Egypt by Patti Wheeler Page B

commander as he walked past. “I’m just curious. What exactly are the police doing here?”
    He stopped dead in his tracks.
    “I’m sorry, young man?” he said, locking his eyes on mine. “What did you say to me?”
    I gulped, and asked again.
    “I was just wondering why we need so much security?”
    Questioning this man, I realized right away, was a huge mistake.
    “We are working in the interest of the Egyptian people,” he said. “We are here to protect the antiquities from tomb robbers. We are here to make certain that the country’s heritage is preserved.”
    The volume of his voice increased with each sentence making it pretty clear that he wasn’t too happy with me.
    “And who are you to question my purpose?” he asked.
    “I’m sorry,” I said timidly. “I didn’t mean it like that. It was just a simple question.”
    “You are a foreigner. I should be skeptical of you. What exactly is your purpose?”
    I was nervous now and began to stammer.
    “Oh, well, uh … I’m one of the winners of the Youth Exploration Society fellowship,” I said. “I’m here with Dr. Aziz.”
    I’d hoped that dropping Dr. Aziz’s name would make the commander cool off and leave me alone. It didn’t.
    “Fellowship or not,” he said, “I see you as an intruder. There is a long history of foreigners raiding this country for its ancient riches. Why should you be any different?”
    “No, I wouldn’t, uh, I’d never …”
    I was scared. Fumbling my words. I couldn’t complete a sentence.
    “Did you know that in ancient times tomb robbers faced brutal consequences if they were caught?” he asked.
    I shook my head.
    The man moved closer to me and lowered his voice.
    “They were sacrificed in the same way an ox was sacrificed to the gods. Cut open and left to bleed. Then, their bodies were burned. This was the ultimate punishment. Having their bodies turned to ash. After death, they could not be reborn.”
    The commander put his hand on my shoulder and all the air went out of me. I literally couldn’t breathe.
    “If I were to catch a tomb robber today,” he continued, “I would not go to the trouble the ancient authorities went to.”
    “No?”
    “No,” he said, shaking his head. “I would simply shoot them on the spot.”
    “I’m not here to rob the tombs,” I said, my voice trembling. “I promise.”
    “So you say,” he continued. “But I have no reason to trust you. In my eyes, you are guilty until proven innocent.”
    “I better go check in with Dr. Aziz,” I said, searching for a way out.
    “This conversation never happened,” he said, sternly. “Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” I said, staring down at the sand.
    “Look at me!” he shouted.
    I raised my eyes to him. His stare was cold. His jaw rippling.
    “I will be watching you,” he said. “Do not make a mistake.”
    I nodded, but dared not move. He spit into the sand and finally dismissed me with a wave of his arm. At that, I took off running for my tent.
    I am totally freaked out right now! I mean, I don’t feel safe at all. Really, I don’t even know what to do. I’m afraid if I mention this to anyone my life might be in danger. I don’t even think I should say anything to Wyatt. It might put him at risk, too. Jeez, this is crazy! All I can really do is hope that Dr. Aziz becomes suspicious on his own, and sets things right with these guys.
WYATT
    MARCH 11, 11:19 AM
    23° CELSIUS, 74° FAHRENHEIT
    SKIES CLEAR, WIND CALM
    Exactly 22 feet into the entryway we’ve found carvings that suggest that this is, in fact, a royal burial chamber!

    More ancient carvings
    Just beyond these carvings is a massive stone slab that’s preventing us from going any further into the tunnel. More debris is being removed so that a proper survey can be conducted. The engineers are meeting with Dr. Aziz and Khalid to decide the best way to move the stone without damaging the tomb.
    Have to rest before work continues.
GANNON
    Okay, I’m only