Night Security

Terabithia

I look around the crowded museum, smiling brightly. "I can't believe this is real," I whisper to Larry.

"Me either. It's amazing," he agrees. Soon, McPhee walks up to us and I excuse myself. I walk around the lobby before deciding to check up on Ahk.

"My parents gave me this tablet some 3,000 years ago, entrusting me with one of my people's most prized possessions," He explains as Dexter holds the tablet.

"Does it do anything?" one girl asks.

"'Do anything'?"

"Yeah, what's the point if it doesn't do anything?" the other asks. Ahk looks at Dexter.

"Tell 'em," Dexter says. He then looks at me and I smile with a nod.

"Actually, it has a magical power that brings all of the exhibits to life," he says in an excited voice.

"No, really. What's it do?" She asks again. I watch as Ahk's face turns blank.

"Nothing. It's just for decoration," he blandly says.

"I knew it," the younger girl whispers.

"Mhm," the other nods. They then walk away.

I sigh and pat his shoulder. "Can't win them all," I take a deep breath. He presses his lips together and puts his arm around me, pulling me close. I smile at him before noticing the little kids watching us. I clear my throat. "Later, alright?" I slide out of his grip and look at the kids again. He follows my eyes and sees the kids as well.

"Ah, right," he laughs.

"I brought a surprise," I say to him. "For everyone. After closing," I laugh. He looks at me curiously. "It's a surprise," I smile. "Well, I gotta make another announcement," I step away. "I think you have more questions coming," I point to the group of kids running toward us. Ahk laughs as I walk off. I pull the phone off the receiver and hit the intercom button. "I would like to remind everyone that, unfortunately, the museum will be closing in 2 short hours. Please remember to take all of your belongings with you. Thank you," I smile and hang up the phone.

After I lock all of the doors in the front and Larry locks the back, I walk into the security room and pull out my duffel bag and bring it to the lobby. "Okay, so we have plenty of time," I open the bag and pull out the two body pillows and line them against the desk. I grab the white sheet and take it up the steps and attach it to the barrier and spread it out. They all watch me closely, in confusion. I rush back down the stairs and plug in the projector. "Now, we have a wide selection today. Pick one," I smile, opening my DVD case. Larry walks up to me.

"What is this?" he asks.

"Movie night. They deserve it," smile.

"Alright, what are we watching?" He leans over the desk and looks at the case.

"It's up to them," I gesture to them. They all land on one movie together. "The Bridge to Terabithia it is," I smile and pull the DVD out. I put it into the computer and start it. We all sit next to each other and watch the movie. I smile brightly at the movie. It's one of my favorites. About 13 minutes in, I start humming along to the song in the movie quietly. I feel a warmth around me and I notice that Ahk wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I whisper to Larry whose right beside me. "How about next movie night, you bring Nick. I'm sure he'll have a blast," I say. Larry looks at me, looks at Ahk's arm, to me again and nods. I look back at the group in front of us and they're all enjoying the movie. As I watch, I remember my old rope swing and tree house. I think about my younger sister and I start to feel sad. I rest my arm on Ahkmenrah's leg and he places his hand in mine, intertwining our fingers. I blush and smile to myself.

I feel myself start to tear up. I sniffle and Ahk pulls me closer. I squeeze Ahk's hand tighter. "Next time, we should invite Leslie to go. She'd like that," Jesse says on the screen. I reach up and wipe the small tear that ran down my cheek. I end up laying my head on Ahkmenrah's shoulder. The movie ends and everyone looks happy. I smile at them and they talk about the movie. I sigh and stretch, sitting up.

"I'd say movie night was a success," Larry says to me. I smile brightly, happy it worked out.

"I'd say so too," I nod. I stand to turn everything off and Ahk watches me. I place my hands on the back of my hips and bend back, popping my joints.

"Are you okay?!" He asks.

"I'm fine," I laugh, popping my neck and ankles. He watches me closely. "I said I'm fine," I laugh. I reach my hand down and help the Pharaoh off the floor. He straightens out his robe and smiles. Everyone bustles about, as we have plenty of time before sunrise.

"Do you want to work on more Egyptian tonight?" He asks me.

"Sure," I smile. I turn to Teddy and Larry. "I'm going to go study. Be back in a little bit," I say before walking off.

After an hour of learning, I stand up from the floor by his sarcophagus. I feel Ahk watching me, but I don't care. I walk over to the walls. I put my finger on the hieroglyphs and trace them with my finger. "It truly is beautiful," I say. "In here, I mean," I glance to him before turning back. He stays silent. "I mean, everywhere is beautiful, but here... it reminds me so much of Egypt. Well, duh, it's supposed to, but really. Not like some cheap knock off. Like, really Egypt," I look up the tall pillar.

"You look at that same writing every time you come in here," He stands up as well.

"What does it say?" I turn to him before turning back to the writing.

"'One foot isn't enough to walk with'," he reads. "It has many meaning, but my favorite is 'you cannot go it alone'." he explains.

"And this one?" I walk over to another bit of writing.

"'One day is not like another for him whose heart cares'," he reads. I smile brightly.

"It's beautiful. All of it is beautiful," I look around the room again.

"You come in here every day, yet you're still amazed by it," he smiles at me.

"'A thing of beauty is a joy forever'- John Keats. No matter how often I see something beautiful, it's always worth taking it in," I smile at Ahk.

"You're right," he says before abruptly grabbing me and pulling me close. "Kamilah. I never told you what your name is..." he says, looking down at me. I simply shake my head. "It describes you. It suits you. Kamilah... Perfect. I couldn't imagine you with another name, because you are not anything less than perfect," he says. He presses his forehead against mine. I feel warmth come to my cheeks and I hide my face. The problem with being so pale is, it's impossible to hide any emotion. "Don't. You're too beautiful to hide your face," he places his hand on my cheek and guides me to look back at him. This time, I make the first move. I place both of my hands on the sides of his face.

"Oh, come here," I laugh. I pull his face toward me and press my lips to his. He stiffens for a second before relaxing and smiling. It's soon sunrise.

"See you later, Kamilah," Ahk says.

"See you later," I smile and help him close the sarcophagus. I run my fingers over the beautiful detailing on the coffin. "Ahkmenrah," I smile and bite my lip before leaving the room.