*“Do what you love. Do what you are. Do what you do.” ― Matshona Dhliwayo*
***Kiya***
“Alright, kids! I am so happy that you all decided to spend your day in the Museum of Fine Arts! Follow me and I’ll take you to the Greek Mythology exhibit!” An enthusiastic female voice boomed over the group of third graders walking behind their teacher. Noticing a couple of stragglers that were ‘too cool for school’ mingling at a distant corner, I gathered the kiddos to encourage them to join the group. As the second chaperone on the field trip, I couldn’t afford any student to get lost.
It was the last field trip of the year before the official end of the school year. The students were just as excited as I was to start our summer vacation; proof of their lack of effort in turning in their final assignments. It was expected, of course. A sharp burst of cool air washed over us from the residential air conditioners, providing relief after boarding off the hot school bus. With my hands in my skirt pockets, I walked behind the students as we were led down a hallway decorated with art pieces and portraits of the museum’s founders.
“Miss Kiya.” I looked down to see one of my students slowing her steps to match mine. “How long do you think this tour is?”
“Well, Lesley, it should be less than an hour, give or take.” I poked her shoulder with a grin. “Don’t tell me you’re tired already!”
“I’m not!” Lesley puffed out her cheeks in defiance. “I was wondering how long it would be until lunch.”
“Not to worry. We’re going to feed you all on time, I promise. Now, pay attention. You might learn something. This beats sitting in a classroom all day, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Our tour guide, Deborah, let us through a populous area filled with families and college students studying art pieces and historical galleries, posing for pictures, and reading information on display plaques. Cultural exhibits of all sorts were hidden beyond the many hallways that we have yet to explore, but I was excited. My heart ached at the prospect of leaving my students for the summer, but a year as their success coach proved to be an enjoyable endeavor.
It solidified my desire to work with children once I apply for graduate school.
A couple of minutes later, Deborah led us into the Greek mythology exhibit, where there were already a couple of families gazing at display cases filled with clothing, jewelry, and statues. A feeling of familiarity captured my heart and embraced it in a warm hug as I spared glances of the many statues marveled by the children’s eyes.
“Back in ancient times, the Grecian people held a firm belief that the gods of Mount Olympus watched over their land. They were responsible for their blessings and sometimes, their curses. As you can see in these display cases, they carved many of the marble statues in the likings of those gods and goddesses, and when you read their information plaque, you can learn more about them. Warriors fought in battle; they made offerings in sacred temples—their way of life followed their praises in their deities.”
“But it is all just a story, right?” One student asked. “We learned in class that this is folklore! That means the stories aren’t true, right?”
Oh, dear Samuel. If only you knew…
“They were true to the Grecians. It was part of their belief system, so anything good or bad that happened, they attributed to the gods. For example, they believed that Goddess Demeter caused the seasons we know today because her daughter, Goddess Persephone, lived in the Underworld with her husband for half a year. The fall and winter signaled that Persephone was no longer with us and was caused by Demeter’s sadness. But, when she returned, Demeter was happy again and thus, the spring and summer happened.”
“But we don’t know if that is true, though. It is a myth! Just like how ghosts and werewolves don’t exist.” Samuel added with his pessimism.
“Yes, they are! I saw videos on the internet!” His friend, Brian, retorted with a shoulder nudge. Those two fell into a loud banter until I had to break it up. It reminded me just how much the humans don’t know about the existence of what truly lurked in the shadows, in the woods, and so on.
I’d be skeptical too if I didn’t shift into a white wolf every other day.
“Alright, alright.” Deborah laughed. “I do want to stick to the schedule, so you kiddos have ten minutes to explore the exhibit. Ask your chaperones or me if you have questions. Don’t wander off!”
Just like that, the kids dispersed into a gaggle of muffled conversation, spreading to various display cases. As Ms. Davis followed one group of students, I strolled around the gallery to look at the statues. Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, and many more stood high and proud over my form. While stories depicted each god in their unique way, I couldn’t help but wonder who they truly were.
Are all gods depicted as serious beings with no room for humor? Or are they just as human as my students and me?
I wonder if any of them have avatars. Would I ever get to meet them someday?
As I was walking, a powerful pull of pleasant energy seized my body. I was deep in my mind that I didn’t notice whose display I passed by. A wide grin rested on my lips when I stood in front of Selene’s display. Her statue was shown wearing a crescent circlet on top of her hair while her right hand held a torch. Her signature veil flowed over her head behind her.
*She looked beautiful*.
Then, an urge to touch her statue came over me. It wasn’t shielded behind a glass case, but security belts were caging around the bottom half of her form to prevent anyone from getting too close. But I wanted to get close. The world around me faded into white, leaving the statue and me alone.
My hand reached up, inching closer to my goddess.
*Just a little touch… to be closer to her…*
Until a hand on my shoulder knocked me back into reality. I blinked and furrowed my eyebrows, shaking my head from the fantastical illusion I fell under. “Miss Kiya, are you alright?”
“Huh?” I asked, turning my head to meet Ms. Davis’ hazels. Was I alright? That was when I realized how close I was to the security belts, nearly tripping over the crimson chains. My hands went to my pockets to feel the telltale bump of my selenite, now hot against my thigh when moments before, it was cold as ice.
“Ah, yes… I’m alright.” I muttered, nodding. “I just… ah… do you know where the women’s washrooms are?”
“They should be on your right when you leave from the entrance. Are you sure you don’t need—”
“I’m fine, Ms. Davis. Just lost my head for a bit. I’ll be right back.” With fire licking at my heels, I bolted out of the exhibit and into the bathroom. By the grace of my goddess, it was empty. I walked to the mirror and gripped the sink counter, staring hard at my reflection. I did not know what came over me at that moment, but it couldn’t happen again.
Unless I wanted to get kicked out and fined, of course. I don’t think Anthony would bail me out this time.
Sighing, I refreshed myself by splashing my face lightly with water and patting my face dry with a paper towel. When I exited the bathroom, I had full intentions of returning to my kiddos. But, similar to the pull I had toward Goddess Selene’s statue, I had that same pull to another part of the exhibit, hidden in a hallway beside the Greek Mythos.
I couldn’t resist it. It pulled me in its direction like a siren luring their sailor to their watery grave. Once I entered the new exhibit, the sheer amount of gold and bronze decorating every display case blinded my eyes. Glass cases displayed weapons such as spears and ceremonial daggers with statues of pharaohs and head sculptures of ancient queens sat on their presentation tables.
It was the Egyptian Myths exhibition.
My reverberating footsteps echoed in the silence as I looked around, being the only person in the exhibit. I lacked a connection with Egypt and its history, but it interested me to some degree, thanks to Asim and his help with his brother three years ago.
I hope he and his family are doing well.
As I explored the exhibit, I came across a game board depicting a coiled snake divided into rectangular depressions. Blue, green, and yellow game stones rested upon the spaces, some were rusted from use. Raising an eyebrow, I eyed the description plaque.
“Mehen was a board game played in the times of ancient Egypt. Also called the ‘snake game’, its name came from the snake god who wrapped around Ra to protect him during his nightly journey into the underworld.” I smirked. “I guess not all snakes are bad.”
“**I’ve had enough of snakes to last me a lifetime**,” Artemis grumbled in my mind, waking up from her nap. “**You should get back to your students before Ms. Davis notices your disappearance**.”
“*Bored already, Art*? *You’ve been sleeping more than usual*.”
“**Because I don’t have to exert any brainpower while you work**. **You do enough thinking for the both of us**.” She laughed. “**Plus, there is no reason for me to interfere**. **So, that translates to long naps**.”
“*You’re lucky the school year is over*. *You won’t be sleeping much when we get back home*.”
“**Hence why I’m taking advantage of nap time, now**.” Artemis sighed in content. “**Get back to your job, Kiki**. **It isn’t over yet**.”
“*Yes, mother*,” I replied with heavy sarcasm. My ears picked up chatter coming from the long corridor leading to the gallery, taking it as my cue to leave. But, as I walked toward the exit, the chatter died into a heavy, foreboding silence.
Then the lights flickered out, bathing me in darkness.
“*Um… Artemis*?” I asked with a trembling voice. Instantly, Artemis was on full alert, her senses heightening my own.
“**Fucking hell**. **Get out, now**!”
Her voice powered my legs toward the exit, ready to launch my body into the light of safety. But the doors swung shut, not only cutting off my escape but recoiling my body back inside the exhibit. My eyes shot to the entrance to see its doors slammed shut as well. Hopping on my feet, I grabbed the door handle and pressed the lock, but it wasn’t budging.
I’m trapped here!
“What the hell?!” I shouted, pulling and pushing against the door, hoping it would open with effort, but it didn’t. Just as things couldn’t get any worse, a sickening sound filled the surrounding air, tuning its strings to my fear.
Hissing.
I turned my body slowly to see where the noise was coming from, and I wish I hadn’t. The Mehen game board shook and shuttered on its table, knocking the game pieces onto the ground. The hissing grew louder, and the danger thickened. Pressing my back against the door, I watched as the snake’s impression uncoiled and rise into the air, releasing an ear-piercing roar that forced me to cover my ears.
That was **not** the snake that helped Ra!
Through the darkness, the snake’s body darkened to a deeper shade of black that stood in contrast to the obscurity, writhing. Suddenly, the only speck of color shone through and enraptured my eyes into its own. Sharp red eyes. Its mouth widened, revealing incisors sharper than any kitchen knife and deadlier than the fangs of the worst beast on this earth.
The snake roared once more and thrust toward me. I threw my body to the side to avoid the strike, landing on my shoulder with a painful thud. To my misfortune, the demonic entity didn’t wait for me to regain my senses.
Our battle became a game of bobbing and weaving because that was what I was doing. I didn’t want this snake to get me, but I also didn’t want to damage priceless Egyptian artifacts! Luckily, or so I thought, the demon didn’t care about the artifacts. Only harming me.
“Leave me alone!” I shouted, running toward the entrance. “What the hell are you?!”
The snake answered with a roar, unleashing its menacing strike once again. I ducked to the floor, and by the grace of fate, the doors swung open. Shrieking, I took off, away from the possessed exhibit. I didn’t stop until I ran into someone who grabbed me by the shoulders.
“Miss Kiya! What happened?!” Ms. Davis asked me, her eyes glittering with worry. I wasn’t sure to answer her, considering I was drenched in sweat, breathing like a dehydrated dog, and holding my shoulder that I was sure was threatening to form a bruise. “Were you attacked? I noticed you were gone a long time and—”
“I’m fine… I’m fine, Chasity.” I muttered Ms. Davis’ first name. There was nothing I could say that would rationalize what I had experienced back there. Families and groups of friends were frolicking into the exhibit as if nothing happened. No shouts of confusion or concern, just excited chatter on recent discoveries. I released a shaky breath, wiping the sweat off my brow with the back of my hand. “H-How are the students?”
“We’re about to head to the cafeteria for lunch.” She answered, removing her hands from my shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay? You looked like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“*I probably did*,” I said to myself. Sighing, I shook my head and mustered up a smile to the best of my ability. “As I said, I’ll be fine. We should get back to the kids.”
I didn’t wait for a response. Watching the faces of my students light up was the best medicine to my turmoil. Lunch and the rest of the field trip flew by like a distant breeze and before we knew it, we’re heading back to the elementary school. On the school bus, I stared back at the museum building, my mind stuck on what happened in the exhibit.
What would’ve happened if I didn’t escape? What was that snake? This was an experience I couldn’t shake off.
And I wasn’t sure if I could for a while.