Short Stories of the Weird, Wicked and Warped

Stalked By The Sphinx

It all started when I wanted to go on a vacation. It didn't really matter where, I just wanted to get away from my students for a little bit. So I picked going to Egypt during the summer break and then going to Marrakesh. What could go wrong with that? See exotic places and people, learn first hand knowledge of ancient wonders, travel and eat new foods. 

I was so excited to be able to do this, since covid happened, money had been tight for everyone at the college. I'm the history professor and was able to work with my students online. The government subsidies during that time helped a little bit. After the students came back, I was able to save up some money for this trip. I took it as a great way to visit every place that I had dreamed of. It wasn't until after everything that had happened that I realized my every mistake.

My first one was listening to a sketchy tour guide about how he knew a secret way into the Sphinx. The second one was not really listening to the rules about what we were allowed and not allowed to do while inside. My final mistake was thinking that the whole mysterious thing was a joke and not taking anything too seriously. 

It started before we even got there, the tour guide said that no electronic devices of any kind were allowed inside. A few of us had hidden ours in various places when the guide came through with a lock box. I told him that I had left mine in my room and even went so far as to show my empty pockets. Others had their own stories about where their phones were. He had shrugged his shoulders and continued on with all of the rules.

Knowing what I know now, I probably should of listened better instead of taking in the sights. My group had maybe around 10 or 11 people from all over the world with me being the only American. Which wasn't a problem since we were given translator devices so we could talk to each other during the tour.

While the guide was telling everyone about the rest of the rules, I had walked around the base of the Sphinx looking at everything. In the back of my mind I heard him ask if everyone understood the rules. Everyone affirmed their understanding and walked around to the side that faced the pyramids. I had hoped that the rules were just common sense stuff but to be sure I asked the man beside me.

He just shrugged and walked towards a woman further up. I realized then that no one was probably listening to the guide. Oh well, I thought, what harm could come from it. I'm pretty sure that it is safe or they wouldn't have the tours to begin with.

Yep. Stupid. Right.

After we walked through a hidden door, there were torches sitting in a basket. The guide gave out three, one for the front, middle, and rear of the group.

He immediately started talking about who might have built it, when the archeologists think it was built and a little bit about the rocks that was used.

After a few minutes, he gets quiet as we enter a chamber. On the wall were two plaques, one in hieroglyphs and the other in every known language. He had given each of us a chance to read the plaques. "Each riddle is different for each person, no two riddles are the same and you alone must answer before you can continue on or leave. If you can't answer the riddle, you must stay at that spot until you do." He then gave each of us a small device with a touchscreen and camera.

"Is this for real? You can't make us stay here against our wills. I'm leaving now, this is some bs." It was the German that I had asked about the rules from before. The guide just looks at him and gestures for him to go back the way we came. But when everyone looks back, it is a solid wall where a door used to be.  That's when everyone starts freaking out.

I try to push past the guide but that door is gone too. Threats were made by several of the men, a couple of the women started crying. A young lady walked over to the plaque and snapped a picture of it on the translator device. No one moves as she stares at the screen thinking about her answer.