Neneth’s Resurrection
A “Write or Die” response to Neneth’s story: A Prequel by Molly Skeen
Neneth’s grave stood sparkling in the rain. Siobhan stood over it, hair dripping, trying to reconcile the gravestone with the chubby little sister, who had, the same time last year, waved her goodbye as she journeyed to find the greater magic lost in the desolate wastes in the North. The past year had been eventful, stressful and she’d spent all her magic reserves just to stay alive, only to find that the worst part of the journey had been coming home, to that gravestone.
Siobhan didn’t know for how long she’d stood, lost in her memories, oblivious to the cold. Night fell and still Siobhan stood, as if she were waiting, for something. Midnight boomed.
Silent spectres started rising from the graves in the cemetery. They crowded around her, drawn to the warmth of her living soul. Shuddering, Siobhan spun a spell of protection on herself and the spectres moved a little farther away. More and more spectres joined in as the time passed, forming a ghostly circle around Siobhan.
Suddenly, Siobhan’s patience snapped. She knelt, knocked on the gravestone and said, “I know you’re in there. Come out. I’m tired of waiting.”
There was no answer.
Siobhan continued, “Are you kidding me? I’ve come to see you after more than a year and you won’t even say hi??”
A spectral hand rose from the gravestone and waved hi. Siobhan grabbed the hand and yanked. The spectre of her dead sister Neneth rose from the grave and stood glaring at her.
Neneth said, “Why do you always have to be so violent?”
Siobhan retorted, “Because I’ve always had to drag you out when you hide away.”
“I don’t hide. I just…try different things.”
“Yeah, right. Like diet yourself to death. And that too for that bubblehead Fabian.”
“Fabian is not a bubblehead!”
“Is too! He was dumb enough to not even recognise a love potion when he was given one.”
“What!?! He’s in love with someone?”
“He was enchanted to be in love with someone. I don’t know if he knows how to really love anyone other than himself. If I didn’t know who his parents were, I’d think he was Narcissus’ spawn.”
“He…he just likes to look good. But that is not the point!” huffed Neneth, “Who was the witch who did this to him? And why did no one help Fabian? Ah! You could help him, right?”
“Well, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? He’s a good guy, he is. If you meet him, you’ll know.”
“I did meet him. I wanted to see the face that caused my stupid sister to commit the slowest form of suicide anyone’s ever thought of!”
“That wasn’t my plan,” retorted Neneth.
“Oh, shut up! You always get so over-involved in things and then can’t dig yourself out of the pit.”
“That — ”
“Anyway, I’m not doing it. He’s got Moira pregnant and if the spell breaks now, the bairn will not have an easy life.”
“WHAT!!! Nooooooo!”
“Stop making a fuss, Neneth,” said Siobhan sharply, “You truly don’t believe that after taking a blasted love potion, they both remained virgins, right?”
Tears started rolling down Neneth’s cheeks. As they fell off her chin, they dissipated into the night. Siobhan sighed and asked, “Why did you do it, Neneth? Was he really worth all this?”
“I…to be honest, I never felt thin and I thought he’d never even look at me, with all the rest of the svelte, gorgeous women around. And then, I just couldn’t stop. I tried, I really did.”
Siobhan snorted gently. She understood how easy it was to start something and not know how bad it was until you were in too deep. Her journey into the wastes had taught her that. She’d been lucky to make it back and she wished that Neneth could have that chance.
Neneth said, “Moira’s really pregnant? But how? It’s not even three weeks.”
“She told me. She had the medicine witch check her because she had a feeling. The bairn’s two weeks along and…”
“And what?”
“Shush. I’m thinking.”
Siobhan flopped to the ground and began drawing symbols on the dirt. She scratched out and redid it a few times until she was satisfied. She sat back. Neneth glowered at her, “Will you at least tell me what you’re doing or is it some big secret?”
Siobhan grinned, “How would you like to be resurrected?”
“That’s not possible and I do not want to be a zombie. Thanks very much.”
“Not like that, you idiot. Remember, I told you Moira’s two weeks pregnant and the bairn only get a soul after three weeks. So — ”
“You want me to be that Moira’s baby? After what she did? Are you out of your mind?”
“Well, you’ll be alive and Fabian will love you — not in the way you wanted. But, beggars, horses, etc.”
Neneth paused, then said, “But I’ll forget you, our life, my love. I’ll forget everything if I become a babe again.”
“I’ll remember for you. And…and I’ll know you’re alive. If that Fabian puts a foot wrong where you’re concerned, this time, I’ll be around to deal with it.”
“Siobhan, I…”
“Just say yes, you dummy. It’s rare to find an untenanted womb and we can’t wait.”
Neneth wiped her tears, gave one final hug to her sister and then nodded. Siobhan started the ritual. Neneth’s spectre slowly disappeared. When the last vestiges of her spirit had vanished, Siobhan finally let herself cry.
Nine months later, a baby girl was born to Fabian and Moira.
This work is part of the Write or Die collaboration 2019. For more stories in this series, see the Write or Die Homepage —
© Indira Reddy 2019
