The shop was filled with all kinds of old objects—sculptures, coins, paintings… an endless array of artifacts from around the world, an explosion of cultures within four walls.

The woman escorted the couple to the door. As soon as she said goodbye, she turned to me.

– “Good morning. How can I help you?”

– “Good morning. I’m looking for the person who sold my grandfather an antique item that I believe came from this store.”

– “Many old objects pass through here, but I’m the owner, so don’t worry—we’ll search the records together,” she replied.

Nervous and anxious, I followed her to the counter. She opened a file and asked,

– “Could you give me the reference number of the item or the auction paperwork, if you have it?”

– “I only have this card,” I said, handing it to her.

Her expression changed dramatically; she stared at me with a look that truly frightened me. She hurried to the door, put up the “closed” sign, and turned back.

– “Please, come with me,” she said.

We entered a back office that felt disconnected from the rest of the shop. It was dimly lit and filled with objects even stranger than those displayed publicly. In the rear stood a beautiful old wooden table and a leather chair.

– “Sit down. May I offer you a drink?”

– “No, thank you. I’ll get straight to the point,” I replied. “I’d like to know something about the object my grandfather bought and who sold it to him.”

She poured two cups of coffee, placed one in my hand, and sat opposite me.

– “I was the one who acquired and gave your grandfather the ‘article,’ as you call it.”

– “Excuse me, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I protested.

She looked at me from head to toe, as if trying to see beyond my exterior. Without any attempt to make me comfortable, she fixed her gaze on me and then gave a faint, unsettling smile.

– “What’s so funny?”

– “It’s a very valuable artifact. In fact, I hope you didn’t bring it with you because… you’ve left it safely, right?”

– “Yes, don’t worry. It’s just a piece of leather, almost decomposed.”

She glanced back, but this time her eyes locked onto mine with a threatening intensity. A chill ran down my spine, and I could swear her eyes shifted color for a moment.

– “Are you familiar with ancient history?”

– “Yes, I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by books on that subject.”

– “Do you know the story of Maia and Mia?”

– “I think I heard it as a child, but it wouldn’t hurt to recall it now.”

– “Well, the legend says that many, many years ago, in ancient Egypt (…)”