"How was it?" My mother asked, she turned from the wheel and looked at me by rolling down the driver window of her red ford. "It was rather interesting." I knew that she'd ask one hundred questions.

The cool late night air seem to make me even more uneasy. "You must be finished that assignment by now." I tossed my book bag into the back seat and I could hear the pens clatter. I opened up the front door and threw myself into the front seat, longing to forget this night for even just a moment.

Every time I could hear him scream, I could picture his face so vividly.

I frowned. "Mum there's quite a lot of work. I didn't get very far. I've gotten down his key family members and some key information. I can't trace it back that far though. There isn't many good sources for research. I thought the museum would be better. I might ask dad to do some digging in the archives."

"Oh, okay then sweetie. I'm here to help although i was never very good at school."

I smiled, "Well I must of inherited it from Dad."

Mum seemed to have flinched or something, her face was sour, like she had bitten a lemon.  "I don't think so sweetie..."

« « » »

I blinked fast, since I was still tired from last night and none of the dreams came. I slept well, even though I only got seven hours sleep.

Nick had walked with his friends to school, I had a best friend named Carlie, but she was always looking after her younger sisters and it was rare for her to come over. I only needed her, I hated being around a lot of people. And to only make things harder Carlie was often late to everything.

We were opposites. I was blond haired too, mine would never be pretty it was such a dirty colour, and with boring brown eyes, I was a boring person. I was nothing compared to her... She never thought about herself, she put others first. I admired her because her parents were still in love and married. Her family was so close knitted. She didn't have to handle anything I had to handle, never had those terrible thoughts... She didn't have to grow up fast, she could take her time and be a kid.

I longed for my family to be together. I envied her.

I decided to give myself a pep talk, "Don't drown yourself in self pity, Fey." I blinked the tears away. I wasn't happy. I wanted to get good grades so Dad would notice me. Everything was about Nicky, it was good because he needed Dad so badly. Don was blurring Dad's image on Nick and I hated it.

Everything I tried it wasn't working. Tears stung my eyes again, I blinked letting a cheeky one slide. I wiped it away quickly.

A kind old lady with white-silver hair looked at me with concern but I managed to muster a half smile.

Nobody would see me cry, I couldn't be seen a weak and fragile, and then I stopped for a moment, sighed and walked to school like nothing had happened. Things will get better, only in time.

I put on a brave face and raced to school.

« « » »

I often got home before everyone else, still feeling the cold I decided to raid the fridge. Knowing that mum didn't shop until tomorrow I knew I was doomed with aching hunger . I thought for a moment and had the best idea. I would make a hot chocolate.

I had just finished stirring in the cocoa in the mug I've had since I was six, the one with a princess and a pick ball gown. I knew when Nick appeared he was clearly upset about something, Don gave me a confused look but I gapped at Don.

"What did you do Don?" I asked.

Don put up his hands to protest. "I didn't do anything, Freya..." I've heard that one before. "I tried to help but the little corncob wouldn't tell me." Nick wrapped his arms around my waist, as his tears stained my hoodie.

"What's wrong Nick, did that girl what's her name... Georgia? No, Grace! Did she turn you down. If she did—"

"N-No, you fart-face. I-It's D-Dad. He got fired."

I could feel myself paling. Tears were threatening to fall. "How did you find out, maybe he was getting yelled at to do something..."

"I saw it with my own eyes. The museum director fired him. He's done. He's moving. We won't see him anymore."

Tears fell, I tightened my grip on Nick. "Do you want my hot chocolate?"

Nick almost smiled, but nodded.

Nick and I both sat on his window seat, Nick was reading his favourite detailed book on dinosaurs and I was reading one of my personal favourites Harry Potter.

I could hear Dad's voice talking to Mum in hushed tones, they didn't want us to hear. It brought memories that I didn't want to resurface.

I flinched and shared a look with Nick. "We ask him why, and what happened. I'm sick of this Nicky. The way he dodges every question." I whispered. Nick nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Kids!" Dad said a little over enthusiastic. "What's going on?"

Nick and I didn't look up from our books. "You got fired, that's what's up." I answered.

"What are you talking about? I didn't get fired." Dad stated matter of factly, taking of his coat.

Nick glanced up from his book. "I came to the museum this morning. I saw your boss yelling at you." I bit my lip, trying to focus on the blurring words.

"Why didn't you tell me? Everything is fine. We just had a... misunderstanding." Dad said smoothly.

"Why?" I asked, I had the courage to meet Dad's eyes.

"It's hard to explain. You wouldn't believe me if I told you.... You know what let me show you guys."

"Show us what, exactly?" Dad gave me a questioned look. Did he know what I saw that night?

"Come to work with me tonight you guys."

I was about to say sure, when Mum interrupted. "Larry. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

I could hear the hushed voices. I could only hear bits and pieces. Such as, "they have no room in there heart for anymore disappointment, Fey has done all she can... you don't see how much it's breaking her, how much it's breaking them."

Then it was a vision that made me tumble over from the door.

"Ahkmenrah." I whispered. "This is wrong. It's dark. I am not obeying the given orders." He led me across the garden, our hands were foolishly intertwined, if they caught me with him at this hour. Assumptions would be made.

"I give the orders." He sent me a reassuring smile and I could see the moonlight illuminating his face.

"No. You're father does, but it isn't safe enough, if something happened—"

He placed a finger to my lips, "Shhh, you must be quiet now." Then he placed an innocent kiss to my forehead. "I have to tell you something—"

Then i came to focus and Nick gave me a worried look. "Fey is something wrong?" He asked.

I gave my best reassuring smile. "Just a bit tired, that's all."

Nothing was really adding up. Questions kept resurfacing. What did the Pharaoh want to tell her, tell me, something that was so important?

EDITED: 24th of December 2019