The Siren

By Madison Elinton-Meadows

The rain pitter pattered against the car windows as I 17-year-old Jason and my mum arrived at our new home in the heart of Westminster. We had fled from the terror that had scared us in our previous neighbourhood. 

We had wanted to find peace and quiet in a brand-new neighbourhood and to get rid of the memories that had haunted us.

As my mother and I stepped out into the rainy air, I couldn't help it but it felt like this new neighbourhood was just like the last one. 

It’s going to be dangerous I thought. 

Guns, murders and much more had scared me my mother previously. 

The streets seemed to whisper secrets to them, and the tall silhouette of the Big Ben Clock Tower in the town of London casted a big shadow over them.

"I think this house might be the one, Jason," my mum said, a forced smile playing on her lips as she unlocked the door to our new home.

But before they could step inside, a voice cut through the rain like a knife. "Well, hello there, young man!"

I turned to see an old lady standing on the doorstep of the house next to them. She wore a flowery dress that seemed out of place in the rainy, dark surroundings, and her smile stretched too wide.

"Welcome to the neighbourhood!" exclaimed the old lady, gleefully. "I'm Ms. Ashcroft, but you can call me Ash. And who might you be, young one?"

I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "I'm Jason," I whispered. "and this is my mum."

But as I turned to introduce my mother, I realized that she was nowhere to be seen. She had probably gone out to fetch some groceries, leaving me alone with the neighbour.

"Well, Jason," Mrs. Ashcroft said, her smile never leaving her, "I do hope you'll come over for tea sometime. I make the most delicious cakes, you know."

I nodded my head. “No worries Ms. Ashcroft. Have a wonderful day!”

 “You too Jason,” Ms. Ashcroft replied.

I went inside, shutting the door behind. I felt a sudden shiver run up his spine, as if Ms. Ashcroft was watching him. 

I was unsure of going over to the old lady’s house at the moment. Maybe she was just a little old lady who was lonely and had nobody to talk to. Maybe I should be nice to her and try to get to know her better. *

I was full of boredom, exploring my new home. I counted every room and everything that was in the house. I counted every crack and cranny. There were 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen which was connected to the dining room.

The furniture was already organised, so I was relieved that me and my mother didn’t have to organise anything. *

Twenty minutes later there was a loud knock at the door. I thought it was his mother, so I ran downstairs and swung it wide open. However, as I looked outside, I expected my mother with hands full of grocery bags and covered in rain, but she was nowhere in sight.

Instead, found at the bottom of staircase was Ms. Ashcroft. 

She seemed to be carrying what looked like a box and a tray of chocolate chip cookies. 

Palming the food into my hands quickly, she exclaimed “Oh young man, I brought you some cookies.”

“Oh thanks Ms. Ashcroft. You really didn’t have to make me some. But thanks for coming over,” I said.

“Dearie, you don’t have to worry about it. Also, I didn’t know if you were gluten free or not, so I had put gluten free flour in them.”

“Thanks very much,” I acknowledged. “You’re in the rain without an umbrella. Would you like to come in until the rain stops?” I observed as the rain got heavier.

“Oh, Jason. You’re such a kind young gentleman. Did your mother ever tell you that?”

I nodded, letting her inside. I took one quick look outside to see if my mother was nearly home. All I saw was a big storm brewing up just above the Big Ben Clock Tower. 

I mother better be home soon. I didn’t want her being out in weather such as this.

I went inside, shutting the door behind him. 

I found my neighbour walking around slowly, admiring the tapestry of the paintings and the vintage furniture around them. 

“So, Jason dearest. How are you enjoying it here so far?” Ms. Ashcroft inquired, as she sat down on the living room sofa.

I sat opposite her, prying the lid off the baked desserts. “Well,” I pondered. “It’s going alright I suppose.”

“What do you mean? Is this town not what you expected?” The old lady frowned at me.

“Why are you frowning at me?” I questioned, puzzled.

“It’s just that everyone knows this town well enough to know that the town of Westminster is dangerous. Didn’t your mother tell you Jason? This town is where a lot of bad things happen,” She said shuddering.

“How do people get away with such things like this? Aren’t they going to get caught?” I asked, picking up one biscuit and started chewing on it as it hit my tounge. 

Ms. Ashcroft, eyeing me down replied “Well there’s only been one time for when the people were caught. And I was involved with it.”

I was astonished, “What do you mean Mrs Ashcroft? How were you involved?”

The lady shook her head. “Young boy, why so many questions? Are you curious?” She frowned. “It all happened when I was your age, only it was after world war two had ended.”

“Ooh what happened?” I questioned, getting curious more by the second.

“First, can I please have something to drink. I’m really thirsty,” She asked.

Walking into the kitchen, retrieving a glass from the white cupboards I replied “We only have water here until my mother comes back with the groceries. Is that okay with you?”.

Ms. Ashcroft acknowledged, “Yes that’s fine with me. But just make sure that there’s a little bit of ice at the bottom of it.”

“No worries, Ms. Ashcroft,” I said, filling up the glass as said.

I felt a sudden throbbing pain in my head, falling to the kitchen floor.

Ms. Ashcroft, concerningly called out from the lounge-room, “Jason, darling. Are you okay in there? Do you need any help?”

I hurled myself forwards as vomit hurled from my mouth onto the ground. 

I felt more stabbing pains in my stomach, as if I was being slaughtered.

“Oh, what’s going on with me?” I asked as more vomit came out of my mouth.

As I closed my eyes in pain, I saw the silhouette of his neighbour shadowing over me. The last thing that I remember was her voice. “You are one foolish young man coming into this town.”