Beneath the Sand
The following morning, Daniel wanted to leave Egypt.
He didn’t care about the mystery anymore.
His daughter had been stung by a scorpion, suffered a frightening reaction, and was now having disturbing dreams.
That was enough.
But Emily refused.
“I need to go back.”
“No.”
“Dad—”
“Absolutely not.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly. We’re going home.”
Then Hassan arrived.
He had spent the night speaking with an elderly archaeologist he knew.
The archaeologist had heard about the symbol.
And he wanted to see the photograph.
His name was Dr. Kareem.
When he saw it, he became silent.
Finally, he said:
“Where did you find this?”
Hassan told him.
Dr. Kareem looked at Emily.
“Did you dream?”
Emily froze.
“How did you know?”
The old man closed his eyes.
“Because you’re not the first person to describe that chamber.”
Daniel stared at him.
“Who else has?”
“People who spent their lives studying the old records.”
“What records?”
Dr. Kareem opened his bag and removed several photocopies of ancient drawings.
One showed a chamber beneath the sand.
Another showed a scorpion.
The third showed a doorway.
Emily stared at it.
“It looks exactly like my dream.”
Dr. Kareem nodded.
“There is something you need to understand.”
“What?”
“Ancient Egyptians did not always think of scorpions as symbols of evil. In some traditions, the scorpion could represent protection and healing.”
Emily looked at the drawing.
“Then why did it sting me?”
Dr. Kareem’s expression became troubled.
“Perhaps it wasn’t attacking you.”
Everyone stared at him.
“What do you mean?” Daniel asked.
Dr. Kareem pointed to the photograph.
“Perhaps it was driving you away from something.”
