The Night Before the Trip – Home
The ceiling fan buzzed with a tired hum as Vihaan lay on his bed, arms behind his head, eyes locked on the spinning blades.
From the kitchen came the soft clatter of utensils. His mother was still up, packing his food and checking his documents for the fifth time. The scent of warm vegetable soup and buttered pasta filled the air — the kind of meal she made when she was too tired for anything else, but still wanted to make sure he ate something comforting.
His little sister, Liora, peeked into the room.
"Bhai… can I help pack your bag?"
Vihaan turned his head slightly. "It's already done."
She walked in anyway, tossing in a small plastic dinosaur. "Just in case you get chased by mummies."
He smirked faintly. "That thing again?"
"It's lucky," she said, hugging him before skipping back to the kitchen.
Vihaan sat up and looked toward the living room. His mother's back was bent slightly as she folded his shirt and tucked it into a side pouch. Her eyes looked tired, but she moved with precision.
She turned around and smiled, holding out a cloth pouch.
"Take this. For emergencies."
He took it wordlessly. The pouch was soft — and probably had a few spare euros, bandages, and a folded prayer note she had scribbled in her rushed handwriting.
She didn't say much. Neither did he.
But their silence carried more love than any words could.
Later that night, Vihaan lay in bed again, hands behind his head.
His eyes remained open.
He didn't sleep that night.
Airport Departure
The airport was packed. Students roamed in groups, flashing selfies, comparing headphones, and arguing over snacks. For most of them, this was a vacation. For Vihaan, it was a break from reality — but not necessarily a good one.
"Yo, look who actually showed up."
Brayden Knox's voice cut through the noise. He walked toward Vihaan, flanked by Julian and Miles.
Julian raised his phone. "Smile for the camera, mummy bait."
Vihaan ignored them, quietly adjusting the strap of his second-hand backpack.
"Don't worry, Vihaan," Brayden grinned. "If you get cursed, at least you won't notice the difference."
Before they could continue, Adrian appeared beside Vihaan. "Knock it off."
Brayden shrugged. "Just having fun."
As the trio walked off, Adrian turned to Vihaan. "You okay?"
Vihaan nodded. "Used to it."
"Still sucks."
They didn't speak after that. Just waited for their flight, the buzz of travel and unknown tomorrows hanging heavy in the air.
In the Sky
On the plane, Vihaan took the window seat.
He stared down at the clouds, the ground below shrinking like the weight on his chest should've. But it didn't.
Adrian leaned over. "You ever think about how small we look from up here?"
Vihaan didn't respond.
"You'll like Egypt," Adrian said. "It's got... mystery."
Vihaan blinked slowly. "Maybe I should enjoy this trip while I can."
Adrian glanced at him but didn't push further. They flew in silence.
Hotel in Cairo
The hotel was grand, decorated in modern luxury with hints of ancient design — stone pillars, gold-plated elevators, and glowing wall lamps shaped like torches.
Vihaan entered his room and dropped his bag. The bed looked too clean. Too untouched.
He walked to the window. The city stretched beneath him, lights blinking like stars on Earth. Somewhere far in the distance, the edge of the desert began. Beyond that, darkness.
He stood there for a long time, watching.
The Pyramid Visit
The next morning, they rode out early toward the dig site. The sun hadn't fully risen, but the sands were already glowing gold under the light.
"This is a restricted archaeological zone," Ms. Claire Hargrove said at the front of the bus. "We have been granted special permission. Do not waste it."
The students buzzed with excitement. Even Brayden seemed genuinely interested, for once.
As they reached the site, Vihaan stepped out into the dry wind. The pyramid wasn't as tall as he'd imagined — but it felt older. Rougher. Like it carried wounds no one ever saw.
Guards and archaeologists stood near tents, handing out safety instructions. "No wandering. No touching. No recording in the deeper chambers."
Inside, the pyramid was cold and silent. Each step echoed. The walls were etched with faded carvings — ancient gods, half-forgotten stories, strange symbols.
Vihaan moved slowly, his hand brushing the air near the stones but never touching.
Then he noticed one symbol repeating: a sun being swallowed by shadows.
It felt... familiar.
"Vihaan!"
He turned to see Adrian near a narrow hallway. With him stood Brayden, Julian, Miles… and Alicia.
Vihaan's chest tightened. "Why are you with them?"
"Just checking something out," Adrian said. "Come on."
"We're not supposed to go that way."
Brayden grinned. "Live a little."
Alicia rolled her eyes. "Unless you're scared."
Vihaan hesitated.
Then followed.
They entered a hidden chamber — circular, quiet, dimly lit by cracks in the stone above. At the center stood a broken altar.
Brayden motioned to it. "Alright. Here's the deal."
Julian raised his phone. "You stand near it. We record. That's it. You'll go viral."
Vihaan stared at them, then looked at Adrian.
Adrian couldn't meet his eyes. "...Sorry."
Something in Vihaan shattered.
He stepped forward.
Each step felt like walking into betrayal.
He stopped near the altar.
Then —
Click.
The ground gave way.
Brayden yelled. Alicia screamed.
And Vihaan fell.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
Written by Ghost_Writer_2020
Copyright © 2025 GhostWriter
All rights reserved. This story is an original work of fiction by the author. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation without explicit permission is strictly prohibited.