The magic mirror
Lost in the maze, Tom doesn't know whether to go left or right. He's confused as to how he got into this mess, "What am I going to do now" he asks no one in particular. His dog Stan had strayed away and as he searched for him, he had no idea there was a maze in the ancient pyramid, now he's lost his way. It would take divine intervention for him to find his way again, everywhere looked alike. "Help! Anybody please", he kept moving and looking around to see if he would find his dog or someone. Everywhere was quiet, he took out his phone from his bag hoping to make a call. He would call the Professor who he accompanied on this tour before he got lost. There was no network connection, he couldn't make a call.
"Damn it" he yelled. "How could this be, oh! what was I expecting?". He was sure the network was gone immediately they got into the pyramid. His plan was to enjoy this archaeological tour with his dog who has been his best buddy since day one, find out interesting treasures and learn more about one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Well, he had found the maze and he might see more treasures. He just hoped he wouldn't get lost forever.
As he wandered, he stepped on something like a brick on the ground that was shaking, before he knew it there was a c***k in the ground. He tried to move away but the ground broke open and he fell in. Tom thought he would hit his head on something very hard and die but instead he fell in a thick black smelly liquid. He had no idea what the place was called but it was really smelly.
What had he done to deserve all these ill treatment from the pyramid. "I guess coming here was a bad idea" he said as he struggled out. He walked for a while and found a hall way, as he moved further, he saw large double doors with torches at it's side. Wanting to go in but thinking about the dangers that could lay there waiting for him, he turned the other way and found a dark path which seemed to lead to nowhere exactly. He decided to open those doors, perhaps he might find someone, he had fallen underground but the torches were aflame. "I might find a clue on how to get out, he thought and started towards the double doors".
He pushed open the doors, they were quite stiff. Light shone on his face, "wow, this is beautiful". There were so many precious jewels, golden vessels, silver, bronze and jewelries of different kinds, they all glittered and shone brightly. He also noticed some wooden boxes which should contain more beautiful things, he didn't expect to find a map there but was going to check them after feeding his eyes with all these. He wasn't also planning to steal any, as he had no idea what misfortune would befall him if he did so.
On the wall is an old Egyptian holographic writing which states"THE TOMB OF NEFERTITI". He looked around and saw a tomb which supposedly contained the mummy of the Egyptian queen. Just across, he noticed a big standing mirror, it was beautiful designed with pure gold but something baffled him. He wasn't seeing his reflection, just the tomb, golden vessels and jewelries.
"Surely I'm not dead" he said to himself in a whisper as if scared any noise he made might wake the queen, "Why can't I see myself?". As he got closer, he touched the glass and it felt like it had an electromagnetic force. Surprised, he removed his hand "could this mirror be a door to another world, like a world of fantasy?". He had read books on something like this, he shook the thought aside and touched it again, this time he got sucked into another realm.
Tom opened his eyes, he was standing on some green rocks close to a stream. The environment was serene and beautiful, a true reflection of nature, so green. He sees a girl not so far away seated on a rock, stringing her bows. She is so beautiful, long brown hair reaching her waist wrapped in pony tail, square faced, pointed nose and fair skinned. "What a beauty, she must be a princess" he thought. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
This world was certainly different from the one he knew. He decided to approach her, she looked nice and skillful.
"Hi" he said from a distance, "excuse me" he said again after no response from the lady. "Maybe she's deaf but that'll be terrible, how do I communicate with her?" he thought.
She turned to look at him, he was already standing close to her. She stared at him in a strange way wondering what kind of clothes he had on. A long sleeved blue and white checked shirt, on a black suit trouser, she had never seen anything like it but it looked cool. His hair was black and well trimmed, where could he have come from, she wondered.
"Who are you?" she finally spoke, "what do you want?". Tom was glad his suspicion of her being deaf was wrong. "My name is Tom Anderson, I am lost. I don't know how I got here, can you help me?" he said disconsolately.
He really was lost, dressed like this, he wasn't from here. What would she tell her parents, could she trust him? Well, he looked helpless and if he tried anything funny, she would deal with him. She stretched forth her hand to shake him as she got up from the rock "my name is Tarah Lin, you are in the Parkun empire. Where are you traveling to, come with me".
On the way, Tom explained that he is an engineer and also an archaeologist. He told her he was on a tour to find out more about an ancient Egyptian pyramid. His dog had strayed and as he searched for him, he got lost in a maze. he also told her how he found a mirror which had led him to her world. She was dumbfounded, his experience was very strange.
They got to a wooden house, a bungalow with four rooms and a large traditional kitchen. Tarah introduced Tom to her parents, they were pleased to meet the foreigner. They welcomed him and promised to help him in anyway they could.
Tarah's father Regan Lin, was a general of the Parkun army. They fought wars tirelessly and won every battle, Regan had served the emperor since he was thirteen, now he was fifty-four years old. His wife Michal was a great cook, they have lived happily ever since they got married. They had three children, Tarah, Min and Gwin, the boys served in the temple.
Tom was served food and he ate to his fill, he was really hungry. At the table, he told them of his experience and how he got there, they all marveled.
After meal that evening, Tarah took him to a room where he could rest and promised to take him to see her brothers tomorrow and also go hunting. Very nice and hospitable folks he thought, as he lay in bed, he wondered if he was in a dream. He noticed some pictures on the wall, some old paintings. He seemed to have travelled far back in time as there were no electronic devices like fan or television in the house. This was surely an ancient world, he thought, he felt bored and took out his phone from his bag.The battery was low and needed charging. He dialed some contacts but all were not reachable. So he decided to a play games on his phone and after a while, he fell asleep.