She opened her eyes and looked up into the face of a handsome, dark-eyed man. Where do I know him from? He looked familiar. His eyes…it can’t be! Slowly the recognition of who he was dawned on her. “Oh, my God, you’re… the man from my dreams!” She scooted away from him quickly. “This is impossible! H...how can you be here? I’m awake! This can’t be real.”

 

“Why are you frightened? You know me. I am not a stranger.”

 

“I don’t know you.” Part of her wanted to believe this was real, but she knew better. Men just did not come out of dreams and into reality. Am I losing my mind? She frantically searched past him for her colleagues, but they appeared to be the only ones in the room. “Wh-Where am I? Where are Dr. Kameth and the rest of my team?”

 

“I know not the names of which you speak. How have you come here?”

 

She stood, brushing the dust from her khakis. Scanning the room, she saw there was no sign of Jason or the others. They were alone. It was then she noticed the room had undergone a change. It was the same, yet not. Everything looked new.  All the dirt and grime that had accumulated over the years was gone, as were the cracks in the tombs.  The burial pyre had disappeared, and the room empty. She must be dreaming. Heavy stone just didn’t disappear.

 

Pushing back the fear and confusion threatening to overtake her, Abby squared her shoulders and planned her next move. This man is not the lover from my dreams. She was more than capable of protecting herself, but she had to remain calm. For her own safety, she needed to get back to her team. This man had to be a local that had stumbled upon them—that was the only answer that made any sense. She cleared her throat and spoke up again. “I am Dr. Abigail Sayman, and I’m here on a research expedition. There were three others with me here inside the pyramid. You must have seen them. Do you know where they have gone?”

 

The man shook his head in reply, moving closer to her as he spoke. “I have seen no others, only you.” He offered little more than direct responses to her questions. “I know who you are. I have touched your body many times. But I do not understand how you have come here.”

 

Abby jumped back from him. The cold stone of the wall against her back chilled her to the bone.  What does he mean he’s touched my body many times? I’d remember if I had been with a man that looked like him! The stranger’s intense stares made her nervous. His eyes devoured every inch of her. The longer she continued this verbal exchange, the more frustrated she became. “I have already told you…” She paused, inhaling deeply in attempt to calm herself. “I’m not sure who you are, but you have never touched my body. I demand to know your name!”

 

“I am Khadur, son of Mihtep.”

 

“Tha…that’s not possible.” She placed a hand to her head as the room started to spin. Her stomach lurched with fear. Khadur… the name she read from the inscription on the lid of the tomb. Disbelief overtook her, and she slid down the wall into the black void once again.