Carter had been having Ba experiences at the most random times that week. The first time he had another experience, was two days after he got sick and all it was, was him watching his family try to break his almost deadly fever. It had only lasted about 45 minutes before he felt the sensation of being pulled back. The next time was later that same day, he realized then that no matter what he tried he would be leaving his body more than once this week; he continued to watch his sister while she sat there holding his hand trying to help in any way she could. He also knew that if he ever brought it up she would deny it, so he took it upon himself to never tell her what he saw as a Ba.
His powers were also getting harder to hold back when he was in his physical body. He knew that he soon would not be able to hold any of it back as each wave of pain would strike him. He was aware that he only had about four days until he died and he was doing everything in his power to fight and stay with his sister, but he really just wished he could at least say goodbye because he knew his chances of surviving whatever this illness was were way too slim to put all of his hope into.
On the fourth day, Carter had an idea. He thought about his overall situation and focused on one thought. He was rewarded when Sadie was awoken by his small burst of magic. What caused this? Well…He had thought that maybe if he focused his mind on one thought and let his power loose just a little, then it might create a hieroglyph. He hadn't known if it would work because he was trying something only the most powerful magician could do, but it was all he had left. He had no other ideas and if it didn't work then either way he was going to die. He was also unsure of how well it might work given that he could only attempt it as a Ba, but he was slightly more hopeful when he saw that he had managed to actually create a glyph and as he watched his sister rush out of the room to more and likely go get their parents. He was tired and creating that one tiny glyph took a lot of energy out of him and he knew that the more he tried the less time he would have as a Ba before he would re-enter his body, but that was ok with him. Soon after, he noticed his parents were confused; so focusing again he managed a very dim hieroglyph and drained his energy even more. He was glad when his parents saw it and was curious as to why his father left until he managed to hear his mother explain to Sadie what was happening. He was running out of time as a Ba and was relieved when his father returned with his uncle Amos, Carter felt drained beyond anything, but he held on. Once his uncle finally arrived, Carter knew he was out of time; so he sent out one final "message". It was the only thing that Carter could think that might give a clear answer to the overall question of his health. He could only hope that his uncle would guess what it meant.
After, he got his message across, Carter felt the familiar tug at his Ba to rejoin his physical body and he did, he was too tired to try and ignore the pull. Once again in his physical self, Carter was assaulted by heat and pain. He hurt so much he barely heard what must've been his uncles muffled voice as he lost full consciousness that came with being a Ba, telling him to hold on, to fight, and it was with those final words that carter fell into a dreamless comatose state again.
As Carter began to regain consciousness, he could hear more muffled voices. He had to take a few minutes before he was able to slightly distinguish his family from who he assumed were the gods. Carter could barely make out what they were saying, until he felt himself leave his body once more although they were unaware of him and he had no idea what time or day it was. He figured it wasn't too long given that he was still alive. He listened in and realized that they were talking about his memories for some reason, but h didn't catch all of it because he was focused on relishing in the moment of pain free…everything!
Carter finally heard and saw everything that was going on around him once this moment was over. Horus was pacing the floor in deep thought, Isis talking with his mother and sister, and Thoth speaking in hushed conversation with his father and uncle. Thoth was asking quiet questions about symptoms and thing like that trying to think of what might be causing Carter to be so sick, but by the look on his face of confusion and slight frustration, Carter figured that not even Thoth knew what was wrong. Cater then over hear the idea of searching his memories and he wasn't sure how to feel about that. It turns out that Thoth knew an old memory spell that would allow the person to in a way astral project themselves ass a third party into another's mind, so they could see said persons memories. Carter knowing, he had no say in what was to happen just decided to listen in to the conversation between his family and the ancient god.
"So how will we be able to see his memories?" asked uncle Amos with a look of uncertainty on his face
"Simple really, though my explanation was probably really lengthy so I take it your confused. Either way, all you have to do is Astral project yourself into Carter's mind instead of an open space and then you'll begin your search." Thoth responded as if it were a walk in the park.
"Ok...Wait, what do you mean search? Search for what?" asked Julius slightly frantic at this new objective.
"Yes, you must search for the correct memory. It's not just going to appear waiting for you. The mind is full of memories and thoughts that go with said memories, think of them like doors. Behind each door is a different memory and thought. Find the right door and voilà you've found the correct memory." Elaborated Thoth
"Ok, got it. Is there anything else you can tell us? How do we know when we found the right one if there are supposedly so many?" Asked Amos looking over to see how Carter's condition was doing, not surprised that there hadn't seemed to be a change at all.
"Ah, yes two things actually, I almost forgot which would be very ironic. The memories are like doors, which makes the mind like a hallway. Usually the newer memories are towards the end of the hallway, which itself is the end of Carter's mind in a way. The exit it the present. That make sense?" explained Thoth slowly "Lastly, even though you'll be a third party in Carter's mind, you'll be seeing things the way he does. An example would be if Carter see's colors differently then so will you; so on and so forth. Hope you got all that because I must be off, goodbye and good luck." Answered Thoth slightly cryptically before disappearing off to wherever he went.
"Ok?" said Julius not sure what to make of all the information he was just given
Carter watched as his father and uncle finally walked over to his mother, sister, and Isis; while being joined by Horus who had stopped pacing to hear the news. As his father explained the plan it suddenly hit Carter just what Thoth meant by them seeing thing the way he does. It meant that all the spirits he had seen, no matter what the memory…so would they.
That sent a chill down his Ba where he knew his physical spine would be. He wasn't sure how Thoth could've known that he could see the dead, but it was too late to bring it up seeing as he couldn't talk for one and the fact that he had no clue where Thoth had gone. He could only hope that it didn't change how they looked at him, sanity wise. Suddenly, the chill was back, but it wasn't one of foreboding. This chill was comforting and very familiar. Carter turned to his right and was just barely able to make out the appearance of his grandparents standing off into the corner watching him with smiles on their faces and somehow, Carter knew that even if no words were exchanged this time, they were there to look after him until his family could save him. If they could save him. Carter gave them a small smile in return before looking back to his family. Horus and Isis left, leaving only his parents, sister, and uncle alone with well…him.
Carter watched as they began trying to astral project themselves into his mind. He could suddenly feel an intrusive force pulling his Ba back into his body. Carter let himself be pulled back in and hoped that his family could find out whatever those men did to him and finally free him from the pain; because in the end he'd be free of it anyway, but how was now, and had been in the hands of his family.
A/N: hi everyone sorry this one took longer. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a review and let me know.