Chapter 2: Part I

Following the discovery of the body, work completely stops for the afternoon.

Kaito, Itsuki, and I stand huddled together, watching anxiously as Youssef and Dr. Sugiura speak with the local police.

After they eventually leave with the body on a stretcher, Youssef walks over to join us.

Youssef: If you couldn't tell already, everyone is very unnerved. Most of the workers are convinced the body is the missing worker.

Kaito: It can't be. That body was almost completely mummified. Such a process doesn't happen overnight.

Youssef: True, but the clothing was most certainly modern. Itsuki, what do you think?

Itsuki flinches, drawing his arms around his shoulders.

Itsuki: I.. I don't..That is.

A flicker of guilt crosses Youssef's face, and he quickly turns to me.

Youssef: Sanura, you saw the corpse too. Any thoughts?

Sanura: I agree with Kaito. It was clearly mummified. What else could it be? That kind of decay takes time.

Youssef rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Youssef: I suppose it could be the body of some poor soul who lost his way in the desert..

Kaito: Exactly. Conditions here are dry enough for the corpse to have mummified naturally, given enough time.

Youssef: But we're so close to Cairo. Would anyone really

get lost out here?

Just then, a group of workers passes by, speaking in an undertone.

Youssef waits until they're gone before letting out a heavy sigh.

Youssef: The next few days will be difficult, I think. Rumors are spreading already..

Sanura: What kind of rumors?

Youssef: Well... the main one is about the King's Curse.

Itsuki: Curse? What curse?

Youssef: The King's Curse is said to fall upon those who disturb the tombs of Ancient Egyptian royalty. Rumors of the curse spread after the first group of archaeologists began excavation in the Valley of Kings. After discovering certain burial chambers, several people associated with the dig died or disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The curse takes several forms, depending on who you ask. But many say it sucks all the moisture from your body, leaving you mummified like the very Pharaoh you disturbed. The gods require sustenance, after all. I find myself thinking back to the body's twisted shape and gaping mouth with a shudder.

Sanura: What an awful way to die...

Beside me, Kaito rolls his eyes.

Kaito: That's nothing more than superstition. There's no correlation between the discovery of the burial chamber and the body. It's mere coincidence.

Youssef clicks his tongue.

Youssef: I know you don't mean to be disrespectful, but you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss local folktales. All stories contain a grain of truth-even children know that.

Kaito's lips thin in annoyance, but before he can say anything, I quickly jump in.

Sanura: Well, I'm sure we'll know more once the police have concluded their investigation. In the meantime..

I trail off, glancing around.

Sanura: Where's Itsuki?

Youssef frowns, looking around as well.

Youssef: He was just here.

Kaito: Yes, he was. He left when you began talking about curses.

Youssef: Are you saying l am to blame?

The two glare at each other again, but this time, I'm too worried about Itsuki to notice.

Sanura: Never mind... I"ll go look for him.

Ducking into the nearest tent, I find Itsuki slumped over in a

chair, eyes closed.

Sanura: There you are!

He looks up with a weak smile, pushing his hair off his forehead.

Itsuki: Oh, hey. Sorry for wandering off. I just needed to get out of the sun for a minute.

Sanura: Of course. Are you...

I trail off, realizing the inanity of my question. Itsuki's face is paler than usual, his hand trembling lightly where it clutches the armrest.

I can't leave him like this. Maybe it's better to give him

some space.

Sanura: I was just wondering where you went, that's all. If you need anything or want to talk, you know where to find me.

Itsuki: Thanks, Sanura. I'll be there in a minute.

Sanura: Take whatever time you need.

As I walk back to the others, I can't get Itsuki's slumped form out of my mind.

I really hope he's alright...

It's another five minutes before Itsuki reappears, much of the color returned to his cheeks.

Sanura: How are you feeling?

Itsuki: A little better, thanks. I think the shock must finally be wearing off. I appreciate you checking on me.

Sanura: Of course.

Kaito gives Itsuki a careful once-over.

Kaito: Dr. Sugiura says you're welcome to return to the hotel if you'd like.

But Itsuki shakes his head, squaring his jaw.

Itsuki: That's very kind, but l'd much rather stay here. Working will help keep my mind off... morbid topics.

After a moment, Kaito nods, and there's a new appreciation in his eyes as he looks at Itsuki again.

Kaito: Very well. In that case, you and Sanura will both continue working at Site C until Dr. Sugiura says otherwise.He's suspended work on the new chamber until morale has improved a little.

Itsuki and I wave goodbye to Youssef before following Kaito back to the dig site.

As we walk, I can't resist studying Kaito's blank, expressionless face.

He really isn't rattled by this turn of events at all... If anything, he seems more displeased by the rumor of a curse than the discovery of a dead body.

It must take a lot to get under his skin.

Up ahead, Dr. Sugiura emerges from a tent, muttering under his breath.

Dr. Sugiura: Very interesting.. but l'm missing something..

Kaito: Is something wrong, sir?

Dr. Sugiura glances up with a flash of annoyance that quickly dissipates.

Dr. Sugiura: Oh, Kaito, it's you.

Sanura: Are you alright, Doctor?

Dr. Sugiura: Don't mind me, I'm just talking to myself. My son can attest to how often I do that!

He chuckles lightly before beckoning me and Itsuki closer.

Dr. Sugiura: You two look as if you're doing well, given the circumstances. It's a terrible shame, what happened. But alas, accidents like these are inevitable in the desert.

He looks between the two of us, determination overtaking his expression.

Dr. Sugiura: Despite this tragedy, we must soldier on. I'm convinced

we've stumbled upon the discovery of the century, and we'll continue our work here, no matter what. We will uncover the secrets of that tomb!

Sanura: Yes, we will!

Itsuki: We'll work hard, sir!

Dr. Sugiura: I know you will!

He claps Itsuki on the back before stepping away.

Dr. Sugiura: Now, carry on! I'Il be along shortly.

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