Guest- LOL, I love the idea of a death ray coming from the ring.
ScandalOnica- Ptah is more like twiddle dumbest. At least Erica is just clueless.
Kelleekellkell- get ready to lean Erica's fate.
And to all you other beautiful reviewers who expressed your love for this story, thank you. I know my updates have been sporadic but I appreciate you hanging in there.
Time Will Reunite Us
Chapter 12
No Idea
Dingy beige walls, poster boards with yellowing flyers, a grimy water cooler and three desks in varying states of disarray comprise the temple security office. Little more than a storage closet, the room has no windows and only one way in and out. In the far corner, a fluorescent light panel flickers and hums, refusing to give up the ghost. Against the back wall are two large metal bookcases with walkie-talkies, flashlights, zip ties, night sticks, pepper spray, dirty coffee cups and donated hard hats; everything a crack security force of ten will need should an unruly horde of elderly tourist get out of hand; at least that's what the local police jokingly think.
Fitz sits on a cushionless metal chair beside the desk closest to the door. Local police have arrived to get his statement and take Erica into custody. He can hear Erica screaming at the top of her lungs in the makeshift detention cell across the hall. For the last two hours he's been trying to make sense of a situation that makes no sense. Why would Erica try to kill him? Why had she become so irritable and antagonistic over the last few days?
A uniformed officer takes the seat behind the desk. He pulls out his iPad and pen. He nods to Fitz and introduces himself.
"My name is Lt. Ahmed Hanif, are you okay? Do you need a glass of water? Are you comfortable giving a statement at this time?" Hanif's accent is strong but his English understandable.
"I think so. No, yes, I'm fine."
"What is your full name, please?" Hanif asks without looking at Fitz.
"Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III."
"Do you know the woman who attacked you?"
"Yes, she's my independent study tour guide. My university arranged for her to escort me around Egypt. We've been visiting historic architecturally significant sites. I only met her a few weeks ago."
"Had she given you any prior indication she wanted to harm on you? Did you provoke her in some way?"
"No, this attack came out of nowhere. Our relationship had been cordial until today."
"What happened today?"
"Shortly before assaulting me she seemed to take offense to a comment I made about a possible modern day cult dedicated to Hathor worship." Fitz answers with a floppy hand gesture on the table.
"What exactly did you say?" Hanif probes, now looking up at Fitz.
"I don't remember specifically, something along the lines I had heard rumors. She said she did her dissertation on Hathor and something about historians discounting women's ability to lead nations and influence people."
Erica's screams turn bloodcurdling startling Fitz and Hanif, who both immediately look across the hall with concern.
"Excuse me a moment." Hanif goes across the hall to find out what's happening.
He opens the door to find one of the guards crotched down next to Erica whispering in her ear. She's sitting on the floor, her back to wall shaking her head screaming "no, that can't be!". The guard looks up at Hanif who is wondering where his partner is.
"Ayn hu aldabit Khalfani?" (Where is officer Khalfani?)
"Dhahab mae alhurras lijame al'adlat." (He went with the guards to gather evidence)
"Madha tefeal biha? (What are you doing to her?)
"La shay, akhbaratha 'anaha satadhhab'iilaa almustashfaa lifahsiha." (Nothing, I told her she is going to a hospital to be examined.)
As if on cue, medics arrive to take Erica away. They lift her off the floor, strap her to a gurney and roll her toward the door. She continues to scream "that can't be". Hanif blocks the medics exit.
"Waraqat aleamal?" (paperwork)
"Kli shay'fi mahalih, alsamah lahum bialmurur. "(Everything is in order, let them pass.) An authoritative voice booms from behind. Surprised, Hanif turns immediately to face the very familiar voice.
"Qayid almuntakhab." (captain)
The distinguished looking older man with salt and pepper curly hair and a short-boxed beard, waives the medics on. Returning his attention to Hanif, he motions him to the side.
"Aintahaa min'akhadh bayan alsyd Grant, thuma 'uhdirh li. Sayati shakhs ma lifatrat wajayazatin." (Finish taking Mr. Grant's statement, then bring it me. Someone will come for him shortly.)
"Sayidi, lm 'aqim bimuqabilat almahajim. Khalfani wa'ana lm 'akmal altahqiq." (Sir, I did not interview the attacker. Khalfani and I have not completed the investigation.)
"Khalfani yadhhab'iilaa almustashfaa mae almar'ati. Aintahaa huna, thuma eud iilaa almahatat." (Khalfani is going to the hospital with the woman. Finish up here then head back to the station.)
"Lkn ya sayidi." (but sir)
The captain warns Hanif sternly. "La lkn jaraant hu abn 'ahad 'aeda' majlis alshuyukh al'amriki. La 'urid'an yatahawal hdha alhadith 'iilaa bed aljadel aldiblumasi. (No buts, Grant is the son of a U.S. senator. I do not want this incident to turn into some diplomatic controversy.)
"Nam sayidi." (yes sir)
Hanif returns to the security office to complete Fitz's statement. "I apologize for the interruption. I will have you out of here in short order." Fitz answers Hanif's questions as best he can. He doesn't know Erica well so he declines to speculate on her motivations. Hanif hands Fitz the transcribed interview and asks him to review it for accuracy.
"Is this an accurate account of what occurred?"
"Yes."
"Very well, please sign and date where indicated." Hanif hands Fitz the electronic pen.
"Do I get a copy of the report?"
"There is no printer here. I can have a copy emailed to you later if you wish." Hanif saves the report and takes the iPad to his captain.
Fitz lingers in the office not knowing whether he's free to go or not. He sits fidgeting with the signet ring, twisting it back and forth on his finger.
"Oh, thank goodness you're still here," the man entering the office says slightly out of breath.
Confession is Good for Your Ka
The temple security guards, who really aren't security guards, have changed into their temple habiliments and are at their stations on bended knees holding gold and ivory ceremonial spears. Cyrus has made sure throughout the ages only faithful followers serve as temple security. Hathor in her ethereal splendor hoovers above her altar. Erica stands cowering before her, whimpering, shaking her head in disbelief. How is it possible she is the actual betrayer not Fitz?
"On your knees quisling", Hathor commands eyeing Erica. You dare enter my temple to commit sacrilege!"
"No, no…no, Erica cries. I thought…I was told…you have to believe me!"
"Believe you! You, a fabulist, a poser! Did you not attempt to desecrate the very altar where the devout make supplication and priests entreaty for the laity!" Hathor's voice shakes the temple chamber. Erica sitting on her feet covers her ears and lowers her head to floor cringing in fear.
"Mercy", she cries. "I was tricked. I would never…"
"Silence mortal, your transgressions are irrefutable, but they pale in comparison to your most grievous offense." You conspired with Ptah, my eternal enemy."
"Mercy goddess. I had no idea I was in service to the fallen one. He duped me. He told me I was protecting you…that…that Fitz was an instrument of evil being used by your nemesis. He said you were blind to the truth staring you in the face because Fitz possessed the amulet of Belreign."
"If you be my true follower how is it you were so easily manipulated? Clearly your heart's allegiance was never bound in true communion to me."
"But goddess all I did, I did because I believed my work serviced you, protected you."
"Protected me? Do you believe a mere mortal possesses the power to protect me? Tell me mortal, can you pull lightening from the sky?" Olivia snaps her finger and a bolt of lightning streaks across the temple ceiling. "Answer me!"
"No," Erica weeps.
"Can you scale the realm's highest mountain?" In the blink of an eye Erica is whisked to the top of Mt. Everest, then back to the temple. Shaking from the cold and fear she sobs uncontrollably.
"Do you command the guardians of Duat with a thought?" Immediately, two nether world beings with scythes, shields with golden lassos and skeleton sashes appear. They bow to Hathor.
"Who do you wish to send forth, great mistress," they ask. Their united voices are chillingly deep, dark, replete with death.
"Mortal, pray tell what power do you possess that can protect me?"
"Mercy, mercy! Forgive me! What I did, I did in ignorance and out of respect. The fallen one beguiled me, convinced me you needed protecting. I am innocent of willful trespass. My heart shares no other allegiance. I serve no other god. I beg you, tell me how I can prove my fidelity is absolute."
Erica is completely distraught. Crumpled before Hathor in humble obsequiousness, she wails from a lament deep within her soul. To think, all this time she has been unknowingly conspiring with Hathor's true nemesis cripples her mentally and spiritually. How could she have ever entertained the thought Hathor needed protection? Where was her faith?
Regret, remorse and resignation quickly invade Erica down to her bones. "Great one you are right? My faith was not strong enough. I have failed you and all who share faith in you. I am at your mercy, do with me as you wish."
Hathor's ethereal presence slowly takes on human form. Regal in dress befitting a deity, she stands over the fetal positioned worshipper.
"Arise repentant mortal."
Erica stops crying, her head pops up, confusion contorts her face. Hathor appears to be looking down smiling at her. Convinced she's deluded herself in her final seconds of life, she stands expecting to be struck dead on her feet. She glances at the imposing guards of Duat who look eager to escort her to the underworld.
Hathor waves the guards of Duat away and they disappear with blaze of flames.
Erica is petrified. Could it be Hathor plans to send me to oblivion, destroy my ka and erase me from existence itself?
Hathor lifts Erica's head by the chin. Her eyes turn golden, she splits into her heptad and surrounds Erica.
Tragedy speaks first. "You were willing to commit the unpardonable, the taking of an innocent life."
Present speaks next. "The life you know must end for it is corrupted by the nemesis."
Hope speaks comfort. "I know you have been and are faithful. This lapse in judgment will not be held against you completely."
Past swirls her hand in the air and a glowing orb appears. The orb envelops Erica and transforms her into an infant. "All you have done is no more."
Future picks up the infant girl and hands her to a middle-aged couple who have just entered the temple. "Receive this gift for your faithfulness. Name this child."
The couple bows to the heptad. "Her name is Quinn, Quinn Perkins, goddess. We promise to love her and teach her your ways. Words are not enough to express our gratitude."
Hathor moves forward, to touch Quinn on the head. "No words are necessary. Your faith and service prove you deserving. Be on your way faithful ones and be happy." The Perkins bow again and leave in tears, smiling from ear to ear.
Hathor opens her arms wide, letting each fate rejoin her. Triumph is last. Before returning she pauses, her eyes turn the color of molten gold, her voice eerie and ominous. The guards look away in fear. "Ptah hear our voices, we speak as one. Your pawn is no more. You should have been content in your immortality for godhood is not and never will be in your future. You soon will walk the outskirts of Duat, neither mortal, nor god. A pitiful creature desperate for definition you shall become. Forever sharp shall your mind be, madness will never find you and grant escape from your eternal sentence. There will be no relief from your malediction. Fitzah's return is your augural. Prepare to be laid waste. Ruin, desolation and loneliness! Futility, obscurity and regret! These will soon be your companions!" Triumph's eyes return to normal and Hathor reassembles into one.
Nowhere to Hide
Ptah sits in a crowded café having coffee with Mellie, listening to her yammer piffle. Suddenly he hears the heptad's deafening voice. He covers his ears and looks out the window in terror. The heavens turn black, thunder rages, lightening fills the sky but only he can see and hear it. Mellie is so caught up in retelling what happened at the design and build ceremony she doesn't notice Jacob's distress. Ptah falls from his chair; Hathor's voice is drilling into his head like a rusty icepick. Mellie rushes to his aide. He pushes her away forcefully, stumbles to his feet, and runs to the exit, knocking down two servers laden with full trays in the process. Mellie runs after him, thinking he's drunk or trying to skip out on the bill. She finds him just outside the entrance, head down hyperventilating and covering his ears. He bolts up and starts pacing back and forth looking around in desperation, searching for place to escape his malediction.
"Fitzah's return is your augural! Prepare to be laid waste! Fitzah's return is your augural! Prepare to be laid waste! Fitzah's return is your augural! Prepare to be laid waste!
The heptad's dire chorus surrounds him, confining him to an imaginary box. He spins around circles unable to flee the torment. Then just as suddenly as the chorus began, it stops. The sky returns to normal and he can hear Mellie's annoying voice once again.
"Jacob are you alright?"
"What," he huffs.
"Are you alright? You made quite a scene in the restaurant. I think they may ban you."
"Fuck'um, he spits and walks off." Mellie runs after him.
"Hey, what's going on? What just happened? Do you need to see a doctor?" Mellie asks out of curiosity more so than concern.
"I don't know. I think I'm having an allergic reaction to the coffee?"
"Plain black coffee?" Mellie pulls back in disbelief.
"Damn it Mellie, maybe there was something more than coffee in the cup! Maybe the cup wasn't cleaned properly. What the hell, maybe I'm developing a sensitivity to Columbian coffee beans. I don't know!
Mellie raises her hands in surrender. "Sor-ree," she sings a bit miffed.
"Look, I'm sorry Mellie…" Mellie's phone interrupts Ptah's apology.
"What?... What…I don't understand…. Is he hurt, in a hospital?... They've lost contact?... Have no idea where he is?... How is that possible, he was attacked?... What kind of third rate police force do they have in that country?... Of course, I'll go with you…. Yes, yes, I can be ready in a few hours…. Okay, don't worry we'll find him."
Jacob can tell from Mellie's phone conversation his patsy was unsuccessful in killing Fitz. Irrational anger replaces Ptah's terror and he is more determined than ever to end the life of the recycled mortal who cost him his godhood. He may spend eternity a nonbeing but he will make sure Hathor's love languishes in the well of souls for another millennia before he descends to his loathsome fate in Duat.
"Jacob, I'm sorry I have to go. Fitz was viciously attacked in Egypt and Big Gerry is beside himself with worry because the authorities have no idea where Fitz is."
"Is he in a hospital?"
"Information is sketchy, both Fitz and the attacker to have vanished into thin air. We're flying to Cairo tonight to meet with embassy officials. Hopefully by the time we land Fitz will have been located."
"Go, go don't worry about me. I'll call you in a couple of days to see how you are doing. I recognize this is a very difficult time for you Mellie. So, I'll definitely be checking up on you." Ptah knows to get up-to-date information on Fitz he needs to kiss Mellie's self-centered ass. Make her the primary concern and she'll sing like a canary on Fitz's whereabouts.
"Thank you Jacob, you're a true friend."
AN – Well Hathor had mercy on Erica, who will now live on as Quinn Perkins.
Hathor/Olivia put Jacob/Ptah on notice. Not only is she going to put his immortal ass on the outskirts of the underworld, she's going to turn him into a nonbeing. Ouch!
Who do you think came to meet Fitz? Yeah, I know it's pretty obvious.
Gerry and Mellie do not understand the phrase "stay away". Do you think Olivia will be pissed or understanding given the attempt on Fitz's life?
Ptah will be crazy to the end. He is determined the kill Fitz; even if it hastens his own demise.
How do you think Fitz and Olivia will react to his near-death experience when they reunite?
