They look upon the fist sized chunk of rock with a newfound sense of wonder and awe. They also feel a wave of revulsion that they cannot explain. As if they feel a natural disgust towards its nature, without knowing why.
Mr. Mortok puffs on his long pipe and says thoughtfully, "I don't know of anything that can live without a heart." He leads them down the hall to various bits and bobs, little metallic apparatuses that seem to be designed to mimic parts of the body. A finger made of copper and wire, a bulky sphere that is clearly designed to replicate the heart. A strange bellows-like device that is clearly the lungs.
"Our health is perhaps one of the most treasured things that we can have," he says as he leads them to a small alcove, beyond which holds a surgical mask and what appears to be some kind of mechanical tool.
"Death stalks every one of us, regardless of how healthy, how strong, how prepared we are. The body's machinery eventually wears down, becomes thin. Disease and death invade us at every opportunity."
Some of the crowd looks at one another, some have had colds already this season and still others may be sicker yet. It is an uncomfortable reminder of how delicate and how slow and sad the inevitable decline into death can be.
"Yet in this world there are still those who will draw a line in the sand and say that beyond this point you shall not cross. They shake their fist at the spectre of death, at the shadow of disease, and scream out at it defiantly." For the first time since the beginning of the journey, the crowd sees Mr. Mortok remove a pouch and refill his pipe with strangely fragrant herbs and tobacco.
"These tools belonged to one such pioneer, one such man who decreed that disease and death were his opponents," Mr. Mortok lights his pipe with a wooden match and sucks thoughtfully at it until he exhales a plume of smoke. "He would not falter or fail until they had been scoured from the world. Though perhaps, his methods may have left something to be desired..."
YOU ARE READING
Mr. Mortok's Hall of Curiosities
FantasiaCome one, come all, step inside to see the finest curiosities around! Spine tingles, stomach turners, and heart string pullers galore! But be warned, what you find inside may change you... for better or for worse.... Cover credits: https://www.in...
