Challenge No.79. Banshee Screams.
Write a scene in which a banshee arrives to wail.
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They'd named her Black Mamba because her skin was jet black and many claimed so was her heart. With good reason. Grabbed from her homeland of Africa used by any sailor with an urge then auctioned off together with horses, sheep and goats with no difference between them, Black Mamba had all right to be so inclined.
She had been named Abana by her family, meaning with a strong personality made with a stone and she would have a need to call on her heritage, even if in secret. With the capture of Abana, the village had lost a treasure, for she was their medicine woman. A fact soon discovered by all who were in the concentration camps disguised as farms.
Until...
The eldest child of the European enslaver fell ill. The doctors were helpless before the disease. Black Mamba was called in as nursemaid to the teen. She died. A scapegoat was needed and Black Mamba with her subtle defiant ways was chosen. Abana found herself accused of murder, mayhem and witchcraft.
She was hanged.
"Any last words?" The executioner offered.
Cool. Calm. Collected. She replied. "Ayèl mwen kay pwan wivanj banmwen. Si mwen se an jan gajé, an modisyon kay tonbé asou. Zòt kay tan kwi épi tout pwèmyè ich an fanmi sala kay mò menm kon mwen mò. La pa ka'y ni pyès bout pa ka janmen finisman."
Not understanding, the bloodthirsty crowd roared. "HANG HER!"
It took twenty years for the first wail to be heard. It started late one evening and continued into the wee hours of the morning. The long, low, bone penetrating wail of the banshee. All who heard it knew that death was foretold. The following morning the eldest son of the plantation owner was found hanging from a mango tree.
And so, it continued.
1797, the year of French liberation in the Caribbean and Paddy O'Donnell, firstborn of his father was hanged for desertion in the face of the enemy. The long, low, bone penetrating wail of the banshee foretold the event.
1834, the Abolition Act was passed in the British Parliament. The long, low, bone penetrating wail was heard all over Soufriere. As expected, the firstborn of the plantation owner, his daughter, was found hanging from a rafter in one of the barns.
1979, Independence Day in Saint Lucia. The sour taste of slavery remained even as the family no longer had a place in society. But back in England, the long, low, bone penetrating wail was heard and the Lord of the Manor's firstborn was hanged. He tripped and fell; the cord did the rest.
No penance.
No prayers.
No exorcism.
No relocation.
No reparations.
Nothing would stop the long, low, bone penetrating wail of warning that followed the family that had done Abana aka Black Mamba, wrong.
"My ancestors will avenge me. If I am a Witch, then a curse upon you and your generations. You will hear the wail and every firstborn of this family shall die as I die. There will be no end."
© 18 May 2022
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