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Show 128 Chua knew that just before sundown a One Horn priest would draw four \aA/^J lines with sacred com meal across the road to prevent evil from entering?! ^ J *\yQ "If any man dares to cross after the lines are drawn," Pavati said, "he will L^vJ 1 die/' ' J^^ "Have you ever seen anyone cross the com meal?" asked Chua. A \ "Not a man," Pavati said, "but a rabbit hopped across one night years ago and was found dead the next morning." "What killed it?" asked Chua. Pavati shrugged her shoulders. "No one knows. It had no teeth marks from an animal or claw marks from a bird. No one knows." Chua walked to the doorway of the hut. "I must hurry. I have to get water on the way back." As Chua approached his cliff dwelling, he could hear the low drone of Ahote's voice as he danced and sang. Fear knotted in his belly. He set the heavy water jar down in their apartment. His mother was not there. He hurried down the sloping path to the village center. Ahote's voice grew louder. "Where've you been?" he bellowed when he saw Chua. "Getting water," Chua said. "That's always your excuse," shouted Ahote. "Now sit down over there," he said, shoving Chua to the far side of the square. Apa was leaning against the back of the cliff with her hands behind her. s |