Chapter 25-

Evelyn shuddered with unwept tears. She clutched desperately with sweaty palms onto her son’s tiny hands. She wasn’t about to let go of him any time soon. She bit her lip in agonizing fear. Imhotep had come back awhile ago, and sent off Rick and Jonathan, and truthfully, she was worried as hell. Evelyn was DEFINITELY thankful he didn’t take Alex. Her son was staring up at her with sad, anxious eyes. She kissed the top of his head and rested her chin there. They were cuddled up in the corner of the dark cellar, and stayed like that until Alex’s little voice piped up.

“Are we going to be okay, mummy?”

Evelyn gave a small, sad smile.

“I’m sure we will be fine, don’t worry your handsome little head about it.”

Alex still looked unconvinced. He took a breath as if to say something, but then stopped, as if thinking about it. He continued on.

“What about daddy and Uncle Jon? Will they be alright too?”

Evelyn swallowed uncertainly.

“I’m not sure, darling, let’s pray to God they will be. I‘m quite...”

Her words were cut short by the groaning of the door slowly opening. Evelyn pushed Alex behind her and inched closer to the wall. She almost sighed in relief when she realized the person who opened the door wasn’t Imhotep but happened to be a very timid, young, and trustworthy looking woman. The woman had very long, flowing black hair but her face wasn’t exactly pretty, just nice. For some reason Evelyn liked her immediately. Strangely enough, the odd outsider woman was wearing an old fashioned, ancient Egyptian, white robe. Gold bracelets crawled up her arms. The two stared at each for a moment, before the eerie woman finally spoke in ancient Egyptian.

“Hello, my master, Imhotep, told me you are Evelyn. My name is Nenka.”

She turned her head shyly away as if embarrassed that she could talk at all. Evelyn gave a half-smile and Alex’s head peeped out from behind.

“Yes, I am Evelyn, and this is my son, Alex.”

Nenka nodded her head in acknowledgment to her son and once again turned serious.

“My master has ordered me to send for you. You must come with me to his throne room.”

Evelyn was already shaking her head.

“No, no, I refuse to see him until I see my husband and my brother.”

Nenka looked at her almost despairingly.

“But miss, they are already inside the throne room with Imhotep. He wanted to have a little chat with them, and now he wants to talk to all of you together.”

Evelyn lifted her chin in thoughtful defiance for a moment, before swallowing and reluctantly nodded her head. She rubbed her son’s shoulders, as a breeze seemed to pass throughout the room.

“Alright then, I guess I can come, but ONLY if Rick is there. I am also bringing Alex with me, who knows if a zombie-creature could come and steal him from me.”

Nenka smiled, already aware of these objectives.

“Of course miss, now if you’ll please follow me.”

Evelyn struggled to get up, picked up Alex and carried him out the door. Nenka timidly closed it behind them. When the trio stepped out into the hallway, Evelyn couldn’t help but admire the rich, decorated passageway. It was as if an emperor lived there. She turned around to see Nenka, her head bowed while still walking.

“So Nenka, you seem to be a good person, why are you on Imhotep’s <staff>?”

Nenka gulped and replied.

“Along with the priests Imhotep raised from the dead, he raised me. I was his assistant, not only to him, but also to Anuksunamun. I guess he brought me back to befriend the next queen, although I don’t understand why, me and Anuksunamun NEVER got along.”

Evelyn pondered this in confusion. Alex looked at both of them puzzled, not understanding a word of ancient Egyptian. Nenka looked away, ashamed for revealing too much. They turned around one more marbled corridor before Nenka raised her head and announced her message when they arrived at a wealthily adorned entrance.

“We stand here, at the entrance to the throne of the great and mighty man, Imhotep.”

With that Nenka pushed away the door, and stealthily moved to the side. She bowed her head, but not before glancing around the room and leaving a lingering gaze on the two captive men, especially Jonathan. Evelyn clutched Alex tighter and he wrapped his chubby arms around her, afraid. Until he raised his head, saw Rick, jumped out of his mother’s arms and ran towards his father. Rick swung him up in the air and hugged him so tight Alex had to loosen his father’s restraint on him. Evelyn smiled at her husband for a moment, then turned around once she heard footsteps. It was Imhotep. She glared at him with all the hatred she could muster. He glided over to his chair made for a king, and motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of him.

“Come, Evelyn, let’s talk.”

Lifting her head in a rebellious attitude, Evy slowly made her way to the chair.