Deadly Secrets

Chapter 13

                                   

Ancient Egypt.

        It was written in pristine handwriting on the chalkboard. I sat in my desk next to the window beside Courtney. Courtney's head immediately hit her binder with a thud, "Take notes for me." she mumbled. I tried not to giggle as Ms. Mortez walked into the class.

"If you haven't read the board yet I advise you to do so." She instructed as she stared the class down. Ms. Mortez was my favourite teacher, she had a no-nonsense aura around her that demanded attention and respect. She wore a black pant suit while carrying a mug steaming with coffee. The mug had a picture of Mickey Mouse on the side wearing a robe with huge bags under his eyes. It said 'Mornings are rough'. Even though I guess you could call her a hard-ass, she had a unique sense of humour that was very, very dry.

"Someone tell me what Ancient Egypt was, Courtney?" Courtney lifted her head a smidgen to look at Ms. Mortez.

"Pass." And she put her head back down. Ms. Mortez walked over and stood in front of Courtney,

"Rejected, answer the question." Sighing, Courtney lifted her head as Ms. Mortez walked back to the front of the class.

"The civilization of Ancient Egypt lasted over three thousand years. During this time period new agricultural practices were developed as well as religion and medicine."

"Thank you." Courtney plopped her head back down. "In Northeastern Africa to be exact. It was a time when Egypt was divided in two. Upper and Lower Kingdoms as it were. A time when Pharaohs and Gods were more powerful than the moon and sun. Where language and stories were shown in pictures.

"Ancient Egypt is the founder of knowledge in some sense. They first created paper, which made recording information easier. Irrigation, pyramids, mathematics, a medicine system, you name it." She paused to make sure the class was still listening.

"At the end of this unit there will be a final project, so no test." That earned a few whoops and thank-gods.

"That means you will work your butt off on this project. I don't want an essay on the pyramids of ancient Egypt or something stupid like a Lego pyramid alright. You can work in groups of two if you wish.” Students began to get up to pick partners. I poked Courtney,

"You hear any of that?" I asked her.

"Yes." It was muffled by her arm. She turned her head to look at me out of the corner of her eye,

"I would say partners, but I think my schedule and yours won't mesh that well." I nodded in agreement. I wanted to do this project myself anyways. Ms. Mortez cleared her throat and waved a baseball cap in front of the class.

"Inside this hat are your project subjects. Once you or your partner has chosen from the hat go ahead and use the rest of class time to start working on your projects. Just a warning I am not extending the due date so if it's late; summer school." She began to walk up and down the rows holding out the hat and letting students pick. Courtney's hand numbly sought the hat without once looking up. Once she picked out a small slip of paper she simply tucked her arm back under her and grumbled. Next, it was my turn. My hand shuffled through the hat until my fingers grasped a small piece of paper. I stared down at the little white rectangle.

        Gods. What were they? What was their purpose? Where did they go? What is the chance that all this crazy stuff starts happening to me and ends up following me to school? Slim to none seems about right. They were good questions and I couldn't believe that I was the sorry sucker who picked them. Ancient Egypt was turning into my personnel poltergeist. I poked Courtney to show her my topic.