The Silver Anklet Read Online Free

mother’s voice,” he said. But before Tara or Ananth could say another word he sped away.
    They stuck to him like shadows as he flitted through the field.
    An old woman paced at the edge of the grounds, her face streaked with tears. A few people were already there, crowding her, staring at her with open curiosity. Kabir pushed them aside roughly.
    â€œMother, what happened?” he said. “Where’s Sadia?”
    Everyone leaned closer.
    She managed to blurt one word. “Hyena.” The tears started again.
    The word shattered the silence. People rushed to the edge of the forest, searching the darkness, chattering and shouting to each other.
    â€œWhat?” said Kabir. He had turned pale and Tara knew exactly how he felt; a hyena snatching that sweet little girl she had seen just a few hours ago. Sadia must be terrified and so must Kabir.
    â€œAfter you left her with me,” said his mother, her words punctuated with sobs, “she played for a while with the new doll you had bought her.”
    â€œAnd then?” asked Kabir.
    â€œShe asked for something to eat, so I told her to wait under that tree.” His mother collapsed against him, weeping hard.
    â€œMother, don’t stop. Tell me everything.” Kabir’s voice broke. “Please hurry.”
    Kabir’s mother nodded, wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath. The rest of the story came tumbling out. Tara clutched Ananth’s hand, not at all surprised to find that it was as cold and clammy as hers.
    â€œI went to get her some aloo-puri. The stall was so close,” said his mother. She pointed to it. “When I got back, she was standing at the edge of the forest staring at something. I called out to her and she turned. Just then …” his mother’s voice faltered.
    â€œJust then what ?” yelled Kabir.
    â€œA huge hyena! It jumped out of the bushes, grabbed her and … and … pulled her in. She screamed. I was paralyzed, it was such a big ugly thing. If I had moved just a bit faster …”
    â€œWhere did this happen?” said Kabir. “Show me the exact spot.”
    Kabir’s mother led them closer to the forest. The trees stood like sentinels, guarding the blackness beyond.
    Suddenly Kabir stooped, picked something up off the leaf-strewn ground. A plastic doll. He hugged it to his chest. “Sadia,” he whispered, his voice husky.
    â€œKabir!” someone called out.
    A girl in a purple ghagra-choli emerged from the crowd. The mirrors on the edge of her green dupatta flashed and winked as she hurried up.
    â€œRaani,” said Kabir. “Thank God you’re here!” He led her a short distance away from the crowd. Kabir’s mother, Ananth, and Tara followed.
    â€œWhat happened?” said Raani. “The craziest rumours are floating about back there. Something about an animal dragging away people … someone said hyena and I had to laugh —”
    â€œIt’s true,” said Kabir. “A hyena dragged Sadia off.
    Mother saw it.”
    â€œNo!” said Raani. “When did this happen? Where?”
    â€œRight here,” said Kabir. “This is all I found of her.”
    He held out the doll for a moment and clasped it to his heart again.
    â€œLet me take a look,” said Raani. “Don’t worry, she can’t be too far from here.”
    â€œGod bless you,” said Kabir’s mother. She took Raani’s slim hand in hers and kissed it.
    Raani gave her a hug. “It’ll be all right, Aunty. Don’t worry.”
    â€œMother,” said Kabir. “I’ll stay with Raani. Talk to one of the village chiefs. Tell them what happened. We’ll need help. Hurry.”
    Kabir’s mother ran back toward the villagers. The crowd had swelled. Many had brought lanterns that threw flickering, dancing lights across the field. Steadily the buzz grew louder, like a gathering hoard of