The Deadly Conch by Mahtab Narsimhan

to be told right away.”
    Raka looked as if he was in pain. In fact, all the members of the Panchayat looked troubled.
    â€œThis is not good,” said Sumathy. “First the dog in the temple, now the cat in the well. What is happening to Morni?”
    â€œBad luck, Sumathyji,” said Layla promptly. “That is what’s happening to Morni. And there is only one person here who has spent time with the most evil person of all — Zarku. And she’s brought that evil to us.” She raised her chubby finger and pointed. “Tara is to blame for this.”
    Her words, mingling with the sandalwood incense, sped through the room and beyond. Then the whispers started.
    It’s Tara … she spent time with the evil Zarku.
    Tara brought bad luck to us.
    Tara is bad luck.

— five —

The Hidden Snake!
    A million eyes pinned Tara where she stood. The room was hot, but now it seemed as if she were standing in the heart of a volcano. Sweat oozed out of every pore and her clothes stuck to her like a wet sheath. She tried to meet everyone’s gaze defiantly. You’re wrong , she wanted to scream at them. Dead wrong. But their disapproval and anger were too much to bear. She dropped her gaze, an icy panic flooding her. She had saved her brother, Sadia, even her friends from a horrible death. She had faced Zarku and Kali alone, not wishing to put anyone else in danger. But Layla had twisted this around to make it look like she was tainted. As if she were the evil threatening Morni.
    And the villagers were starting to listen to her!
    â€œThe pooja —” Punditji started to say.
    â€œYou’ve all gone mad,” said Shiv, cutting him short. He gripped Tara’s shoulders and glared at the villagers. She was thankful for his support because her legs were so wobbly; it took all of her willpower to keep standing.
    â€œYou’re accusing my daughter for bringing bad luck to our village just because Layla, Kali’s daughter , suggested it? Have you forgotten what Kali was like? She was the one who invited Zarku to the village. She and her corrupt father, Dushta. If it hadn’t been for her, my daughter wouldn’t have had to put her life in danger; not once, but twice! You should be ashamed of yourselves. All of you!”
    The villagers shifted uneasily and looked away. No one uttered a word.
    â€œYou have a point, Shiv,” said Raka, breaking the ominous silence. “Morni has had its share of good and bad luck over the years. I have seen it all; failed crops, drought, illnesses, malaria, and famine. But never,” he said, glancing at the Panchayat, “during my time as Head, has our temple ever been defiled by a dead animal, nor our well water contaminated. Am I right, brothers?”
    The others nodded, still staring at Tara.
    â€œCan we finish the pooja?” whined Punditji. “These interruptions are one too many and I don’t like it.”
    â€œWith all due respect, Punditji,” snapped Parvati. “This is more important.” She addressed Raka in a shrill voice, the light of battle shining in her eyes. “And you think my daughter is responsible for these incidents? The heat has softened your brains, Raka.”
    â€œThere is no need to be rude, Parvati,” said Raka. “I want to get to the bottom of this, too. But you have to admit that the timing could not have been worse. We need the rains and there is none. We need the blessings of the Lord and the temple was defiled. We need water desperately, and now our well is out of commission. All of this happened within a week of Tara returning.” His voice had sunk to a whisper as he said the last few words. His normally soft eyes were like black stones.
    Tara moved closer to Parvati and clutched her hand tightly, hoping she would wake up soon and find herself back in bed. This nightmare was even worse than the one she’d had earlier in the day.
    â€œYou’re