The Scarab Bracelet

By Allan James Wendt

The book is about a boy called Ben-K and his two best friends, Nicky and Virgil, who accidentally uncover an ancient bracelet during their school excursion to the Giza pyramids in Egypt in the year 2014.

With the help of an old professor to decipher the mysteries of the blue Scarab Bracelet, the young friends are virtually transported back to the period of ancient Egypt. Somehow, there are parallel similarities between the three young friends from the 21st century with young Ben Jarus Ka’neff and his two best friends, Virguss and Nefitari, who lived more than four thousand years ago.

As events unfold, readers are brought back to the period of 2612 BCE, during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu and his Queen Hetephere. Ben Jarus Ka’neff was the first male to inherit the Scarab Bracelet from his female line of ancestors. The story then goes back to the adventures of Ben’s great-great-grandparents and how they came in contact with friendly aliens whose spaceship was stranded on Planet Earth. Hence, the beginning of the legendary blue Scarab Bracelet that was given as a gift by the alien’s leader to Ben’s great-great-grandfather as an expression of their gratitude for helping to repair their spaceship.

The story has its twists and turns, with unexplained events created by both good and evil forces. On the lighter side of the story, there are also the roles played by two robots that assisted young Ben in his journey to discover more about his bracelet. The book includes a sneak preview to the sequel, Lapinda - The Promised Land.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadOnTime BV
• Release date: Sep 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781742842165

Book preview

Prologue

Transfixed with melancholy, his eyes gazed into the darkness from the top of a high barren cliff.

Even the numbing cold from what remained of metal leg irons could not remove the sad gaze from the boy’s face.

Jackals soon disappeared from the night’s cover as the bright rays from a rising sun became a golden glow over an ancient landscape, and warmed the boy’s back. Growing increasingly stronger, the sun’s power began to reveal the faint outlines of an enormous piece of grand architecture painted against a prehistoric ocean of red.

Back in the foreground, a dark veil lifted away to reveal a panorama of an immense river, carving its way through the land like a farmer’s plough slicing into virgin soil, creating an oasis of green and blue in an otherwise arid wasteland. The boy’s eyes hypnotically drew back to the desert to what was now unfolding from those early faint lines.

As the primeval sun rose higher, a brilliant white reflected back from an emerging monolith that was dwarfing all natural things, as it slowly rose up into the heavens. Nowhere else on earth was there such a spectacle that compared with the birthing miracle of the Great Djoser Pyramid, which the Gods had bestowed upon the ancient people of the sacred kingdom.

Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes as he looked in the direction of his homeland that reminded him of his family, whom he had left behind. Even the surrounding air had become thick with silence, as if it also paid homage to the boy’s feelings.

Suddenly without warning, a squawking flock of orange-crested parrots flying low overhead, snapped the boy’s mind back from its sorrowful trance.

Lifting his face upwards to see the commotion, he was blinded temporarily by a glint of sunlight reflected off his great-grandfather’s blue scarab bracelet, which was permanently locked on his right wrist. As he looked through the glinting light, a small smile of hope formed at the edges of his mouth as he reflected further on his ancestral bonds.

Just as the birds returned after their annual migration, he would also one day return home to set the record straight. For now, there was a more important priority, which was to fulfil a pledge he had made to a race of people who dwelled far beyond the heavens.

It was four thousand six hundred and two years ago, and the boy languishing over the intriguing landscape was known as Ben-Jarus Ka’neff. The distant county he overlooked was his ancestral homeland or known otherwise to the world as mystical Egypt, a land of the Pharaohs and strange Gods, and the place where a young boy was callously betrayed by traitorous relatives and relegated to become a marked fugitive.

Genealogy

*Ben-Jarus Ka’neff was the first male from his line of female ancestors, to receive the Scarab Bracelet, given to his great-grandfather Buto, as a gift from Zarten the friendly alien.

Main Characters & Timelines

Boston, 21st Century (2014)

Ben-K, Nicky Barcoo, Virgil Tricksberry, Professor Hanson

Ancient Egypt (2612 BCE*)

Ben-Jarus Ka’neff, Nefitari (Nefi) Baruku, Virguss Tarsunu

Tweepe & Plasto (Kapreian robots)

Great Pharaoh Sneferu & Queen Hetephere

Karook (Pharaoh’s pet falcon)

Jamun (Pharaoh’s eccentric cousin)

Legends

Imhotep (local hero, designed the first Pyramid)

Pharaoh Huni & Governor Remus (school friends)

Salin, Kalu, Jabu (the Bedouin family)

Illya & Big Jarbus (the Kirundi), Sefina & Anuti (friends)

Captain Thorsun (Buto), Nahrame, Lupus, Whilo, Ratuss

Aliens

Planet Kapreus (Star system of Zibanitu or The Scales of Balance)

Tenselu & Zarten (the Kapreians)

Gods Ptah & Hathor (Zarten’s great-grandparents)

Planets Dendrodia, Extus and Kyrodus

(Star system of Ophiuchus or The Serpent Holder)

Evil Goddess Serket (from Extus)

Apep (Serket’s demon underling)

Daru (evil Jackal-headed robots)

Maranites (evil androids)

Planet Lapinda (Star system of Sirus)

The Promised Land

*BCE – Before Current Era.

There were parallel similarities between Ben-K and his two friends in 2014, with Ben-Jarus Ka’neff and his two friends in 2612 BCE

Map of Ancient Egypt

Episode One

2014

A Mysterious Discovery

Chapter 1

How come Miss Masters is so insistent on us walking the last mile to the pyramids? It’s totally unreasonable that we can’t stay on the camels," grumbled the young boy, as he struggled with his satchel.

Typical of you, Virgil! You are always too busy glued to your laptop, to pay any attention to what our teacher was saying, answered the young girl.

And what, Nicky, was that exactly?

Well, Virgil, if you have been listening, you would have heard Miss Masters saying that she wanted us to stop here so we could sketch the landscape. She said that the hot sand under our feet would inspire us to construct a more pragmatic drawing of the pyramids.

Okay, Nicky, that sounds fine for all of you but I’m no artist. Besides, I’m totally tired after travelling all the way from Boston to Cairo, and now out here on this God-forsaken desert! You go ahead while I find a secluded place to sit down and see if I can find reception for my iPhone.

Although they were good friends, Virgil and Nicky were at opposite ends of the spectrum, in terms of outdoor activities.

Virgil Tricksberry was unfit and tubby, and he wore large glasses to compensate for his short sightedness. Virgil would have been happier spending his time during the school excursion, wandering around in an air-conditioned Cairo Museum with his laptop and iPhone, rather than trudging through a hot inhospitable desert.

Nicky Barcoo on the other hand, was naturally athletic and a tomboy, who just loved to be out and amongst the action.

As soon as Miss Masters asked everyone to dismount their camels, Nicky quickly grabbed Virgil by his shirt-collar. Holding on to him with a vice-like grip, Nicky managed to stop her tender-footed friend from wandering off, as she found a spot to sketch the pyramids from a different vantage point, away from the rest of their classmates. Virgil, however, was not keen on the idea and soon became bored and irritated by the scorching sun, which made his delicate skin sweat and blister.

Looking around, Virgil found a comfortable spot to put his feet up. He switched on his iPhone while sipping on a bottle of warm cola.

Virgil was completely oblivious to the environment surrounding him until he heard Nicky yelling.

Stand totally still, Virgil! There’s a scorpion next to your foot!

A large desert scorpion raised its poisonous tail as it picked on the vibrations made by Virgil’s and Nicky’s voices.

What the hell! That’s totally wicked! Just look at the size of that thing! Quick, Nicky, kill it! Kill it before it bites me!

Stop being such a baby, Virgil. If you don’t aggravate it, it will crawl away by itself.

That’s easy for you to say, Nicky. You are totally a country girl, and obviously, you don’t have a phobia about bugs. Unlike me, who is like, totally freaked out about things that crawl and bite!

Shut up and keep very still, Virgil! There’s something else next to your left foot.

Don’t tell me it’s another cr… cr… creepy thing? Virgil stuttered nervously, as his face suddenly went pale.

No, it doesn’t look like it’s alive. In fact, it looks like a piece of old jewellery and you must have exposed it while you were dancing around that scorpion!

Forget it, Nicky. It’s probably just another piece of cheap junk that some tourist threw away, Virgil said, in a braver tone as the large black scorpion crawled away towards the pyramids.

Partially protruding from the red sand was an object that reflected glimpses of both blue and gold.

No, I don’t think it is junk, Virgil, because the bit sticking out of the sand looks really old. Step back while I pull the rest of it out.

Okay, Nicky, it’s all yours. I have had enough surprises for one day.

Nicky gently scooped her hand under the shiny gold object. She picked it up and the sand around it slowly seeped through her fingers. As the sand finally disappeared, Nicky immediately knew she had found something valuable.

Look, Virgil, it is a bracelet! Just look at the beautiful but strange-looking beetle that’s fastened to it.

Yes, Nicky, it’s strange indeed! A strange piece of tourist’s junk!

Let’s find Ben and let him have a look at it. He has always been really good at identifying old stuff.

Okay, Nicky, if we must but I’m sure he’ll agree with me that it’s just an imitation piece of junk.

Meanwhile, not far away, a boy called Ben-K was preoccupied trying to get his teacher’s attention. His teacher was busy explaining the different theories on how the Egyptian pyramids may have been constructed, while the rest of the class sketched and listened.

Look, Virgil, I can see Ben over there talking with Miss Masters. Yell out and see if he can hear you.

Virgil would have preferred to text Ben-K using his iPhone but then he remembered that Miss Masters had confiscated all mobile phones from the students while they were on their school excursion. Nonetheless, Virgil managed to hide his miniature iPhone in the special pocket that had been sewn on his boxer shorts.

Hey, Ben, come over here! Nicky and I have something to show you, Virgil yelled, in a pitch that was loud enough for Ben-K to recognise his unique voice but not too loud to draw unwanted attention from the rest of the class who were still busy drawing.

Chapter 2

Ben-K made up the third member of Nicky’s trio of best friends and his relationship with Virgil and Nicky was very important to him.

Two years ago, Ben-K was found wandering the streets of Boston in a dazed state and suffering with acute amnesia. Despite conducting an exhaustive search, the police could not identify Ben-K on any list of missing persons, and the only clue to his identity was the initial BK appearing on the inside of his right wrist.

After unsuccessful weeks of searching for Ben-K’s identity, he was eventually deemed homeless. He became a Ward of the State, and was provided with a foster home in East Boston,

Ben-K enrolled at a nearby boarding school. Once settled into school, he continued not to remember anything from his past but that did not stop him from totally blitzing the competition at the school’s Archery Club, and achieving the highest IQ of all the students in his class. However, Ben-K’s physical and academic achievements did not win him many friends because most of the kids in his class thought he was kind of weird and uncool.

Unlike most kids his age, Ben-K was the serious and quiet type and he was not interested in the latest fashion or anything trendy in 2014. He was mostly preoccupied in history, engineering, and ancient languages.

At first, Ben-K only had two genuine friends. Virgil Tricksberry, a nerdy computer geek who most of the kids also considered a weirdo; and the eccentric Professor Hanson, who had retired and spent most of his time researching antiquities at the local museum.

Virgil came to the United States from London with his parents, who were also obsessed with computers and had set up their own software business in Boston’s CBD. However, Ben-K’s friends did increase by one, the day that a girl called Nicky Barcoo showed up at his school.

Nicky came to Boston on a student exchange program from Australia but her tomboy behaviour and her abrupt manner of speaking her mind had caused her to become isolated and alone. Nonetheless, Nicky Barcoo quickly saw kindred spirits in both Ben-K and Virgil, who just happened to have similar birth marks on the inside of their wrists, spelling out the first letter of their first names followed by a letter K.

After hanging out with the two boys for a while, Nicky had an idea that the three outcasts should form a trio of friendship. They pledged to support each other no matter what happened to any of them.

Can I be excused, Miss Masters? My friends want me, Ben-K politely said.

Sure, Ben, you go and see what Nicky and Virgil want, replied Miss Masters.

Ben-K walked towards Virgil’s voice and was ready to say, What’s up, guys? as he expected to see Virgil and Nicky somewhere in the crowd of students’ faces.

Ben-K’s piercing blue eyes scanned around but his friends were nowhere in sight. Unsure of Nicky’s and Virgil’s location, Ben-K walked westward for a short distance to explore around a pile of deserted boulders, which he thought was where they could be hiding. However, looking behind the boulders, Ben-K only saw more sand.

Ben-K was ready to go back to the rest of the class when his ears suddenly honed in on a series of sounds, psst… psst…

Over here, Ben, behind the camels. We have something awesome to show you but we don’t want the rest of the class muscling in on our find! Nicky whispered, but loud enough for Ben-K to hear her.

What have you found, Nicky? asked Ben-K, as he walked towards Nicky’s voice.

Before Nicky could answer, Virgil rudely interrupted. I have already identified it as total junk, so don’t waste your time, Ben.

Virgil stood defiantly, with his arms folded and a stubborn look on his face.

It isn’t junk, Virgil! It’s a real artefact, I just know it! said Nicky, in a quick annoyed response to Virgil’s scepticism, at the same time glaring hard at him.

Will the two of you stop arguing and show me what you’ve found? asked Ben-K.

Nothing has changed, Ben-K quietly thought to himself. Not even a trip half-way around the world could alter Nicky’s and Virgil’s constant love-hate relationship they had with each other. He smiled and looked fondly at his two best friends.

As Ben-K quickly walked towards Nicky, Virgil stopped him and said, Hold your horses, Ben! First, Nicky has to unwrap the thing from her scarf.

As soon as Nicky had unwrapped her scarf to expose the artefact, Virgil pointed at it and said, Now take a good look, Ben. It’s junk, right?

Virgil’s eyes were glued on Ben-K, in eager anticipation of being proven right.

Well, guys, it’s certainly beautiful but why do I feel as though I have seen it somewhere before? said Ben-K, in a curious tone, as he continued to look closely at the bracelet.

Come on, Ben, you can’t possibly have seen it before and think that this piece of junk is worth something? asked Virgil. Just check out that weird-looking beetle. It has fake written all over it!

Although most of the bracelet’s band was covered with red dirt, the blue scarab was eye-catching.

For your information, Virgil, that’s no ordinary beetle. It’s in fact called a scarab, which was both revered and worshiped by the ancient Egyptians. But you are correct, Virgil, when you said that it’s unusual because I have never seen a scarab emblem holding what appears to be a miniature spaceship in its front legs. How peculiar! Ben-K said, as he inspected the blue scarab.

Okay, Ben, if that’s a miniature spacecraft in its front legs, what’s that other weird-looking object in its back legs? Virgil asked, as he pointed at a spot on the scarab bracelet.

Good question, Virgil, but I don’t presently have an answer. It’s certainly intriguing, answered Ben-K, as he looked closely at the bracelet.

I still think the whole thing has been conjured up for the tourist’s trade, and there are probably plenty of them being manufactured in some cheap sweatshops, Virgil said.

Ben-K ignored Virgil’s scepticism and continued to study the bracelet. He was not convinced that the bracelet was simply a gimmick for the tourist’s trade. Somehow, he actually felt that he was connected to the bracelet but he just could not work out the connection.

I don’t believe this is tourist’s junk, Virgil. My gut feeling is that it’s really old, even ancient. In fact, I sense that I have seen this unusual bracelet somewhere before, said Ben-K, as he held the bracelet in the palm of his hand.

Ben-K started to think that he might have seen a picture of it in one of the school’s history books or in one of those Egyptian drawings at the museum. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not put his finger on where he had seen the bracelet.

Listen, Ben. If you are so sure it’s some sort of relic, how about we hold on to it until we reach home? Then we’ll go and see your friend, Professor Hanson, at the museum, suggested Nicky.

That‘s a good idea, Nicky. What do you think, Virgil? asked Ben-K.

It’s okay by me, as long as we don’t have to spend a minute longer under this hot desert sun, answered Virgil, feeling hot and bothered under the heat.

Okay, it’s settled then. We will show it to the Professor as soon as we are back in Boston, said Ben-K, as Nicky carefully re-wrapped the artefact in her scarf.

Chapter 3

After another two weeks exploring Egypt, the finishing class for Junior High 2014 returned home to Boston.

Ben-K and his two friends were on their way to see Professor Hanson.

What do you think the Professor will say about the bracelet, Ben? asked Nicky.

I’m not sure, Nicky. There’s no one else who knows more about ancient Egypt than Professor Hanson, answered Ben-K.

I still think we should have shown Miss Masters the bracelet, and she could have confirmed that it’s just a worthless piece of junk, said Virgil, not giving up on his theory.

Well, this time you’re outvoted, Virgil, because both Ben and I think we should show the Professor what we have found, said Nicky.

Okay then, I’ll go along with seeing the Professor, but I still have my reservation about going to his cottage, said Virgil, temporarily giving up on trying to convince his friends about his theory on the bracelet.

Why don’t you want us to go to the cottage, Virgil? Is there something you’re afraid of? asked Nicky.

Virgil did not reply to Nicky’s question but instead he reflected on his last visit at the Professor’s cottage.

The cottage stood alone in the shadow of the rambling old museum. It was screened off from view, from the nearest road, by dense vegetation that enveloped all of the museum’s buildings on the fifteen-acre allotment. A saga of mystery surrounded the cottage, and if anyone wanted to go there, they had to navigate their way down a spooky winding path that was hidden by a jungle of trees and a twisted assortment of thorny creepers. So dense was the overhead flora that it blocked out the sunlight and transformed the path into a dark scary tunnel.

Surely you guys must have heard the rumours about the cottage being haunted? asked Virgil, rhetorically. My father said that the locals have heard strange noises coming from the cottage, and then there’s the unusual low cloudy weather that always surround the place. They said that before the Professor moved in, the cottage was for many years, used to store a surplus of Egyptian mummies, and that there was some innate evil attached to stuff stored in the cottage, which to this day remains to haunt the house.

You’re letting your imagination run away with you, Virgil. Just settle down and follow us, said Ben-K, in an authoritative tone.

As the trio entered the dark path, Ben-K asked Virgil for his favourite moose-head flashlight, which gave only a minimal beam. Moving further along, the wind suddenly picked up to produce an eerie hallowing sound, with a chilling sensation that was felt by all three friends.

Halfway down the path, the trio came to an abrupt halt as an odd array of moving shadows were seen up ahead. Then without warning, something shiny swung past their faces.

The three young adventurers did not know what to make of the strange occurrence but the expression on their scared faces said it all.

Both Ben-K and Nicky remained tight-lipped but Virgil could not contain his feelings and screamed out loudly.

What the hell was that? God…. this place gives me the creeps.

Then, for a second time, the mysterious thing swooped by. Something touched Nicky’s face and then her arm. She let out a blood-curdling scream.

Ben-K immediately spun the moose-head flashlight around on all directions, trying to locate the source of the ghostly apparition. However, as the light bounced around, there was nothing to see.

There you go, guys. No ghosts here today; only an old wet vine that has dropped down and got caught in the wind, said Ben-K, trying to sound brave.

The three friends finally arrived at the front patio of a rundown cottage about two hundred years old. A small flight of rotten steps was next to be navigated before the trio could reach the front door. Then it started to rain.

Nicky was first on the dilapidated stairway, which creaked insistently with each step she made. About a third of the way up the old stairs, Nicky stopped and looked back at her companions. Her hesitation was just too much for Virgil’s frayed nerves.

What’s the problem this time, Nicky? Virgil asked, in a quivering voice.

Before Nicky could answer, Virgil continued nervously, Look, guys, how about we come back another time when it’s not raining, or maybe we should try catch the Professor when he’s working in the Museum.

No need to retreat, guys, Nicky said, as she bent down to pull her foot out from one of her shoes, which had become stuck in a rotten part of the stairs.

Look, Virgil, I can walk without shoes! said Nicky, trying to make light of the situation and to make up for her previous out-of-character screaming.

I still think we should go back, Virgil lamented, but both Ben-K and Nicky ignored him as they kept moving forward up the old stairs.

After a moment of standing alone in the rain, Virgil had no choice but to cautiously follow his two friends.

Taking over from Nicky, Ben-K reached up to push the old red doorbell, which was rusty and hard to operate.

Everyone, be quiet for a moment. I think I hear someone coming, whispered Ben-K.

I can’t hear anyone coming, replied Virgil, in a questioning tone. I think you’re hearing things, Ben. I don’t think the Professor is home, so how about we come back another time?

Don’t be such a wimp, Virgil! said Ben-K under his breath. He was beginning to become annoyed with Virgil’s lack of courage.

Another minute passed before Ben-K was proven right about a noise coming from inside the cottage. Nicky, who had her face pressed against the glass-panel of the porch window, caught sight of a large black cat. Seeing Nicky’s face at the window provoked the huge feline to jump aggressively towards Nicky′s eyes, and with gaping teeth, it snarled as if it wanted to attack and bite her. Nicky, however, was not deterred as she pressed her face even harder against the glass, and growled back at the cat in an even fiercer tone.

Hey, guys, there’s a big black cat inside and he’s the one making all the weird noises we’re hearing, said Nicky.

I’m not interested in cats, Nicky. They give me allergies, said Ben-K.

And me too, said Virgil.

I wonder why it’s taking the Professor so long to answer his doorbell? asked Nicky, more to herself, as she finally moved away from the window.

He probably just hasn’t heard the doorbell, said Ben-K. Don’t you remember that the Professor is suffering from poor hearing? That’s one of the reasons why he had to retire from the university.

At that very moment, the rain and wind had picked up in intensity and was blowing in on the trio as they stood silently, shivering on the open patio. As they wondered about what to do next, Ben-K suddenly spotted an old iron doorstop, propped up against a dead pot plant.

Hey, guys! I will bang on the door with this heavy doorstop, and for sure the Professor will hear the racket, said Ben-K, as he picked up the doorstop.

Hey Nicky, did you know that the curator of the museum gave this old cottage to the Professor, and that the Professor also has full access to the museum while he writes his memoirs? Virgil rattled off in Nicky’s ears, as if he had nothing else to talk about but somehow needed to say something to calm his nerves.

Be quiet, both of you. I’m sure this time I can hear someone coming, said Ben-K.

Right then, the old faded door slowly creaked open and standing on the entrance of a dimly lit hallway was an elderly man with white hair, wearing a moth-eaten sports coat.

Chapter 4

Ahhh... it’s my young friend Ben, and you have some friends with you. Quick come inside out of the rain and I’ll find some towels so you can dry off," said Professor Hanson.

The Professor limped away down the hall and within minutes, he returned with three big towels.

I see that you have brought along your computer-savvy friend Virgil.

Yes, Professor, that’s Virgil, said Ben-K, as he wiped himself dry with a towel.

Hi again, Virgil. How is the computer life going for you these days? asked the Professor.

Okay, Professor, but I would like your opinion…

Before Virgil could continue his conversation, the Professor abruptly interrupted him and turned his attention back to Ben-K.

Who’s your other friend, Ben?

That’s Nicky, Professor, our newest friend.

Hi there, Nicky, do you also come from London?

Nicky looked at the Professor with challenging eyes, as if to say that he should have recognised that she did not have a British accent. Then, she quickly realised that she had not yet spoken to the Professor, and unless he was a mind reader, he would not have any idea on where she had come from.

No, Professor, I’m from Australia; you know, the land down under, said Nicky, in a matter-of-fact tone.

Yes, I know it well, Nicky. I have a sister living there in Melbourne, answered the Professor.

Then, addressing the trio, the Professor asked, Well, young ones, what has brought you here to my humble cottage? I hope it’s not to talk computer science again, Virgil.

The Professor had once experienced a longwinded session with Virgil, which had dulled any little interest he once may have had in the virtues of the new technological age such as Facebook and Twitter.

You, young folks, should know by now that I′m not all that computer savvy like Virgil, and that my expertise is to do with antiquities and ancient civilisations, said the Professor.

Yes, Professor, we know all about your expertise and that’s why we’re here, Nicky quickly answered. We come to show you something we found while we were visiting the pyramids in Egypt, during our end of term excursion.

Well, what did you young ones find? asked the Professor.

The Professor looked directly at Ben-K, who had been standing quietly and remained silent while his friends chatted away.

We don’t exactly know, Professor. That’s why we have come to see if you can identify it for us, said Ben-K.

Okay, Ben, have everyone follow me into the living room where I can have a proper look at this intriguing item you have brought me, said Professor Hanson, as he led his small band of young guests down the cobweb-filled hallway.

Ben-K and his friends squeezed their way between an array of ancient Egyptian coffins, which stood shoulder to shoulder on either side of the walls, and packed so close together that even a knife blade could not fit between them.

Meanwhile, as everyone continued down the cobweb-filled hallway, Virgil lagged behind because he could not get his mind off the eyes of the faces carved on the lids of the coffins. Maybe it was all because of those B-grade monster movies, which his uncle used to watch while looking after him when his parents were away on all those computer seminars. Whatever it was, the young geek felt as if the hall of coffins were observing him and his friends.

As the Professor directed everyone into his living room, Nicky yelled for Virgil to catch up. Virgil was only too willing to obey.

Chapter 5

Professor Hanson’s living room looked more like an Aladdin’s cave than a place to relax in, and there were no television or video games. Piles of old books were scattered everywhere, and Egyptian curiosities both large and small occupied every other space.

Clearing an area around a small table in the centre of the room, the Professor kindly asked the trio to sit down and to make themselves comfortable.

The first thing I should say to you youngsters is that the old days of ‘finders keepers’ are pretty much gone, and it’s now against the law in most countries to take ancient artefacts without first seeking legal permission, said the Professor.

Sorry, Professor, we know the law but I felt such a close connection with this object, Ben-K explained. Also, I’m sure that I have seen it somewhere before, and you’re the only person we could think of who could properly identify it. However, if it’s a valuable artefact, we will hand it over to the authorities. Anyway, Virgil thinks it’s just a worthless piece of souvenir junk.

The Professor stood facing the trio, with eager eyes that he could not conceal.

Well, how about you let me decide that. Have you got it with you? asked the Professor.

Yes, Professor. Nicky has it wrapped up in her scarf, Ben-K answered.

Nicky carefully unwrapped the bracelet from her scarf and held it in her capped hands.

Here it is, Professor, Nicky said. So, what do you think it is?

From the moment the Professor set eyes on the bracelet, he went completely silent as if hypnotised! Nicky, however, was an impatient girl and was not about to allow the silence to continue.

Nicky walked closer to the Professor and said loudly but with a caring tone, Are you okay, Professor? Please say something.

It took another few seconds before the Professor acknowledged that someone was speaking to him. He finally answered, Yes… yes… sorry. I’m very sorry... but please, my young friends, give me a second or two to collect my thoughts. It’s the gravity of your find... you know, it’s extraordinary.

The Professor then went silent again.

Hey, Nicky, is the Professor okay? asked Ben-K.

I think so, Ben. Nicky whispered. He just looks a little pale and I think you should try and talk to him now. You have known him the longest and he should identify with your voice.

Ben-K then went closer to the Professor as Nicky retreated to where Virgil was sitting. Ben-K started talking to the Professor in a quiet voice, out of earshot from his friends.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Virgil leant over and whispered in Nicky’s ear, Hey, Nicky, looks to me as if our old Professor has just been hit with a stun gun and transported to another world!

Ssshhh… I’m sure he’ll be okay, Virgil. I think he was just really surprised when he saw what we had to show him, said Nicky, as she stared hard at Ben-K and Professor Hanson, hoping to hear what they were talking about.

It took a few more minutes of Ben-K’s persuasive talking before the Professor regained his composure. Again, the Professor apologised for his lapse in concentration.

With a flush of colour returning to his face, a revitalised Professor then went on to say that he was just utterly shocked when he looked at the bracelet, which had eluded him for the last forty-eight years!

If I’m right, my friends, the scarab part of the bracelet that you have brought to me will match the exact shape that’s embedded on the top of a special box, which I have kept hidden all these years.

What do you mean, Professor, when you say it will match a part of a box you have? asked Ben-K curiously.

The Professor pointed to a faded black and white picture of a group of people standing in front of the great Giza pyramids of Egypt. As he pointed, he walked over to the photo and put his index finger on a young man in blue jeans, standing in the middle of a group of older men who were all dressed in brown safari suits.

That’s me. Yes, that’s me at twenty-five, the tall guy in the centre of the photo, the Professor said proudly, in a reminiscent tone.

You were very handsome, Professor, but the people around you sure looked serious, observed Nicky. Then, she pointed to the wall and asked, What about that other modern colour photo higher up on the wall, Professor? Who are those young people?

"That’s my son Samuel and his wife Helen, and holding their twin babies Karl and Nicholas is my little nephew Jimmy. They all live in Manhattan where Samuel is a celebrated architect for designing many of New York’s most innovative buildings, and Jimmy his cousin is a notable abstract interior decorator, who puts