This "Doctor" fellow sucked in his breath when he saw what happened to my foot.

"Well. That's not good!"

"No it's not," I groaned. "Please, Doc, isn't there something you can do?"

The man patted his pockets.

"I'm sorry, chap. It appears I am at a distinct disadvantage. You see, those Asian blokes have taken away my supplies!"

Noting my expression of disappointment, he said, "Tell you what. My clothes are cleaner than yours. Could make a better bandage."

He took out a silk handkerchief, wrapping it around my wound, then set about ripping off pieces of his vest, tying it around the silk. He even suggested I take one of his shoes, but it was too small for me to wear, even without the bandages.

"So," I said. "Where are you from?"

"Oh?" he coughed. "Here and there. Been in London a fair bit. How about yourself?"

"Sedalia. Wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for the fucking draft."

"Ah," the man said uncomfortably. "Yes, that draft was a bit presumptuous. However, in a few years (ahem) hopefully in a few years, they'll do away with it completely, and find better ways to make people enlist. Like, say, college scholarships. Can't say it didn't improve popular music..."

I just stared at him.

"Sedalia," the man said, shaking his head. "My condolences. The State Fair, however, is top notch."

He grabbed the bars of the cell, pushing and pulling on them. They didn't budge.

"Any ideas on how to get out?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," I shrugged. "Most of them involve us ending up in a pine box. My whole company got killed by a bunch of weird statues, so nobody cares where I am. What about you? Anyone missing you?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid they won't be of much help. They're...not combat trained."

"More performers?" I asked.

He paused a minute, then nodded. "Police woman slash exotic dancer. Not terribly useful for a heroic army rescue."

"Hey, anything's worth a shot. Anyone else working with her?"

"Just her husband. Scrawny bloke. Sort of...flighty."

"Shit."

The Doctor froze. "Wait. Did you just say you were attacked by statues?"

"More or less," I said.

"Did they...look like angels, by chance?"

I nodded. "Damn creepy things. Thought it was a prank at first."

"Not good," the Doctor muttered. "Not good at all."

"Do you know something about those things?"

"Unfortunately yes. Nasty piece of work. Only move when you're not looking. Can't even blink. I'm surprised you were able to escape without them killing you."

"Just lucky, I guess."

The Doctor glanced at my foot. "Not that lucky."

He glanced at the gate. "You might be onto something with that pine box. Perhaps if we fake our deaths..."

I frowned. "They'll probably stab us in the throat, just to make sure before they dump us in a hole somewhere."

That took the wind out of his sails. "Well, there is that..."

We suddenly heard someone shouting, and automatics going off.

"What's that?" the Doctor said.

"I don't know. Maybe the cavalry?"

"I thought you said-"

I hushed him, hobbling to the cell door.

A second later, in a flash of lightning, I see an ugly gray statue pressing up against the bars, baring its fearsome fangs and claws.

I blinked, and I swear the thing roared at me.

When my eyes opened again, its claw was on the latch, its stone face frozen in a twisted open mouthed roar.