The Silver Anklet by Mahtab Narsimhan Page B

would understand. No one said a word.
    â€œI want this game to be fun,” said Zarku. He beamed at them, his annoyance and hurt from a moment earlier seemingly forgotten. “Tell me, aren’t you just a bit excited?”
    â€œI think we should leave now,” said Vayu.
    â€œUh-uh, not so fast,” said Zarku. “First, a few rules.”
    Tara tried not to roll her eyes or sigh deeply . There were rules now? And would he really follow them? She gritted her teeth and paid attention.
    Zarku paced in front of them. Stopped. “Rule number one — you must all stay together, no splitting up.”
    As if , thought Tara. They wouldn’t dream of going their separate ways. Their only chance was to stay together.
    When no one spoke he continued. “Rule number two — if I catch you before sunrise tomorrow, I win! And you will all do exactly as I say. Agreed?”
    I’d rather die before I let that happen , thought Tara. Zarku looked straight at her almost as if he could read her mind and smiled again. It broke her heart and she had to look away. This is not Suraj … not Suraj , she chanted silently.
    â€œAnd what if we win?” asked Kabir. “You’ll let us go and give back my sister and Tara’s brother. You promise?”
    â€œBut of course, you have my word,” said Zarku. His eyes glittered. “I do have to say, though — I’ve never lost to anyone yet.”
    Tara looked at him, she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t intended to meet his eyes, but she couldn’t help that, either. For he had lost to someone. To her. She lowered her eyes again, but too late. He’d seen the look in them.
    Zarku’s face was a mask of hatred. She couldn’t believe that the sweet features of her brother could rearrange themselves into such an ugly expression. Goosebumps rose on her arms.
    â€œAhhh, yes,” said Zarku. “I had forgotten. Let me correct myself, I have only lost once to Tara here. It will not happen again.”
    The hyenas circled them quietly, breathing in their scent.
    â€œGet a good sniff, my beauties,” said Zarku. “For tonight we go hunting.”
    The hyenas whooped with laughter. Tara stepped back, praying she would never have to smell their breath up close again. The largest hyena swept his beady eyes over them and wagged his stump of a tail.
    â€œCan we go already?”said Raani. She had twisted her dupatta around her finger so tightly that the tip of it was white. “The sooner we go — uh, the sooner we can start playing .”
    â€œMy, my,” said Zarku, smiling at Raani. “You can’t wait to start, either! I knew you’d be excited after all. I’ll close my eyes, count to a hundred and then come looking for you,” he said. “ At last , a game I have waited to play all my life. This will be a night to remember.”
    Tara glanced one last time at Zarku. She focused on the little boy, trying to avoid the eyes that would give away the horror that resided deep within him . I will win for you, Suraj. You will be free, I promise.
    Zarku turned his back on them, leaned his forehead against the pillar and started counting. “One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight …”
    They raced across the courtyard as fast as they could.
    Tara’s legs trembled. She stumbled. Fell. Vayu pulled her to her feet and they continued running.
    â€œNinety-seven, ninety-six, ninety-five …”
    They ran past the fire, leaped over the low wall and hurtled into the forest.
    â€œNinety-four, ninety-three, ninety-two …”
    They ran, crashing through the trees like a herd of elephants on a rampage.
    They ran, dodging low branches and thorny bushes that reached out to grab them and slow them down.
    They ran till they couldn’t hear Zarku’s voice at all.

    Sweat trickled down Tara’s face in rivulets. Her clothes clung to her body like a wet sheath. An