A warm, brisk breeze billowed down the street as she pondered over the new arrival of the people across the street. There usually weren't that many people out in the early morning. Sixteen-year-old Jade brushed her long, brown hair out of her green eyes and walked crossed the road, curious.

She came to Gwyneth's Bakery where everyone was gathering and tapped a young man on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, what's going on? Why are there so many people here?" She asked.

The man looked surprised, "You haven't heard?"

Jade shook her head, puzzled. "Heard about what?"

"Gwyneth put out an advertisement in The Standard Times a few weeks ago. They say the old witch finally managed to develop a potion that works."

Jade knew what the man was talking about. Gwyneth was referred to as 'the old witch' by many. She certainly looked like one. The old woman sprouted a mass of wispy grey hair, and her narrow, pointed face made her look like a crow. Some said that her sharp, piercing blue eyes could stare straight into one's soul. Obviously, people rarely ever visited her bakery.

"A potion for what?" Jade grabbed ahold of the man's arm as he started to turn away. "What did Gwyneth make?"

The man leaned down and whispered in Jade's ear, "There have been several rumours, but I think she's developed a potion to bring the dead back to life."

The dead back to life. 

Jade's head was swirling as thoughts overwhelmed her. My mother alive again. Ivy June Collins alive again. Alive and well, living with her daughter Jade. 

Alive and well, and with me.

Jade stumbled back. Her mother...if it was true, she had to get that potion. She had to. Her mother could finally be with her again. Ivy June had passed away when Jade was only six in a car accident. Her death had left a hole so large in Jade's heart that she was surprised she was still alive. And now, after all these years of praying, of wishing, of growing up without a parent, she could finally have a mother. 

Seeing Jade's shocked expression, the man placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's all probably false though, even the scientists think so. It's impossible."

The dead back to life.

"Then why are you here?" Jade finally asked.

The man held up a camera which Jade hadn't noticed, "News. We're mainly the press. This hasn't gotten out much yet."

The man turned away from Jade after she didn't reply and disappeared in the crowd.

Suddenly, the bakery door burst open. Out hobbled Witch Gwyneth, holding what seemed like a dead crow in one hand and a small green glass bottle in the other. "It is time!" she croaked. Everyone fell silent, "For my newest masterpiece to be revealed." She held up the glass bottle, "Behold."

Cameras flashed but Gwyneth didn't seem to mind or care. Ignoring the flashes and lights, she opened the glass bottle. Then she threw the dead crow into the crowd. The people screamed and rushed out of the way of the falling bird.

"See if it is dead." Gwyneth announced, pointing a withered finger at the crow lying on the floor, "See."

No one stepped forward for a minute or two until the newspaper reporter guy Jade has spoken to stepped out from the crowd. Gently, he picked up the limp, dead bird. He shook it, and then felt for a heartbeat. Then he looked up at the crowd, "Definitely dead."

The crow was passed around in the crowd for further examination, but every diagnosis was the same. The crow was dead. Finally, someone handed the bird back to Gwyneth. The old witch pried open the crow's mouth, and very, very carefully shook a drop of clear liquid into its mouth.

Everyone held their breath, waiting...waiting...

And then the crow burst to life.

It screeched at the audience, who either gasped or screamed, opened its wings and launched itself into the air, quickly fading from sight. The people watched the black bird until it was gone.

The crowd looked back to the bakery, but Gwyneth was gone. The door was firmly closed. Jade could see the curtains close in the bakery as reporters crowded around, screaming for answers, snapping pictures.

Jade walked away quietly, but her mind was far from quiet.

It was true. It worked.

The dead back to life. My mother alive.

Get the potion, Jade Collins. Do whatever it takes. Get the potion before it's too late, or you'll never see your mother again.

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ORIGINAL A/N [2015]:

I hope you really like my new fantasy short story 'Jade'. It's for @Roguehope's contests!

Please vote and comment your thoughts and opinion!

~Rose~

UPDATED A/N [2019]:

So, after four years, I've decided to re-published this book. It holds a very dear place in my heart because it's the first book I've ever written to completion. It's short, but hey, it counts for something, right? 

Anyways, I went through this chapter and edited several things. I added some description, fixed some typos, changed the cover...you know, all that fun stuff. I still hope whoever is reading this is still enjoying the story :)

Remember to vote and comment!

~ Rose