258
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
more normal color was starting to appear. Viviana could see that
something was positive. But, she knew they needed something
more, something to shock their hearts to beat on their own. Yet,
she went over in her mind all the items in their huge first aid bags
of supplies, there was nothing that she could use. What more
could she do to save their lives? Life is balanced on a knife’s
edge, Viviana thought as she continued to pump her hands on
Bardala’s chest. She needed to tip the balance, but HOW?
HOW? HOW?
In the Otherworld, outside the Gates of Xibalbá, Tital and
Bardala, holding hands, were walking around. Out of the mists
directly in front of them suddenly appeared Yum Cimil and Ah
Peku, dressed in all their ceremonial Mayan looking finery
“Hóla!” Was all that Bardala could think of to say. “This is a
strange place to see humans,” Yum Cimil told them.
“My name is Yum Cimil, and this is my friend Ah Peku.”
“I am pleased to meet you. By the way, where are we?”
Bardala asked, trying to stay calm.
“You don’t know?” Ah Peku smiled and said.
“I have an educated guess,” Bardala said looking the two
Spirits over in their elaborate Mayan dress.
“Would you care to come to my home?” Yum Cimil waved his
arm as if to show them the way, baiting them into trusting him.
“You live here?” Tital asked amazed.
“Yes, it is not far from here. Then you can rest,” Yum Cimil
told them with his toothy smile.