The Deadly Conch Read Free Page A

high, and snatched the other half from Tara’s hand and swallowed it.
    â€œYou mangy thief!” Tara swiped at the dog, but it backed away.
    She heard laughter from a few onlookers who had witnessed the scene.
    â€œTold you not to feed him,” the woman said before moving away. “Rakaji is going to have all the strays rounded up and put to sleep. They’re hungry and getting very aggressive. He’s afraid they might bite a child.”
    Tara looked at the dog, who now sat licking his injured paw, the food long gone. She was mad at him. But it was not his fault that he did not have a loving home. Putting the strays to sleep would be a mean thing to do. Killing anything, for that matter, would be wrong. How could you take something that you were unable to return? Especially a life.
    But you’ve taken two lives , said a small voice within her. You killed Zarku and Kali .
    That was different , she told herself. They were inhuman monsters. The last few moments in the cave flashed through her mind once again; Kali’s screams as she had hurtled to her death. She clapped her hands over her ears. Would she ever be able to forget? Would time ever dim this ghastly image? Everyone thought she was a hero; they envied her, but they had no idea about the terrible nightmares she had. The memories she had to struggle hard to forget, lest they overwhelm her.
    â€œYou’re happy that my mother is dead,” a voice whispered in her ear. “Isn’t that what you said?”
    Tara’s skin crawled. She did not even have to turn around; she knew who it was. A voice that oozed such hatred could only belong to one person. She stood still for a moment, wishing Layla would go away.
    Layla grabbed Tara’s shoulder and spun her around. Her black eyes glittered as she held Tara’s gaze. “Watch your back, dear sister . I’ll make sure you suffer horribly for what you did to my mother. That’s a promise.”

— two —

The Temple is Defiled
    T ara was trapped!
    Kali blocked one side and Zarku, the other. Both were aflame. Arms outstretched, they advanced slowly and deliberately. It was utterly dark in the forest and the only light came from their blazing bodies. Tara whirled around, tensing for the sprint to safety. Too late. Layla stood right behind her. She seemed even more massive than usual, moving with surprising speed. The trio moved in on her, closer and closer. Heat fanned her face; the smell of searing flesh poisoned the air. Kali reached out, her burning fingertips inches away from Tara’s face. Any moment she’d go up in flames, too.
    â€œI’ll make you suffer,” hissed Layla. “You. Will. Suffer.” And then she enveloped Tara in a bear hug.
    Tara screamed. She sat up on her cot, soaked in sweat, the thin sheet wrapped around her body like a python. The courtyard was silent except for the pounding of her heart. Above her, stars twinkled weakly in the fading night. Suraj lay on his own cot, undisturbed by Tara’s yell.
    Tara heard the echo of her scream, very faint this time. Had someone really screamed, or was the sound inside her head? She hugged her trembling body, breathing deeply.
    â€œTara, what’s the matter?” Parvati stood framed in the doorway, a lantern in hand. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI-I … uh … had a bad dream,” said Tara finally. She could barely think of the words let alone speak.
    â€œDo you want to sleep inside?”
    â€œNo, Mother. It’s too hot. I’ll stay out here.”
    â€œAll right,” said Parvati. She came over and kissed Tara’s forehead. “You’re safe now. You have nothing to worry about.” Parvati adjusted the sheet over Suraj. With one last look at Tara she went back inside.
    Tara lay back and gazed at the sky. She breathed in the night air tinged with heat and the earthy smell of manure from Bela’s stall. She was at home with