Chapter 29-

Rick furrowed his brow in anger. He was staring at a wandering rat, pretending it was Imhotep. If he weren’t tied up at the moment, he would ring the neck of the rat, find Imhotep, and kill him unmercifully. Rick turned his head and looked at his brother-in law. Jonathan lay in the corner, head against the wall, snoring like crazy. One would think that he would show more concern, but hell, it was Jonathan. He had this stupid theory that the outcome of everything would always be a happy ending, but Rick wasn’t sure that hypothesis would be correct this time. He rested his head back against the wall, and his body shuddered. Rick wasn’t going to weep, he had to be strong for his family. Oh God, where was Evelyn? The horrible things Imhotep might have done to her were too unbearable to think about. He prayed that Evelyn and Alex were all right. He also prayed that Ardeth, Ravena, and the Medjai would hurry the hell up. Rick groaned in pain as he accidentally poked the gash on his ribs. Suddenly he heard clanking out of the room.

“Jonathan, wake up.”, Rick hissed.

He didn’t move. Rick sighed and rolled his eyes. He struggled to pick up a pebble on the ground, and when succeeding, threw it at his brother-in-law. It worked, Jonathan’s eyes snapped open.

“What the bloody hell was that for, I’m trying to sleep you know.”

Rick put a finger to his lips.

“Shh, be quiet, I heard a noise.”

Jonathan instantly shut up. Rick could hear silent footsteps come closer, and he stuck his foot out. He could almost feel the breath of the intruder, which was now beginning to sound like more then one. When the person was close enough, Rick kicked up his leg and was grateful to hear a groan. Unfortunately, it sounded a lot like Ardeth’s second-in-command, Sati. A light appeared, revealing the Sati, Ardeth, Ravena, and the Medjai.

“This is the thanks I get for trying to save you, I have been hurt too many times today?”, Sati grumbled, still clutching his ankle where Rick had kicked him.

“What are you guys doing here?” whispered Rick.

Ardeth stooped down and cut the chains that bound his hands together.

“We’re here to save your life... again.”

Jonathan rolled his eyes and let out a breath of air.

“Well, it’s about bloody time.”

The Medjai glared at him at that remark. Jonathan immediately clamped his jaw shut. Ardeth cut his chains, and helped them up. Ravena stepped closer to Rick.

“Rick, we must hurry. Night is falling fast, and Imhotep is going to burn Evy at the stake!”

Rick shuddered.

“I know, I’m going to kill that bastard. We have to save her quickly.”

Everyone nodded at the same time. Jonathan looked at them with a cynical expression for a moment.

“Well, let’s get to it then!”

Evelyn bit her lip as the rough rope practically sawed through her pale skin. Zombies were tying her up to a wooden pole and dusk had settled in. The world was a thicket of pain. People had already begun to come to the courtyard, as if drawn to the woman that would represent their upcoming tortures and sufferings. They stared at her as if drones, as if their hearts and souls were torn from them. Evy’s tear-stained face riveted anxiously over the crowd, in search of Alex. She couldn’t see him. Evelyn straightened her back against the post, trying to avoid the sticks beings throne at her feet, when suddenly she saw him. Alex and Imhotep, together.

They were standing in a window from a nearby window, her son’s face etched in confusion, wondering why his mother was being tied up. Evelyn’s eyes widened in horror, Imhotep had his arm wrapped around Alex’s shoulder, as if HE were his guardian, his protector. She could practically feel her heart shredding to pieces. How DARE he, insolent jerk, trying to replace the loving father and mother figures in Alex’s innocent heart. Being with Imhotep, it wouldn’t be innocent for too long. Suddenly, the image of the brief sadness consumed Evelyn’s mind, maybe he had some mortal emotions left. After all, he did once try to raise Anuksunamun back from the dead, maybe love never truly dies. Evy remembered the kiss for a split-second, but then she quickly shook those thoughts out of her head, replacing them with thoughts of Rick, her loving husband whom she adored. Evelyn silently prayed that he would come quickly, her soul was breaking.

Suddenly, bells filled the night sky, it was time.