Author's Note: This chapter is for Ducky because I am afraid that Ducky will sic Beni on me (read the review). I hope you enjoy this Chapter Ducky! Thanks-Anna Lauren
Part XI-Trouble
Jonathan ran quickly back through the market looking for Rick and Evy, Ardeth close behind. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of blonde, rare in Egypt. He turned to see Alex standing by Evy. "Evy!"
Evy snapped her head around to see Jonathan running quickly towards her. He came to a quick stop in front of her, slightly sliding in the sand.
"Charly…gone…taken…lost." He said breathlessly. Evy looked to the figure behind him, it was Ardeth Bay.
She smiled pleasantly at his presence, knowing it was unlikely a friendly visit.
"What?" she said looking back at Jonathan.
"Charly, she was taken. I heard here scream while we were looking at jewelry. I went in and saw her taken away in the back of a car down the alley."
"It's true. The girl was taken. The creature will kill her." Ardeth said.
Evy rolled her eyes, "him again." Then she took Alex by then hand and led them over to where Rick was booking their boat trip for the next day.
"Rick, we have trouble."
"What?" he said turning and looking at his wife.
"Charly was kidnapped and it looks like it has something to do with our friend."
"Shit" Rick mumbled under his breath, "Where are they taking her?"
"Aknatri is the most likely place. It is the City of Lost Souls. It is near Thebes."
"Yes, I have heard of it." Evy said, lost in thought, trying to remember what she had read about the city.
Rick went back to the man selling boat tickets and bought 5 for Thebes that day. He then turned back to the group. "Evy and Alex, got back to the hotel and gather what the four of us need for clothes. Get anything in Charly's room that might be important as well. Jonathan, get food and canteens of water ready for when we get to Thebes. Ardeth, we are going to get some artillery. We will meet in front of the hotel an hour from now. They all split off and went into their different directions, to prepare for their journey.
Evy and Alex sat on a bench outside of the hotel watching Jonathan pace back and forth. He kept mumbling about Rick and Ardeth being late and Charly's captor's getting farther away. Evy could tell by the look on his face that it hurt him to see Charly gone, kidnapped. She knew then that her brother was truly in love with her. In love like the way she was with Rick. Evy had seen him with many women, since she was 14 in fact. He always acted like a different person around them. He would drink and play cards and try to impress them. He would tell them about how he had saved her at Hamunaptra, which was only partially true. He would explain how he found and kept the entire fortune that was under the sand. He was never the Jonathan that she knew. The Jonathan that made her soup and tea and stayed home with her while she was sick, the Jonathan that only shed a mere tear at her wedding. The Jonathan that was so caring towards little Alex, and helped her through her entire pregnancy with him, that was the Jonathan she knew. And, Charly got to see this side of him. She didn't see him drunk and passed out, she heard the real story of their adventures, and he was kind and caring to her. She knew Jonathan just had to be in love.
The only thing she worried about them was the difference in age. Charly was 20 while Jonathan was 37. She didn't know how this would sit with both of them in the long run, but she would just have to see.
"There you are! Do you know that poor Charly could be dead by now?" Jonathan was having a fit, while Rick and Ardeth walked by , ignoring him. They reached Evy and Alex and set down a large duffle bag. Rick gave Evy a quick kiss, and whispered in her ear, "What's wrong with him?"
"He is worried about Charly, that's all."
He nodded his head then opening the duffle bag handed both Evy and Jonathan a revolver and some ammo. "Hide them on you." He snapped. Then he closed the bag and looke up at everyone. "Ready?" He got several nods and a few yes's , "Then let's go, we can't waste time.
Jonathan snorted and rolled his eyes at the comment. 'Funny he should say that after he was late' he thought.
The group, sullenly and quickly, headed to the port to catch the ferry to Thebes.
They got on the boat and went their separate ways. Evy and Alex stayed in their room to read and study. Jonathan was sitting at the stern of the boat drinking. Rick and Ardeth were sitting closer to the bow discussing the situation at hand.
"So she is your sister?" Ardeth asked.
"That is what she says. She said we were all together when my father left to go to London. Then I was kidnapped and my mother was killed. Then my father went back to America and got remarried and had her. Not only that, but my father and Evy and Jonathan's father used to work together. She was named after Evy father in fact."
"You do not seem to believe her."
"I don't! But Evy eats up her every word, and Alex is getting very close to her, he called her Aunt Charly, but she said just Charly was fine. And Jonathan…"
"Yes I saw"
"I just don't understand it."
Ardeth sat silently for a few moments looking at his hands. "That is why they picked her."
"What?"
"Imhotep. He needed to find someone to raise his spirit. He chose her, because of her closeness to you. He knew you were bound, but that the situation would drive you apart. He is trying to weaken you and you family. He is succeeding."
"Ok, back up. Charly raised Imhotep's spirit?"
"Yes. Most likely in her subconscious. That is the only way a spirit can reach an earthly body. There is a passage in The Book of The Dead."
"But wouldn't she need to know ancient Egyptian and heiroglyphics?"
"Not in her subconscious. The knowledge of you subconscious is infinite. She would know that."
"So she raised his spirit, and know he kidnapped her?"
"Not him, he is controlling someone else to kidnap her. His soul must stay in Aknatri unless guided to a subconscious."
"Oh." Rick said unsure of what he was just told. "And what about him driving us apart."
"Evy, Alex and Jonathan all like Charly, that separates you from them, and you are the strongest of them all. You are the protector. He wants to split you all up and weaken you."
Rick sat thinking about what Ardeth said. He was right. He had purposely left the rest behind so he didn't have to hear about Charly. Imhotep, was succeeding.