She pored over the old scroll again. A bead of sweat rolled, like Sisyphus’ boulder in miniature, down the back of her neck. Each fruitless effort raised the temperature of the abandoned library. Only the ancient secrets could save her people now, from the curse the elders called “Small Pox.”

Liam Lawer is a big boxing fan from Cornwall, currently working in the hospitality sector despite natural shyness. Suffers from occasional bouts of inspiration.