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Show 129 Her eye was black and beginning to swell shut. A tear rolled down her cheek. Ahote's sandal lay limp at her side. Her hands were tied behind her back again. Ahote continued with his song in a low monotonous voice accented by the stamp of his foot every fourth beat. Chua got to his feet. "Why is my mother tied up? Her eye is black. Why did you hit her?" Ahote's eyes were glassy, and he had a hard time focusing on Chua. He stumbled toward Chua. "I'm going to the fifth world, and I must have a sacrifice." "Hopi people don't make sacrifices," Chua said. "I learned about human sacrifices from the people to the south of us. I met some of them getting salt, so I decided I'd try it." Ahote droned on, dancing away from Chua to the far end of the plaza. "What do you mean, a human sacrifice?" Chua asked. Ahote wasn't listening. I must protect my mother, thought Chua. He hurried over and untied her. Ahote didn't notice; he stumbled on dancing. • « "Quick, Mother," Chua said. "Go to the secret room. I i ! get you when it's safe." Apa hurried away. Chua turned back to Ahote. He danced towards Chua. "Where's Apa?" asked Ahote, as he looked up. "She's in a safe place," Chua said. |
