If it seems like this chapter was written in haste, you're absolutely right. My original computer needs a piece replaced and until then I can't turn it on. It's been months already but the piece just isn't in the budget right now unfortunately. Bad enough the damn thing is holding all of my music hostage, it has the unposted chapters for all of my stories, too! Owing to the fact that I haaaate hate hate repeating myself I haven't even tried to rewrite any of the chapters that are locked away in that hunk of junk. However, in this case, I gave it a shot. If it's too rushed or truly terrible, please let me know honestly. I love constructive criticism! Hopefully the next chapter will be better as it'll all be fresh. Enjoy!
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In the distance the world was truly beginning to sound like the apocalypse. Loud screams could be heard coupled with the disheartening crashes and the unmistakable noise of glass shattering. Over all these another grew, too far to hear at first but as it approached it began to roar like a wave at high tide, the groans and chants of a cacophany of voices "Imhotep..." Even through the thick walls of the museum they could hear them coming. It chilled them all to the bone and set fire to their heels, immediately setting them all off on a run through the exhibits searching for information Evelyn had mentioned.
What information that was Anna honestly couldn't say, her attention had been slipping so. Such die straints are obviously not the best time to not be paying attention but she simply couldn't help it. She knew there was an epiphany dancing within arms reach but she was trying so hard to think of anything else, she desperately wanted it not to be so.
They all stood around as Evelyn read from glyphs off the museum wall, anxiously watching the throngs of bewitched slaves make their way closer. Anna, however, couldn't take her eyes off of Ardeth. It was only when he finally made eye contact with her that her mind reeled and her mouth spoke the words she had tried so hard not to think.
"You killed my brother, didn't you." Surprising even herself with how calm and level her voice was. Anna in the moment couldn't figure out if she was angry or understanding, given that none of the current events would have been taking place if he and his men had killed them instead of giving them a chance to leave. Ardeth's eyes locked on hers yet he remained silent. "Why didn't you kill us?"
"We were going to. But then..." he glanced over at O'Connell before turning back to her. "There were some with integrity that deserved a chance. We are not without hearts."
"You didn't see integrity in my brother, did you." She stated, more than asked, for she knew through all of her brothers obsessions in his work he never did seem much of one to have a spine.
"I saw... grief and despair. Madness." Ardeth stepped forward, Anna's own feet feeling anchored to the floor.
"Patience is a virtue!" Came a sing-song voice from behind them.
"Not right now it isn't!" The desperation in O'Connells reply seemed such a sharp contrast to Ardeth and Anna's own little bubble right at that moment. Anna nearly laughed at how it felt as if they were in their own world drifting slower in time than the chaos continuing to unfold around them. She knew full well now was not the time for such a conversation.
"I just want to know, Ardeth. If I am to die tonight I want to know if I'll be seeing him again or if he'll be out there somewhere searching for me..." Even as she said it she didn't believe he would do such a thing. But she couldn't deny it made her feel better to say it.
"He wanted the book to bring your mother back, Anna." At that a dry sob burst forth and Ardeth took another step forward, gingerly holding her hands in his. "I could not raise my sword to a man in such grief. We left him to the desert. I... I am sorry to cause you pain, Anna."
She didn't know what she was going to say or even if her voice could work at that moment but her mouth opened to speak regardless. Before she could make a sound a loud crash shattered their bubble and her senses were invaded by the hollow sound of the continuous chants of "Imhotep". Her hands gripped Ardeth's tight as she looked over the railing and realized the enslaved townspeople were already inside the museum.
"Come!" Ardeth commanded and everyone hurried, discretely as possible, towards the back of the museum. Ardeth held her tightly by the hand as they ran through the corridors and out the door into the car.
Nearly as soon as they started to drive bodies from the hoard dived onto the car, grabbing at anything they could to either hold on or drag down with them. It seemed everyone began to scramble and fight with every inch of their will. Even Evelyn poked one man in the eye and punched another in the face. Anna, never really believing herself to be much a fighter, surprised herself with how hard she could fight in a life or death situation. As she twisted back the wrist of one that had grabbed her by the shoulder, elbowing the man in the gut til he dropped off of the car, she saw out of the corner of her eye the American sitting at the back of the car. Just sitting there, looking stunned.
"DO SOMETHING!" She yelled at him, causing him to jump and stare at her wide eyed as she punched another man in the side of the head, hitting anywhere she could reach without falling out of the car herself. When the man finally fell she took a pause and looked back at the American. "We need your help!" She called to him. "You're in for it worse than any of us if we get caught. FIGHT." Before she could say another word two of Imhotep's slaves grabbed him from behind and she watched helplessly as he was pulled back without a struggle. It wasn't until he had only one foot left in the car that he began to call for help and not until he was cornered that Anna could hear the gunshots of his final stand off. What happened next she could only imagine as his screams were louder than the chaos that continued to erupt about them. The evidence of it showed itself not a moment later as, forced to abandon the car, a fully restored Imhotep emerged from the hoard that now surrounded them.
"The creature... he is fully restored." Ardeth said, stepping slightly in front of Anna, a hand on his dagger. Imhotep simply smirked before speaking, his voice now containing no trace of his otherwordly demonic husk but rather a surprisingly smooth, dulcet tone. His eyes never left Evelyn as he spoke.
"Come with me, my princess. It is time to make you mine, forever." Translated a man beside Imhotep. Anna recognized him from their trip to Hamunaptra as Beni, the spineless thief she had made sure to avoid from the start.
"For all eternity, idiot." Evelyn snapped back.
Despite the situation Anna couldn't help but smirk at the look on Beni's face at the woman's correction. Her smirk, however, was cut short as he eyes caught another figure making it's way through the crowd to join Imhotep and Beni. His face was marked but unlike Imhoteps slaves his marks were burns and jagged scars. His skin looked prematurely aged, the result of far look long in the desert sun. His smile was one of pure glee whereas Imhotep still wore one of blatant ego and sick satisfaction. It was in his eyes that she saw it... the spark within their green pools, that madness and eccentricity that Anna remembered so well. Her gasp came out strangled as her throat constricted in disbelief. She clutched Ardeths arm in a tight panic as the man presented himself, laughing as he locked eyes with Anna and bowed in greeting, one arm clutching The Book of the Dead to his chest.
"Anna." All eyes flickered between the new man and Anna. All but Ardeth whose hard stare had been set unblinkingly upon the man before them, fierce concentration evident in every feature. "Didn't think I'd find you here, sister."
