With that, Sarah led him to the security office, a small room filled with monitors displaying various sections of the museum. The screens flickered with static, the soft hum of machinery creating an ambient soundtrack that filled the silence. She explained the security protocols while pointing out various cameras and emergency exits.
"Your shift starts in thirty minutes. Just make sure to log your patrols and keep an eye out for anything unusual. The late-night crowd can sometimes be… adventurous." She winked.
"Got it," Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over him.
With a deep breath, Ethan stepped out into the grand hall, the moonlight filtering through the high windows and illuminating the exhibits in an ethereal glow. He wandered past the Egyptian artifacts, the glossy sarcophagi staring back at him as if daring him to uncover their secrets. A shiver ran down his spine, tinged with excitement.
As the clock struck midnight, Ethan began his patrol. He walked the vast halls, his footsteps echoing off the polished marble floors. The night wore on, and with it came a strange sense of solitude. The museum, usually bustling with curious visitors, transformed into a realm of whispers and shadows.
At one point, as he passed the exhibit on the evolution of timekeeping, he paused, captivated by the ornate pocket watches displayed under glass. One in particular drew his gaze—a delicate antique with intricate engravings that seemed to beckon him closer.
Suddenly, Ethan's flashlight flickered, briefly plunging him into darkness before sputtering back to life. The lights overhead hummed softly, but the hair on the back of his neck stood up. It was only his imagination, he told himself, but he couldn't shake the strange sensation that he was not alone.
He shook his head, chuckling nervously at the thought. "Get a grip, Ethan," he muttered to himself, continuing on his rounds.