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Chapter Six | Back | ||||
(Chapter notes: speeches in asterisks (i.e. “*speech*” indicate that it’s spoken in Ancient Egyptian.)
“Imhotep,” Evy said. With him were the men who had perished in the oasis of Ahm Shere, they were those who had been on Imhotep’s side during that time. At the head of these men, acting as Imhotep’s second-in-command was Lock-Nah. They were all armed. Evy, Rick, Jonathan, Josie and Charlie were stood facing them; Jonathan had his hand on Josie’s shoulder. “Not again,” groaned Rick, “Why us? Evy, I just don’t know how you do it!” “I don’t understand, who is he?” asked Josie. “I’ll tell you later,” whispered Jonathan, “If we’re still alive.” Josie looked at him with panic in her eyes, Jonathan tried to look reassuring but failed. Imhotep spoke, “*You have one more awoken me from the dead, I thank you. You shall now face the consequences.*” He smiled evilly and moved towards them. Rick moved Evy behind him and Jonathan did the same to Josie, Charlie stood by his sister. “*Nefertiri, we meet again,*” Imhotep spoke again, “*You are still beautiful. Now Anck-Su-Namun has betrayed me maybe you will be my bride. It would have pleased your father, no?*” he smiled, mockingly, at her and moved towards her, Rick stood in his way. “Don’t you go near her!” Rick pushed his wife further behind him. “*Your son is not here. Pity, he is a clever boy. I would be able to make great use of him.*” “Evy, ask him what he wants.” Rick said. “Me!” “You’re the one who can speak Ancient Egyptian, and anyway you resurrected him.” She looked at the husband, her features a mixture of shame, fear and pleading, he looked back at her, trying to reassure her that he wasn’t angry with her. She then turned to Imhotep and addressed him in Ancient Egyptian: “*My lord Imhotep, what do you want?*” “*Revenge, princess, for Anck-Su-Namun’s betrayal and your banishment of me to the underworld. I also seek a new bride and I feel I have found her.*” he looked past Evy and at Josie. “*Your friend is very beautiful, Nefertiri, a noble lady, no doubt.*” Jonathan, who could translate a bit of what he was saying, spoke, “No.” Charlie noticed that Imhotep was looking at his sister, asked “What is he saying and why is looking at Josie like that?” “What’s he saying, Evy?” asked her husband. “He wants revenge and he wants Josie,” she hesitated, “as his bride.” “Well he can’t have me! Tell him Evy!” “*My lord, my friend is already spoken for, I beg that you find someone else.*” Imhotep looked angry at this, he looked at his followers, Lock-Nah moved towards him. “*Prince Imhotep, I think you should reconsider your choice of bride, Anck-Su-Namun would be a better choice, I’m sure she did not mean to leave you, remember how she acted at Ahm Shere, she tried to kill Nefertiri. Surely it would be better to resurrect Anck-Su-Namun and, as a punishment for her reluctance to be with you, use the girl as a sacrifice.*” “*A good idea, make preparations, I shall get the girl.*” Evy, on hearing what he said, shouted, “NO! Josie, look out!” Imhotep advanced towards her, he pushed Jonathan and Charlie out of the way, and they landed on the ground, Imhotep went to grab Josie. Charlie when seeing this was up in a flash. “No! Josie! No!… You!… Get of my sister!” he went to grab his sister, got her arm. A shot rang out and he fell to the ground. “CHARLIE!” Josie screamed, “No, let me go! Charlie, oh God! Will you get off me! Jonathan!” She tried to free herself from Imhotep’s grasp. Rick looked around and saw Lock-Nah holding a gun, Evy ran to Charlie and Jonathan went towards Imhotep and Josie. Josie looked at him, “Jonathan! Stay, don’t, they’ll only get you too. Please, look after Charlie.” “No, I can’t let you go.” She looked back at him as Imhotep led her away. Rick went to stand by Jonathan. “Rick, we’ve got to do something, we can’t let him take her!” They watched as Imhotep stopped near the temple, he gave Josie to Lock-Nah who restrained her. Imhotep then raised his arms. The ground shook and Rick and Jonathan fell to the ground. They watched in amazement as the temple and the sand surrounding it transformed into a huge sandstorm. It moved across the desert, taking Imhotep, Josie and his followers with it. Jonathan stood up, “Josie,” was all he said. |