The Silver Anklet

by Mahtab Narsimhan

  Where were Suraj and Sadia right now and what was that madman doing with them? She had killed Zarku, so how had he come alive? Hadn’t Lord Yama buried his ashes? Why had the hyenas snatched them? Could Ananth be right? Her head buzzed with irritating questions, as if some of the mosquitoes had crawled inside it.

  The heat sat heavily on her shoulders weighing her down with every step. When would this nightmare end?

  The next hour took every ounce of Tara’s discipline. The heat was unbearable. It was like walking across a gigantic tandoor. Now she knew what a roti felt like when it was cooked. She had to move entirely by touch. Roots tripped her up and branches clawed at her as she walked past. Every so often a prickly bush snagged her kurta and she heard it rip as she walked on. By morning her clothes would be in shreds, but she was too tired to care.

  Ananth and Kabir cursed softly. Tara heard a colourful word now and then from the Night Queen though she was the only one who could see. Only Vayu plodded on, breathing heavily, but without a word of protest.

  The mosquitoes were the only ones having a good time as they swarmed in and out of her eyes and nose and ears, in a torturous game of catch-me-if-you-can.

  She could use only one hand to swat them. The other was firmly clasped onto Raani’s shoulder ahead of her.

  Let this end, let us get out of the forest soon before I go mad, she prayed. How lucky she and Suraj had been when they had run away in winter. With all the extra clothing, they had been warm and, to some degree, comfortable.

  But this heat was driving her insane. She focused on counting the steps, trying to obliterate everything else from her mind. Each step would bring her closer to Suraj. Tara counted with fierce determination.

  When she had counted to two hundred, something changed. At first she could not figure out what it was but when Raani turned to look behind her and Tara saw her turn, she knew.

  Light! There was light coming from somewhere. The blindfold of darkness was suddenly stripped away and she could see. Ahead, the unmistakeable glow of a fire beckoned. Involuntarily, everyone walked faster.

  “Slow down,” said Ananth. “And be very quiet. We don’t want to alert whoever it is and nor do we want to walk into something unpleasant.”

  The trees thinned and there it was — as she remembered it from many moons ago — the temple. It rose out of the shadows, a pale white stone dome, with two smaller ones on either side. It was bleached of all colour. A network of deep black cracks criss-crossed the squat building with its ornate pillars. A fire burned in the deserted courtyard in front of it and they all moved toward it stealthily.

  “Is this it?” asked Ananth.

  “Yes,” breathed Tara. She gazed at the temple trying to shake off the feeling of horror that enveloped her. Zarku had almost killed her the last time she had been here. What was in store for them, for her, this time?

  In some parts the white stone had broken away in chunks, leaving a raw, jagged edge covered with moss.

  The forest was slowly devouring the temple. Much of its base and many pillars were already ensnared by vines and creepers.

  Next to her, Kabir’s breathing quickened, Vayu’s stomach gurgled softly, and Raani muttered under her breath. They were still a distance away from the low wall that encircled the courtyard strewn with broken stone.

  It was the same one Tara had hidden under, when she had discovered Zarku.

  They moved closer. There was no one there; neither hyena nor human. Were they hiding in the temple, watching them approach? Was this a trap? Tara’s pulse raced. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.

  The fire burned brightly, a patch of gold imprinted on the dark night. The dancing flames seemed to reach out for her with their hot fingers. Her skin burned with the memory of Zarku’s third eye upon her, his maniacal laughter filled her ears and then the fire went out.

  “Tara, wake up,” said a soft voice. It came from far, far away.

  Something sharp poked into her back. She opened her eyes to tell whoever it was to stop. Four faces stared down at her. She sat up immediately. “What happened?”

  “You fainted,” said Ananth. He smoothed a hair away from her forehead, his eyes full of concern. “Did you see something, someone?”

  Tara shook her head. How could she tell them that the fire had caused her to faint? “Just-just the heat. That’s all. So what’s the plan?”

  “Are you sure —” said Vayu.

  “I’m fine,” Tara cut in. “Really.”

  Ananth motioned to them to come closer. “Let’s split up,” he whispered. “Raani and Vayu, come with me, and Tara, you go with Kabir. We’ll circle the temple from the right and you both go left. We’ll meet at this spot on the opposite side. If we don’t see anyone at all, we’ll go in. Go slow, watch your back.”

  Tara stared at the temple, wanting only to run away from it. She put her hand into her pocket and clutched the anklet tight. It didn’t work. Her unease grew.

  Ananth gave a thumbs-up sign and they moved away from each other. She gripped Kabir’s hand in her moist one, keeping an eye on the fire as well as the entrance to the temple. Nothing stirred. The silence was almost too much to bear.

  A twig cracked under Tara’s foot and she jumped. “Sorry, sorry!” she whispered as Kabir frowned at her. Her eyes were riveted to the stone steps, but no one came to investigate. The fire crackled and spit, sending golden-orange sparks into the night sky. The smell of resin and smoke filled the air. Somehow a deserted fire was more eerie than no fire at all.

  The night turned warmer. Tara’s head was splitting and her throat felt dry and scratchy. She wiped her face and crept along next to Kabir. A sense of foreboding was filling her, like time was ticking down toward an explosion.

  They reached the other side without further incident.

  Ananth, Vayu, and Raani were already crouched under the low parapet, breathing heavily. An acrid cloud of sweat and fear hovered over them.

  “Nothing,” said Ananth. His eyes swept the courtyard.

  “Same here,” said Kabir. “I say we rush in, get the kids and run.”

  “Now or wait for morning?”asked Raani.

  “Now, please, now,” said Tara. “Something’s going to happen. It’s way too quiet.”

  A few more minutes limped by while they watched and waited.

  “All right, we should move now,” said Kabir. “We’ve waited long enough.”

  “Okay,” said Ananth. “Be as quiet as you can. Get to the pillars and hide. We’ll go in together. Ready?”

  They all stood up, still hidden by the shadows under the trees. Ananth and Kabir crept toward the temple.

  Tara and Raani followed. Tara’s nerves twanged. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

  “Arrgghhhhh,” screamed Vayu. “Someone’s choking me!”

  — five —

  Captured!

  Tara almost screamed, too. She whirled and raced up to a thrashing Vayu, followed closely by Ananth and Kabir.

  Vayu struggled with something around his neck, his eyes bulging, sweat streaming down his white face. “Help,” he stammered. “Help me.”

  “It’s just a vine,” said Tara. “Stop. You’re entangling yourself even more. Stop!”

  It took both Ananth and Kabir to hold Vayu while Tara unwrapped the thick vine from around his shoulders and neck. It dangled from an overhead branch and was unusually strong, with barely any leaves. It could easily be mistaken for a rope.

  “Thanks,” said Vayu. He pressed his hand to his chest. “I’m so sorry. I thought it was —”

  “You stupid idiot,” hissed Raani. “You weren’t thinking. What if —” But she wasn’t able to complete her sentence.

  “They’re here,” yelled a familiar voice behind them.

  “They’re here!”

  Tara did not need to turn around to know exactly who it was.

  “Kali,” she whispered and shrank back, deeper into the shadows. “I should hav
e known.”

  Her stepmother stood on the steps; thinner and dirtier than Tara had last seen her. Kali’s sharp eyes swept the forest, probing the shadows, lingering momentarily on the spot where they stood before moving on. So often had Tara been the object of that malevolent gaze, borne the cruelty that followed soon after. She had been ecstatic when Kali had been banished from Morni.

  But here she was again.

  “Get them,” Kali called out. “Don’t let them escape.” She gazed out at the forest and smiled. Then she swivelled on her heel and went back inside.

  “She’s all alone,” said Kabir. “Who’s she talking to?

  Do you see anyone else?” They craned their necks. The courtyard remained deserted.

  “She must have someone helping her,” said Ananth.

  “We’d better hide just to be on the safe side. Once the coast is clear we’ll come back and think of another way to rescue the children.”

  Tara remembered Kali’s smile. It always meant they were in for a bad time. Tara backed away slowly. She didn’t want to leave without Suraj. Not when they were so close. She gazed longingly at the temple. He was in there for sure, waiting for her.

  Ananth grabbed her hand and pulled. “Don’t just stand there!” he hissed. “Move! Kali’s men could be upon us in moments.”

  “I don’t want to leave without the children,” said Tara. “Maybe she was just bluffing. You know what a liar Kali is.”

  “I don’t want to leave, either,” said Kabir.

  Ananth huffed. “And you think I do? But we have to be cautious. There’s hardly any tree cover here. We’ll be spotted easily. Come on.”

  They retraced their steps.

  A giggle stopped them in their tracks. It came from a bush directly in front.

  “What was that?” said Raani.

  Another laugh, this time to their right.

  “Her helpers,” breathed Ananth. “And they obviously find stalking us very funny.” He reached out for Tara and Raani, gathering them closer.

  They heard a cackle behind them and backed into each other, forming a tight circle.

  “Who is this?” said Ananth. His voice had the hint of a quaver. “Stop laughing and show yourselves.”

  Silence.

  A rivulet of sweat trickled down Tara’s back. The bushes rustled. They huddled closer.

  “Should we make a run for it?” said Kabir.

  Before Ananth or anyone else could answer, the bushes parted. Two shadows emerged, became solid, and took the shapes of large ugly hyenas. Raani turned to run, and screamed. Tara spun around. Behind them, a third hyena blocked their way. He laughed.

  The fire reflected off their hungry yellow eyes. The largest one opened his mouth and a foul stench filled the air. The smiling hyenas closed in on them, shuffling forward on their spindly legs.

  “So these are her helpers!” said Raani. “Oh God, we are as good as dead. Ananth, do something.”

  Ananth moved his hand. The largest hyena growled and he froze.

  “Zarku?” said Tara, staring at it.

  The hyena’s yellow eyes bored into her.

  “Is that you?” she asked, feeling slightly foolish.

  The hyena trotted closer. She took a step back. The beast advanced, whooping with laughter. For a moment no one moved. The air was damp and heavy, weighing her down. She looked at Ananth. His eyes held hers for a moment then flitted to the others. He had a plan and she watched him and the hyenas in turns. He opened his mouth. Tara tensed.

  “Split up,” yelled Ananth. “RUN!”

  His command galvanized them into action. They scat–tered like chickens before a wolf. Tara did not look back.

  She ran hard, pumping her arms and legs to put as much distance between her and three sets of powerful jaws. She zig-zagged through the bushes, the screams and growls receding rapidly. Her heart thudded inside her chest, threatening to explode. Any moment now she expected sharp teeth to sink into her foot. Nothing happened. On and on she ran, her breath a staccato of gasps.

  Suddenly, her legs trembled and folded. She fell to the ground, holding the painful stitch in her side. Crouched behind the temple wall at the far end, she heard loud protests; a couple of her friends had surely been caught. The glow of the fire barely reached where she hid. The forest stretched behind her into endless darkness.

  Tara swiped her wet face with her sleeve and cursed Vayu. If only he had remained calm. They had lost the element of surprise, all because of a stupid vine! Now she would have to regroup with the ones who had escaped and then rescue not only Suraj and Sadia, but whoever else was within’s Kali’s clutches. Zarku still hadn’t shown himself, but it was just a matter of time. He was close. Very close. She knew that as surely as she knew her name.

  You can do this, Tara told herself. You’ve done it before, remember? Remember? But her mind was a blank. She kept low under the parapet, crawled on all fours, and made her way to the front of the temple. The voices grew louder, more shrill, punctuated by growls and giggles.

  “You let us go right now!” said Ananth. “There’s a group of men behind us. They won’t spare you if anything happens to us.”

  “Ha!” said Kali. “You think I’m stupid?”

  Yes, mouthed Tara silently. Definitely.

  “Owww, owww,” said Raani. “Call them off, they’re hurting me!”

  “They’ll hurt you even more if Tara is not found,” said Kali. “Call her now.”

  No one spoke.

  Tara peeked over the wall. Her heart zoomed all the way to her toes. Ananth, Kabir, Raani, and Vayu were all there, hemmed into a tight group by the filthy beasts.

  There would be no chance of breaking out this time. She alone had escaped.

  Kabir and Ananth were gazing into the forest surreptitiously, no doubt wondering where she was.

  “All right. Have it your way,” said Kali. “I’ll leave the hyenas to persuade you.” She walked away.

  Tara shifted and a stone clattered against the wall.

  One of the hyenas swung his head in her direction. She froze and held her breath.

  “Tara,” said Ananth. “If you can hear me, go away.

  Get help. Don’t try and save us. You won’t succeed.”

  A hyena lunged at Ananth and bit him. “Get off you mangy beast,” he yelled. He clutched his bitten hand and kicked out. The hyena retreated with a yelp.

  Tara watched bright red blood drip to the ground. The scene dimmed. She jerked her head up furiously. She couldn’t afford to pass out. Not now when they were all depending on her.

  “He’s right, Tara,” yelled Kabir. “Get Prabala. He’ll know how to handle this. Go now!”

  Tara massaged her throbbing temples. Everything was going so wrong. They had come to rescue Suraj and Sadia. Instead, Kali had captured all her friends. She had to save not two but six people now. All by herself.

  Should she try to find her way back to Morni for help? Or ignore Ananth and rescue them? Once she was gone, would Kali let them live? What should she do?

  “Don’t leave us, Tara.” Raani called out. “Help!”

  “Stop it, Raani,” snapped Ananth. “Don’t listen to her, Tara. Go!”

  Tara felt a pang of guilt. Raani sounded terrified. They were in this mess because of her. She had decided to go into the forest without telling anyone. How brave it had sounded then, how right ... Now she realized what a foolish thing they had all done. No one knew where they were and there would be no help on the way.

  Raani started to sob and Tara was almost ready to run to them. How could she even think of leaving? She stood up. A twig cracked underfoot. The hyenas pricked up their ears. One of them trotted a short distance away and sniffed the air. Her stomach wobbled. Any moment it might pick up her scent and come charging at her.

  “Don’t do it, Tara,” said Ananth, his eyes still sweeping the forest. “RUN, you’re our only hope.”

  What if he’s right? Her mind floundered like a child in deep water. Go or
stay, stay or go?

  Kali was nowhere to be seen. What if she sent some more hyenas after her? Tara couldn’t linger. She had to go, run all night for help if she had to. This was too big for any of them to handle alone. They needed Prabala.

  She took one last look at her companions staring forlornly into the forest. Bright red bite marks on their arms and legs glistened in the firelight. Tears shone on Raani’s cheeks as she sobbed softly. She couldn’t fail her friends.

  Tara took a deep breath and ran and ran and ran.

  — six —

  Zarku

  Tara ran straight into the arms of darkness, leaving behind her companions. It was hard. As the glow from the fire receded, the gloom grew thicker and heavier. The dank odour of rotting leaves and a nameless fear surrounded her. She had followed Ananth and Raani all the way here. Which way should she go now? Which way was home?

  The trees crowded in, trying to crush her. The heat pushed down with an invisible fist. She dropped down on all fours and crawled, trying not to scream for help. Sharp stones bit into her palms. Something soft squished under her knee, releasing a foul odour. She tried not to think about it as she scuttled on. This was a mistake, a huge mistake. She should have stayed with the others. She was never going to find her way home. “Help,” she sobbed softly, “Please God, help me …”

  Only the mosquitoes answered her, buzzing hungrily around her head.

  Bushes rustled up ahead. Leaves crackled. Tara jumped to her feet. Arms outstretched, she ran headlong into a tree and smacked her forehead hard against it.

  “Stupid, stupid tree!” she said, rubbing her aching forehead.

  “Tsk, tsk, Tara,” said a soft voice. “Such bad language from your mouth the first time we meet after so long?”

  Tara stopped. Turned round. The heat had vanished once more, replaced by a chill. The shadows shivered as the hint of a breeze flitted past. She scanned the trees around her. Who was it? The darkness seemed lighter somehow.

  But why … she could see no one, no source of light.

  “What? No words of welcome for an old friend?” said the voice, a bit louder now. “We’ve been waiting so long to see you. Bring me closer, Kali.”