Sneak Peak of incoming episode 9:
Josh, Ralph, and Myla sweated profusely under the duress fashioned by the walking sphinx and they backed in their steps slowly, urging the youngsters to do the same.
The sphinx continued to march towards them, oblivious to the chaos it was concocting in their minds.
Josh: Halt there. What do you want with us? Stop coming towards us…
Sphinx: Very well, no need to panic. You know the drill with a sphinx. You must answer my riddle correctly for you to be able to continue your journey. But make no mistake. If you answer this wrong, I will make sure you are all squashed under my paw. This will be your first trial. Each will test your courage, wit, and resolve. Fail, and the sands will be your tomb.
Josh stepped forward, his voice steady despite the trembling in his hands. “Bring it on.”
The young darers grouped around the sphinx which radiated warm and fear in its charismatic way, waiting for the riddle to be unfolded.
The sphinx’s riddle echoed ominously: “I never was, am always to be. None have ever seen me, nor ever will. Yet, I am the confidence of all who live and breathe. What am I?”
“Order,” Josh said confidently, without even thinking about it thoroughly.
The sphinx took a few steps backward with an unmistaken grin flashing on its human face.
Josh turned around and looked at Myla and Ralph, beaming with joy.
“You see Ralph. It’s eas”
Josh vanished to the other side of the room with a splat. As he landed, he coughed out the little grains that managed to get into his mouth. He tried desperately to fight the pain that kept him pinned down in the sand. The sphinx’s swat had extinguished all his strength. His new girlfriend ran in his direction, tears streaming down her face.
