Siren

By Ashley Hedge

Summer Hales just an average girl. Average height, average weight, average fourteen year old girl with a crush. Sure, shed had crushs before, a couple of boyfriends, but nothing this big. Weird things start to happen and she winds up in the hospital, her crush holding her hand, practically begging for a relationship with her. A dream come true until it turns into a horror movie, with Summer as the monster. With her new found destiny, she uncovers a plot to take over the world, by controlling her.

Can Summer protect her friends, family and more importantly, her crush/boyfriend that may just be a ghost? The future doesnt look so good!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463424312

Ashley Hedge

Ashley Hedge is an ambitious young author who loves to read. She reads to expand her own life and become someone else for a short time. Ashley writes in the hope that she will give her readers the same experience of adventures in a different reality. She also encourages other youth to begin writing in an effort to increase literacy and reading enjoyment and is currently residing in Ontario, Canada.

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© 2011 Ashley Hedge. All rights reserved.

www.AshleyHedge.com

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 07/18/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4634-2430-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-2431-2 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011911046

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Last Chance

Chapter Two

Confidence Boost

Chapter Three

Charm

Chapter Four

Happenings

Chapter Five

Hauntings

Chapter Six

Run Away

Chapter Seven

Spell

Chapter Eight

Dead and Gone

Chapter Nine

Secret Society

Chapter Ten

Royal Family

Chapter Eleven

Prisoner

Chapter Twelve

Secret Library

Chapter Thirteen

Invitations

Chapter Fourteen

Goddess

Chapter Fifteen

Scary Stories

Chapter Sixteen

Dance Party Horror

Chapter Seventeen

A World-Ending War

Chapter Eighteen

Shattering Hearts

In memory of Sharon, the person who inspired me to start writing in the first place.

You will be greatly missed.

Thanks to everyone at Author House for helping us with the process of getting Siren published, to the friends I’ve made at Writers Unite, who introduced me to my editor and cheered for me all the way, and to all my friends and family for all the support, love and encouragement.

Thanks to all the people who inspired a lot of the characters (especially Henry, you make the perfect Harvey) and who demanded they have a main role and almost cried when they found out their characters eventually die (love you guys!). Special thanks to Patricia Anne Elford, who helped us with all the craziness of editing (I would have been lost without you).

A very special thanks to my mom/manager, who helped me through EVERYTHING, including the stress and occasional breakdown, and who volunteered to type up the whole thing and never wanted to stop. I love you Mom!

Prologue

I knew the world would end, but I never thought it would end so soon, and especially not because of me.

He stood before me, the one thing I wanted, between me, and the things I was now built to destroy. I knew I would kill him, even though I didn’t want to. She would make me. I would feel the pain of this, after I had finished destroying the world.

Everyone I loved would die because of me. I was no longer in control. When she was done using me I would kill myself. I would have nothing left to live for.

Funny, how it would end this way.

Chapter One

Last Chance

Summer

"All right everybody, this year, grades 6, 7 and 8 are going to put on the musical Cinderella!" the grade 6 English teacher, Mrs. Bates, announced cheerfully to everyone seated on the gym floor.

On the sheet you have been given are all of the characters. You are to put your name on the sheet, and check off the three characters you would like to be. If you have any questions please ask one of the three of us, she motioned to herself, Miss Carter, and Mrs. Nola as they leaned against the stage.

Mrs. Bates’ violet eyes watched us. Today, her light brown hair was in a tight bun, suitable for her gray pencil skirt, white frilly blouse, and sensible white heels.

You are to memorize the paragraph on the bottom of the sheet, and sing a song, like ‘ABCs’ or ‘Happy Birthday’, with a wide range of notes for the audition. The three of us will tell you the cast members shortly after the auditions.

Miss Carter was wearing a turquoise, short-sleeved cotton dress, a white wrap and flats. Under her bobbed, naturally streaked blond hair, her light-blue eyes gazed at us through the glasses on the bridge of her nose.

There will be a sign up sheet outside the gym. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of us, Mrs. Nola informed the group.

Do listen to the announcements for any updates. Thank you, everyone, for coming. You may go.

Mrs. Nola was the best teacher in the whole school; all the students agreed. She was everyone’s friend, and treated everyone equally. She dressed like she could be a high school student, always wearing jeans and T-shirts.

Today she wore denim jeans, silver runners, and a dark purple T-shirt with silver rain clouds and lighting streaks. Black hair flowed to her waist. Her black eyes were strange and cool at the same time.

As people filed out of the gym, I followed my best friend, Jayka, to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside of the gym doors. Her light brown hair fell down to her shoulders. A soft pink t-shirt with roses and hearts all over it covered her faded blue jeans partway to her knees.

So Summer, what are you signing up for? Jayka asked curiously, twirling her hair with her finger.

I’m trying out for the lead role. This is my last chance to show this school what I’m made of before graduation, I answered matter-of-factly.

I’m signing up for the third lead role. I wanna be in the musical a lot, but not too much, ‘cause then I’d have to sing a solo, and I’m not that good or confident about singing, she said, her animation increasing, chestnut eyes sparkling.

You’re a really good singer Jay, but I do have to agree with you about the stage fright. I just hope I don’t chicken out, I sighed.

Don’t worry. You’ll do great, and get the lead role, she stated confidently. It was almost our turn to sign up.

Don’t hold your breath, I mumbled. Besides, I have a feeling a lot of people are going to try out for the part of Cinderella. Maybe I’d get lucky and they’d find someone to play Cinderella before I auditioned.

What song are you going to sing? Jayka turned around to scribble her name down quickly.

I’m not sure. How ‘bout you? I took the pen Jayka handed me and signed my name.

Probably something simple, like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ or ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ . . . she rambled on.

You know what song you should sing? We walked down the hall to our lockers.

What? I asked warily.

‘Fly to Your Heart’ by Selena Gomez. That song would be perfect for you!

Sure, I said, losing interest.

We gathered our things for our next classes while Jayka chatted about the beautiful weather we were having. I knew she was nervous. She always chatted aimlessly when she was.

Hey, do you want to come to my house after school to help me study? Jayka asked desperately.

You haven’t studied for the math test, have you? I caught her.

No, she said glumly. You know how I am with math.

So you want me to tutor you for Monday, right?

Yeah, she admitted, embarrassed.

"I would love to help you with your studying Jayka! I said sarcastically. But it’s Thursday and I have guitar. Sorry." I really was.

That’s okay. How ‘bout Saturday afternoon? She sounded hopeful.

Sure, I agreed, happy to help a friend in need. I closed my locker and leaned against it.

Besides, that reminds me. You should play your guitar at the audition while you sing! Jayka exclaimed, clearly not giving me a choice.

Why don’t you just tell me to sing on Canadian Idol, already?! I don’t know. I bit my lip. That would only give me a week to practise the notes.

Oh, come on! If you don’t memorise the notes by then you could just sing without it. It would be so cool if you did that! I love your guitar. It basically completes you!

Fine, I gave in. There was no use anyway. She would win the argument. Just then the bell rang and we hurried off to class.

§

So why is this your last chance? Jayka asked as we walked home from school, our back packs slung over our shoulders.

Well, I can’t do the talent show, I get stage fright! I explained.

So, what’s the difference? If you get the lead role you’ll be singing a solo in front of people.

Yeah, but because it’s a play, I’ll be acting like someone else while I’m singing, I pointed out. Besides, I won’t get the lead role. I suck!

Oh-h-h-h! I still don’t get it. And trust me; you’re getting the lead role.

Never mind. I gave up.

I’ll see you tomorrow, Jayka said as I turned to my house. One of the greatest things about your best friend living beside you is that you can see her whenever you want.

§

When I opened my eyes, the sun was filtering through my curtains onto my bed. Outside, the robins were singing me awake. I rolled over to look at my clock. It was 11:38 a.m. Hooray for P.A. days! It felt good to sleep in for once.

Almost everything that had been on my bed last night was now on the floor. I’d had a restless night, but that’s about all I remembered. My stomach hurt. That was just from hunger. I got out of my bed, throwing all the blankets and stuffed animals back on. I’d make my bed later.

Good morning Sleeping Beauty, my dad said happily, putting down his newspaper as I walked into the dining room. Bright sunshine filled the room, bringing out the soft colours, the banana-coloured walls, and shining tiled floor.

What would you like for brunch, Sweetie? asked my mom, sitting at the small dining room table beside my dad. I made pancakes and the works for breakfast. You can nuke some up in the microwave.

Thanks Mom, I said as I grabbed a plate from the cupboard, then searched the fridge for some sausages. Where are they?

Your father ate all the sausages, if that’s what you’re looking for, my mom informed me.

Dad! I complained.

Sorry, but you know I love me a good sausage, he explained.

Whatever, I grumbled. Sausage was off the list!

I grabbed a couple pancakes, some bacon, and a bunch of home fries, put them on my plate and set them in the microwave to heat up. Perfect Storm by Brock Zanrosso, suddenly rang from my phone. I ran to pick it up from its charger.

Hey, Stacy!

Hi Summer! How’d you know it was me? she asked me, confused. Were you expecting me to call or something?

No. I have caller I.D., remember?

Right. I always forget. Sorry.

It’s okay. What’s up?

I was wondering if you’d like to go grad shopping with me? she asked hopefully.

Sorry. I’m going with Jayka in nine days. You could go with Veronica. I heard she still needed to get one.

Thanks, Summer. I’ll ask her. See ya Monday, or sooner. Bye.

Bye, Stacy, I said, hanging up.

Sleeping Beauty! my dad called.

Yeah?

I turned, shoving my cell into the pocket of my fuzzy pink pyjamas. I set your food on the table. He motioned toward my meal. It was steaming like crazy. He must have just pulled it out.

Thanks, Dad I said, walking over to my chair on the other side of the table.

No problem, he replied, turning his attention back to his paper.

I poured some maple syrup over my pancakes and went to get some strawberries from the fridge. Maybe I’d grab some whipped cream too.

How was your day at school yesterday? my mom asked.

Pretty good, I said, sitting down. I added my toppings to the pancakes. The grade 6, 7, and 8s are going to put on the musical Cinderella.

That’s good. You should try out! my mom encouraged.

I’m trying out for the part of Cinderella. I shrugged.

"That’s