Nelson Thomas was a man that liked to get the day started early and with a hearty breakfast for all. He insisted that all of the staff at his digs were full because he believed that a hungry stomach equated to a distracted mind.

When I woke at five am, I expected to see the makeshift dining room on the first floor to be full of people eating and discussing the day ahead. What I was faced with was an almost empty room. A few bewildered people had huddled into one table, quietly eating their meal.

"Hey guys, is everyone in the dig already?"

"Hannah is down there with one of the tech guys."

"Roger," Meredith murmured before taking a sip.

She was ready to unleash the inner gossip. Her eyes darted around the group.

"We were taking bets, weren't we?"

Everyone started slapping money onto the counter. Meredith put her mug down and smiled.

"You're all so generous," She offered

"There is no proof they're doing it," I said. "She was talking to her boyfriend yesterday."

Meredith rolled her eyes.

"You're so sweet and innocent Lucy. Of course she was talking to him, she has to reassure him that she's being faithful."

Conner, the chef, rolled his eyes but said nothing. All of them kept their mouths shut.

"I think you're all jumping to conclusions."

"Honey, they're always around each other. They always go missing at the same time and goodness me, they even emerged from a shower cubicle together. Imagine that, conserving water in such dire times, how very green of them."

"You saw them together in the bathroom?"

Meredith nodded supremely.

"Okay, whatever. Where is everyone else in this place?"

"In sickbay."

I found it rather concerning, so I went to see what was going on. The door was shut, and a sign taped to it. Do not enter, quarantine isolation area. Knock if you exhibit the following symptoms: lethargy, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath or unusual irritability.

"Quarantine, that's very concerning," I muttered. "Dana, are you there?"

"Are you sick Lucy?"

"No, what's going on?"

"I don't know," She lamented. "But I do know that I'd rather not take the risk. The hospital is preparing for us, someone will be here in about an hour. Nelson is not happy, they're going to shut the site down until they give it the all clear."

She groaned.

"Yes, alright," Dana hissed.

"Lucy?" Nelson called out.

"You're sick too?"

"I'm afraid so. Listen, my dear, I want you to collect all my notes and the laptop before the government gets here. Stow them with your possessions and guard them with your life. When they give you the all clear, take them home with you. Oh, don't forget the marble box."

That box, the one that he looked on with so much affection. He was entrusting it to me which meant that he didn't want anyone near it.

"In my top drawer is a key to the safe. Take everything in it with you, but the most important item is the marble box. My dear, don't lose it. I will collect the items from you when everything is over. Go now before they get here."

"Okay."

I rushed down to his office and collected everything he said.

Nelson had a severe penchant for leather messenger bags. Those that really knew him knew that he had his favourites too. With that knowledge, I picked up one of the newer bags and packed it until it was full of everything that he'd said and the things that he didn't, but I knew were important.

Then I packed a few things in the worn-out bag and put it in the bottom drawer of his desk. A few papers were put into the safe, and it was locked again. Key returned and me on my way to my temporary bedroom.

Closing the door, I sighed. Nelson had a tendency to be melodramatic, but I knew how the government worked in situations like this. They'd take over, and we would not return. All the notes would be confiscated and his moment of glory would be just a fading memory of what could have been.

Stowing the bag in my dirty laundry, I returned to the sickbay. As I made my way down the stairs, I could hear the guards talking to someone. We all had earpieces that connected to a hub. It was mostly out of safety, if there was a shaft or tomb collapse, then anyone could talk to them and call for help.

In this instance, it helped because I knew that not only was the paramedics here but the government too.

Bless those naughty guards for doing what Nelson said they should but shouldn't do. One little button was pressed, and it gave us an early warning.

Presuming that Nelson did not have his earpiece, I quickly returned to the sickbay.

"Professor?"

"Lucy, all is well?"

"Yes, but they're here."

"Then go to the dining room and eat breakfast with the others. Ensure that they understand that you were with them all morning. I will see you when this nightmare is over. Remember what I said, take care of those items, and I will collect them from you. Understand that I will not send anyone to collect them and I will not be telling anyone of them. It is important that you do not hand them over to anyone but me. Be safe Lucy."

"Thanks," I said uneasily. "Get well soon."

Returning to the dining room, I picked up a tray and quickly assembled my breakfast, grabbed a coffee and sat with the small group.

It looked like they'd helped themselves to a second meal just to pass the time.

"You were here all morning?"

I nodded, watching as the concern began to rise. They knew we were about to be raided.

After an hour of being poked, prodded and asked a lot of questions, I was given the all-clear. In fact, everyone at the table and the guards were free to walk out of this place. Those in quarantine, however, were not. Until the doctors figured out what was wrong with them, they were not allowed out of the hospital. When they found Hannah and the tech guy in the tomb, they ordered them into separate isolation to keep an eye on them.

The government thought that there was something in the tomb that was causing this sickness.

Our rooms were checked with some kind of scanner that detected pathogens. When they found nothing, we were free to take our possessions.

When my bags were packed, I made my way down to the ground floor where those who were free were told to congregate.

"I don't know what the all the fuss is about," Meredith complained. "Bet it's the flu like last time."

I silently nodded, pulling my ear pierce out. There was no point to it anymore. Dumping it into the electronics box, I turned back and saw one of the government officials walking towards us.

"Ladies, gentlemen, a moment of your time please."

Another appeared with a stack of papers in her arms. She began handing them out. Fact sheets, I wanted to groan. I have been given quite a few of these over the years.

Taking mine, I offered my gratitude and quickly flicked through it. I had to pretend that I was interested in the document. Otherwise, these two might single me out.

"If you experience any of these symptoms, please call the number at the bottom. If you become ill, any person that has come into contact with you will be subjected to an examination too. Please record all names of anyone that visits you or stays with you and their contact information. We ask that you go straight home and avoid public places for at least a week. Yes?"

"What if we live alone? We need groceries. Do we have to get the name of the delivery guy too?"

"Not if they leave it on the doorstep. Anything else?"

Silence.

"Alright then, remember to pay attention to your health and if you notice anything, call the number."

Most of us were seasoned professionals and knew the routine. Those in quarantine could be there for quite some time, a boring stint in the hospital. It was a heavy price to pay for digging into the past.

The government officials opened the doors to the outside world and to freedom. A small van was waiting to take us home.

It was strongly advised that we do not take public transportation, and it was too far to walk.

Pressed against the wall, I leaned my head on the window, clutching the smallest and most important bag. It was a brand-new messenger bag, the scent of leather wafted up every time I moved.

My other bags were at my feet, crammed into the tight space and packed high against the back of the driver's seat. There was no large bus with under floor storage like how we arrived. Just a few worried souls that were more grateful than anything.