I saw each particle as they rose, and watched as they spun in the stagnant air, and so did the administer. He froze in place, pen leaking ink onto the page before him.
More dirt rose, but not from the box this time. It wormed out from the tile crevices, from the soles of shoes, from creases of skin. It swept in from the doors, curling over the steps and stealing inside. A squall rose, dust swirling in every direction. The children shrieked and covered their eyes. The officials stood, their chairs knocking, falling. Voices were swallowed in the storm.
And I felt like a giant. A god. All around me, the universe pulsed.
Something in my chest recoiled—the snap of elastic stretched too far, and abruptly, the surge died. Dirt rained to the floor. Silence blanketed us all.
In the palm of my h
