"This museum is pretty standard so far." I say it as less of a fact and more as a general observation. "It's just like every other museum I've been in."
Cerys looked at me from my side. "When was the last time you've been in museum?"
"Well, last time…" I trailed off as memories sealed away came flooding back.
Holding the hand of a young girl, her curly brown hair bouncing as she looks around at the exhibits, her eyes alight with wonder and excitement.
"Look over there! Dinosaurs!"
I laughed. "You really love dinosaurs, don't you?"
She nods, smiling, and tugs on my hand, gesturing that she wanted up on my shoulders. "Do you think any of them were like me?"
My head shakes. "I don't think so. You're one of a kind."
"Oi!" Cerys' voice brought me back to the present. For a second, it almost seemed like their faces were the same. Only she had a different color in her eyes…
"Sorry, girls. Last time I was at a museum was a long time ago. It's good to know nothing really changed."
Just then, there was a sound similar to coconut shells clacking. I turned to look down one of the side exhibits to see a security guard. At least, not an average security guard.
Γειά σου! My name is Damaris. I'm the night guard for tonight, so if you need anything, let me know."
Ortensia just his behind me while Cerys looked in awe. "You're a centaur…I've never met one before."
I cover Cerys' amazement with a question of my own. "I don't recognize your accent. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking." Politeness usually works in situations like this. At least, it does with other humans. I haven't met a centaur before either. Not surprising though.
The guard, Damaris she said, smiled. "I'd be surprised if you did. I'm Greek. The Interspecies Exchange allowed me to come over here, and even helped me find a position to earn money."
Suddenly, and without warning, the power cut out, immersing all of us in utter darkness.
Just as quickly as they vanished, the lights popped back to life. Nothing looked any different. The exhibits and displays were all in pristine condition, obviously taken care of. Although I feel like George Washington moved some. Maybe it's just a trick of the lights. That's when the silence struck me.
"Cerys?" I realized she was gone. Ortensia as well. "Cerys! Ortensia!" I called out with high hopes and low threshold for disappointment.
Damaris slowly stepped towards me, her hooves clacking softly against the polished marble of the museum floor. "Μην ανησυχείτε." I looked up at her. "In English, it means don't worry. We'll find them soon." She looked at the figure of the first president, her expression dubious, her hands acting as if they would be better off wielding a weapon instead of a flashlight. "First thing is we should make sure we're safe. There are many stories of danger at night. Rumors from the other guards about exhibits coming to life. Even one involving a violent murder."
"Wait, murder?" is what I wanted to say, but all I got out was "Wai-" before Damaris roughly grabbed me by the collar and started running towards where she stated that, over my shouts of horror of flying backwards and the sound of hooves slamming against marble, the security office was. Unfortunately, other forces were conspiring against us reaching our goal. As we approached the office, the lights flickered and I spotted a figure I recognized from high school history classes.
"Alexander Hamilton?" I asked, shock apparent in my voice. Damaris stopped and looked at me, a quizzical expression on her face. She's actually pretty cute when she's confused. "He's the guy on the $10 bill." I was racking my brain trying to remember more, cursing myself for not paying attention to the musical when I heard a loud bang and was sharply yanked into the office.
"καλή θλίψη, μπορείτε Αμερικανούς. At least we're safe now." Damaris walked over to what looked to be monitors showing security camera footage. "We can hide here until the morning."
"I can't stay in here! The girls are out there, along with apparently homicidal historical figures!"
"Going out there is a risk to your life, and I may only be a guard, but in my chest," My eyes glance over her 'ample assets,' "beats the heart of the noble knights that were my ancestors." She pulled two short swords from next to the desk. Please tell me those aren't real. "If you still insist on facing these dangers, then allow me to accompany you for the night."
It was just then that my attention was caught by a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look at the screens and realized the movement was… "The girls!" I looked at the control panel, hoping for some way to communicate with them. My hopes were met when I found a microphone. I talked Damaris into helping me turn it on, then I sent out my message.
"Cerys, Ortensia, I'm coming for you."