Fiction
5 min
Beneath the Sphinx's Gaze by Oyin Somefun
Alexandra Writers Centre Society
Twenty hours later, the group was under the Christ The Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro.
"It's—hmm— soooooo hot!" March complained as he pulled up his shirt. As they walked, they crossed paths with some locals who were wearing sweaters. "Are they insane!" March asked.
With Jacob in the lead, intently reading the scroll, Storm and Guardian on patrol, and March complaining intently, the group made their way to the feet of the statue.
"It says ‘At the feet you find what you seek. ' what does—" At his words, the feet of the statue began to lift. Tourists and tour guides watched in awe and confusion as the 4 entered. Before anyone could follow in, the slab quickly fell as soon as Storm's hair bounced its way in. Once the door had closed, it was pitch black.
Jacob, moving back, looked for Guardian. As he shuffled towards his bodyguard, Guardian said, "It's okay, Jacob. I'm here."
As they did this, Storm commented, "You're still scared of the dark?"
"I'm not scared of the dark but what's in the dark."
As the last words left his mouth, torches went ablaze, and a booming voice came. "Mmhmm. I had no idea that you were going to come. Tehehee. Oh my. It's a real Kensington. I've been waiting so long! It's hard when someone keeps pointing out your downfalls, isn't it?"
"Well, I got through just fine," March said confidently.
"Yes. You're the whole reason they got this far. Your brain is like no other March. Nonetheless, this is just another test. A test you did willingly. There was plenty of money for young Jacob here. But I guess it just didn't suffice."
"I want to know the truth!"
"Lower your voice," the voice whined. "Your ancestors had the same problem. Always so quick to talk. Well, if it's the truth you're after, keep walking, though I can't promise it'll be easy."
Before any of them could object, Jacob walked forward.
Minutes passed before they came to an edge of a cliff that led to a deep gouge. "All you have to do, my friends, is cross."
"Cross?" March questioned. "You can't cross! We'll die. Oh my goodness. I'm gonna die. This is it for me. This—" Before he could say his next words, Storm and Guardian were behind him, each threatening him with their choice of weapon.
"Listen here, buddy," Storm began. "If you keep talking I'm going to start killing." Jacob, who was pondering thoughtfully, turned. "Guardian. I expect better from you. Storm, on the other hand, is quick to anger but you know not to threaten my guests without my say so." Guardian stepped back and holstered his gun. "Of course."
"Well then. How do we get across?"
"I know," Storm and Guardian said together at once.
The other two turned to them confused.
"It's an illusion," Storm elaborated.
Guardian then continued with, "In training, you're taught to notice such things. I'd think you'd know better, Jacob."
"Well then. Do tell how. I don't see any projectors."
"Projectors? Why would you need projectors?" Guardian questioned.
"Yes, this does confuse me. I thought you were intelligent," Storm commented. "Storm. You're just mean."
"Nonetheless," she continued, "the plates are glass. But not any glass."
"Yes, it's quite special. Very expensive. We're looking for $100,000 for a square foot and this place is most likely 100x100 meters by my calculations."
"Let's quiet the conversation, shall we? I know the quickest way." With a smile, Storm pulled out her gun and began shooting at the seemingly void ground. The bullets then began to ricochet off the platforms into the walls and Guardian immediately moved to protect Jacob. Some of the bullets went down through the platforms into the gorge. Others stuck themselves in the walls. Soon enough, it was clear to them what they were dealing with.
"So, there are empty spots?" Jacob asked as he looked at the bullets on the walls. "Yes. Empty. So be careful where you step," Storm told them giddily as she made a step to cross.
Guardian then pulled her back. "Wait. Wait. Wait. The bullets were a decent idea but we don't know what's waiting on the other side. And if you do that risky trick again I'll have to knock out. Jacob could've been harmed."
"Tehehehe. The big man has a point. Oh! Oh! Maybe I'll have arrows come out of the walls! Oh maybe I'll hire some trained killers. I saw a good deal for them not too long ago! The possibilities are endless!"
"Shut up," Jacob told the voice.
"Jacob. Your parents do not like you to use such language and refrain from doing so."
Jacob turned to Guardian annoyed before turning back and taking a step forward. "I'm willing to die." Before his foot touched the platform, and Guardian could grab him, it flashed blue.
"Boo!! You ruined my game. Man, I was tasked with the worst one. Well now that we know that a Kensington heir is willing to die for their family you may now cross. Also, it wasn't an illusion. If any of you stepped—which I was looking forward to—you would've died. Very painfully. But anyway, continue through." The voice then said quieter, "I really thought I'd win. Guess I owe that flea bag some money."
Once Guardian tested the ground, the group made their way over the illuminated tiles. At the end stood a man. A rather strangely dressed man. He seemed to be stuck in many different centuries. He wore a tunic, a suit, slides, and countless other articles of clothing that didn't match.
"Ahh, it's a Kensington." The being then slid under Jacob's arm. "Hmm, so interesting. I expected you to be taller like your ancestors. I guess the genes didn't pass."
"This isn't my adult height!" Jacob remarked defensively.
"Denial."
"Eh hmm," March began as he cleared his throat, "Let's finish this quick so we can get out reward."
"Hmm. March was it? Oh, this must be the Guardian." The man then made a fluid motion and was on top of Guardian. The manservant did his best to shake him off but he didn't move. "Ahh and this must be Storm. I thought you'd be prettier, honestly."
"Okay. Can you stop with all of this. Let's hurry up the process. We don't have time for insults."
The being then looked offended as they scrunched up their face. "Fine, fine. Here. You know how long I've been waiting? You guys are such downers. Be gone. Wait actually no. There's more." The creature handed Jacob a metallic object.
The being then directed them down a hall as they laid on top of March's hair and toyed with it. Jacob gawked at it all. "This is enough to make us rich for years?"
The old being then smiled, "Do you want more, young Kensington? Do you desire more?" Jacob nodded.
"Well, the sphinx holds your prize."
The being then handed him a scroll that read:
Beneath the gaze of Egypt's Sphinx,
Where secrets dwell and shadows mix,
Ancient guardians guard the way,
To riches hidden in the fray.
(This piece was written as part of the Novelmancers Novel Writing Club, an AWCS Youth Program.)
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