Grave Secrets
Chapter 1
"I am dead. They killed me as well."
The old woman's words cut straight to my heart.
"Please tell me what happened that day." Maria spoke so softly I had to strain to catch the Spanish.
"I kissed the little ones and left for market." Eyes down, voice toneless. "I did not know that I would never see them again."
K'akchiquel to Spanish, then reversing the linguistic loop, reversing again as answers followed questions. The translation did nothing to blunt the horror of the recitation.
"When did you return home, Señora Ch'i'p?"
"A que hora regreso usted a su casa, Señora Ch'i'p?"
"Chike ramaj xatzalij pa awachoch, Ixoq Ch'i'p?"
"Late afternoon. I'd sold my beans."
"The house was burning?"
"Yes."
"Your family was inside?"
A nod.
I watched the speakers. An ancient Maya ... read full excerpt from Grave Secrets: A Novel ebook
