AURIC

Chapter 2: The Tour

Micky

          The ancient Egyptians held cats to an extremely high regard. Just injuring one would get you in real trouble. They were more than just a cuddly companion to them because cats often killed venomous snakes and protected the Pharaoh's since the earliest ages of the civilization. Cats were loved so much that they were mummified along side Egypt's elites and I know just how they felt!

My cat Milktoast was the only other living thing I got along with at home. She and I really enjoyed cuddling up and watching movies together. She was extra adorable when she would climb up my chest and weave her tail under my nose-

"Achoo!" Did I mention I was allergic?

"You're going to leave Milktoast behind when you move in with Linda, right?" Ewan asked me. He joined us for movies today. My family doesn't use the basement much because it's damp and dusty, so it's the only place in my house where Ewan and I get to hang out unbothered.

"No! Of course I'm taking Milktoast!" I defended.

"But your allergies are getting worse, Micky." Ewan said, pulling the cat off my shoulders.

"Then I'll buy lots of tissues."

"Well, what about Linda? How will she feel about having another mouth to feed? Did you talk about it with her?"

"Linda eats enough for 5 people. One little kitty isn't going to hurt our wallets." I tend to get very nasty when I'm being questioned about my decisions, it's not my best quality. Ewan had to put up with that sometimes. He's usually the mature, level headed one and though he would never force me to do anything, he does challenge me a lot.

After my crude Linda comment, Ewan tilted his head. "That's not very nice to say about your friend."

I sighed. "I'll talk to Lin tomorrow after I'm done at the Museum."

"That's tomorrow?" Ewan said, "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

I grabbed a throw pillow next to me on the shitty couch and squeezed it. I couldn't really have Ewan come with me, could I? He would quickly pick up on my reason for wanting to go. To talk to the Pharaoh. Of course the reasons for wanting to speak with him are innocent, but he wouldn't believe me when I tell him that I think this man is a walking, breathing entity of my own fictional character, now would he? He'll definitely assume that I was fooling around.

"Nah, I'm just going there to take notes. You'll be bored." I never lied to Ewan before, but I wasn't left with many options here. I was originally going to take Linda with me, but I don't want her knowing anything either and she could catch on, so it's better if I take this slow and get to the bottom of this whole mystery on my own.

"Ok, well be careful. If you change your mind, I'm just a phone call away." Ewan's smile lights up a room, it really does. He's the kind of guy every parent wants their daughter to bring home, a real boy next door. His blond hair and good looks attracted all kinds of competition but Ewan was always loyal and true to me...he didn't deserve my sneaky behavior, but I told myself it was only temporary.Once I learn more about this Pharaoh and things start making sense again, I can forget all about it.

At the Museum, I was surprised to find that there were more people there than I thought there would be. As I drove by the building, people were coming in and out of the front doors of what I thought would be mostly unpopular place or maybe I just didn't spend that much time down town. I parked my car in the employee spot and figured since I was personally invited by the Pharaoh, it would be ok. This time I made an effort not to park next to his Lexus though, for no reason other than the fact it makes me feel intimidated, which is a foreign feeling to me because usually I am the intimidating one.