When it was stolen we thought we’d never see it again, but like all things that are meant to be it came back to us, it came back to me and I am its guardian. You see, children, my people they know the great secrets of the ancients and this is the work we do, and this is why you are here today, so that Mama can finally tell you the truth about Layla.”

Speechless, I looked at Maggie and she said, “Please show us what the prophecy says, Mama.”

Mama solemnly opened the thick papyrus cover and inside were beautiful drawings depicting scenes of an ancient civilization. The pages were beautifully but simply illustrated in faded color and what appeared to be some kind of stain or ink, and there was an ancient language.

Mama gestured for Maggie and me to lean in towards the prophecy as she rotated the manuscript. She turned the pages while we sat in silence and poured our attention into every line.

We observed a progression of images that appeared to be of village and hunting scenes. Images of the river and boats and men fishing with nets.