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stress. At least She was alright now. She apologized for making us endure that, but She had waited too long. She vowed to be more careful in the future. I passed all of this on to Miaka in hushed tones, stroking her hair. The look on her tiny face expressed the unfathomable moment when you wake from a nightmare only to realize you were never really asleep.
    The Ocean started again. She had asked us to stay together for this: Marilyn was being released.
    We all looked at Marilyn who seemed confused. We all knew it was close but not this close. This announcement hit me like a punch in the gut. Did it have to happen right now? Couldn’t she stay just a little bit longer? But it was unfair of me to even think that. It would hurt to lose Marilyn, but I couldn’t wish anymore of this life on her. If I had wanted to cry earlier, it was nothing compared to the sorrow I felt now.
    My sister was leaving me. But I loved her too much to have her see me sad. No tears. I’d smile for my Marilyn.
    Everything changed so quickly. I wasn’t going to back to South America. Miaka was here now. Marilyn was leaving me. Maybe it would always be like this: as soon as you adjusted, this life would shift beneath you.
    “I thought… I thought it was longer,” Marilyn stammered.
    Perhaps it was, but the Ocean would not need Marilyn again before her time was up. It seemed fair to let her go tonight.
    “What happens?” That was an interesting question. Marilyn should have seen this before, but for my and Miaka’s sakes, I was glad she asked. I longed to know how this all ended. Was it as strange as the start?
    Apparently there was a reason Marilyn didn’t know. The Ocean explained that they would discuss that privately. For now, Marilyn was simply reminded that her body would soon be breakable again, and she was to be careful with it. Marilyn could also rest assured that the Ocean would never seek her out again either to protect her or harm her, but that She could not promise complete safety.
    A moment passed. Marilyn had spoken with the Ocean so often. It seemed wrong that she would be confused on this point. They both knew it was close. Hadn’t they talked about it?
    “Will I remember anything ?” Marilyn asked.
    This was unclear. Marilyn might remember sights and sounds of the last few decades, but beyond that, there were no certainties. Most everything would probably seem like a dream. The Ocean never spoke with former sirens to find these things out; it would only complicate matters. But She was sure memories of the life Marilyn had before becoming a siren would disappear. Upon hearing that, Aisling halted mid-stride. I guessed she had something in her she couldn’t wait to forget. Whatever awful thought littered her head, she kept her back to us, silently rejoicing at its eventual absence.
    Marilyn looked at the rest of us, tears touching her sparkling eyes. “What about my sisters? Will we know each other? Will we meet again?” At these words I choked. I was losing her forever, I knew it. I was aware of how much she meant to me, but I never stopped to think about what we meant to her. Marilyn had introduced all three of us to this life and had guided us through the hardest parts of it. She was very motherly in a way. The thing she had dedicated the last hundred years of her life to was now gone. I suddenly wondered if there was a chance I might miss this.
    It wasn’t impossible for us to meet again, but it was unlikely. And, of course, we wouldn’t be able to communicate with her if we did. So, for now, it was time to say good-bye.
    Marilyn steadied herself, strong as ever. She went to Miaka first. Surely that would be the easiest.
    “I know you’re scared, but you just listen to your big sisters. There’s something special about you, Miaka, never doubt that. You wouldn’t still be alive if you were anything less than one of a kind. Use this time wisely, and it will pay off. I wish you luck,” she said, her eyes full of