"Something Wicked"

Ch. 3

(Rosie's Apartment)

The rain had finally stopped by the time the sun had risen to a new day. Despite the sunny weather she woke up to, Rosie woke up irritated. Mostly with herself, for letting Alex get to her the way he used to. Rosie was perfectly happy with staying in her bedroom for as long as she needed to. But, that was short lived. Isis wanted breakfast.

Rosie pat the cat on the head and sighed. The woman put her robe on and tied it tight against the winter temperature. She then opened the door slowly and waked toward the kitchen so as not to wake up Alex.

The teacher stole a quick glance at him sleeping on the couch. The fire had went out during the morning hours, but there were a few embers glowing faintly. Alex remained fairly still as she moved quietly around the kitchen.

She placed the food and water dish on the floor as quietly as possible. Alex gave a loud snore from the soft clang of glass and tile. Rosie couldn't help but grin. It reminded her of his father; Snoring loudly in the library taking a late afternoon nap in the spring.

(O'Connell's Mansion, England)

Rosie and Alex are no more than 12 years old. They had been playing inside, playing tag. The two children ran around all over the house, finally landing in the library. Rick O'Connell snored loudly. So loudly and suddenly that Rosie squealed with fright. Evelyn had walked into the room a book wide open in her arms.

"Take it outside you two!" she whispered.

Without a word Alex and Rosie ran out of the room toward the large yard.

(Rosie's Apartment)

Rosie went back to her bedroom and sat on the bed. She hesitated for a moment and then reached under her bed for a box. Rosie opened the box and then unwrapped a beige cloth. She held the medallion in her hand, gazing it at thoughtfully. The teacher played with the chain of the medallion of Isis, running it in between her fingers as she thought.

It had been years since she had brought it out. Rosie desperately wanted to go with Alex on this grand adventure. The discovery of the tomb had definitely sparked her interest in Isis once more. But she didn't want to leave her students. Rosie had noticed that there were several students interested in writing and had a knack for it too.

Her cat Isis leapt on the bed next to her, licking her lips and purring softly. Rosie growled softly in frustration. The cat rubbed against her master. She scratched the cat behind the ears.

"What should I do, Isis?" Rosie asked the cat.

The cat nudged at the medallion and then meowed. Her owner sighed.

"I was afraid you'd take his side," she scowled at the cat.

Rosie sat up and stepped out onto the living room. Alex had just sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"I've decided to come with you," she told him businesslike.

She held out the medallion for him to see. Alex had gotten up to look at it better in the nearby light. He then looked up at her.

"It's just as I remember it," he told her. "Except, it would've taken an army to get this off your pretty little neck, back in the day."

Alex took the medallion from her hands gently and then placed it around her neck, the chain fell softly around her neckline. She felt goose bumps starting to sprout up all over her skin, from his familiar gentle touch. Rosie caressed the medallion in her hands.

After a moment or two, Alex asked, grinning, "So, what's a guy to do to get some breakfast around here?"

Rosie smiled back.

"It's a coming! It's a coming!" she told him. "Don't you know the order of feeding time? Cats first and then humans second?" she paused, and then added, glancing down at the cat, who was rubbing against Alex's shins. "She's so spoiled."

Isis meowed at her owners comment.

"Oh, you know I'm right," Rosie told the cat. She looked over at Alex and told him, "You get to butter the toast."

"What?"

"It's he only thing I trust you with in the kitchen," she said teasingly. "Last time I checked you almost burned down your parents kitchen."

"I was sixteen!" Alex reminded her.

She held back a laugh. It was far too early to be teasing him this much in the morning. But, it's so much fun, Rosie thought to herself.

"Toast. Now. Don't burn any," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am!" Alex saluted her sloppily.

To be continued . . .