’.” said Alyssa air quoting.

“Zero,” said Jim grabbing Alyssa by the waist and pulling her into a hug, “I would never do anything that would hurt or embarrass you I promise.”

“We’ll see.” Alyssa said and brushed his face with her hands.

She got in close as if for a kiss then pulled away teasingly. Jim sighed and helped Gordy pick up his kayak. As Gordy moved a hair-raising animal yelp came from behind him. Everyone simultaneously looked at a large cat as black as night and dripping wet. It hissed and scratched Gordy.

“OW! Fuck! Sorry!” yelped Gordy jumping.

They watched the cat shake itself off, hiss at Gordy again, and walk directly across their path disappearing in the woods.

“Do you guys believe in bad omens?” Peter said jokingly but appeared nervous.

Alyssa grabbed her bracelet and ran her fingers along the silver crescent moon shaped pendant attached; she had goosebumps.

“Well let’s get crackin,” said Gordy “burning daylight!”

Gordy and Peter set up their kayaks as Alyssa and Jim redid their goodbye.

“Please be safe.” said Alyssa.

“Always.” Jim smiled.

“I'm sorry I know you would never do anything I just get worried,” said Alyssa taking off her bracelet then shoving it on Jim’s hand. “Just a good luck charm for you, don’t lose it.”

They gave each other a meaningful kiss. Alyssa watched Jim get in his kayak from the truck.

“BYE LOVE YOU!” shouted Alyssa as the three of them took off.

“BYE!” shouted Jim.

“BYE FOREVER!” shouted Peter and Gordy.

“I hate it when y’all say that!” Alyssa yelled falling out of earshot.

They all giggled at the farewell, a favorite of theirs. The clear sky illuminated the enchanting landscape making them all speechless. For hours all that could be heard was the river through the hills.

“We are fuckin lost.” said Gordy.

He smacked his GPS which resembled an early touch screen phone.

“Let’s stop at this ...place” Peter said.

They saw an old-timey sign attached to a dock planted into the riverbed. They paddled towards a grimy dock, grabbed it in unison and stepped out of their kayaks with ease. The river seemed to come to a halt, as if it was making it easier on them. They tied off the kayaks and started towards this strange establishment lost in time. They pushed through the saloon style doors into a trip of its own. The establishment didn’t look out of the ordinary just dirty. The off-putting things about the interior were the items for sale and the staff.

“Toilet?” Jimmy asked.

The man behind the counter was a big corn-fed white guy wearing only dirty overalls.

“Pay’n cu’somers ude da won inda bek.” He said then spat on the floor.

“Pack of Lucky’s,” Jim gestured to his friends “on them.”

On the dock Jim joined his friends. Peter tossed cigarettes to Jim. Peter and Gordy were mid-conversation so Jim started smoking.

“You heard what Joey-Bob said,” Gordy snapped.

“IF, hill billy fuck over there,” hissed Peter under his breath, “is right that means we’re 50 miles NORTH of where we started. Could’ve sworn we didn’t paddle up river. Barely broke a fuckin sweat.”

“The plot thickens,” said Jim.

“We’ll catch you up as we go.” said Gordy “take a swig of that.”

He tossed a green glass bottle to Jim. ‘Oracle's Brew’ it read in fancy cursive. Below read: 52% Absinthe. Jim laughed aloud, drank a gulp, and they got into the kayaks.

“I don’t know,” said Peter “place literally orders shit from the 1840’s but we have bigger problems.”

The river current continued when they gained distance from the Twilight Zone. Peter and Gordy caught Jim up on how lost they were. According to GPS, Map and Joey-Bob, they were in fact 47.38 miles upriver of start. Ahead was a decent sized sand bar and past that was a hill none could see over.

“Sun’s setting,” said Peter “we need to set up camp.”

Thoroughly confused they pulled over and left unessential gear in kayaks against the hill. One by one they climbed as they carried gear. They collected wood and set sleeping bags around a makeshift fire.

“We are fucking lost.” hiccupped Gordy.

The three stood up and pulled out full bottles of Oracle’s Brew.

“Here, here” said Peter extending his bottle.

“Cheers.” said Gordy sarcastically.

“Let's get hammered.” said Jim.

They cheered their bottles the sound echoing against the hills.

All of them could feel themselves struggling to keep their eyes open as the fire diminished.

“Go pu wud on du fur.” Peter managed to slur.

“No,” Jim muttered, “Goodnight.”

“G’night.” said Gordy.

They slowly fell asleep by the fire. As the embers died, the surrounding area grew quieter. As if something was silencing the river. The river’s sounds faded away, exchanged for the enchanted singing of a song. Nature fell silent as beautiful notes crept the hills. The three gentlemen stirred in their sleep.

Gordy arose, eyes half open. He really seemed to enjoy the singing.

“Do you guys hear that?” Gordy giggled to no one.

He glanced atop the hill separating the camp from the river.

A woman resembling his wildest beauty standards was there in the nude. Speechless, Gordy started towards the woman without question. The woman giggled as she took off towards the river.

“Wait!” Gordy shouted.

The ominous song continued while Peter and Jim sat up in a haze. Their attention was brought quickly to the hill.

Standing there appeared to be Alyssa and another woman in the nude. Jim completely entranced by Alyssa barely even noticed there was another woman. This other woman was the other thing that Peter noticed. He marveled at her beauty and couldn’t look away. The two women atop the hill laughed, held hands and took off towards the river.

Suddenly very clearly the words of a melody rang in each of their ears enchanting them:

“My voice surrounds you like a storm

Moonlight makes the water hotter

You'll like me in this form

You little Lambs to the slaughter

Now your bodies feeling warm

Take your clothes off, join us underwater”

Each young man’s eyes were locked on their respective ladies. The three naked women stood waist deep in the water. Gordy walked naked, clothes strewn across the sandbar, almost knee deep into the river. Peter started to strip. Jim headed towards the river.

Jim neared the water's edge. He couldn’t fight the feeling of overwhelming lust. He removed his shirt and reached towards Alyssa. In that instant time slowed for Jim. As moonlight reflected off of the silver pendant memories came flooding back. With each step towards the water, he felt as if he should be resisting. He separated his thoughts and the overwhelming lust talking over him.

‘Just a good luck charm for you’ Alyssa’s words played in his head.

For a second Jim was able to think clearly.

‘Wait, Alyssa can’t swim.’ Jim thought as he stared as what he thought was her.

Snapping out of the spell he was under it unearthed a terrible feeling of dread. Like an animal realizing it was prey for the first time. Jim found in Alyssa’s place stood an H.P. Lovecraft daydream.

Even half in the water, it was obvious this creature was perpetually wet. The nightmarish face of this creature brought Jim panic. Several dagger sized teeth protruded from its mouth in a circular fashion like a shark. Its large human shaped jaw unhinged like a snake. Its scaley skin alternated between swamp green and dark blue. Its unusually long arms had webbed hands with talons on the fingers. In a hairlike fashion, tentacles draped from its head down its shoulders ending at its exposed humanoid bosom. The black insidious eyes were soulless but stared deep into its preys.

After those short seconds, the Creature made a quick, long dive backwards, deeper in the river.

Scared with adrenaline, Jim dashed to his nearest friend Peter, who was still in his own trance. Peter just started touching socks to the water, when Jim, with one mean shove, was able to take him out. Still focused, locked in on the Creature, Peter continued stumble his way towards the water, forcing Jim to deliver two serious slaps across his face. Peter had a moment to realize the situation, while Jim puts his attention to Gordy, already waist deep.

For Gordy, he’s hooked and began to drift deeper in the warm water’s gentle stream. In front of him, totally uncovered, stood a woman he could only think to call ‘Perfect’. Gordy still heard her beautiful voice, even though he watched as she licked her lips. She reached out with her hand, he met her with his. She guided his hands onto her chest, while she slowly leaned in onto his neck and Gordy leaned in with his neck. The kiss started small, warm, and lite low on his neck. At the same time, he heard his friends asking for him, the kiss became bigger, warmer and heavier. All at once he heard his name roared in terrified tones. He felt her body change and shift in presence, everything he didn’t know he wanted in his hands, to squeezing a huge breathing slug. She came off of him with a full mouth of Gordy’s flesh, and revealed herself to be, the only logical thing he think of: a Monster.

Out of nowhere, the other two Creatures leaped out of the water, stabbed their teeth into different parts of Gordy. One, ramming its talons into Gordy’s back. The other, with one big chomp, took off Gordy’s right leg from the knee down.

Going off of instinct, Jim with a flashlight and Peter a decent sized rock in hand, were running towards their friend. They reared back their objects, hurling them at the Creatures. Both objects hit the head and back of the Creature stabbing Gordy from behind.

The Creature let out a screech that hollows out the bone, makes every joint in the body feel like a sore tooth. Each Creature dropped what they were doing and dove back under, leaving the rest of Gordy to plop and sink.

Jim and Peter raced against a rising water level and current to grab their friend and dragged him up the hill to camp. With Gordy unconscious and bleeding profusely, the guys struggled and slipped their way to the hilltop. At the top, they found the kayaks and sleeping bags. Without exchanging words, Jim and Peter saw they weren’t in the woods they remember going to sleep at, instead they are on top of a single hill, with the river on both sides. Somehow the river had surrounded them.

Cracking and splashing sounded off all around, startling them both. They turned back-to-back, Gordy, bleeding out, on his sleeping bag next to them. Upon reaching new territories of simply surviving, they needed to ask two questions; ‘where do we go?’ and ‘what to do with Gordy?’.

“I am NOT leaving him.” Peter cried starring at Jim.

Jim nodded. They improvised the small amount of gear to tie two kayaks together. Gordy rode behind in blood-soaked clothes. They rushed down the other side of the hill, in a run-n-jump attempt to make it across. As soon as they hit the water, the current’s speed picked up and immediately more high-rise water crashed their way.

Just like that, their only plan was ruined. Forced to ride the upcoming rapids in the middle of the night.

The rapids became increasingly intense. Both tried their best to stay inside their kayaks and hold onto what they had. They endured repeated slamming back and forth, on and off the sides and edges, somehow the rough waters both cut and pounded them without remorse. Instinctively protecting themselves, in a moment of terror, both focus all their might to not lose their grip to their seats. After minutes of mother nature’s wrath, the only things to remain in the kayaks are Peter and Jim themselves. Scream and cry for their lives was all they could do.

It didn’t go unnoticed that the river’s edges were becoming taller. The river was fuller than a river could be, but the further down the river went it shaped into a canal with dirt walls. Impossible to get out anywhere, even if they could’ve slowed down enough to make a jump for it. All adding to the feeling impending doom.

They started to notice their kayaks taking on water. In complete panic, Jim opened a small compartment under his seat, letting a red emergency flare gun out to rattle around. Jim grabbed ahold and fired straight up. The flare soared red over everything. Flares are meant to be seen for miles, yet for a long time they watched the flare light up the dirt walls ending what seemed miles away from the top. The walls that surrounded them were stories tall. They were completely trapped. The flare fell several yards in front of them, landing at the dead end of the canal, a closed loop.

As the flare sank into the water it illuminated a horrifying scene. All either of them could see was a swarm of the Creatures who took their friend. All crawling over one another as they all watched the flare slowly burn out. With the dying of the light, they turned their attention to the surface, where hundreds of glowing staring eyes faded into darkness. Tears rolled down the boys cheeks as their last bit of hope was extinguished.

Out of a nightmare three figures, waist deep in the water, began to prey on their frightened meal.