//------------------------------//
// The last page 
// Story: Call of the sea 
// by sunsetsjournal 
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Chapter 10:

The last page

It was raining that night: while we were performing at the finals of the battle of the bands, there was not even a single cloud in the sky, yet now the moon had disappeared, hidden by a thick cloud, as if it wanted to escape us.

The drops of water, falling from the sky were cold, freezing even, strange thing too, because it was the middle of spring.

Our hair and dresses were soaked; a soft sneeze escaped Sonata’s nose: I realized that, staying out there in the cold,  she risked to fall sick again and neither Aria or I wished for that to happen. We headed to our place as fast as possible; on the way a car passed by at high speed and we all ended up even wetter than we were already: now why does this sound so cliché to me?

There was something strange about that whole situation: it was like something evil were lurking in the street corners, just waiting for us; but back then I thought it was just my imagination, or at least that is what I kept reaping to myself every step I took.

Yet that night I felt so afraid and insecure I thought for a moment that I had gone back to being a little siren: that all the things around me were just a horrible nightmare and that my mother would soon come to my rescue, to drive off my fears, but nobody came for me. Instead I found myself surrounded by wicked wraiths, grinning at me, laughing at me, as if I had fallen into their trap. For the first time in many years I felt disoriented and incapable of coming up with a solution to my problems or rather ours.

You see, for the first time in many years I had forgotten I was not alone, that there were other people I had to care about. The darkness that blinded my eyes was thick, but luckily for me I could still hear just fine: in fact it was the sound of Sonata’s voice which woke me up from my bad dreams and brought me back to reality. I regret not having thanked her that night.

When I opened my eyes again I realized that we had reached our house: they say homes ought to be always nice and cozy, yet that night something mysterious had made ours look horrible to my eyes, even more than usual. The place felt colder, the floor squeaked like a rat, the atmosphere was humid.

I lie against the wall, put my hands on the head and start pulling my hair; my eyes staring into a bottomless abyss; my mind going completely blank. There is still one thing I can picture though,  something about which I will never forget.

I remember the shattering of our gems; pieces of red crystal, slowly falling on the ground:  in front of us a crowd of students, looking completely glass-eyed. Then I hear a peculiar noise so different from the cheering they were shouting just a moment ago. Soon after they start trowing things at us: a tomato, a banana peal, some plastic cups and then I do not remember anymore or maybe I just do not wish to...eggs perhaps?

Another one of Sonata’s sneezes makes me come to my senses; I look at my sister: her cheeks have turned into a dreadful red color. I approach and sit by her on the sofa, luckily there is a blanket I can cover her with: it will not be enough to stop the fever, but at least it will keep her warm.

In the meantime Aria stays silent, lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling as if she had gone mad; her eyes are as empty as mine: I guess she and I are feeling the same burden on our chests, humiliation, and it is heavy.

Sonata sneezes again, her forehead is warming up fast; soon she will be in the same condition as two weeks ago and I will have to cure her, but this time I cannot help her, not as much as I wish to. In fact I can only help her get over her flue, but I know that will not be enough, that an injury will still be there in her heart as in Aria’s and mine. I hate to admit it, but it must be said that medicine can only go so far, for there is still nothing no cure for one’s heart, no remedy, no antibiotic.

I fell ashamed not only about our defeat against the Rainbooms, but also because now that I have no magic I do not know how to help them, my sisters: how will I be able to provide them with everything they need? I spent my whole life submitting ponies and people, making them bow to my will, yet everything I’ve always truly wanted was be with them and now I am nothing but useless.

When Sonata touches my arm, begging for me to save her from the pain that is slowly taking over her, I feel lost; my tongue has frozen in my mouth: how do I explain to her that I simply cannot, that I am nothing anymore?

For the first and hopefully last time in my life I realize a tear has escaped my eye, soon after another one follows and then more and more: for the first and hopefully last time in my life I realize I am crying.

I try to stop the tears, but I just cannot; hopefully if I bury my face in my hands my sisters will not see me like this: gosh... I must look ridiculous to them.

Shortly after I sense something touching my right arm: it is Sonata, but she is not making fun out of me like I was expecting, instead she is hugging me; silently Aria joins us on the sofa and hugs my other arm, her expression is slightly more serious and contained than Sonata’s though. I return both of theirs hugs: for the first and hopefully not last time in my life I feel the warmth of their bodies, pressed against mine; it feels strange, but nice at the same time. Not knowing how to react, yet still wanting to repay them somehow for their gesture, I decide to do the only thing I am good at or at least I used to, when I still had my gem: I hope you girls like it, however bad it may sound.



When I finish my song both Aria and Sonata hug me tighter than before; I suppose they enjoyed the gift I tried to make them. With all my tender and care I place a kiss on both on their foreheads, they moan in pleasure, while I, for the first time  in many years, I smile sincerely full of joy.

Let’s enjoy this moment of ours, dear little sisters, for now that our cover here has been blown, we will have to leave the city, but not immediately, only after Sonata is healed.



Well, my most precious ones, now that you are finally reading the last page of my journal I wish to tell you something.

All this time I did nothing but act coldly even towards you, for after my mother’s death I thought that I would survive only if I did things on my own: only now do I realize how wrong I was. After finding you in that field of seaweed and taking you home something within me changed drastically, in fact I began to think I would need to do all I could to save you who were starving, yet to be honest you were the ones who saved me. You made me become a completely different siren, you took what had remained of my heart and even after we lost everything, our home, our powers, you showed me that I still had something: you.

Aria, Sonata, please forgive me for not having a way with words, but if you are reading this, please know that I love you: I always have and always will, no matter what happens. I was just too proud and stupid to understand and admit it before, perhaps if I did, we would be in a better situation now. I still do not know how we will manage to survive in another city without our magic, but what I do know is that as long as we stick together nothing will defeat us, not ever again.

Hope you read this, your big sis

Adagio



Having read these very last words, Sunset closed the book and looked at the clock, hanging over the wall, she noticed that it was still 7 pm: plenty of time to have a chat with Twilight.

The girl had not liked Adagio’s journal: it was that kind of story that leaves you with a heavy unpleasant burden on your chest, far too melodramatic and full of deep regrets.

At first she was unsure if it was appropriate to write to Twilight about her discovery, too, but in the end she decided it would only make the princess of friendship feel guilty for no reason: after all the sires had gone now, they had no magic left to use and everything was back to its place just the way it should be.

Happy with her decision Sunset left Adagio’s journal among the other books in her case, surely later she would come with a good idea to get rid of it, just like the siren it had belonged to.