The Cabinet of Curiosities

For a moment, all was silent. The dust swirled upward, and far above there was a feeble glow of light from the outside world. The stench swept over him. With a gasp he staggered to his feet, heading for the light, scrambling up the slide of bricks, falling, his face in the dirt, then up again and scrabbling with both hands. Suddenly he was out in the clear light, tumbling headfirst down the other side of the brick pile, landing facedown with a stunning blow.

He vaguely heard laughter, which ceased as soon as he rolled over. And then there was a rush to his side, hands picking him up, voices talking all at once.

"Jesus Christ, what happened to you?" "He's hurt," came a voice. "He's all bloody." "Step back," said another. Boxer tried to catch his breath, tried to control the hammering of his heart.

"Don't move him. Call an ambulance." "Was it a cave-in?" The yammering went on and on. He finally coughed and sat up, to a sudden hush.

"Bones," he managed to say. "Bones? Whaddya mean, bones?" "He's not making any sense."

Boxer felt his head begin to clear. He looked around, feeling the hot blood running down his face. "Skulls, bones. Piled up. Dozens of them." Then he felt faint and lay down again, in the bright sunlight.

Copyright © 2002 by Splendide Mendax, Inc., and Lincoln Child