I cut the first layer of skin and peeled it back
a silent ooze of bright capillary blood rose to the surface
and then trickled down the side of Helios’ chest
I exposed the ribs
pink and white rough with plastic cartlidge
I broke through the adjoining sternum using sharp steel secateurs to reveal his mediastinum
by pushing away the deep crimson brown flaps of each lung
I discovered a weighty heart in its thin pericardial sac
l lifted it
I moved it side to side
pushed it up pushed it down 
when I pierced each blood filled chamber they emptied completely in a clotty rush
the cavities explored in turn produced no evidence
no soul could I find 
Helios had lied
and now it really didn’t matter that he had died