I've been working here for about five years, and have been the official curator for about two. I like history in all, but working at a museum was never one of my career choices as a kid. Spending most of my teenage years at the local pub, mummies and Romans were put at the back of my mind. But I do like it here. Things are usually quiet and peaceful throughout the museum, just the hustle and bustle of the visitors wandering around pointlessly, looking trouble. Occasionally though, you do get the weirdoes. Like one time, when I found a little kid trapped in the ancient Chinese exhibit, and two of my employees had to drag him out before he caused any unwanted publicity.

Or when I came to work finding rather insulting words sprayed amongst the walls. It wasn't hard to track down those buffoons though, for one of them actually dropped his cell phone along with a couple of empty bottles while leaving the building.

I smile to myself. Everyone enjoys those stories from time to time. But it's another day, another chance for people to come from all over to see civilizations long extinct to the modern world.

Another day of countless hours and crummy pay.

I stand in my office, overlooking the papers of a potential employee. The stacks have gotten shorter and shorter, I'm afraid.

There's a light knock at my door. I look up from my readings to see that it is one of my Egyptian artifacts workers. "Ah, Evelyn." I smile, gesturing for her to come into the large room. She smiles back and kindly shakes my hand; the way she always does when greeting me.

"You wanted to see me Hafez?" she says with the smile still on her face. Evelyn sits on one of my three leather chairs and I follow on the one across from her.

"You see Evelyn, there's a job offering for manager of the Egyptian wing, and..." I see her face light up with wonder. "And I think you would be the perfect woman for the job."

She looks like she was about to jump out of her chair and hug me. I hoped she didn't. But she retains her composure and looks at me for a second, not saying anything.

"Thank you!" she cries, shaking my hand once again. I smile back and shoo her out of my room.

Though a tad too cheery for my liking, Evelyn is one of my favorite employees here. At first, the thought of having a young woman work here troubled me. But don't let the looks fool you. Her love for history beats out all the others working here.

They work for money. She works for passion.

I sigh at my thoughts. One day, I think, she'll be as good as me.

By the time the sun begins to set, I am aching to leave. My head hurts and if one more person nagged me about how crappy their lives are, I am going to scream. I smile as the right hand of the clock hits directly over the six. All the employees scramble out of the museum like it was on fire for goodness sake. I didn't blame them.

In the last minute, my museum went from full of life to abandoned and dead. I gather my things and turn to shut off the lights. But, before I do, something catches my eye. Yes, in the dark shadows of one of the exhibits, I could've sworn I saw something move. I grab a nearby torch, unlit, of course, and proceed closer to the suspected target. "Who's there?" I try to make my voice intimidating, but that's mighty hard for someone as old as I. When nobody answered, I lowered my weapon and roll my eyes. I turn around, and almost jump out of my skin at the sight. A woman, wearing a black Egyptian outfit, stood there, a wry smile creeping up on her almost cat- like face, eyes piercing right at me. There is something strange about her eyes, though. They're black, almost unreal. I take a step back, raising the torch once again. Seeing this gesture, the woman let's out a dry laugh. She proceeds towards me with that wicked smile of hers. "The museums closed." I say. Her smile deepens into something almost wicked. I had a feeling she knew that already, and such a petty response like that wasn't going to stop her.

"I need something from you, Hafez." her strong Egyptian tone is almost hypnotic to my ears. I opened my mouth for a response, but it has run dry. She continued, "Would you mind answering a few questions?" but she didn't need an answer from me. She just looked into my eyes, sensing my fears and protests.

"And if you choose not to obey..." her feline like face striking a hiss. As on cue, a fury of red robes and silver swords filled my view, and before I knew what was happening, a knife was bearing at my throat and a huge black man was in front of me with the eyes of a killer. Eyes that would slice you in half just by its glare.

I swallowed hard. The woman then yelled something in Egyptian to the savage black man, making him retract back by her side and not seconds away from impaling me with that sword.

She gives me a mock grin. "How about those questions, Mr. Hafez?" I sink down in my leather seat, the woman and black man hovering around me like ghosts. The woman finally lets in a sharp breath and looks at me with that revengeful glare. I bore myself for the first question.

"Do you know Evelyn O'Connell?"

I see a flash of hate running through her eyes when she said that name. I was completely caught of guard. Evy (though I refused to call her that no matter how many times she protested) O'Connell? My employee? Why, that girl wouldn't hurt a fly... Would she?

"She is one of my employees, why would you ask?" I say in confusion. I immediately regret saying this, because the black man is starting to grind his teeth in desire to kill me.

A smile pulls at her tight lips. "She is one of my... Old friends, you might say."

I seriously doubted that, but didn't say anything. "Has she done anything wrong?"

Her body tenses as she proceeds closer to me.

"She and that American bastard killed my love Imhotep ten years ago. For this she will pay." she growls.

Then, as if that didn't happen, she reverts back to her devilish smile. "We need you to help us find Hamanamptra; to read from the book and bring my love to life once again."

I take a long, hard look at her. Who does she think she is, barging into my museum and demanding I raise a mummy from the dead? But; there was something about her, something almost... Intoxicating.

"And what if I refuse?"

That question was short lived. One glance from the black man that almost cut me to pieces shut me up immediately. The woman gives me one of her smiles again. "Think about it... Hafez. You would be the leader of thousands. Thousands; right at your fingertips."

The woman had a point there.

I nod my head slowly to show my agreement. "Wonderful," her eyes are at a faraway gaze. "We will discuss this further in the morning. In the meantime, get Evelyn to tell you where exactly the book of the dead is hidden,"

"You mean you don't know where the book is?" I say, confused. What a long day it has been. Once again, the woman's eyes flare dangerously. "Without that book our plan will not work!"

I regret saying that. "Do not worry. The book will be yours shortly."

With a smile, the woman gets up to leave, followed by the man. I watch their shadows until they disappear into the darkness.

I sit there, alone, in the dark, a newfound strength coursing through my veins.