Chapter 34
It was a short time later that found both Kontar and his charged out of pain but breathing heavily as they held each other. All marveled at what happen and confused of not understanding. Expect for the girl's former family who was angry.
After a pause two male voices ranged out, "You vacuous girl!" Joshua stated.
Matthew sounded horrified as he stared, "Look at what have you done?!"
Jessica calmly removed herself from her former cousin hold and stood up and walked passed them all and down the hall. When it was safe she took of running and pushed open the back door and out on the street and took off as quickly as possible. She ran and knocking over some baskets from stalls of vendors as she stumbled in her run at times and she zig zagged down different streets and different directions if she saw a glow of light of any kind. Finally she paused next to a street lamp and clung to it as she slowly lowered herself to her knees and stayed put crying and clinging to it.
Sometime later a quiet shadow moved behind her as he stepped into the light. He was one of the people that was hypnotize by Imhotep earlier that night and he moved toward her slowly. However, another shadow step even more silently from the shadows and grabbed a hold of him and slit his throat and moved into the light saw the grim person of Kontar. Who stared silently at the girl before turning and shoved the dead body towards Ardeth and Shafi as they caught the limp body they dragged it away into the darkness. After the shadows had swallowed them.
Kontar turned and knelled down beside the woman and waited patiently. Ten minutes he found Jessica in his arms with them wrap around him seeking out comfort in which he dragged her across his knees and had her sitting there and held her. Her soft voice whispered into his chest, "Am I Stupid?"
"You are not stupid for wanting what every child needs." he replied, for the longest time they sat underneath the light.
"Hold me." was her soft plea.
He shifted her around till she straddle him and he wrapped his arms around her and she ducked herself into him deeper. Time seemed to drift them by, it was Kontar's voice that broke through the quiet, "We should head back, sister."
"I don't want to face anyone." She gripped him tighter.
"You will not have to, remember you are not alone and do not need to fight this battle alone. We are very proud nonetheless."
She pulled back a little and he brushed his knuckles gently on her cheek, and in a soft voice order her to stand. She did so silently and sullenly watching Kontar climb to his feet gracefully and gently looped her arm through his left and escorted her back to the building where the rest of them waited at. Once they entered, he moved her away from the rest to a corner where they sat.
Jessica let out a straggled snob and spoke softly, Kontar heard it but said nothing, "Papa, please." He took a nearby blanket that Sahfi and him had found along with some gathered supplies on their away back. He gently placed it around his new sister and kissed the top of her head as he stood and whispered, "I will not be away long."
She did even acknowledge him. Kontar walked away as he came up to Quinn, she paused in what she was doing and glanced up. The bag I gave you had some of her things in it from the trip, see what you can do for her. Warm some water for her to sponge bath the comfort of it might help in the morning light." She nodded her head and went over to the bag he placed down earlier before.
He turned to the ones who caused her pain and moved over to the huddle group. His jaw was clenched and his muscles tense as he strode forward to them with thoughts of wanting to hurt them as they hurt Jessica. He came to a stop in front of them. Matthew stood up in front of him and he narrowed his eyes at the man. Like lightening Kontar grabbed Matthew by the throat and slammed him into the wall behind him. He went to speak but he was to angry to say speak and removed a dagger from his person and slammed it into the wall right by his cousin's head with a look that spoke, Don't come near ever again.
He spun on his heel and moved away leaving a stun, fearfully group behind him. He slowly made his way back to Jessica and laid down beside her who was in a fretful sleep. He moved until he had cradled her body against his. Softly throughout the night he sang two lullabies that his mother would sing to him every so often to calm her dreams. His voice was beautiful and had Quinn hypnotized as she listened to the voice that was filled with emotion.
Over in Killarney, many years ago. My mother sang a song to me in tones so sweet and low, just a simple little ditty in her good old Irish way. And I'd give the world if she could sing that song to me this day.
Too-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry! Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.
Oft in dreams I wander to that cot again. I feel her arms a-hugging me as when she held me then. And I hear her voice a-hummin' to me as in the days of yore, when she used to rock me fast asleep outside the cabin door.
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry! too-ra-loo ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby.
Kontar paused for a breath and continued. Oh Lord! Help Jessica sleep. Oh Lord! Help Jessica sleep. May she become sleepy, may she grow loving to pray and to fast. Oh God make her healthier each day. May she go to sleep and I will cook a declicious pigeon.
Go pigeon bird, don't believe what I am saying, I just say it so that Jessica will sleep. Jessica, Jessica, beautiful rose of the prairies, you having shining brown hair. The one who loves you shall kiss, and the one who hates you will go away.
Oh merchants of grapes and of jujube, tell my mother and my father the gypsies have kidnapped me from below the tent of "Majdaliyyeh". I will take you on a little trip, to place where there are prunes under the apricot tree and each time the wind blows, I will pick an apricot for Jessica. Hey Lina, lend us you kettle and you bowl so that we wash the clothes of Jessica, and hang them up on the jasmine tree? Oh Lord! Help Jessica sleep.
It was nearly dawn when he removed himself from his sister and stood up and move to Quinn and shook her awake and nodded in Jessica's direction she quickly nodded her head in agreement.
Quinn stood up and stretch and walked over to her friend. Stooping down she removed part of the blanket and shook Jessica awake. Jessica mumbled something and rolled over and pulled the blanket back over her head. Quinn smiled softly and whispered, "Oh, no you don't Miss. Jessica. I was order to get you up and get you ready this morning before the others gets up."
As Quinn was speaking she yanked the blanket right off of Jessica. She watched as Jessica turned over and gave a pouting look. "Don't even think about using those sad eyes on me, young mistress. Up!"
"I told you never to call me that." was the replied back as Jessica held up her hands and grabbed Quinn's hands and was pulled to her feet and was ushered to another spot behind some crates and boxes that offered some protection from prying eyes.
She stripped and let Quinn's nimble fingers do the work as she stood still with a faraway look in her eyes. Not even when Quinn sponged bath her and slipped on clean clothes and woman padding. It was only after that she guided her back out into the open that Jessica snapped out of her dazed thoughts and looked down at what she had been dressed in. It was the blue and white dress she had worn from the village.
She glanced up in surprise at Quinn, who smiled gently and, "Your cousin..." there was a short pause from Quinn before speaking again as she moved towards the bag and pulled Jessica's brush from it and brought the bag back over to Jessica, "your brother and protector brought your bag to me last night and I made sure everything you packed and what you worn was clean and still inside of it. Though the dress was difficult to get clean"
Moving back to Jessica and placed the strap of the bag into the girl's hand they both sat down and as Quinn began to brush Jessica hair. Jessica started to look through her bag, making note to see if anything got left behind, her night gown and her books was still inside and she took one out a leather bound plain book and opened to the mark page, began to read and loose herself in the pages. Never noticed that Quinn was done brushing her hair and had her hair pulled back into a french braid. The braid was down both sides of her head into two parts and both parts she pulled back into a simple single braid. She gently placed the brush beside her and had stood and walked away from Jessica.
Sometime later Jessica's former family moved towards the rest of the group and was forcefully shown where to sit by Rick, "Not a word."
Matthew went to speak back, "Be silent. Before you caused more harm." Was the firm voice from Ardeth who came up from behind.
They sat sullenly down, without much fess after they grabbed a small plate of fruit. He moved over to Jessica. As he approached his betrothed. He watched her carefully as she glanced up from the book she was reading and placed it aside as she stood. He drew her against him and she snuggled into him and breathed in deeply and placed a kiss on his chest and smiled against him and whispered, "Good Morning."
His hold tighten around her in response. She glanced up at him and they stared at each other for a while before her eyes drifted down to his lips and back to his eyes. he slated his lip against hers for a kiss and pulled away from her. Cupping her face with his hands and fingers and he leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers and they stared for a time into each other eyes. Jessica wanted to feel his kisses again, because it was very different and addicting maybe it was his kept beard that made the difference but she had a feeling it was something more to it and she couldn't put her finger on it.
Her thoughts got interrupted by someone clearing their throat they both turned at the same time to see who it was and saw Kontar standing there with two plates. Ardeth nodded his head and took his leave as he did so he squeezed Jessica's hand briefly as he walked away.
Kontar and Jessica watched him walk away before looking at each other in silence. Kontar motioned Jessica to sit down and he sat down cross-legged and handed her the small bowl of fruit. Taking a piece of fruit from the bowl Jessica chewed it slowly and thoughtfully, though face held the look, no words filter through her mind. Kontar's words broke through her silent mood, "What are you thinking of?"
She paused halfway of lifting another piece of fruit to her mouth before sitting it back into the chip dish and looked at him. They study each other for a time. He took her hand and held it gently, she stared at their join hands and the different tones of each one for a time with sadness. "Jessica?"
She glanced back up at her new brother again and he removed the dish from her lap and set it beside him as he gently turned her to him. "I can't help beautiful one, if you don't tell me, nor can I read your mind. Don't close yourself off." Her lower lip tremble and eyes watery before falling against him. Kontar pulled her against his side and waited for her to speak.
Jessica was terrified from before she lashed out on him before. She had an older sibling now who could help her. But she was scared to trust but she had too. She felt Kontar's arm tighten around her more and she moved her fingers absently minded on his chest making different symbols and shapes, and the silence stretch to an uncomfortable length of time finally she started to make the Star Of David and froze and she made a symbol a few times as an idea came to her and she pulled away to look into the grey-blue eyes of her protector for the longest of time.
"What is it? What is wrong?" His tone soft and his face searching hers trying to find the issue.
She ponder if she should answer him. On one hand it would put her at ease but on another hand the timing wasn't right to bring it up. Not with what was happening around them and the danger they were in. She glanced at him and blinked her eyes a few times. "There is something on my mind and it is nothing to fret about. I will tell you when I am ready. I don't want to be a burden more than I have to.
Kontar frowned and went to speak, but a voice that they both knew so well was heard from above them and glancing up they saw Adele standing there, "Nonsense, you are my daughter and my son's sister. You are not a burden and never will be."
Adele reached down and pulled Jessica to her feet Adele turned slightly around and looked behind her to another woman that was standing there, "Jessica meet Leah. Leah meet Jessica, our former niece who is now our daughter due to what happen and it is why we are here not only for our son's sake but our daughter's sake too."
Jessica felt so much love and protectiveness in her aunt's voice and her tears started again. Adele pulled Jessica into her arms and whispered to the broken and hurt girl, "Not all tears are of sadness, hurt or even happiness. Let it out child tears can also be healing cleansing."
Jessica heard an unladylike snort from the other woman and she glanced up and looked over at her since her new mother was still half turned towards the woman and the words from Leah had her tightly clinging even more to Adele, "She isn't no daughter of mine nor of our husband."
Adele narrowed her eyes at her sister-wife, "Jamal would have approved of the girl's choice and would have gladly called her daughter and to me it's strange that the bond had settle so quickly between us all."
"Well nothing happened to me." Leah sneered.
"Because she didn't know about you, nor heard of you!" shouted Adele.
"That isn't my problem!"
Adele inhaled deeply to calm herself she knew Leah was a kind and stern woman but this was a bomb shell dropped on the woman who had lost much and Adele's heart went out to her for she had miss read what the woman would do or reacted. She had hoped that finding out about Jessica as a daughter would help her heal the pain of loosing her own and she knew Jessica would love her just as much. But it wasn't and now they had a new issue at hand.
Leah's voice broke through her thoughts, "I can't believe you have forgotten! Or does it mean so little to you all!"
"Enough!" Kontar voice was heard and in a gentler tone he continued, "No one has forgotten nothing almost mother, but I will gladly welcome Jessica Piper Mckinney into this family as Jessica Piper Fatah if she so chooses."
"You can't mean that?" Leah spoke.
"As the head of this family I can and I do. Its finished and I have accepted, so has mother and you will do likewise."
Adele watched Leah turned and walked away and felt Jessica move from beside her she reached for the girl to stop her but her son held out his arm to stop her and she watched with baited breath as Jessica moved up and behind the woman and when she was a few feet behind her spoke, "I know of your daughter and I am deeply sorry for your lost. And I am not replacing her nor can I."
No words was heard from Leah as she moved away from them all without looking back. Adele was finally allowed to move and walked up by her daughter, "That was an honorable thing you did my dear."
"It wasn't enough."
"No. It will help though." replied Adele.
"What now?" Whispered Jessica.
"We have plans and things need to be decided upon and quickly." Responded Kontar as he walked away from the two women and moved over to Ardeth. Ardeth raised an eyebrow in question and Kontar shook his head.
"We are ready to move out." Spoke Kontar as he reached the other men.
"Yes, we waited long enough. We will put a stop to this creature or try dying and nothing less." Was Ardeth's response.
"Just one problem with that gents," Spoke up Jonathan. "How are we going to reach the city, again?"
"I do know someone who could help us." Stated Rick.
"What of the others?" Asked Shafi.
They can go to my sister's apartment to be kept safe." spoke up Jonathan.
The others nodded their head in an agreement as Rick stated, "We move out now."
They turned and started to leave the building the others following after them. Ardeth halted his two warriors and Jessica paused not to far away from them, "Take the women and that family back to the apartment and keep them there."
"Yes, Chieftain." Both warriors said.
Shafi and kontar moved away to do as order and than Jessica approached Ardeth and his attention turned towards her, "I want to come with you, Ardeth."
He stared hard at her for a time, "I can't allow that woman-child it is too dangerous."
Jessica blinked back her tears her lips trembled with emotion, "Please, she is my sister."
He closed his eyes and sought out his adoptive mother, and all she did was nodded her head at him and he frowned not liking the answer. His gaze turned back to Jessica, "You will do as told."
"Yes." Jessica replied in a firm voice.
"Very well." Ardeth replied. She quickly went and hugged her new mother and Quinn, followed by Kontar and she whispered into his ear, "Keep an eye on them and way from my bedroom and Quinn's please."
"Understood sister. Listen to our chieftain, and no questions or arguments." She nodded her head slightly against him and felt his lips pressing against the top of her head. She moved away from him to where the three men stood at. They gave a farewell and which Ardeth return in their native tongue before leading the way down the street. The other three followed behind him.
As the group hurried through the strangely quiet streets. Until they finally reached the area that Jonathan's car had crashed at. Everyone's eyes was drawn the the grisly scene of Dr. Bey's death. Jessica placed a fist to her mouth to keep her scream stifled Ardeth immediately placed himself in the line of her sight and whispered fiercely, "Turn away woman-child. Don't look focus on me."
Ardeth turned her around and helped her into the car and he slipped into the back with her as the other two climbed into the front. Jessica curled herself into Ardeth as Jonathan Reversed the car down the street and at the end turned it around and drove out of the Cairo and by late dawn had found themselves near the Erfound Dunes at His Majesty's Royal Air Corp.
They drove through the gate and some children chattering as they move goats and a few adults that was working nearby. Parking the car near the huts that was built. They walked towards a man that was sitting up on a hill of sand some yards away from them. Listening to a man singing from a phonautograph and drinking what could have been coffee or tea.
Rick raised his hand in a greeting while shouting out, "Morning, Winston. Uh, a word?"
Winston placed his cup down and studied the group before him, for a full minute before speaking, "O'Connell what is your word?"
"Uh, we have a little problem." was Rick's response.
"What's your little problem got to do with His Majesty's Royal Air Corps?" He spoke his question and took a sip of his drink.
"Not a damn thing." Rick responded.
Winston paused in his drinking and quickly placed his cup and plate down as he spoke interested, "Is it dangerous?"
"You probably won't live through it." O'Connell responded with a slight smile in amusement.
Winston leans forward more in his chair, "By Jove, do you really think so?"
"Well, everybody else we've bumped into has died. Why not you?"
Jessica and Ardeth looked at Jonathan. Next thing anyone knew Jessica hit her brother on the back of the head.
"Ow! Jessica what was that for?"
"Being insensitive."
Ardeth lifted his mouth into small smirk before going serious again.
"It's fine young lady." Spoke up Winston who rubbed his hands together in glee.
She looked at the older man unsure, but didn't say nothing else. As he stood up from his chair and looked back at Rick, "What's the, uh, What's the challenge then?"
"Rescue the damsel in distress, kill the bad guy and save the world."
A slow grin spreads across Winston's face and his laugh was heard, "Oh! Winston Havelock at your service, sir."
He gave them all a snappy salute and measured them all up before walking away quickly the rest followed behind them. They soon found themselves on the plane or in. In this case Jonathan and Jessica was tied on the one side with Ardeth on the other side of the plane. Rick took the gunner's compartment and Winston the cockpit. Soon after they took off. Jessica didn't like the take off but soon found herself enjoying the ride. She glanced to the side of her and saw her brother not doing well and looked like he might be sick. She was to busy enjoying the ride that she missed out on Rick's question and her brother's answered.
Jessica looked up again a short while later and noticed Winston pointing out something and shouted, "See that? I've never seen one so big."
"Never?" Was Rick shouted response.
"No!" Wintson.
They tilted in that direction that they saw the sand storm heading. "Hey, Winston! Pedal faster!" was heard a few minutes later and the sound of the gun was going off and that had Jessica scared. Especially when she heard Winston shout, "Hang on, men!"
The plane took a dive down as everyone started to scream. But the wall of sand kept following them and than they were engulfed by it . As Winston tries to keep the plane in control, elated. Last thing Jessica heard was Here I come, laddies!" and his laughter.
And she slipped from the plane and landed on the desert ground both on gentle sand and hard rock as the wind was knocked out of her and she blacked out.
The first song is called Too-Ra-Loo-Ral (Irish Lullaby) by J. R. Shannon and Roy Ringwalk
The second song is called Yalla Tnam Rima by Fairouz (I replaced a couple of words to fit Jessica more.)