Never let me go
Chapter 1 Evelyn
The mid January night was seemingly frozen in time. Evelyn looked down upon the back yard garden from the library window, it was nearing the wee hours of morn, yet sleep would once again deprive her. She gazed at the long shadows of the trees and sleeping blooms, trying to name the color the full moon had cascaded over the land, the dust like nameless color was everywhere. What ever it was, she thought, it was breathtakingly beautiful. 'We miss so much in our sleeping hour' She whispered to herself, a chill surrounded her, bringing goosebumps to her arms, she rubbed them for warmth, with a small smile; amused that the slight wind seemed to answer her observation. Giving a small sigh she found herself back in Rick's desk chair.
His scent whirled around her, bringing her peace and comfort has it always had. She pulled the draped afghan around her body as another chill whistled into the library. Retrieving the little novel from the desk, Evy opened it back to her reading mark. Now, Evelyn was a practical woman, fascinated by history, and facts. But something about this read; nor fiction or non, gripped her attention, like nothing she'd experienced. It was an alluring tail, filled with romance, danger and adventure. Perhaps it was much like her and Rick's life that drew her to the story, or maybe it was the perfect distraction for a distressed Evy.
It was this particular chapter that drew her to the window. The difficult and painful memories of hamunaptra flooded her mind and she decided air would be a wise, before she would fall physically ill from the flashbacks. She swallowed hard as she braved herself through the paragraphs, a terrible and vicious assault was taken place on the heroin of the novel.
She gently flipped the page, glad to be done with the unnerving chapter, but thirsty for more, she simply had to know what happened next. She found herself so consumed she was unaware of the approaching footsteps, not even the creaking of the door drifting open caught her attention.
*****
Rick fought through the hot tunnels, the undead mummies were gaining on him and his unlikely friend.
"Save the girl, Kill the priest!" The dark Majia ordered.
Rick nodded, pushing through the golden sand, and in that moment he heard her scream. His heart felt as though it would explode with rage, she was in pain and that monster was at fault.
"Evy?" He called out in desperation. Finally he saw the opening and rushed to her muffled struggles. But his efforts where cut short as he froze at the sight before him, Evelyn chained helplessly to the sacrificial stone, her night gown torn, and a satisfied Imotep hovering over her. She was motionless now, in a state of shock, unable to allow her mind to comprehend what took place, it was then Imotep raised the dagger…
"NO!!!"
"EVY!!" Rick jump out of sleep, sitting straight up in bed. He protectively reached for her, only to feel cool sheets. He was once again disappointed to find the bed empty upon waking up in the middle of the night. He was growing worried, as if the many nightmares about what happened to Evelyn in hamunaptra weren't enough to rattle his nerves, now she was behaving oddly.
Cold air furthered his discomfort as he made his way down the all, a glow illuminated a section in the hall from the library; Rick wasn't surprised to see this is where she drifted off to for the fifth night. He pushed the door open slowly in efforts not to startle her.
His breath caught in his throat when he caught sight of her, her natural beauty was intensified as the moonlight silhouetted her peaceful form.
"Honey aren't you going to get any sleep?" He said softly in concern as he made his way to her. She didn't acknowledge him, her brown eyes just continued to read the pages feverously.
"Hello earth to Evelyn..." He was now standing in front of her, biting back frustrated.
Quietly he grabbed four very heavy books off the maple shelf. He glimpsed at her once more but still she didn't even look to see what he was up to. He made his way to the large desk holding the heavy books in his arms, once he reached the smooth surface he let the books fall from his grasp. 'BAMB' they made the most monstrous sound as all the books smacked onto the hard desk.
"O'connell what do think you are doing!" she reacted to the fright, her heart beat wildly as her ears rung from the loud intrusion.
"Oh so now were back to O'connell are we?" He was surprised at her choice of words, losing the battle with his frustration.
"Sorry I didn't mean to call you by your last name." She said sheepishly, nervously fettling with the edge of her novel.
"Our last name Evelyn, our last name." He bit back.
"Sorry I stand corrected." She took a deep breath, holding her head up defiantly.
He kneeled next to her holding onto the chair for support. She looked down at him intently, now a much stronger wave of his scent filled her being, providing her with warmth.
"Evelyn... It's three O'clock in the morning lets get some rest."
She looked at him puzzled, this was a dilemma. She gazed at the book for a millisecond. Then back to Rick's intense blue orbs.
"I'm not sleepy you go on with out me, I'm just going to read a bit." She said politely and began to find her place again.
Rick cursed silently to himself; he glanced at the open window. The cold air rushed in once more, and an unpleasant thought crowded his judgment. He looked at her closely shaking his head in disbelief. Evelyn hated the cold and here she was making nice with the freezing January air. Rick had wanted and expected her to jump up into his arms for comfort to keep warm. "All right then." He grabbed the book out of her soft hands and through in out the window. It flew through the now snowing night landing hard on the cement walkway. He quickly regretted it, but knew it was for the best.
"RICK! What…"
"Evelyn! You. Need. Sleep." He gently gripped her arms. "You've been getting sick and feeling terrible during the day you have to stop this!!" When she flinched he realized he was shouting. "you're not taking care of yourself" He said quietly, his blue eye's pleading with her.
"Your right..." She whispered, moving closer to him, resting her head on his chest.
"I am?" He said cautiously, but none the less incasing her in his arms.