Strings of Fate

Aaron 3- Recognising and recording

I visit the club again Saturday and Sunday night and I fall asleep again to the woman singing both times. By the time Monday comes I am feeling well and truly refreshed and ready to face the week. But once again, I can’t sleep. I struggle all week until Friday comes around again. and I just know that Alpha Ryann has noticed something is up with me. She’s been watching me closely since Thursday morning. I practically stumble into the club Friday night and I’m asleep before the woman finishes her first song. I don’t know how I ended up so dependent on her performances to sleep, but it’s definitely starting to become a problem.

By Sunday night I’m rested enough that I manage to stay awake for the entire set. Okay, so I maybe dozed off a little part way through it, but only for a few minutes and I woke up before she even left the stage. I consider that a win. I’m just contemplating if I want to head home or if I want to stay curled up a little while longer when a voice interrupts my thoughts.

“Hey Shifter. My name is Penelope, although you can call me Penny if you like. Most people do.” The woman whose voice I have been admiring perches herself on the arm of the couch by

my feet. She doesn’t seem nervous around me at all which is unusual. Up close I can see that her hair is definitely white, pinned up in some complicated hairstyle. I can also tell that her

eyes are dark, so dark they are nearly black and that she smells like the ocean. I can’t see her

mark anywhere, but I doubt this woman is human. She smells different to any other human I’ve ever met. I tilt my head curiously. I’m not complaining, I did want to know her name. But I can’t figure out why Penelope has approached me. She smiles at me cheerfully.

“Oh don’t mind me. I was just thinking I wanted to know the name of the Shifter who keeps turning up and then sleeping through all my shows. Although I suppose you can’t exactly tell me when you’re a giant cat.” She says thoughtfully. James, who has been watching us from the door, apparently entertained by the interaction, takes a chance to interrupt.

“Penny, his cover is paid by someone named Aaron if that helps. I’m fairly sure that’s his name.” He adds helpfully. Penny leans forward from her spot on the arm of the couch so that she can see my face better.

“Aaron? Is that your name?” She asks. I give a deep nod.

“Oh, cool. Well it’s nice to meet you Aaron. I really hope you’re sleeping during my shows. because you enjoy them, not because you’re bored to tears. Although I suppose you wouldn’t

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3- Recognising and

them. Either way, I hope you have a good night. Will I see you. next week?” She asks. Before I can think, I

see you then. Bye!” She dashes off in a flurry of energy that leaves me baffled. I stare after her blinking. James, who isn’t even pretending that he wasn’t watching approaches me and bravely pats

says knowingly. James has been my alarm all weekend so I suppose he’s gotten a bit more

conversation and

that same couch and falling asleep to Penelope’s voice. Unlike the previous times however, James

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in a place like this.” She comments. She isn’t wrong. I give

“I

half–Siren so my voice does affect people strangely sometimes. Usually it makes them just stare at me a lot. So sleeping is a kind of different response.” I tilt my head curiously. Half Siren. I knew she wasn’t human, and it explains how her voice is so

why I can get a regular gig here for extra cash while I

that, what

find a way to correct her Penelope dashes off again. What is it with her ending conversations so abruptly? Or maybe she wouldn’t end them like that if I actually

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Recognising and

conversation.

and I use my car to drive

door and I realise that