AURIC

Chapter 5: Lance and Junior

Micky

Astronomy was not a science unknown to the ancient Egyptians. In fact, they were the best astronomers in ancient times. So great, that they intentionally built the pyramids so that they would perfectly align with the Pole star. They were so good at this, that they even considered the patterns of the sun and built their temples in such a way that they would be beautifully illuminated on certain times of year. Just like the cityscape was being lit by the sunset right now.

"The sky is almost pink now." I said, admiring the sunset and watching it peak behind from the buildings. Ewan was next to me, sketching the buildings in his book. We took a stroll uptown together before we found this wonderful small hill overlooking the city. Just at the edge of it, I could see the top of the Gold Museum and wondered if Ewan had included it in his drawing. He did.

"Have you ever been to this place?" I asked, pointing at the museum in his sketch.

"Uh, no. Not sure what that is." He said, quickly looking but still cross hatching his doodle. "Why?"

"Was it always there? I feel like it wasn't and then all of a sudden it appeared." I said this without giving too much information.

"You probably just never noticed it before." Ewan was really concentrated on his drawing, so I reached into my back pack and pulled out my own sketchbook to join him. Though instead of a book full of buildings, mine was full of fictional characters.

I opened to the page with my drawing of Lance. I tapped on the page with my pencil in thought and frustration as I recalled the conversation I had with Dustin. He has a friend named Lance who's description eerily matches my design...

I looked at the drawing again and decided to add to it. I took my pencil and gave the man pointed ears. He was an elf after all, but this new little detail should settle this once and for all. There's no way that Dustin's friend Lance will have elongated ears...but if he does, then that would be all the proof I need.

I had spoken to Linda and she agreed to come with me to the Pharaoh's house. I made sure she knew that I was going there to work with Dustin and that I didn't want him to get distracted by her shenanigans. She said she would bring her video game in case of a dull moment, but I was also sure to tell her about his friend, Lance. The last thing I needed was for her to be caught off guard and be weird about it...

"A guy named Lance is living with them?" I recall she said. "What are the chances of that?"

"He's actually the main inspiration for him," I lied. I didn't want her to know about all these weird phenomena's that I was suspicious about, "Dustin told me about him before so when we were creating the character, I got my ideas from him."

"Didn't you only meet Dustin weeks after you invented Lance, though?" She asked. She was right but I was quick.

"Nah, I knew Dustin for a while. He was always in my program. We just haven't become friends until recently." I said.

"Oh," Linda was gullible, "that makes sense. Well if he's as good looking as your drawing, I look forward to meeting him."

I looked at my drawing and examined the notes on Lance. There wasn't much, just a few bullet points on what he was all about. I wasn't big on writing complete sentences...I usually just went with lists. I wished I had drawn the Pharaoh and wrote everything on him in here like I had for Lance, but I never had the confidence to put that face on paper. I didn't want to ruin how I saw him with my skills. He did not have a look that was easily transferable to paper...still, I could have copied down his notes instead of leaving them on those stupid disposable napkins! It would have been a huge help in uncovering this mystery, but now with Lance in the picture, I don't need them. This sketch book is all the ammo I need.