BOOK TWO: SIREN MISFIT
"Shh." My mother held my hand tightly and hushed the sound, her free arm rising to put a finger to her lips.
I didn't need to be told. Fear kept my voice locked. This was our chance. An opportunity for a regular life. To be a real family. Mama - a name I could only use when we were alone - promised.
The power outage, which Mama blamed on maintenance, would help us play the hiding game. A game we had to keep secret, Mama explained with flashing fingers as she'd brushed my hair after my bath - the one with bubbles and not salty with fish. The people in the white coats kept asking if I understood what they said. Silly question. Fish didn't talk. Waves did.
No waves in these concrete halls, the stone thick and muffling sound. No swimming for me tonight, which meant I
