Page 2 of Bind Me

She’s suddenly got her hands on Daddy’s neck, pushing him under the current. He’s fighting, his arms swinging, striking her, but it’s as though she doesn’t feel him hitting her.

I reach the riverbank, the mud squishing under my feet, making me slip a little as I stop at the edge. The water looks darker than before, almost black, as if all the woods’ shadows have decided to go for a swim.

And in the water, Mommy is still on top of Daddy in the middle of the river, pushing him down as if she’s trying to bury him in the river.

“Mommy,” I scream, my eyes stinging with tears. “Stop!”

She doesn’t listen to me. She keeps drowning him while he’s kicking and thrashing. He’s bigger and stronger than her, so I just don’t understand why he doesn’t get up.

I move quickly into the water, its coldness crawling up my legs as I tremble, but I don’t care.

“Daddy, I’m coming,” I yell, tears blurring my eyes as I see his hand reaching out of the water, splashing, struggling. I’m moving too slowly, the mud sucking down on my feet.

“Mommy, stop hurting him,” I cry out, trembling. “Don’t hurt my daddy.”

The river is cold, its rushing waters swirling around my waist as I move deeper. Each splash against my face feels like icy fingers trying to drive me back to the shore, but I can’t stop now… not when he needs me. My hands keep wiping my eyes, smearing the tears and river water together until I can barely see.

Inside me, a strange sensation stirs, and a tingle travels through me, whispering of my mermaid side. That part of me wants to come out, to take over and save Daddy, but I’m not strong enough, not a strong swimmer. Daddy always said it takes time to grow into my resistance and abilities and not to rush it. But I need them now!

“Mommy, stop,” I scream again, my voice desperate. “Please stop drowning him!” If only Daddy was a full merman. If only he could breathe under the water. But his family are wolf shifters, strong and fierce on the land but not made for the water.

Mommy, still shoving him underwater, suddenly turns her head, her gaze locking on to mine. There’s no warmth in her eyes, no flicker of the mother I know. She’s more monstrous… a stranger wearing my mommy’s face.

My heart pounds against my throat.

With a cry, I reach my parents, my small hands clumsy in the water. I shove at her, my fingers grasping for her arm, trying to scratch her.

“Stop!” I strike at her, my fists seeming to do nothing. “You’re going to kill him.” My voice breaks, each word like a shard of glass in my throat. Tears stream down my face. I’m crying and screaming as I shove, hit, and plead.

Mommy’s like a statue, her body hard and unmoving against me.

Daddy’s face surfaces briefly, coughing and spluttering, panic twisting his expression. He’s halfway through shifting into his wolf, his jawline starting to stretch out, fur spreading across his shoulders and arms. Yes, good, but when his gaze meets mine, wide with fear and confusion, panic bubbles in my stomach. There’s a silent plea in his eyes, a scream for help that I’m trying to answer but failing. I’m shaking, crying, desperately reaching my hands out for him.

“Daddy!”

Instead of driving him back under, Mommy leans in and kisses him, inhaling sharply.

I watch, horrified.

He flays about and his face pales, his cheeks hollow. It happens so quickly I don’t have time to react, to stop her. But I know what she’s doing—killing him with her mermaid’s death kiss.

The water sloshes around us as she pushes them both underwater, still kissing him. The river grows colder, deeper, where I can barely touch the ground. I scream, pushing against the water to reach them.

“L-let him g-go!” I scream over and over. I’m shivering, teeth chattering, and I can’t stop the tears.

Suddenly, she emerges from the water, drenched, smiling in my direction.

Under the gray sky, I’m crying hysterically, my chin trembling, my insides feeling like someone has cut them up.

Daddy’s limp body bobs to the surface of the churning water, face down in the river, not moving. A scream escapes me, raw and haunting, as I reach for him. Before I can touch him, Mommy grabs my arm, her grip tightening, nails digging deep into my skin.

I wrench my stare up at her, furious with her.

“I hate you,” I splutter.

Her face is shifting, cheekbones more pronounced, eyes darkening… this isn’t just her mermaid form emerging. She’s beautiful in her mermaid form, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Now, there’s something dangerous in the way she stares at me, as if she’s no longer my mommy. She’s changing, becoming a siren. Daddy told me all about them. How scary and dangerous they are.

“Don’t,” I cry, trying to pull free from her hold.

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