Museum Beetles – a Fantasy Short Story

For the people who live in the vast, uncharted halls of the Museum, the world is changing. Great Beetles escape their gold and crystal display cabinet and begin to colonise the other rooms. Devouring, growing, changing. Slowly, the people’s world is destroyed.

Facing oblivion, one person suggests the impossible. To escape the unending halls and go outside. No one knows if such a thing is possible, if there even is an outside. But soon there is little choice but to try…

Given an honourable mention in Gardner Dozois’s Year’s Best SF, 2005.

“Fantastic short story … highly recommended”
“A lesson in brilliant storytelling. The world building is phenomenal … deserves an award” – LitHaven

This book is no longer available from book sellers, although it can still be bought via this web page. It is also included in my Spell Circles collection.