Khetum: The forgetten ones

He led me into his home, and it truly felt like I had stepped back into ancient Egypt. No, wait—I was in ancient Egypt. The realization hit me again like a tidal wave of disbelief.

"My name is Victor Everett," he said, extending a hand, his tone calm and reassuring. "I'm an archaeologist. I was traveling in Egypt when… well, everything changed." His voice carried an edge of unease as though reliving the memory.

"I was exploring a pyramid" he continued, gesturing for me to sit. "Our jeep broke down near what seemed to be a mirage—a jungle in Egypt, of all places! I found it suspicious because Egypt is famous for its deserts. A jungle was… unnatural. My team and I decided to split up to search for help, and that's when I stumbled upon an ancient structure. Inside, I discovered a book called Khetum. The moment I opened it, everything went dark, and when I woke up… I was here."

"That's crazy," I said, my voice trembling. "I was on a school trip when it happened to me. Our bus broke down, too, right where the jungle appeared! I also found an ancient structure… and a book."

Victor's brow furrowed. "Your teacher let you wander into a jungle alone? That's absurd! I'm an archaeologist—it's my job to take risks in dangerous places. But you? You even look like eighteen?" His reprimand stung slightly, but I knew he was right.

"I don't know how they allowed it either" I admitted, lowering my gaze. "But how long have you been here?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "About 29 days."

"Twenty-nine days?!" My heart skipped a beat, panic bubbling to the surface. "I can't… I can't stay here! There has to be a way back—a portal, a spell, something! I can't spend my life here!" My voice grew shaky as fear threatened to consume me.

Victor placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "Calm down! Listen, if we find that book again, we might uncover how this all happened. It could even be a time portal. But we need to be strategic."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "Okay. Maybe..."

Victor handed me some clothing. "First, change into this. You'll blend in better. And whatever you do, don't cross the river. It's dangerous, especially with the war between kingdoms raging on. Stay on this side and keep your head low."

I changed into the long, handmade garments he provided—loose, sand-colored fabric that covered me from head to toe. It smelled faintly of earth and age, a stark reminder of how far I was from my world. Victor left to buy food, but I couldn't just sit there idly. The need to act clawed at me.

Driven by urgency, I retraced my steps to the jungle where I'd first found the book. The landscape had transformed—it no longer resembled a lush forest but rather a wild expanse of overgrown shrubs and tall grasses. My skin prickled at the thought of snakes slithering through the underbrush. Cobras, I reminded myself. Egypt's infamous spitting cobras.

A sudden flash of light hit my eyes, making me flinch and squint. Blinded momentarily, I spun around, searching for its source. The light came from the top of a distant structure—a shiny surface reflecting the sun's rays.

As my vision cleared, I recognized the building. My breath caught. It was the same structure where I'd found the book. Without a second thought, I ran toward it, my heart pounding in anticipation.

The entrance loomed before me, massive and foreboding. Ancient symbols adorned the archway, their intricate carvings whispering secrets of a bygone era. I stepped inside, the musty scent of old parchment and crumbled stone enveloping me. Scrolls and fragile papers littered the floor, whispering of a forgotten time.

Desperately, I searched for Khetum, but the chamber was vast, and the shelves seemed endless. My thoughts raced as I pieced together fragments of what I knew. If this jungle and structure didn't exist in my world, then perhaps this part of Egypt had been wiped out entirely. But why? What could have caused such destruction? My mind buzzed with questions, but answers remained elusive.

A voice broke the silence. "Are you searching for this?"

I froze, my breath hitching as I turned. An old man stood in the shadows, holding a familiar book. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Khetum" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

But my shock wasn't just about the book. My thoughts spiraled in confusion as I processed the moment. The man had spoken… in English.

How?