Ethan Reed adjusted the strap of his backpack, his mind already drifting to what he'd do once he got home. The day had been long, and all he wanted was some peace and quiet. As he approached the school gate, he heard a low rumble—a sound that grew louder and closer until a massive truck rolled into view. Painted in a muted gray with bold, official-looking emblems, it exuded an air of importance. Ethan squinted, his brow furrowing. "Is that a… bank truck?" he muttered under his breath.

"Dude, check that out!" Mark, one of Ethan's friends, nudged him with an elbow. "That truck looks like… some secret government thing or something. Maybe it's transporting gold bars. If we steal it, we'll be filthy rich."

Before Ethan could respond, Sarah chimed in, her voice dripping with exasperation. "Idiots! That's a museum truck. See? The Metropolitan Museum of Antiquities is printed right there on the side." She jabbed a finger in the truck's direction for emphasis, her tone making it clear she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Ethan blinked, "Why am I also an idiot in this scenario?" he mumbled, casting a side-eye at Mark, who simply shrugged.

"Hey, you thought it was a bank truck first," Mark whispered back with a grin.

The truck's design was oddly familiar. As it came to a stop, the driver's window rolled down, and there he was—his father, Jonathan Reed, waving like this was the most normal thing in the world.

"Dammit," Ethan muttered under his breath, his face heating up as he felt the weight of his friends' curious stares. "Of course it's him."

Jonathan leaned out of the truck, his grin as bright as the truck's polished mirrors. "Hey, Ethan! Hop in, we've got a schedule to keep!" he called, oblivious to the mortification spreading across his son's face."Is this for real?" Ethan groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

"Why couldn't he just pick me up in a normal car?".Mark burst into laughter, clutching his sides, while Sarah shook her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Unbelievable," she said with mock exasperation. "Your dad really knows how to make an entrance."

Ethan groaned, his face burning as he trudged toward the truck. Climbing into the passenger seat, he avoided looking at his father, who was still humming a cheerful tune.

"You look thrilled to see me," Jonathan said, casting a sideways glance at his son.

Ethan let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled his eyes, his expression screaming, "Really, Dad?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, curiosity momentarily overriding his irritation. "Is this even allowed? Bringing a museum truck to school?"

Jonathan shrugged with a grin. "Oh, it's nothing. All the security guys are my buddies. I just told them, 'Hey, quick pit stop to pick up my son,' and they were cool with it. Not a big deal. Besides, how many kids get to ride home in the back of a mummy truck? It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"

Ethan sighed, leaning his head against the seat. "Yeah, lucky me."

Jonathan said , "We're transporting an authentic ancient Egyptian mummy. And not just any mummy—this one's got a legend attached to it."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Legend?"

Jonathan nodded, his grin widening. "The Curse of Ammit. Supposedly, anyone who touches the mummy dies within a day. Spooky, right?"

"And you're just… casually driving it around?"

"Oh, it's been fine for over a century," Jonathan replied. "The last recorded incident was in the early 1900s. Everyone who touched the mummy died, including the one who discovered it and those who transported it. After that, the mummy was sealed in a glass tube and displayed only as a showcase in the Museum of Antiquities. However, about a decade ago, a blogger fascinated by the tale broke the glass and touched it. To everyone's surprise, he survived and after that he wrote a blog about his experience. The story went viral, and due to its popularity, the museum began allowing people to touch the mummy—none of whom faced any harm. Now, this mummy has been acquired by The Grand Arcadia Museum, and we're the ones transporting it there.""

"Great," Ethan muttered. "So it's fake. Why even bother telling me?"

Jonathan said with a grin, "Because it makes for a great story."

Ethan stayed silent, staring out the window as the truck rumbled through the busy city streets, the hum of traffic filling the quiet between them. The Grand Arcadia Museum loomed ahead, its neoclassical facade illuminated by the golden glow of evening lights. A team of professionals stood ready at the loading dock, including three security guards and a handful of museum staff. As the truck came to a stop, Ethan watched in silence as the back doors were unlatched, revealing a massive protective container nearly the size of a king-sized bed.

The team worked methodically, employing specialized equipment to move the artifact. The container, reinforced with shock-absorbent padding and temperature controls, was designed for delicate transfers. Jonathan supervised the process, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with a focused professionalism that Ethan rarely saw."Quite the operation," Ethan murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

"It has to be," a voice said beside him. Ethan turned to find Mitchell, one of his father's colleagues, smiling warmly. "Artifacts like this are irreplaceable. One wrong move, and centuries of history could be lost."

Ethan nodded, unsure how to respond.

Mitchell's eyes twinkled as he gestured toward the container. "Would you like to see it up close? It's quite safe, I assure you. I've even touched it myself."

Ethan hesitated, the tales of curses swirling in his mind.

"It's just a story, you know," Mitchell added gently. "No one's actually been hurt by the so-called curse."

Taking a deep breath, Ethan stepped forward. The container's lid was carefully opened, revealing the mummy within. Layers of ancient linen wrapped the figure, its form perfectly preserved despite the passage of millennia. Ethan's fingers hovered just above the surface, his breath catching.

"Go on," Mitchell urged. "It's not every day you get this close to history."

Ethan's pulse quickened as he extended his hand. His fingertips brushed the fabric, but then his hand shifted, grazing a small crystal embedded in the lower corner of the mummy's wrappings. A cold jolt surged through him, leaving him momentarily breathless. The air around him seemed heavier, almost expectant.

"There," Mitchell said with a smile. "See? Nothing to worry about."

Ethan managed a small nod, though his mind raced. As the lid was replaced and the container secured, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted.

As the team carefully transported the mummy into position for its exhibition, Ethan watched the process unfold, observing the careful handling and placement of the ancient artifact.