Chapter 12

The Sacrifices

Layla's POV

I felt different. I knew I was still recovering from whatever I just went through, but I felt…stronger. It was as if I had fire running through my veins.

"Darling, Ms. Carnaghan and Mr. OConnell have arrived." Papa said, peaking his head through the living room door.

Immediately I jumped the couch and rushed to my friends.

Evy found me and ran for me and embraced me tight in a hug. "Oh, Layla! Are you alright? We saw you faint."

"I'm better, but we have much to do. Come along. We need to go to the archives." I said.

"According to Legends, The black book the Americans found is supposed to bring people back from the dead. Until now it was a myth I couldn't believe." Evy explained as our group moved up the staircase.

"Believe it, Sister. It's what brought our buddy back to life."

"Well, I believe that if the black book can bring people back from the dead…"

"Then maybe the Gold book can kill him." Rick said.

"That's the myth." I said, believing we would find more answers once we get to the history stone. "Hopefully the stone can tell us where the gold book is hidden."

We heard a loud crowd approach the museum. Men chanting over and over IMHOTEP.

Rushing to the window we see the slave men approach us. We didn't have much time.

Last but not my least favorite plague, boils and sores." Jonathan noted as the men marched closer to us.

Ardeth spoke openly. " They have become his slaves. It has begun. The beginning of the end."

"Not yet, it hasn't. Come on Evy." I said, pulling Evy with me to the wall.

Together we read the hyrogliphics as fast as we could.

" According to Bembridge Scholars, the Gold book is inside the statue of Anubus."

"That's where we found the black book." The American explained.

"Exactly." Evy said, continuing to read.

"They were mixed up!?" I added, seeking the answer on the wall.

"Yes, mixed up were they were buried. So if the Gold Book was inside the statue of Anubus, The black book must be inside…."

In the next moment, we heard the museum doors open and slaves scattered their way inside.

" Come on, Evy. Faster."

" Patience is a Virtue…"

Rick turned to both of us. "Not right now it isn't."

I moved from the wall and held my hands to the entrance of the museum. Closing my eyes, I concentrated and envisioned the men rushing towards us.

With a deep breath, I imagined an invisible wall surrounding the staircase. The men couldn't break through.

" Layla, how are you doing that?" Rick asked.

"I don't know. I just do. Evy Hurry." I yelled, feeling the power of the chosen one weaken me quickly."

"I got it! The Golden Book is at Hamunaptra inside the statue of Horus. TAKE THAT, BEMBRIDGE SCHOLARS!"

I felt blood trickle down my nose and the wall protecting us is gone. I fell weakly into Ardeth.

" Layla?"

"I'm alright. Just help me." I asked, he put my arm around his neck and rushed me to the car as the slaves advanced towards us.

" Your gonna get yours, Benny! You hear me?! Your gonna get yours!" Rick yelled as we sped down the street and away from the roaring crowds.

Turning back, we moved ahead as far as the street would allow us until we were blocked by another wave of slaves.

I looked at Papa, then at Ardeth. Both of them kept their gaze ahead.

"I can't stop them, there's too many." I whispered.

" Don't even try, you will need all the strength you have to defeat the creature. These men are not worth it." Papa warned, gripping my hand tightly.

Not more then two seconds passed before Rick slammed his foot against Jonathans on the gas petal and we were advancing to the slaves fast.

"HANG ON!" Rick yelled as we began to hit several people with the car.

Evy screamed and yelled as men laid across the car, trying to pull us out. Papa had punched several men away from me, as did Rick for Evy and Jonathan.

Hearing a yell, Mr. Daniels called for help as several man grabbed hold of him and began to pull him out.

"Grab my hand!" I insisted, but as I toughed his fingers he was yanked out and tumbled to the side of a tinker market.

Turning around, I saw us making our way into a water hydrant. Everyone held on as the car crashed and sprayed water.

As soon as I could catch my breath, Ardeth pulled me from the car and urged us to run. More slaves appear and we run but only make it around the bend before we are surrounded.

" Imotep! Imotep"

Their chanting sent a shiver down my spine. So many people under his control. Several were burned with sores and boils. These poor men.

The slaves shifted and we see that the creature is no longer a mummified corpse, but a young man. No sign of rotted flesh or brittle bone. He has completed his transformation.

"It is the creature. He's fully regenerated." Papa warned us.

The creature gleamed at me. His smirk made me sick to my stomach.

" Chosen One…You have completed your reincarnation as well…Think you can defeat me?" He teased, somehow knowing I had no power left to fight.

" Don't" Ardeth warned from behind me, and gripped my upper arm.

The creature looked at Evy and encouraged her to go with him, promising her that he would spare our lives.

O'Connell wasn't having it.

" You got any bright ideas?" Evy asked.

"I'm thinking…I'm thinking."

"Well, you better think of something fast because if he turns me into a mummy, your the first one i'm coming after."

All of us looked ahead in shock as we watched Evy walk toward the creature.

" No." Ricks voice cracked with emotion and he pulled his pistol and pointed it at Imoteps face. The creature had no emotion, but remained his smirk, knowing he had what he came for.

Ardeth insisted we had one day to make it to Hamunaptra to fight the creature, and hopefully before he would hurt Evy.

Rick tried to get Evy, but Ardeth held him back as the creature dragged Evy away from us.

" KILL THEM ALL!" The creature ordered his servants and moved out of the courtyard.

"No! Let go of me!" Evys cries echo in the market.

We had no place to run, surrounded by slaves.

"Layla." My papa brought me into a hug and whispered to me. " My child. I love you so much."

Rick found a drain pipe under his feet. He tossed his fire post at the closest slave and opened the drain, pulling Jonathan to him.

" What about my sister?" He urged, but Rick assured him. " We're gonna get her back."

Papa insisted me to go in the tunnels, but I knew better. " Come on. Your next."

" Not this time." He said and moved a piece of hair from my face. "Someone has to stay behind to keep them out of the tunnels."

" No! Papa, I'll use this power, we can hold them off together."

" You are too weak, and you need to save your strength. More will happen in the next few hours that you will need it."

" Don't do this, papa. There's time for you to come with us. We can outrun them together."

" Ardeth,Take her. Protect her like you swore to me." Papa ordered to the media man behind me.

I felt Ardeth pull me away, and I knew this would be the last time i'd see my father.

" Papa! NO! LET ME GO! PAPA! I Love you Papa!" I cried as Ardeth passed me down to Jonathan and then jumped in after me.

Rick Jumped in and I saw Papas face as he closed the pot hole.

" Ardeth, cover her ears." Rick asked in a shaken voice.

" Why?" I ordered, but Ardeths hands clasped over my ears.

Although muffled, I could hear the sound of a man screaming. My Papa. He was being tortured.

I screamed as the sounds of papa died, and my heart breaking.

Ardeth removed his hands from my ears and held my crumbled frame. He whispered assuring words to me, some in Egyptian that he knew I would understand.

Through my crying, I heard Rick tell us to keep moving, for the slaves will get in the tunnels.

Ardeth picked me up, and carried me, giving me proper time to grieve over the death of my father.

So….I suck at Updates. But this is an update! Please comment/follow and favorite so I can try to keep up with chapters!

Till next time! - LisaBGreen