AMUTAS

by Sydnee Kate Yavanenski/ Lois Walfrid Johnson

NOTE: I am studing to Aztec Indians in school and I had the instpiration for this story. It's gonna be cool!!!!! I already have the last sentence and it gave me shivers when I read it!!!! That is when you know it's from God!!!!! :-D It's almost like someone else is writing it!! Really weird!!!!

CHAPTER 1

I am Amutus, born of the Aztec and called by God to follow Him. Even though it would cost me much.

The great star was glowing in the western sky as I ran down the causeways of our streets. My feet began to fly as I came to the edge of our village and the beginning of the large field where I was to meet my friends. It was time for The Binding up of the Years, an Aztec celebration that came every 52 years. During this celebration all of us would put out our hearth fires. The priest lit the new fire on the chest of a living human sacrifice and we would all pick our fingers to add our blood to the sacrifice. After this we would relight our fires with this new fire and go home to feast.

I wasn't afraid of human sacrifices. It was a normal occerence in the Aztec culture. Several of my friends had been sacrificed to Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility. I see now that it was a pagan and ruthless crime. Then it was just a part of life.

I met my friend, Montezuma, who was the son of the emperor. Together we walked towards the teocalli (our temple) talking joyfully of the feast that was to come. We never once thought to be sad for the person that would be sacrificed. Besides, it was just a slave. Slaves were captured from other countries most of the time. We cared nothing for them. Looking back, I wonder how I could feel that way about any human being.

We came to the teocalli just in time to see them leading the victim up the steps to the center. He wasn't screaming or begging to be set free. The priest lit the fire and never once did the slave utter a sound. As I got a stick and lit the fire for my home, I looked into the eyes of the slave. He had no hate in his eyes, no fear and no resentment. As his flesh was being burned away he looked at me and whispered, "Follow God when he calls. Even unto death."

"God? Which one?" I asked

"The One who was sacrificed for the world." And with that he breathed his last.