Pharaoh's Tomb

Chapter 1

     Run, I have to keep running! I can’t stop, not now. Not with that thing behind me. Run! Keep running down the hallway. It was gaining on her. Quickly she must hide! She spots a closet. She opens the door and jumps into it, Praying to God it passes her. 

    The scraping of nails dragged along the floor echoing in the hallway. The babble of a twisted soul could be heard in a mere whisper. The more she listened, the louder it became. Closer and closer, its footsteps could be heard. As she pressed further back into the cramped closet. Desperately trying to gain even an inch, without making a sound. Pushing and pushing until something snap! She held her breath. The creature in the hallway paused. 

    Time stood still as seconds seemed like minutes, minutes seemed like hours. She wished her heart would stop beating like a flashing sign saying “Here I am!”. Shuffling right towards the door, the creature moved certainly. Listening, smelling, hunting. She stuffed her cries that dare to pass her lips.

Why was she here? How did she get into this situation?

"Flight 31 to Egypt is now boarding" announced on the overhead speakers.

     20-year-old Mara quickly pulled out headphones and stood to say one last goodbye to her family. Hardly able to contain her excitement. The day has finally come! She had been saving for this trip all her life. Every penny she made from mowing lawns, babysitting, and chores around the house were one step closer to her dream. Her heart was set on it!

     Everything about Egypt fascinated her as a child. The Pyramids with their hidden treasure. The statues of old with heads of felines to guard over their master while he rests in the second land. Their perplexed language carved into the walls of the temples.

     She will be interning at a dig site close to the Nile. Her trip would last for two months. With adventures at every turn, she would hardly have time to miss her family… She thought.

"Goodbye Goober, " Mara wheezes as she was into her father's famous bear hug.

"I'm going to miss you… We are all going to miss you, " he replied as he loosened his grip to see her face.

Almost being plowed from behind, she feels arms incase her. She turns her head to reveal her brother.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work? Mara asked.

 "Ya, but I had to see my only sister off before she goes to another country!" Tyler whined as he tried to sound offended while holding his heart.

Mara playfully punched him on the shoulder. " You know what I mean!" She argued. "Well, anyway, I'm glad you're here." She admitted with a smile. "Now I have someone to help carry my bags," she laughed.

Tyler opened his mouth in surprise and turned to their father, "You see how she treats me?!" He exclaimed. Then he turned back to her. "I am not a camel, you are! Your stubborn attitude and the way you walk, you are the persona of one" He started to imitate a camel walking, leaning side to side in slow motion.

Before Mara could defend herself. Their dad started laughing, 

"Oh, I'm going to miss hearing you guys banter." 

Then he brought both of them in for one last hug. Quickly saying goodbye one last time. Mara made her way over to the plane. Putting her luggage in the check-in apartment to be boarded, she walked up the hallway to her flight. She looked for any snack machine she would pass on the walk there. She HAD to have a bag of funyuns before she leaves. She wouldn't know the next time she would get them again.

   She had never been on a commercial airplane before. she reached the door of the aircraft. She slowly popped her head in for a quick survey of it. Other passengers were boarded and waiting in their seats. Some were stuffing luggage in the overhead compartments. The flight stewards moved back and forth helping the passengers find their correct seats and assisting with the cramping of luggage in the compartments.