25
A rat found its way into the prison cell it visited daily. The scavenger was searching for minuscule morsels of dried and moldy breadcrumbs. The rat had learned in its short life that food could be found in the crevices of the cobblestone floors. His food quest was a risky one. Much larger, threatening animals inhabited the space. But the need to find food before the competition emboldened the rat. He also knew the resting habits of the larger animals and timed his forages around these cycles.
On this day, the rat completed a thorough inspection of the cell without disturbing Matthew Bulow, whose body lay dormant on the cold floor of his cell. The rat, unable to find food on the floor, climbed atop the man’s chest and started licking at the blood coagulating there. The scent and feeding activity attracted a second rat; soon dozens were shoving their way into the food line, prancing on Bulow’s legs, torso, arms and face. Bulow, the perfect host, lay unmoving during the feast.
Bulow’s bleeding body had been ignored by guards who had tossed him into the cell the day before. Medical attention was not a priority for anyone who attacked the keepers of the law. Bulow had been unable to resist fighting with his captors even though he knew he was wrong for invading the Byronville house. The soldiers had responded by beating Bulow about the face and head, then ignoring him in his cell. Other prisoners mocked Bulow’s screams. He was thankful for the stretches of unconsciousness, when he didn’t have to deal with his pain or the stench of his surroundings.
Approaching footsteps alerted the rats. They scrambled, returning deep into the bowels of the walls of stone. Bulow remained motionless, undisturbed by the rats’ activities or the sounds of the soldiers banging chains against the heavy wooden doors. Bulow’s cell was opened. “Bulow, get up on your feet!”
There was no reaction to the command, or to the soldier’s boot kick that followed. The other soldier dumped the contents of a wooden bucket over Bulow’s head. Nothing. Bulow was dead.