"It was lovely to meet you," Ahk said, slowing his pace as we neared the Egyptian wing.

"You too! You're very kind," I complimented, giving him a warm smile. Ahk seemed a bit frazzled by my smile, but I paid him no mind.

"The sun is about to rise. I need to get back," he said, seeming disappointed about it.

After our goodbyes, I made my way back to Uncle Larry and Nick.

"What'd you think, Liz? Wasn't that cool?" Uncle Larry asked, smiling brightly. Feeling like a tease, I shrugged.

"It was okay. They're great actors! Ooh, and those little guys...clever! Very clever, but I can't be fooled." I crossed my arms over my chest to sell my act, a disappointed look on my face.

Uncle Larry looked shocked.

"What? Come on, you're kidding, right? That wasn't real to you? What's it gonna take? I mean...that was real! All of it! Teddy, Ahk, Jed, all of them! They're real!"

"Mmm, I still don't believe you."

"Liz, you—you...ugh! Believe us! It's real!" Nick exclaimed, exasperatedly gesturing with his hands.

I shook my head.

"Nope. It's not."

"Come on, Nicky. Let's go so they can open the museum back up. We'll come back and convince her later," Uncle Larry said, clearly disappointed.

I followed him out of the museum and down the steps.

"Come on, Liz! How could you not believe? They gave you all the evidence!" Nick exclaimed as we got into Larry's car.

"Leave her alone, Nicky. She'll believe us sooner or later. Disbelief aside, what'd you think of Ahk? The two of you looked comfy," Uncle Larry said, smirking into the rear view mirror.

"Uh, no. I was asking him about the magical stone block, and he was answering with all sorts of mystical answers about moon gods and light," I said, clearly trying to rile them. The dense men shared a look with each other.

"You know, I think you have a crush on ol' Ahkipoo," Nick said. I whacked him on the back of the head.

"One, never call him Ahkipoo, and two, no. I literally just met him, and for all I know, he could secretly harbour psychopathic tendencies," I said. Nick and Larry shared a laugh as I faked a pout, crossing my arms over my chest as I sunk into the back seat.

"Okay, you know what? I'm calling McPhee, and we're taking you back there tonight," Uncle Larry said.

I shrugged, smiling slightly at the thought of them falling into my trap.

My plan was working.