811

You’re supposed to call 811 before you do any digging.
That way, you can avoid hitting buried cables, or water mains, or gas lines.
Ted didn’t call before he dug a hole.
But he didn’t hit any power lines or pipes.
Instead, he uncovered an ancient stone stairway that went down beyond the range of his cell phone’s built-in light.
Strange whispers drifted up from the depths.
When Ted called 811, the city sent out a team of priests and a goat to sacrifice.
“If we’re not back in an hour, cover the hole,” they said, and descended the stairs.