Bound by Voices
Fishermen returned early, muttering of voices beneath their boats.
The sea sang, faintly, like glass being touched by wind.
Solenne stood at the shore again, humming back.
Mira ran to her. “Inside, Solenne.”
> “They’re not dangerous,” the girl said.
“They’re lonely.”
The sea responded—a pulse of light, expanding outward.
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Adrian rushed from the cottage, grabbing Solenne’s hand.
> “Enough,” he said, voice trembling. “You can’t keep listening.”
“If I stop listening, they’ll scream.”