Finally, I feel my feet touch solid ground again. However, the elephant apparently has no sense of how hard to put me down; it accidentally sets me down so hard that I'm immediately pushed to the side. I yelp in fright and slight pain.

"Stella," Ahkmenrah says sternly, before saying something else in Egyptian.

Out the corner of my eye, I spot the nightguard moving closer to me. I immediately stab my finger towards him and snarl, "You get away from me! I'm not afraid to go down fighting!"

Larry stops dead, looking rather annoyed.

"Larry, I said I'll handle this." Florence shoots Larry a pointed look, before turning back to me and offering her hand. "Tara, how about we go somewhere private and talk?"

I eye the hand suspiciously. "Just talk?"

Florence nods.

"...just us two?"

"Yes. I promise."

After a few seconds pause, I take her hand and let her help me to my feet. She keeps hold of my hand and begins leading me away from the crowd of exhibits. I'm forced to follow, both physically and metaphorically. I have no other options right now.

She leads me into a small room just off from the foyer. It looks like an office, with a desk and chair and filing cabinet taking up most of the room. I sit down on the office chair and lean back in it as far as I can, folding my arms sulkily.

After Florence has shut the door, she turns to me and leans back against it, giving me a look that's a mixture of curiosity and another emotion that I can't pinpoint.

"If you want to know why I'm here, it's because I'm sick of everyone treating me like a freak because I love history and believe the rumours that this place is alive," I snap at the wall, not quite daring to meet Florence's eyes. "I just wanted to prove myself right for once. I didn't mean to get caught up in anything." My voice cracks ever so slightly as I add, "Please don't call the police."

I swallow the lump in my throat and quickly wipe my eyes as hot tears threaten my vision. I can't believe I just trespassed in the Museum of Natural History at night, met the very-much-alive exhibits, got carried by an elephant, and am now begging Florence Nightingale not to get me in trouble for the aforementioned trespassing.

If I'm being completely honest, I would never have seen this coming.

"I'm not going to call the police," Florence says after a while. "How old are you, Tara?"

"Seventeen."

"Peak teens." Florence chuckles softly, before carefully hopping up onto the desk and giving me a smile. "Tell me why you love history."

A spark lights inside me immediately, and I can feel many words building up inside me, ready to leap out.

I let them.

"Because it's the most interesting thing in the world. Learning about people who lived centuries ago and how different their lives were to mine is honestly breathtaking. Learning about previous wars and what caused them, inspirational women, the Renaissance, medieval castles and knights, the earliest known man to walk the Earth, animals that were common thousands of years ago, and even slightly more recent events like the first moon landing. It's the most exciting thing in the world to me. And I also love how it's the only constant thing in the world. Like, anything nowadays can be taken away in the blink of an eye and the future is always uncertain. But history is a solid presence that can never be changed. I love that constancy and the fact that I'll never run out of things to research about it even if I studied for seventy more years."

I finally pause for breath, before continuing, "But nobody ever understands. Everyone calls me names and ignores me in class. It's like I don't exist until I'm talking about something I love, and that's when they make fun of me. They even started bullying me when I first talked about the rumours that the exhibits in the amazing Museum of Natural History came to life at night." I give a slightly bitter chuckle. "You know, this is a dream come true for me. Not only am I now 100% certain that I'm right about this place but also I'm surrounded by some of the most famous people in history. I mean, I'm spilling my guts out to Florence Nightingale of all people. I...may have done that before, but this time, she's actually listening to me. I…" I again have to wipe my eyes as I feel more tears prick behind my eyelids. "All I ever wanted was to be surrounded by history. That's why I love this place so much. I won't apologise for sneaking in-even though that's literally illegal-because I'm not sorry. Frankly, I'd do it again if it means I get to experience this all over again." I pause again, before quickly finishing, "Sorry."

I risk a glance at Florence and, to my surprise, find her with the kind of smile on her face that indicates that she's close to bursting out laughing. "You remind me of a certain someone I knew. Sparks ignited in her when she spoke about her passion and it showed in her words. You could actually see her eyes light up when she talked about it."

"Who?" I ask slowly.

This time, she allows herself to chuckle. "Me, when I was younger. That is exactly how I felt with nursing."

"Oh…" I stare down at my feet. "So...what are you going to do with me now?"

"Well, the doors are locked until sunrise, so you'll have to spend the night here with us."

"What?!" I sit bolt upright in sudden horror. "I have to stay here all night?!"

"The door locks automatically and stays locked all night unless there is an emergency," Florence responds. "This does not qualify as an emergency, I'm afraid."

I let out a long groan and bury my face in my hands. "I want to go home…"

"Hey, Tara…" Florence hesitantly reaches out and pats my shoulder. "Where did all that energy go, eh? You said this is a dream come true for you."

I freeze, the words "dream come true" circling round in my head. I DID say that, didn't I? I can't really call myself passionate about history if I don't take this opportunity, can I?

"Does everyone in this place know everything that the person they're based on knows?" I ask slowly.

Florence nods. "That's right. The tablet imbues us with all the knowledge that the original has."

"Wait, the tablet?" I frown, tipping my head on one side. "That's the root of all this? That thing brings the museum to life?"

"Oh, I suppose that nobody has told you. Yes, Ahkmenrah's golden tablet is what brings us to life every night. It has so many magical properties that I'd wager even Ahkmenrah doesn't know them all."

"Right…" I hesitate for a moment, before asking, "Is it okay if I interview everyone here and record what they say?"

Now it's Florence's turn to frown. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"I won't show it to anyone," I say quickly. "But even if I do, do you really think they're going to believe me? A magical tablet that brings museum exhibits to life? Plus, even if I did show anyone and they did believe me, I'd be revealing that I snuck into the museum at night, and that would get me into trouble."

"Those are good points…" Florence thinks for a minute or so, before finally saying, "I'll have to ask Larry."

"Okay." I can't stop myself from smiling. This is actually quite exciting now. "Thank you, Flo- Miss Nightingale."

"Florence is fine," corrects the nurse. "Do you want to stay here while I ask him?"

"I'd rather not be left alone here, actually. I'll come with you, if that's okay."

"Yes, that's fine. Come with me, then."