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Museum Piece

by Joanna Sterling

PodcastFlash Fiction Amusing, Unsettling

“Miss Miss, look a sarcoughycos” The small boy shouted excitedly.

“No Oni, it’s a coffin, keep up now.” A woman in a pink tabard with a school logo blazoned on the back began shepherding boys in grey shorts to the next exhibit.

Couldn’t help myself, “You’re right, it is a sarcophagus,” I said,

“That lady says it’s a sarcophagus.”

Pink tabard glared “Oh shut up you.” No mistaking the venom in her voice.

“How rude” I countered. Oni caught my eye and winked at me.

“Who’s that?” he pointed to the papyrus on the wall.

“The Devourer from the book of the dead.”

“I told you Oni, keep up. Don’t make me come back for you again.” Pink tabard had reappeared “Oh it’s you. Leave the child alone. Otherwise I’ll report you”

“I like The Devourer’s teeth.” Oni smiled, exposing small yellowish teeth.

“What are you talking about child. Come on, the rest of your class are waiting it’s lunchtime.”

“Yes she has the head of a crocodile.” I said.

“My name means crocodile. What does she do?”

“Eats the hearts of the wicked.” I replied.

“Leave that child alone, I’m summoning the authorities.” Pink tabard extracted a walkie-talkie from a pocket and twiddled a knob. Ferocious crackling followed.

“How do they know who is wicked?” Oni asked.

“See those scales?”

He nodded.

“They weigh the heart to see how good someone’s been.”

“So, if you do bad things, crunch.” His amber eyes glistened and he snapped his teeth.

“I need assistance.” Pink tabard spoke into her walkie-talkie. “We’re by the, what’s this called?”

“Sarcophagus Miss.”

The walkie-talkie hissed, pink tabard stepped back and caught her foot, lost her balance and toppled.

The walkie-talkie responded “What’s the problem?”

Oni chewed and then swallowed before answering “No problem.”

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You are listening to
Museum Piece
by Joanna Sterling

https://thecasket.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Flash-Fiction-Compilation-One.mp3

Story read by The Bonsels for The Casket of Fictional Delights.

About Joanna Sterling

Joanna writes short stories and flash fiction, has had her work published in a number of magazines and anthologies. She lives in London with her ever growing collection of Brooches.

You’ve reached the end of this story. Please do explore further. And if you’re feeling generous today, donate to The Casket and help keep the fictional delights flowing. Want to know when more stories arrive? Make sure you sign up for regular updates.

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Everyone at The Casket is hoping 2021 will be a better year than 2020.  We have some great short stories and flash fiction lined up for your delight.  We kick of the year with a story by Lydia Unsworth “The Smallest Boxes” and then for Valentine's we have a story by Dylan Brethour which will also be available as a podcast. Later in the summer we have a new Flash Fiction Summer Collection which will be published online and as podcasts read by Menna Bonsels and Richard Hodder.  We hope you enjoy the stories we have for you and look forward to welcoming you back regularly.

Joanna & The Casket of Fictional Delights Team

 

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2021
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton
Other photography by Rosie Marks
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