THE RING OF PAST AND FUTURE.

Egypt is an exquisite country in the north of Africa, with an astounding heritage and
much to know. I am Helen, an archaeologist famed for numerous world-changing
discoveries. I am accompanied by a team of five people. Today I am journeying to a place to
find out about the lives of the Pharaohs. My travel is to a prominent archaeological site in
Egypt. A burial ground. Right now, in the 19th century, most people in England are
traditionalistic and dread spirits. I have never been afraid of spirits. I am neutral about that
concept. Some believe ghosts don't exist. But, I believe that if there is good in this world,
there is also its opposite. So, even my dauntless mind trembles at the prospect of working at
midnight. So, I'm clutching a rosary that the priest gave me. Our work was scheduled for
yesterday at noon, but the temperature was the reason we didn't go forward with that. I
mentally slap myself for choosing this time, but I prefer this over getting a sunburn. My team
is travelling in another vehicle leaving me lonely with a driver who doesn't utter a word. The
whole ride was noiseless. I make sure I have all the supplies I need, trowels, brushes,
measuring tapes, pens etc. I was travelling at night. As the clock approached midnight, I
could feel the atmosphere becoming heavy. I hung a camera around my neck, which I always
do to check on things I have overlooked.

As I step out of my car with the necessities, I noticed the teammates arriving and
getting out of their vehicles as well. "Hello, madam." one of them says. I give them a friendly
smile. "Hello, team! I am looking forward to working with all of you. This is a mission many
told me was impossible. Let's prove them all wrong. Get your materials from the vehicle. We
will not be travelling by car to the site. We will be walking, and it is approximately five
hundred meters away. Good luck everyone." I say, boldly. I am striding towards the spot as
quickly as I possibly could. While I was walking, I felt the presence of someone behind me. I
looked back and nothing was there.
Strange.
I start working on some spots, finding some items. The main item that was in my
mind was a popular ring, as it was worn by Thutmose III. I've always felt some kind of
satisfaction in researching Egyptian Pharaohs. It felt like finding a part of myself.

My team seeks my approval to spread out and work separately to cover a large area
more quickly. I acquiesce with their idea and say, "Once you discover enough, notify me."
They nodded. I went to a new spot to work on it. While I keep one of my hands on the ground
for support, something penetrating cuts through the palm of my hand, pain rushing in. I take
my hand away, looking at the ground, two rings were left there. I ignore my bruised hand and
hold the rings up.
Oh my god. This was the jackpot I needed.

The surroundings were dusty, so I put on a mask. My spectacles became cloudy as a

result of the mask, so I removed my spectacles to adjust the mask. Then I notice a man
approaching. I put on my spectacles and notice that the man is not wearing a uniform, which
indicates he is not working for me. He was a total stranger roaming a burial site.
A burial site.
When I realise that he is coming towards me, I didn't bother him, resuming my work.
But my mind was still wondering why the man was approaching. The man got near me and I
speak, breaking the silence.
"Hello, sir, Why you are here? This is a burial site, no one dares to be here at..." I glance at
my watch and continue, "3 am. Why are you here?"
This is scary yet amusing.
"I am here to refresh memories about someone," he says. "What does that mean? Are you
okay, sir?" I ask. I felt genuine concern for the man and myself. 'Lord, Please tell me I am
safe here.' My mind sang.
The man leans closer to me and whispers, "I was once an Egyptian Pharaoh." I laugh. "Sir,
good joke."
"It was not a joke." His smile disappeared. "I noticed that you have my rings." He says,
skimming at the box.
"I am an archaeologist. I discovered it," I say.
WAIT. No way he is Thutmose III. No. way.
"May I try it on for a moment?" He asks politely. Out of curiosity, I give him one of the
rings without another thought. He wears one and holds his hand forward. "It fits." He grins. I
laugh again. "But it's likely a coincidence," I tell.

I touch his hand, and a bolt of lightning struck me, memories rushing in, visuals I have never
seen blinking through my eyes. "HELP!" I scream but no voice escapes my throat. I saw
many things repeatedly. A ravishing youthful woman. Egypt. Pharaohs. Thutmose III. A
voice resonated with a woman calling "Father!" in Arabic. I panic as I don't know Arabic but
could understand it. I hear a noise and look back.

"Sir, Come here!!" I say, looking around again, and he vanished. The place he stood was
empty. I lost him and the ring. The footsteps of the man coming towards me were imprinted
on the sand, but no footprints were left when he vanished.
No footprints. He just disappeared. It's a ghost. I let that sink in slowly.

"Am I hallucinating?" I ask. I check my camera which was recording and observe the clip.
Everything was crisp and clear. I saw him. It isn't a hallucination. I have never been more
clueless about what happened, but maybe, I met a man who was the reincarnation of an
Egyptian Pharaoh, or he came to me because I took his ring and infuriated him or this is all
just one big deception. But that incident felt too real to be a deception.

While I am disbelieving everything I felt, my crew approaches and discusses how they have
discovered enough findings for the day. I am not feeling lonely when I get into the car and
travel back. The silence in the car feels amazing and my mind is busier than ever. I decide not
to disclose this incident. But this won't be the end of this journey. I felt a connection with that
man and some gut feelings are too big to be ignored. I will visit this place again, to discover
who I am and what is my connection with him. This is not the end.

THE END?

Christlin Ann Jacob

Chief Editor, Editorial Board
GRADE 10 B