Snarling in frustration, I drew out both my guns shot at the police. Taking out two in the process, pain seared through my arm when a bullet grazed me. Blood pulsed from the wound, before another shot could be fired; Bast hissed and jumped onto the gunman's head, digging her claws into his flesh. The man screamed in agony, aiming my gun I shot the man in the stomach. He began to sputter, blood dripping from his mouth.
Ignoring the pain I stood up and unsheathed a hunting knife. In the end I took about three of the men down. I was about to be arrested when O'Connell stood and shot one of my captors. Thus explains why he was later taken away to Cairo Prison. As we were led away I looked at O'Connell. "Thanks for staying by my side, old friend."
O'Connell shrugged. "I owed for finding in the dessert. If you hadn't helped me I would have died."
Shaking my head I stated. "I believe that makes us equal men now."
Inside I felt terrible. Rick had to be my only friend, even though we had only known each other for a few years. He had managed to stay alive. Hence he being my only friend, however I still felt that I could not tell him my greatest most kept secret. And with that in mind we were locked away in the Cairo prison.
For several weeks we were kept from the daylight, I had managed to keep my veil on my face. And since the prisons held no showers I did not need to worry about my other feminine features being exposed. But on the morning of O'Connell's and my hanging we had visitors. Well O'Connell had visitors; I had been let out into the sun as a last request. That morning we were thrown into one of the outside cages. I didn't care much for Rick's visitors. I was busy trying to find Bast. Finally my eyes landed on her, she was tethered to pole near where the Warden liked to sit.
I clicked my tongue to the roof of my mouth and let out a series of chirps, much like the sounds she tended to make. Bast's ears flattened and she turned her head, seeing me she began to struggle against the rope around her neck.
The Warden began to take notice of her struggling and left the visitors behind to speak with O'Connell giving them privacy. I worried about Bast, but I was aware that the Warden was superstitious. He wouldn't dare harm a Serval cat, they were said to be the ancient Gods in animal form. To harm them would be viewed as an insult.
My eyes landed on the visitors, they were both obviously wealthy, well wealthy on peasant terms anyway. I tuned into their conversation, suddenly interested due to their constant whispering and the agitated look of Rick's face. The woman managed to call Rick's attention. "Ah, excuse me, hello? Um we found your… puzzle box. And we've come to ask you about it."
This lady did not know how to lie, how she could even think that some foolish excuse would pass the wool over a person like Rick was beyond my understanding. As to be expected O'Connell caught on. "No"
Perplexed the woman echoed. "No?"
Rick smirked. "No, you came to ask me about me about Hamunaptra."
Both the man and woman were in shock. The woman pressed on. "How do you know this box pertains to Hamunaptra?"
O'Connell looked over at me and smirked. Shaking my head I called. "Couldn't it be more obvious madam? He must have found it in Hamunaptra."
The gentleman glared at me. "And who are you?"
Looking back at the guards I replied. "Flint, Ash Flint. A bodyguard for hire and a tour guide through Egypt's most dangerous tombs, sadly however I have been locked away due to false murder charges."
Rick rolled his eyes at me. "Seriously Ash, could you be more mellow dramatic?"
Shrugging I looked over at the two visitors. "You know if you plan of going to Hamunaptra in search of something. Maybe you could use an extra pair of hands."
The woman narrowed her eyes. "How do we know we can trust a killer if we do hire you."
Raising one of my hands I stated. "May the ancient gods and goddesses of the sacred lands of Egypt bare witness, that I will do whatever it takes so that you may come away from your expedition unscathed and fulfilled. All you have to do is save my life and my protection is free."
Looking over at O'Connell I implored him silently to take the job. It was all our necks on the line. The man leaned down and glared at Rick looking skeptical. "How do we know this isn't just a load of piss wallow?"
I knew what was coming before it happen. Rick acted curious and asked. "Do I know you?"
The man smiled stupidly. "No, no I just have one of those faces…" Before he could finish his sentence Rick punched him, receiving a beating from the guard. He let out a slew of curses under his breath. The woman ignored the man on the floor and stepped over him. "So you really were at Hamunaptra?"
Rick nodded with a smile on his face. "Yeah I was there."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "You swear?"
This earned a chuckle from Rick "Every damn day."
I let out a laugh, receiving a look of appreciation from O'Connell. The woman groaned. "No, that's not what I meant."
Smirking both Rick and I stated. "We know what you meant." Rick carried on. "I was there, Hamunaptra." I chimed in. "Pharaoh Seti's place." We both looked at each other and said in unison "City of the Dead."
The woman looked overly excited. She pressed on. "Do you think you can tell me the location?" The Warden was coming back. Taking her hat off and she covered her face and whispered. "I mean the exact location?"
Rick smirked and motioned for her to come closer. "You want to know?"
She nodded. "Well yes!"
He motioned for her come closer still. "Do you really want to know?"
Her head was against the bars "Y…yes."
O'Connell took her face in his hands and kissed her then practically yelled. "Then get us the hell out of here!"
One of the guards hit me over the head with a crop; they did the same thing to Rick. A sinking feeling filled me as we were dragged away. We were about to be hung. The last thing I heard was the woman asking. "Where are you taking them?"
The Warden chuckled. "To be hanged."
The confirmed my fears, one thought came to mind, I was too young to die.
