‘So what?’ she added defiantly.
‘He has been arrested, of course,’ he said to Pep’Em Ha, ignoring the old man who had not replied. ‘His driver’s license was not in order. And he was not authorized to drive a Museum vehicle. He may or may not be charged with motor vehicle theft. That will be the decision of others.’
Roberto let a silence last for a few seconds. ‘He is not too well, either. He hurt himself while he was resisting his arrest.’ Roberto was serious with false compassion.
Pep’Em Ha’s face became white with rage. Jim restrained her as she made a move towards Roberto.
Pep’Em Ha shrugged off Jim’s hold. ‘I have to get back to my brother,’ she said. However, a policeman blocked her way out.
‘Who’s this guy?’ Harry said to Arthur, contemptuously ignoring Roberto.
Roberto disdainfully stared at Harry for a long time, then addressed Arthur, as if he was personally responsible for Harry’s disrespectful youth.
‘I don’t think this is the place for children,’ Roberto said.
‘You don’t like him, do you,’ Harry asked Arthur.
‘And you,’ he said to Michelle, ‘can’t stand him. I can feel that. And you,’ Harry smiled at Pep’Em Ha. ‘You hate him.’
Harry stepped forward and from close range glared at Roberto as if he was evaluating the worth of a man’s life.
Roberto was found wanting.
Where Roberto had been standing became space. There was no sound and no change to the dim light in the cave but he was no longer there. Arthur swung his head around searching for Roberto like he was playing a panicked version of hide-and-seek. The policemen had also disappeared and Jose, standing nearby, shuffled nervously like he had forgotten something important.
‘Where is he?’ Arthur asked anxiously. But didn’t know who would answer his query.
‘Arthur?’ Michelle asked, horrified. She was sick with worry. A life had ended.
The memory of Roberto’s life slipped from Arthur, Michelle and Jose like he had inhabited an unremarkable dream.
Roberto’s life had been erased.
Chapter 31
Pep’Em Ha’s head spun from Harry to Jim and back again. She stepped away from the Twins. Jim tried to take her hand but she pulled it away sharply.
‘What did you do?’ she asked Harry. She was appalled with what had apparently happened.
‘I didn’t do anything,’ Harry said.
‘He’s gone.’
‘Yeah, I know,’ Harry said.
‘But he’s not just gone,’ she said, horrified. ‘He was never here. He never existed.’
Jim looked quizzically at Pep’Em Ha. ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘I can feel that too.’
‘Well,’ Harry said. ‘I don’t know what happened. I didn’t do it. But, he was prick anyway. No-one liked him.’
Michelle smiled, quickly and vacantly, at Pep’Em Ha as she wandered off and back to the work she had been doing, making a detailed record of the glyphs on the north wall. Pep’Em Ha watched her go.
‘She doesn’t know,’ Pep’Em Ha said to the Twins.
‘And neither does Arthur,’ Jim said as he observed his grandfather’s friend.
Arthur was frowning, worried about something he may or may not have forgotten. He lifted his head, and gave the Twins a quick and vacant smile, just like Michelle’s. He also wandered off, annoyed with himself that he had forgotten what he had been doing. He felt his age, that feeling of beginning a task and forgetting what it was or why it had begun was happening too often, he thought.
Pep’Em Ha looked to her father, hoping he would explain away what she had seen. But she knew the ancient stories, she knew what was expected of her, she knew what was to come. She knew the power the Twins had.
Yax K’in took his daughter’s hand. ‘Do you know who these boys are? Do you understand what that means?’ he said quietly.
‘Yes,’ she said clearly.
‘I am no longer t’o’ohil,’ he said. ‘Hachakyum’s blessing has passed from me.’
‘I know,’ she said. She nodded a grim acknowledgement.
Yax K’in understood, at last, why the Vision Serpent ceremonies had failed. The first had failed because Yax K’in had rushed. Pep’Em Ha was too young, she was not yet t’o’ohil and the implements had not been found. It was not the right time. The Vision Serpent had been incomplete.
The second ceremony had failed because Jim should not have been already present.
The third ceremony had succeeded but was incomplete. His daughter was the t’o’ohil, only she could implement Hachakyum’s plan. Only she could fully resurrect the Twins.
Yax K’in looked up at the north wall, to where the butterflies had landed. He could not see them but knew they must be there, waiting.
Hamish felt fragile and tender and could not trust himself to stand any longer. He again sat down on the last step. He wondered how he had gained the idea that Harry could erase a life. Hamish assumed it had all played out in his own mind. Roberto had gone. He had never existed and Hamish wondered if he had done that himself, if his delusion was enough to make his eyes see space where a human had been. He remembered Arthur’s anger and frustration when Roberto first came to the village. His own anger at Roberto was vivid and also at the policeman who had knocked him down. He remembered feeling so much rage that he wanted both men dead and marveled that he had been able to remove Roberto so easily, so painlessly, and so effectively. Perhaps, he thought, as his delusion accelerated all kinds of things would start to disappear. He resolved to not get angry with anyone, just in case he had the power to end all life. He lowered his head into his hands.
The erasure of Roberto’s life was an imperfect loss for Arthur and Michelle. They remembered something had happened since the discovery in the tomb but few specifics. They could remember being upset and distraught but not the reason. They remembered what they had done, like hiking with the group across the maize fields and leaving the village cars by the side of the road but not why they had done it. Many of their actions made no sense.
Michelle’s mind was not fully on her task when she resumed work. She halted, knowing mistakes would be made in her current frame of mind. She placed her hands on her hips as she stood before the wall of glyphs. Arthur noticed, and being glad to find some occupation, he went, stood beside her and joined in her reverie.
‘How’s the recording going?’ he asked.
‘Good. I’m just not feeling focussed at the moment.’
‘Have a break then?’
She laughed. ‘Arthur, there’s years of work here. There’s no time for a break.’
‘Well, why don’t you read to me?’ He smiled. ‘Tell me what it says. Is it an ancient story? Like Yax K’in expects it to be?
‘It’s more than that.’
Chapter 32
The story of the end of the world
“These words are for those who come last,” Michelle read slowly and methodically. “This is Hachakyum’s account. I am 18-Smoke-CryingFace,” she translated literally. “I write to remember what has been for those that come last.
The Great Twins wait. Upon their return the counting of days will not continue.
In the beginning there were no kings, there were no scribes. Our people lived,” Michelle said then added, “That must mean ‘only’ lived, with no meaning to their lives or lived simply.”
“Hachakyum chose the form of our people. He was not pleased except for one, the greatest hunter. The world was re-made in her image. K’ul Kelem was the first of all people.
K’ul Kelem was like our people but was not of our people. Her life continued,” Michelle said. “I think that must mean she lived for a long time.
Hachakyum was dissatisfied with our people. The world was again re-made. K’ul Kelem and Hachakyum lived alone in this place for twenty cycles of thirteen.”
Michelle frowned at Arthur. “Does that mean what I just said?” she asked him.
“Twenty c
ycles of thirteen, right?” Arthur said and looked at if he was adding numbers in his head. “More than a hundred thousand years?”
“It must mean something else,” Michelle said and carried on reading out loud.
“Hachakyum and K’ul Kelem Pep’Em Ha.” Michelle smiled. “There’s her name mentioned again. She traced out the series of glyphs and repeated them. “Hachakyum and K’ul Kelem Pep’Em Ha produced Hun-Hunahpu,” she said. “Here’s the first mention of the Maize God, from the Popul Vuh. The father of the Hero Twins,” she said.
“Hun-Hunahpu was of Hachakyum’s race but born of this earth. Others of the race of Hachakyum did not know of Hun-Hunahpu.
He used the powers of the race of Hachakyum.
Hun-Hunahpu took his wife from our people. She was not of the earth, she was not of the race of Hachakyum, she was of our people. She died giving birth to the Twins. Only the first born gazed at the living form of his mother. The Great Twins were the first, and only, mix of our people and the race of Hachakyum.
Hun-Hunahpu was in great sorrow after the death,” Michelle said. “Of his wife, I assume that means.
The race of Hachakyum were displeased. They had not known of Hun-Hunahpu. Others of the race of Hachakyum appeared in many shapes before him. Hachakyum hid the Great Twins. The lords of Xibalba could not harm Hachakyum but Hachakyum could not stop their punishment. They destroyed Hun-Hunahpu and took his remains to Xibalba, since he was of the race of Hachakyum. K’ul Kelem was destroyed but her remains were left since she was of this earth. Hachakyum returned her remains to this place,” Michelle said and then turned around, noticing the crowd that had formed behind her. Jim, Harry and Pep’Em Ha had joined her to listen as well. “So, that confirms that the sarcophagus contains the remains of K’ul Kelem Pep’Em Ha. Yax K’in was right.
The Great Twins reached the age of manhood, in strength and in beauty. They are instructed by Hachakyum. The race of Hachakyum lived in them. The race of Hachakyum’s grandfather lived in them. Our people lived in them.
The Great Twins learn of the destruction of their father. They learn how to remember,” Michelle paused for a moment. “I don’t know what that series of glyphs means,” she said. “It has similarities to resurrect, or wake from sleep, or cheating death or just remembering something forgotten.” She smiled at Arthur and then laughed out loud. “I’m going to spend decades in here.
The Twins took their ball playing equipment to the ball court and began playing. They played their game using their powers of the race of Hachakyum. Many of the race of Hachakyum appeared before them in many shapes and asked many questions. They destroyed the Twins.
The Twins remembered in the form of our people. They knew all of the race of Hachakyum and of our people. The Twins again took their ball playing equipment to the ball court and began playing. They played their game using their powers of the race of Hachakyum. Many of the race of Hachakyum appeared before them in many shapes and asked many questions,” Michelle said. “OK,” she ran her hand down the series of glyphs. “This goes on for a few more times. It almost exactly echoes what’s in the Popul Vuh. I’ll skip to where it’s not repeated.
The race of Hachakyum was angry,” Michelle continued reciting the tale.
“The Twins summoned Hachakyum using the god-pot fashioned by his own hand. He remembered. The lords of Xibalba caused the death of K’ul Kelem. The rage of Hachakyum is uncontrollable. Hachakyum summoned the lord of the lords of Xibalba. The brother of Hachakyum.
The lords of Xibalba feared. Hachakyum’s power knows no bounds. Hachakyum is great. Xibalba is destroyed. His brother is destroyed. The lords of Xibalba are destroyed. The curse of the name of the son was complete. The sorrow of the god of gods is impossible to resist.
It is the time for the end of the world. Of all worlds.
I have been told these words by Hachakyum. These words are for those who come last.”
Chapter 33
The Twins had been listening to Michelle as she told the ancient Mayan story.
‘I remember staring at that dying woman, Jim,’ Harry said quietly. ‘How’s that possible?’
‘Dunno. I don’t,’ Jim replied.
‘Well,’ Michelle said with a sigh, as if she had been exhausted by her own story-telling. ‘That’s a tale with a twist. It’s similar to the Popul Vuh but a fair bit is different as well.’
She hovered her hand over more glyphs at the end of the series she had been methodically reading.
‘Ah,’ she hesitated. ‘These are a whole series of dates. But I’ll have to sit down with them.’
Michelle was very happy but did not want to dissect the reasons for her happiness in case it dissolved like the vague feeling of loss she retained after Roberto’s erasure. Although, when Arthur had come close he had smiled and Michelle understood one reason for her exhilaration. A restored love can be as satisfying as the original.
‘I know that story,’ Pep’Em Ha said. Arthur stared hard at her, she had an odd look that reminded him of her father from decades ago. ‘I have been told it by Yax K’in. However,’ she smiled. ‘The full story that this partly represents takes hours to recite. It’s an exciting story,’ she added. ‘And, I had always thought it fiction.’ Her smile disappeared.
‘Pardon?’ Arthur asked, wondering if Pep’Em Ha had also been affected by events in the tomb, although as he thought of that objection he could not remember what those events were. Arthur noticed Jose milling aimlessly next to the sarcophagus. Jose did not look well and Arthur wondered if he had been drinking over lunch, in which case he had better get him out before he touched anything or tripped over and damaged equipment.
Arthur was tired and was also worried about Hamish’s health after his fainting spell. He decided to pack everyone up and return to the village. He wanted a good night of sleep, as if that would wash away the messiness of recent, imperfect, memories. A new day would mean a new start. He assumed others felt the same way.
‘The stories I have been told by my father, the full stories that this is a small part of,’ Pep’Em Ha said, then waited as if it was too difficult for her to continue. ‘These stories,’ she began with diffidence but then cleared her voice so that it was clear and strong.
‘The creation stories of the Maya are not of what has been, they are the plan of Hachakyum’s revenge. They are of what is yet to come. They are the account of the end of the world.’
Chapter 34
Pep’Em Ha had spoken nonsense, Arthur almost began to smile until he noticed that Michelle was again concentrating on the glyphs. She was agitated as if a basic error in her judgement had easily been discovered. She obviously took Pep’Em Ha’s pronouncement seriously.
‘The creation stories of the Maya have a single origin,’ Pep’Em Ha said. ‘They come from Hachakyum. The stories are his plan for the end of the world. There will be no new creation, that part did not come from him. Harry and Jim,’ Pep’Em Ha said, and Arthur looked at the boys as if they had just materialized, ‘are the Hero Twins, or will become them, with my help. They will defeat the gods. They will summon Hachakyum, who will gain his revenge for the death of K’ul Kelem, and for the death of his son.’ She stared compassionately at the boys for a moment,. ‘For the death of their father.’
‘You what?’ Arthur said. What Pep’Em Ha had said was insane gibberish.
Pep’Em Ha smiled. ‘I didn’t believe it either,’ she said and then her face hardened. ‘But, it’s true and there is nothing that can be done to stop it.’
Jim became excited, an amazing idea had just struck him.
‘Even if what you say is true,’ Jim said. ‘But it can’t be, can it? Anyway, whatever, we don’t have to.’ He glanced at Harry and then gazed expectantly at Pep’Em Ha, ignoring the others.
‘Don’t have to? What?’ Harry said.
‘Exactly,’ Jim said. ‘This plan thing depends on us. Apparently. And Pep’Em Ha.’ Jim’s head swiveled excitably from his brother to Pep’Em Ha and back aga
in. ‘We don’t have to.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Harry said.
‘Has being dead made you stupid?’ Jim laughed and pushed his brother. ‘Hachakyum’s plan depends on us implementing it. That’s the whole reason. You know, revenge for his wife being killed.’
Jim thought his idea was brilliant.
‘It’s perfect,’ he said to Pep’Em Ha in emphasis, when no-one took up his suggestion. ‘Doing nothing would be all it would take,’ he laughed triumphantly.
Pep’Em Ha thought of the ancient stories of Hachakyum and K’ul Kelem she knew, about the god’s love for a human woman. He had twice re-made the world for her. Maybe, she thought, that love could be replicated, with Jim and her. She was euphoric at Jim’s suggestion and her eyes sparkled with hope.
At the End of the World Page 23
