The Old Guide
The next morning, their Egyptian guide, Hassan, came to the hotel.
Daniel showed him the photograph.
Hassan studied it silently.
Too silently.
“What is it?” Daniel asked.
Hassan didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at Emily.
“Where exactly did you stand when you took this?”
Emily pointed toward the photograph.
“There.”
Hassan’s expression became serious.
“You should not have gone there.”
Daniel frowned.
“Why?”
“Because that area is not part of the normal tourist path.”
“So?”
Hassan lowered his voice.
“There are old structures beneath that sand.”
Emily leaned forward.
“What kind of structures?”
Hassan looked at her.
“Some things are better left buried.”
Daniel almost laughed.
He thought Hassan was trying to frighten them.
But then Hassan noticed the symbol.
His face changed completely.
“Where did you see this?”
“On the stone,” Emily answered.
Hassan touched the screen but immediately pulled his hand away.
“Do you know what this represents?”
Emily shook her head.
Hassan looked toward the window.
“To most people, it is only a symbol.”
“And to you?”
Hassan hesitated.
“My grandfather told me stories about it.”
Daniel crossed his arms.
“What stories?”
Hassan sighed.
“He believed certain sacred places were protected by guardians. Not guards. Not soldiers.”
“What kind of guardians?”
Hassan looked directly at Emily.
“Things that were not meant to be awakened.”
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Ryan laughed nervously.
“So you’re saying a scorpion is some kind of ancient guardian?”
Hassan didn’t smile.
“No.”
He looked back at the photograph.
“I’m saying the scorpion may have been the least important thing that happened to your sister.”
