Sunkissed

Chapter 10

At least the food is good. Leroy thought, when they took refuge in the middle of the stony path towards their destination to eat. For a brief moment he forgot his tiredness, the dank jungle and the raging winds seemed to have subsided for him to enjoy the magnificent view and surrealism of their whole trip.

“These sandwiches are good, did your wife made these? Compliments to the chef.” Leroy finessed a gesture. Piatt took no second to reply. “ Made them me self.” Piatt showed a bit of pride. “ Cooking is an essential skill, y’know. Not just a mother or a wife’s job.”

“Don’t be so humble, these are great. You can sell these!” Piatt smiled as he poured tea from his thermos. “It’s called Banh-mi.” Leroy looked at him and his sandwich. “Oh is that what’s called. Well, this Banh-mi, is even better than the burgers we had earlier.”

Piatt poured into another cup, and gave it to Leroy. “ Here, drink. It’s imported.” Leroy palmed the cup and blew on it before drinking.

“ Nice view, huh. I didn’t know this place existed.”

“ It is. Kind of weird.” Leroy replied.

“ Why?”

“It all just happened so fast, y’know? First it was the accident, now I’m having lunch with the least person I’d expect to be with in the middle of nowhere. I know, something is at play here, a feeling I can’t shake off. There’s this lingering sense of something’s coming, and we’re in it for the long ride- we’re walking towards it.” He pointed at the pyramid.

“ I know.” Piatt took a sip of tea and let a breath out.

“ Tell me what you know, man. You can’t keep me in the dark for too long. What are we doing, and why. What does it have to do with Sandra’s brother going apeshit that night.” Piatt poured another helping for himself.

“ Can you at least tell me what we’re doing out in here.”

“ It seems that you’re now calm, so I’ll tell you what I know. But first, we should pack up and start moving again. I’ll tell you on the way.”

“Fine” Leroy accepted, and both men chugged the remainder of their drinks. They carried their bags once more, and started trekking alongside.

“ Sandra hired us to help preparations with the festival more specifically, the ceremony. As to why we are getting paid a considerable sum and keeping us out from testifying on her brother’s death. That I do not know. If there’s one thing that I’m sure off, is that this all plays in her favor. As you said…”

“ We’re in it for the ride, and we have no choice but to follow. Damn. What does heading to a pyramid in the middle of nowhere has to do with this? I’m getting horror movie vibes just by looking at it.”

Piatt turned to him and chuckled. These kids theses days and their movies, he thought to himself. Leroy gave him a light tap on his side. Looking irritated.

“ You think I’m kidding? C’mon, man. Two guys walking up to an ancient pyramid, then some ancient evil gets disturbed and eats our stomachs! This has monstrous evil written all-over it! Or maybe- Just maybe we somehow experience a quick and painful death, and not have to watch as some Thing eats our innards.”

Piatt didn’t respond. He went quiet and walked on ahead of Leroy. Leroy had to quicken his pace just to catch up.

“ What’s wrong man?”

“ It’s my daughter. She’s in the hospital.”

“ I-I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know.”

“ Yeah, I just can’t say no to the money Sandra’s offering, I have to stay strong for her, I’m all she’s got.”

“ And she’s lucky to have you, you make killer sandwiches!”

“ I hope so.” Leroy panicked as Piatt seemed to be vulnerable at this moment. He tried to give him a pat in the back that just ended awkwardly. He smiled. “ It’s all going to be okay, man.” Piatt nodded. “Thank you.” And they continued to make way towards the entrance of the pyramid.

It was around three in the afternoon when they reached the mouth, The pitch-black cavern seemed it would go on forever. The entrance howled as wind went through each nook and cranny of the stone. Their senses went to overdrive, as simultaneously they felt a chill down their spines. Cold sweat began to seep out their pores. Their muscle tense up, as they see the stony-beast towering over them with it’s gaping mouth.

The two looked at each other, and after a short mental communication began to inch forth towards the darkness. Leroy, pulled out his phone to light there way.

But, a third set of footsteps began getting louder and louder, as they inch deeper inside. As the sound of cracking sticks and boot hitting the dirt echoed all throughout they two became frozen. Anticipating on what’s going to emerge from the shadows.

“Boo!” As from the shadows, came to light a pair of sunglasses and a beefy mustache. Leroy dropped his phone as he shrieked.

“ Motherfucker!” Leroy exclaimed. He collected his phone from the ground and shone his light to this mysterious man. Who appears to be wearing the same overalls as them, the only difference is, his is well-kept and dry. And he was laughing as the whole thing went down.

In anger and confusion. Leroy looked and Piatt, almost saying: What the hell is this guy doing here? Piatt, remained calm and observed the fellow. “ Sorry about your phone kid. But can you blame me? It was too good of a set up! Ha Ha!” Wiping his tears from laughing to hard, to almost killing himself in the process.

“ I’m real sorry you too. The name’s Jack and welcome to the Sun god’s tomb.” And as if on cue, the place is flooded with lights. The inside of the pyramid, covered in scaffolding, lights, and small tents. As they adjusted their eyes from the yellow flash.

“ You guys must be very confused, come in I’ve prepared a powerpoint.” Still smilling as he gestured the two to come in.