Loving the Dead

Chapter 36

After sitting by the fire with everyone for a while, I quietly excused myself. I stopped by my tent grabbing a shawl before walking into the jungle.

The lifeless trees around me saddened my heart, but I wasn't going to think about that. I had one last thing I needed to do before we left this rotting island.

I found my usual clearing, and my feet shuffled through the layer of soot covering the ground.

I stood still in the middle of the jungle, nothing moving or making a sound. I breathed in deep, and closed my eyes.

I opened them to see a familiar face.

Zahara.

"Zahara. I've missed you so much." I said, smiling.

"Me too my dear. I'm so sorry I couldn't have helped you. I see the destruction in your heart." She said, frowning.

"Zahara, it's over now. Besides, I didn't summon you here to talk about me. I have something to give to you." I said, excitement in my voice.

"Now what could you give to me?" She asked curiously, her eyebrow cocked over her eye.

"The gift of life."

__________________________________________

Zahara gasped, putting her hands over her mouth. Tears fell freely down her ghostly face.

"You remembered? Annora, thank you. There is absolutely nothing I can do to repay you."

"I don't care. You deserve this. You can live the life you were meant to live."

She nodded silently. A smile plastered itself across her face.

I beckoned her to come closer, and she floated towards me until we were less than an arms length apart.

I concentrated, and wrapped myself in a layer of energy. I turned myself into a living spirit so I was able to touch her. I placed my left hand on her shoulder, then put my right thumb in between her eyes and my pointer finger on her forehead.

"With the Power of the Living and the Dead, I give you back the gift of Life." After I spoke, a blinding light flashed. I took my hands off of Zahara and stepped back.

A white bubble surrounded itself around Zahara. Her eyes were closed, and she dangled up above me.

I took in a breathe, and blew softly onto the glowing sphere that enshrined Zahara.

Zahara's eyes flew open, and she gasped. I stood still, unblinking as the world flashed a bright white around me.

After the light subdued, I waited calmly for my eyes to adjust back to the normal light. I blinked a couple times and saw a figure laying on the ground at my feet.

"Zahara?" I whispered, bending down and placing a hand on her shoulder.

She overturned, and the beautiful, lively Zahara laid before my very eyes.

"Zahara!" Zahara laughed as I hug tackled her. It felt so nice being able to actually hug her and feel her presence. Her crazy brunette curls blew softly in the breeze, and her caramel skin was soft. I pulled away from her so I could get a good look at her face. She had freckles dotting her nose, and her brown eyes sparkled. She was absolutely beautiful.

"Zahara, you're so pretty!" I said.

"Well, thank you Annora. I could never repay you for this. I feel so alive. I haven't used my legs in 200 years!" She said laughing. She tries standing up, but wobbled a little bit. I caught her by the waist and helped her up.