Desert Illusions

You've been doing the same routine for years now. Hanging with the same people at the same places. Suddenly a spontaneous idea popped into your head.

"I should go on a trip!"

You thought it over for barely 5 seconds before you agreed with yourself that it would be fun. You have a week off coming up anyways so you might as well use it, right?

As you're thinking of where to go, a crazy idea flashes by... Egypt!

It's decided. But do you really wanna go there alone? You've never been, it could be sketchy... you decide to call your friends.

It's too soon for any of them. Egypt. A week from now? Are you out of your mind?

Maybe so. You decide you're not letting them ruin your fun, and you're gonna go alone if you have to.

You book your flight. You set out for Cairo in 4 days.

You're on a budget so you stay at the Elite Pyramids Boutique Hotel right off of Al Haram road. Fancy name for a hotel that costs $30 a night. It's close to the Sphinx and the Pyramid of Giza, which is all you care about.

4 days later, once you arrive at the hotel, you are surprised by how decent the hotel actually is. The lady at the check-in desk asks you if you're interested in an excursion to the Pyramids.

Is this even a question? Of course you're interested! She helps you book it right away. You set out tomorrow at 12:30 PM!

That night, you passed out early without eating dinner because you couldn't sleep on the plane ride and because you're jetlagged. You wake up the next day and it's 12:10 PM! You don't have time to get food! You have to meet the tour guide outside of your hotel in 20 minutes!

You hastily get ready and meet the tour guide outside. He introduces himself as Yahya al-Busiri. You're the only one in this excursion.

Alright, this should be interesting. Yahya takes you walking to see the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. They're all awe-inspiring.

You start wondering how the ancient Egyptians could have possibly built these megalithic monuments?

Suddenly, the hunger and thirst start to kick in. You haven't eaten anything or drank water in 20 hours.

Right as you're about to ask Yahya if he can take you to get some food, he turns around and asks, "Do you wanna go see a secret pyramid?"

Why not? You're out here on a crazy, spontaneous trip. Might as well do it!

You agree. He tells you it's not a far walk from here.

Yahya starts walking southwest deep into the desert. You're walking over sand dunes and civilization starts to disappear behind you.

An hour later you still haven't reached the secret pyramid yet. By this point, the sun is simmering directly above you. The lack of water is really affecting you. You collapse in the middle of the desert.

Yahya rushes over. He says he's going to go get some help.

You start to wonder. "Where is he gonna get help? There's wasn't any building within miles of you. How is he going to find you in the middle of nowhere? All there is is desert as far as the eye can see."

Fear starts to seep in. Will you die? You don't really see a way you could survive this. What will your parents think? Will your friends be glad they didn't join you in this crazy trip?

You slowly fade out of consciousness. Painlessly, you black out.

After some time, you regain consciousness because you feel a strong presence urging you to wake up.

Is it Yahya?

You open your eyes and you realize the sun is setting. Crap! You're going to be stuck in the cold desert at night. This is not good.

Suddenly, you become aware of this strong presence once again. It's behind you.

You turn around and it's a woman on a camel.

Whoa. She's beautiful. Why is she naked though?

She's not saying anything. She has her back turned towards you, but she's looking at you. You can feel that she's saying, "Follow me."

She's a beautiful, radiant being. She inspires trust in you. She almost feels like a goddess.

You're really not sure what's happening. Are you dead? Are you dreaming? Is this a bad joke? Are you being filmed? Or is it an illusion? Maybe you're dehydrated and the desert is making you see illusions.

You don't have time to figure it out. The sun is setting fast. You decide to follow her. It's the only option you have out here while you're lost in the Sahara desert by yourself...