That night, when Michaela arrived at the museum, she quickly made her way to the back room. She was in such a rush that she almost bumped in to a few people. She quickly apologized as she continued on her way. As soon as Michaela ran into the back room she tried to stop, but ended up tripping over one of the boxes and falling to the ground.
Michaela rolled over on her back. "Ow." Michaela closed her eyes, debating on if she should get up. Larry wasn't here yet…at least she didn't see him when she came barreling in the room.
"Michaela, what are you doing on the floor?"
Michaela opened her eyes and saw Larry standing over her with a concerned look. "Oh, just contemplating my life."
"Really? On the floor?"
Michaela stood up. "Actually, I came running in here to tell you something and I kind of tripped over a box."
"What's so important that you almost killed yourself for?"
"I know where the necklace is. The necklace that Marcus is looking for. My roommate has it."
"Great, so now all we have to do is convince your roommate to let you have it. Good luck with that conversation."
"Don't you have any advice or anything?"
"Nope."
"Lot of help you are."
"We'll figure something out. Right now, we should lock the pirates up. Hopefully they'll listen to what we have to say and not kill us."
"That would be nice." Michaela put her bag in her locker, then she and Larry made their way to the pirate exhibit. They had to work quickly since it was almost sundown. Luckily, there was a storage closet near the exhibit.
The two of them took the swords from all the pirates and put them aside. Next, they made sure they weren't carrying poison. Larry was sure that wax exhibits wouldn't be carrying poison, but it put Michaela's mind at ease knowing for sure.
Michaela looked in the bag the captain had around his waist. Looking in it revealed nothing but dust. She blew in it, which turned out to be a bad idea as the dust flew up and she inhaled it. Michaela coughed.
"You all right?" Larry asked.
"Yeah, just inhaled some dust. Candace's parents could have at least washed this stuff before donating it."
Once everything was checked, Larry and Michaela moved the pirates to the supply closet and not a moment too soon. Once the door was locked the sun went down, bringing the museum to life.
The pirates pounded on the door. "Let us out!"
"We have a deal for you." Larry said.
There was silence on the other side. Hopefully the pirates would agree to their deal.
"What kind of deal could you possibly offer?" Marcus laughed.
"We know you're looking for a necklace and we know where to get it."
"And how do I know you are telling the truth?"
"Well, we aren't pirates for one so our word is a bit more reliable than yours." Michaela said.
Larry glanced at her. "Not helping."
"Sorry."
There was silence on the other side of the door. Then Marcus laughed. "I like that girl. Fine, you have my word that we will not fight you. We will hear what you have to say."
"How can we trust his word? He may just be saying that to get out and once he does he'll kill us."
"On my honor, I will not kill you…yet." Marcus said.
Michaela looked over at Larry and whispered, "Pirates have honor?"
Larry shrugged. "Maybe if we trust them and let them out they will trust us."
Michaela sighed. "Fine, but if they kill me I'm coming back and haunting you."
"Fair enough." Larry said. Then to the pirates he said, "Ok, I'm going to unlock the door but you can't kill us." Larry unlocked the door.
Michaela quickly stepped back when the pirates came out the door.
"Now, take me to my treasure." Marcus said.
"We can't actually do that." Michaela said.
Marcus took a step toward her, his hand going to where he kept his sword; Larry pushed Michaela behind him.
Marcus looked down with confusion, then back up. "Where's me sword?"
"We took it for safety reasons." Larry answered.
"We can get you the necklace, but the person who has won't be back until tomorrow."
Michaela wasn't sure what Marcus was going to do. He just stood there staring at them for what seemed like hours.
Finally, he said, "All right, but I expect the necklace tomorrow. I'll keep the girl until then."
"What?" Michaela asked. Why was she always the one being kept by people who wanted things from her?
"You can't." Larry quickly said. "She's the only one who knows the person who has the necklace."
"Fine, then we will find entertainment elsewhere." The pirates turned and began walking away.
"I do not want to know their definition of entertainment." Michaela said.
"I'll keep an eye on them." Larry said.
"And I'll stay far away from them."
Larry nodded. He then went after the pirates.
Michaela had gone to her locker, took some of her homework out of her bag, then went to the diorama room. Sitting on the floor, she opened her book and tried to get something done. Of course, with a museum coming to life it's probably not the best place to do homework especially with pirates on the loose.
Thinking of the pirates made Michaela feel a little guilty. She should probably help Larry keep an eye on them.
"What are you doing?" Jed asked as he walked up to Michaela.
"Doing some school work on ancient civilizations." Michaela answered, not looking up from her book.
"Are you leaning about Rome?" Octavius asked.
"Not yet, but we're making our way there."
"Oh, she doesn't want to learn about Rome." Jed said. "I'm sure she's more interested in the west. If you want to know anything I'll be happy to help."
Michaela glanced down at her two small friends and smiled. "Thanks, Jed, but I'm not even on that side of the world yet."
"You know, Jedediah, it's not polite to assume she would be more interested in the Western world." Octavius said.
"I'm sure it would be more exciting than Rome." Jed said.
"Yes, I'm sure riding around on horses all day is very exciting."
"Hey, there is much more to the west than just riding horses."
Octavius opened his mouth to reply, but Michaela spoke up first. "Guys, don't argue. I'm sure both sides will be very interesting to learn about."
"Which civilization are you more interested in learning about?" Octavius asked Michaela.
"Well…" Michaela thought about it. There were so many civilizations and each were interesting in their own way, but there was one that really stood out to her. "Actually, I'm excited to learn about ancient Egypt. The few times Kahmunrah talked about his home he made it sound…I don't think amazing is the right word, but when he talked about it I just found myself being fascinated by it all."
"You didn't fall in love with him, did you?" Jed asked.
Michaela looked at him. "Of course not. I think I just saw a side of him that he didn't usually show to people."
"Sounds like love."
Michaela glared. "It wasn't love." She glanced up just in time to see Ahkmenrah walk around the corner. Michaela put her book down. "I'll be back." She then stood and went after the young pharaoh.
"See what you did?" Octavius said. "You chased her off."
Micaela rushed to catch up with Ahkmenrah. "Hey Ahk."
Ahkmenrah stopped and turned toward her; Michaela stopped when she stood in front of him.
"Why don't you join us?"
"I uh…I have things I need to do."
Michaela raised an eyebrow. "What kind of things do you need to do?"
Ahkmenrah sighed. "I'm sorry. I just…hearing you talk about Kahmunrah…"
"I'm sorry. If I knew you were around I wouldn't have mentioned him. Um, I mean, do you not want me to mention him again?"
"No, it's fine. It's nice to know there might have been some good in him still. I just miss the times we were close."
"Ahk-"
CRASH!
Both Michaela and Ahkmenrah took off running to where they heard the crash. Michaela knew it was the pirates, it had to be. They were a rowdy bunch and she was sure they couldn't just wait patiently and get along with everyone.
As they neared the place the crash came from, which was leading them to the lobby, they could hear shouts. Well, that definitely wasn't good.
The two of them reached the top of the stairs leading down to the lobby. Just as Michaela thought, the pirates were causing trouble. They were fighting with some of the other exhibits, though because they still didn't have their swords they were fist fighting. Larry was in the middle of the fight, moving between everyone so as he wouldn't get hit trying to stop them.
"Can't we all just get along?" Larry asked.
That's my question too. Michaela thought. Then to Ahkmenrah she said, "We better get down there and help."
Ahkmenrah nodded.
"Michaela." Larry said when he saw her. "Good, maybe you can help me stop this."
"What started this?"
"Oh, you know, pirates being pirates. Marcus got bored so he started a fight."
A pirate came running up to Michaela and threw a punch.
"Whoa." Michaela said as she dodged. "Really? Can't we have one night where all just get along?"
Michaela and Larry tried to get the pirates to stop fighting, but nothing they did worked; the pirates just ignored them. Michaela dodged another attack when an idea came to her. Why hadn't she thought about it sooner? It was a good idea, but would it actually work?
Michaela was so busy thinking out her plan that she was not aware of the pirate coming up behind her.
"Kiya, look out." Ahkmenrah said as he quickly made his way over to her. He shoved the pirate right before he could attack Michaela.
Michaela turned around and stared. "You…just called me Kiya.
"I'm sure that I didn't. Michaela and Kiya sound so alike."
Michaela blinked. "If that's what you want to believe. We're going to talk about this, but first I figured out a way to stop the pirates." Michaela took off running. She then hollered back, "And we will talk about this."
Michaela ran down the hall and it didn't take her long to find what she was looking for. Rexy was lying on the floor without a care in the world.
"Rexy, get up." Rexy looked up at Michaela. "I need your help with something."
Rexy stood as he stretched. He then followed Michaela.
Once the two of them were back in the lobby, Michaela pointed to the pirates. "All right, Rexy, make sure the pirates don't cause any more trouble."
Rexy roared, making everyone in the lobby stop and look over. One of the pirates moved; Rexy roared again making the pirate instantly stop.
"If any of you pirates even think about starting another fight Rexy will attack you." Michaela said looking at the pirates as if daring them to move.
Marcus stepped forward. "I'm not afraid of this creature."
Rexy turned, swiping his tail at Marcus and sending him flying across the room.
"Perhaps I should rethink my strategy." Marcus said.
"Like maybe not starting a fight?" Michaela suggested.
"Might be a good start."
"Good thinking, Michaela." Larry said as he walked up to her.
"Thanks." Michaela glanced around. "Where's Ahkmenrah?"
"Oh, I think he went back to his room."
Michaela nodded. She then made her way there. She did not forget the talk they still had to have.
When she walked into the Egyptian exhibit, Ahkmenrah was no where to be seen. As she walked further in she saw that his sarcophagus lid was closed.
She knocked on the lid. "Ahk, are you in there?"
No answer.
"We should talk about what happened."
Still no answer.
Michaela sighed as she sat down. She could just move the lid and force him to talk, but she wasn't going to do that. She knew that this Kiya person had meant a lot to him and it hurt him greatly not knowing what happened to her. Michaela looking like his friend didn't help his pain any. She thought they had gotten passed her looking like his friend, but it was clear that Ahkmenrah was only ever going to see her as Kiya and not as Michaela.
The more Michaela thought about it the more she was glad Ahkmenrah was hiding away. She wouldn't know what to say now. Maybe it would be better if she just stayed out of his way from now on. If he wasn't going to see her for herself than there was no point in trying to be friends.
"Michaela, there you are."
Michaela glanced up and saw Larry walking in.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Michaela said. "What's up? Are the pirates causing problems again?"
"Surprisingly, Rexy kept them in line. It's morning though, so our shift is over."
"Oh." Michaela hadn't realized it was so late…or early. Michaela stood, but as soon as she did the world spun. She put her hand on the sarcophagus to steady herself.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I probably just stood up too fast." Once everything stopped spinning, the two of them starting walking. "I really hope my roommate will let me have the necklace."
"Do you think the necklace is real?" Larry asked.
"I don't know, but it's the only shot we have." Michaela grabbed her bag from her locker. "Larry, what am I going to tell Candace if she won't give me the necklace? I have no idea how this conversation will go."
"Well, if she asks why you need it tell her the truth."
Michaela shut her locker and looked at Larry. "Really? You wouldn't mind if she knew?"
"If you think she can handle it, go ahead and tell her. Unless you have a really good explanation on why you need her necklace."
Michaela sighed. She was not looking forward to this conversation. "I'll let you know how it goes." Michaela then headed back to campus.
All the way there, Michaela rehearsed what she was going to say…or at least try to say. She still had no idea what she was going to say. Why would she need Candace's necklace? That was a very good question.
Michaela arrived back her dorm all too soon. She knew she had to get the necklace soon, but she was hoping Candace wasn't there so she could prolong it just a bit longer. Opening the door Michaela found luck was not on her side. Candace was there doing yoga.
"Morning, Michaela." Candace said when she noticed her roommate.
"Morning." Michaela walked in and shut the door behind her. She then sat on her bed.
"What's with the face?"
"I uh…well, I kind of need a favor."
Candace stood, giving Michaela her full attention. "What kind of favor?"
Michaela was silent.
"You aren't going to ask me for money, are you?"
"No, of course not!"
"I was only kidding. Calm down."
"Sorry. I just…" Well, might as well just say it and get it over with. "I need your necklace. The one you're wearing in that picture." Michaela pointed.
Candance glanced over at the picture, then back at Michaela. "Why do you need it?"
"Well, I was reading about the pirates your parents donated and I read that the captain had that necklace. It was given to him by his wife. I just thought it would be nice if he had it back."
Michaela mentally scolded herself. That was the lamest excuse ever. There was no way Candace was going to fall for it.
Candace raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Do you know how much I had to beg my parents to let me have that necklace?"
"So, it's the real thing?"
Candace shrugged. "It's real silver. As to whether it's the real necklace Captain Marcus had, I have no idea."
"If it's real silver it's real enough. I really need it."
"Not until you tell me why you need it." Michaela opened her mouth, but Candace stopped her. "The real reason."
Larry did say she could tell the truth about the museum, but should she?
"Come on, what's up?"
Michaela took a deep breath. "Ok, I'll tell you but it's going to sound crazy. The museum comes to life at night with the power from Ahkmenrah's tablet."
Candace stared at Michaela for a moment. Then she laughed. "The museum comes to life? That's a good one."
"I told you it was going to sound crazy, but it's the truth. Captain Marcus wants that necklace and if he doesn't get it then he's going to kill me and my friend Larry."
"Yeah, still not buying it."
"Come to the museum with me tonight. Then you'll see."
"Sure, why not? Homework and sleep can wait."
"And bring the necklace."
"Ok, I'll bring the necklace too."
Well, at least Candace will bring the necklace. But what will happen if it's not the real thing? Will Marcus know? And if it isn't the real one Marcus won't be happy and Candace will be in danger because of her. Hopefully, things will go their way. Then again, when do things ever go their way?