And Then Came a Lion by Cecilia Marie Pulliam

Author:Cecilia Marie Pulliam [Cecilia Marie Pulliam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 19467815
Published: 2013-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Late that same afternoon, the old Indian appeared next to the sorting table. His sudden appearance startled her.

“It’s been a long time. I thought you’d forgotten me.”

He cocked his head and smiled. “Was that a wish, Susannah?”

She shrugged.

“Come. I have something to show you.”

He led Susannah out of the compound onto a narrow path between the Wait-A-Bit thorn bushes, moving deep into the bush. They finally emerged into a clearing. In the center stood a small building, similar to most of the native huts.

They stepped into the interior. It was empty, except for a square hole in the center of the floor. A rickety wooden ladder lean them into a subterranean chamber. Flickering light danced at the end of what appeared to be a long corridor.

The narrow passage opened into a chamber lit by torches. In the center was a crude table. Over against one wall was a fire. A large cauldron of some sort hung over it.

Further inside the dark chamber, she heard the weeping of children.

Taking one of the torches from the wall, she followed the sound. A group of boys and girls sat huddled in the corner. Something moved in her periphery. The children screamed. Susannah raised the torch. The chamber was empty except for her and the children.

She gestured for them to come. They shook their heads and scuttled further back. One child pointed at something behind Susannah. She turned. It was the old Indian.

He beckoned the children. They stood and followed him out of the chamber. Susannah trailed behind. Again, she saw movement just out of her sight and felt an ominous presence.

She raised the torch and swept the corridor with its light. The space was empty. She turned and hurried after the children.

Susannah put the torch on the floor and grasped the ladder. Rancid breath blew against her face. Still, she could see nothing.

A raspy voice whispered in her ear. “We know who you are.”

Susannah hurried up the ladder and into the light.

The children stood in a tight cluster outside the door. The old Indian had vanished.

Susannah glanced back at the hut. Nothing appeared in the doorway, yet she still felt an unwelcome presence. She turned away and led the children through the brush to the mission compound.

***

Susannah pointed to the hut. The commanding officer of the local police nodded and signaled to his men. Half stayed in place securing the perimeter. The other half went into the building. She waited under a thick copse of acacia, wiping sweat from her face and flailing uselessly at a cloud of flies.

Finally two officers reappeared. The commander broke off and approached Susannah.

“None of the cult is present.”

“Why would they leave the kids unguarded?”

“Not being a native, you would not understand. The natives believe this place is cursed and anyone who approaches, without permission of the priest, will be cursed too. As for the cult members, they believe the priest protects them with his witchcraft and they do not need to guard the children or fear arrest.

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