Title: Imhotep's Obsession (Chapters 4,5,and 6)
Author: Darlene Evelyn
Feedback: Please let me know what you think but please don't be rude.
Copyright: All Characters from both TM and TMR except for the new ones of course, which are mine, are sole property of Universal Pictures.
Chapter 4
*~~~1,290 B.C. Thebes, Egypt~~~*
Isiria was the most beautiful of all dancers in the Temple of Osiris, a forbidden jewel to all men. Since the sun rose until it set over the Sahara...Isiria danced at the temple. When Imhotep wasn't busy with ceremonies for the dead he had the pleasure of watching her dance. Thebes loved Isiria and she loved Thebes. The city spoke a lot about her purity, dignity and appearance.. unlike the women of Thebes who had black hair and dark eyes she had long, dark brown hair and beautiful almond shaped eyes the color of honey. When Imhotep had seen her for the first time walking into the temple he instantly lusted for her. At night when he couldn't sleep he would watch her dance alone only with the flickering light of the torches. He loved watching her...and was fascinated by her voluptuous body, that alluring body of hers that seemed to call out to him..."Take me". Imhotep knew she was the forbidden jewel but he seemed to have a liking to forbidden things...they involved risk. Countless times he had tried to seduce her and countless times she had rejected him, but that just made him want her more.
The other temple dancers were envious that Imhotep had preferred her over them, but she really didn't let get to her. Isiria was not the arrogant type, but yet she did have her pride. Now today was the annual rebirth of Osiris and there was to be a great celebration in the plaza. Imhotep was looking forward to not only bring back Osiris but also to watching his temple goddess dance, he was definitely going to savor the moment. Across town Isiria was getting ready, she couldn't wait!! It was going to be an exciting day! at least she thought so. As she walked out of her home she picked up her offering of fruits and papyrus she had gathered by the Nile that morning in a rush and set off for the plaza hoping not to be late...since she had overslept for the first time in her life.
"Isis, goddess of rebirth, please watch over me today" she thought anxiously to herself.
Suddenly she realized that she was already in the plaza entrance and as she entered it everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her in awe. She froze in her steps and just stood there not knowing how to react to this sudden wave of attention.
"Do not be nervous, stay calm" she said to herself reassuringly.
Straight ahead of her she could see Imhotep standing by the great statue of Osiris. His eyes were looking her up and down as she walked towards him slowly. Isiria could tell she was blushing since her cheeks were burning up in a scorching fire of deepening embarassment. She did feel something for Imhotep but she knew she couldn't ever tell him...the reason being she also knew about Anck-Su-Namun and him betraying Seti. Isiria didn't like that, first of all because she knew that sooner or later they would be caught and put to death...if not worse.
"I cannot believe Anck-Su-Namun and Imhotep are betraying Pharaoh's trust...it is high treason against the crown, gods, I just hope nothing happens" she thought sternly.
When she got to where Imhotep was standing he signaled the people to be quiet. As the pharaoh, his daughter Nefertiri, and mistress Anck-Su-Namun entered and sat in their places, the people silenced.
"People of Thebes! Today the great god Osiris will be reborn and with this rebirth so shall our lives change, forever!" Imhotep declared sternly.
Isiria felt a cold chill go down her back as she heard him say this, he looked look over at her as he did and smiled.
"Now come Isiria, dance for Osiris, fill him with joy" he said
Suddenly the drums started beating, the flutes whistling, and the bells ringing....the music had started, almost in a trance Isiria started to dance, the people fell silent as she glided across the swaying her body in a dance of seduction and fire. As she twirled around she could Imhotep smiling at her and she knew she wasn't just filling Osiris with joy but him as well. In the last chord she dropped to the ground lying there for a few seconds.
Imhotep walked up to the altar and turned towards the people of Thebes and chanted along with the other priest: "Thou risest, thou shinest, making bright they mother, crowned King of the gods, doeth thee mother Nut with her two hands the act of worship, Receivth thee Manu with content, embraceth thee Maat at the double season. May he give splendor and power together with triumph, and a coming forth of the soul living to see the ka of Osiris. Grant that may be given to him cakes and beer, and a coming forth in the presence of Osiris; may he be like the followers of Horus forever! Behold Osiris!"
Isiria looked up to see a brilliant light coming from the statue then with a flash it was gone! Everyone gasped and stood there in shock. Imhotep remained serene as if the flash had never even occurred.
"Arise Isiria you have pleased Osiris....and you may leave your offerings here at the alter"
That was the signal of the rituals end...the festival had at last begun. As the crowd slowly left their offerings Isiria walked in the direction of the temple she suddenly didn't want to stay at the festival something had came over her, a presentiment of some sort.
"This is odd I didn't feel like this, this morning...what is wrong with me?" she thought
As she walked into the temple she felt like someone was watching her, but didn't see anyone. Her heart was beating rapidly as she walked towards the statue of Osiris and she looked around as she heard footsteps behind her.
'What is wrong with me, there is no one here but me.. so why do I feel as if I'm not alone?" she thought as she stopped.
Noticing the statue of Osiris she smiled to herself and remembered the grand light in the plaza.
"It's just you o'mighty one, your presence is overwhelming... you are back and we the people of Thebes are glad. I hope that our offerings have pleased you" she said out loud as she kneeled down in front of the statue and closed her eyes.
"Your offerings have pleased him" a voice said from behind suddenly.
Isiria immediately stood up and turned around to find Imhotep standing a few feet away from her.
"I do not think Osiris was the only one pleased with some of the offerings" she said slyly.
"Why do you not accept my love for you?" Imhotep asked softly
"Because I know you do not love me, the person whom you truly love is as forbidden as I am" Isiria said sternly
"What are you talking about?" Imhotep asked nervously
"Anck-Su-Namun, Seti's Mistress...you and her are lovers...you are betraying Seti, that will be taken as an act of treason if you are discovered... and death will be your punishment, if not worse...in all reality there are things far worse than death itself" she answered coldly
This came as a shock to Imhotep who couldn't find any excuse to come up with to answer her words.
"What is worst than death?" he then asked cynically almost laughing.
Isiria didn't answer him, she just stared at him giving him a disappointed look...he had stumped her once again like he had done so many times before. Imhotep saw her sudden confusion and then walked up to her and stood a couple of feet away from her.
"I know about you and Anck-Su-Namun...that you have been seeing her in her chambers in the evenings...my question is....why? why could you not have chosen some else that was free of Seti's grasp?" she continued to say.
"Like you perhaps" Imhotep answered
There was a silent moment in which he merely looked at her, marveling perhaps, she couldn't tell. At his words, her own heart started to beat rapidly, he knew. And before she realized what had happened she felt his right arm on her left arm. Then he drew her towards him, close to him, her breasts against his chest, and he kissed her, his mouth opening over hers claiming them as his own at that very moment. The heat was immediate and utterly mind consuming. She reached up to push him a way but found her fingers undoing his robe instead. He then picked her up and carried her towards his chamber. The entire way she was silent, she couldn't think of anything to tell him...she was under his spell.
Incense here; the wax candles lit. He set her down on silken pillows. The erotically, dancing flames of the candles made her close her eyes as the heat seeped through her veins. Perfume rising from the silk beneath her. A bower he had made for her, for himself, for this very moment.
"I love you Isiria, my Egyptian queen...my timeless beauty" he whispered lovingly in her ear.
His kisses paralyzed her instantly and she lay back, eyes closed and let him open her tight choli blouse and cutaway skirt. Luxuriating in this helplessness, Isiria let him rip away the rest of her garments. She lay naked, looking up at him as he knelt over her peeling off his own garments. Regal he seemed, his chest glowing golden in the light, then she felt his delicious weight come upon her crushing her. A soft, ecstatic moan escaped her lips. "I am yours forever" she whispered. He smiled softly and went into her. Pain burnt itself out in her mounting passion. She was kissing him ravenously; kissing the salt and heat from his neck, his face, his shoulders. He drove hard into her and she arched back, lifting herself, pressing herself against him. She cried out as if she were to truly die at that very moment. She heard a deep growl rise from his throat as he came into her. But this was only the beginning. Never had Imhotep received so much passion from Anck-Su-Namun as he did from Isiria. She truly did love him and tonight she had shown him that.
Just before sunrise, they stopped making love. Imhotep was now asleep, but Isiria was not. "They will all know by afternoon Anck-Su-Namun will try to hurt him.. I will be killed!" she realized. Isiria lay besides Imhotep beneath the warm sheets of his bed. She kiss him and slowly got out of bed and dressed herself. Without making any noise she walked outside took a last look at the temple and walked home in silence, trying really hard not to fight against a feeling that urged her to turn around, but she didn't go back. Before the city had woken she had gotten a camel, loaded it up with a few belongings and left the city. Before she lost view of Thebes she turned and blew a kiss to the city she loved.
"Good Bye Imhotep, it was for the well being of all of us" she said sadly before finally turning and disappearing into the desert.
Isiria had a feeling that today was going to be a day that was truly forever going to change many lives and the world itself...how right she was. On that day Seti was killed, Anck-Su-Namun committed suicide, and Imhotep was condemned to endure the Hom-Dai...a fate worst than death.
He had woken up to find Isiria gone. The entire morning he had searched for her thru out the entire city, but no one knew where she had gone to. Isiria had just disappeared without a trace, he had never felt so hurt and so alone as he did today. In an act of desperation he had gone back to Anck-Su- Namun and being caught by Seti, killed him. He realized that he was going mad without her. Knowing he would never see Isiria again he had promised to bring back Anck-Su-Namun, at least he would have her in the end, but once trying to bring her back he was caught by Pharaoh's bodyguards, the Med- Jai, and sentenced with the Hom-Dai...the worst of all Ancient Egyptian curses and the rest of the story you already know.
Chapter 5
*~~~Back at Fort Brydon-Angela's Room~~~*
"So you're telling me that I am a girl named Isiria...I am truly sorry but I am not her, you have to understand that...I am not the girl who was your lover and who left you...I am sorry that, that happened to you and I am sorry that I am not her" Angela said anxiously.
Imhotep shook his head in disagreement. This after she had shoved him away from her and he had explained the entire story...all except the part about Seti, Anck-Su-Namun and the curse.
"I am sorry...I feel bad that I cannot be who you want me to be" she said sadly.
"Do not feel sorry... you should not feel like that because you are Isiria, no matter how much you deny it, you are her and I love you with all my heart" he said softly.
Angela who was sitting on her bed stood up and walked over to the window and looked outside at the fort that was bustling with tourists and soldiers who were walking in the garden talking about life and how bloody hot it was. The day was gorgeous and filled with sunshine and just a few puffy clouds here and there. She smiled to herself and sighed and when she turned around she found Imhotep standing about two feet away from her.
"I love you" he said hypnotically
Before saying another word he kissed her again more ardently than before. Angela lost all feeling in her body and she just kissed him back, letting herself be immersed in his passionate grasp. Just as he had done with Isiria, he picked her up and carried her to her bed...she was under his control.
*~~~The entrance to the City of Cairo, Egypt -2:00pm~~~*
"Well, here we are, Cairo a city that I thought I would never see again....I don't like this bloody city" Jonathan said wearily. "The sooner we get out of here the better"
"Oh relax Jonathan we're just here to get the damn Book and key then we're out of here" Rick said calmly.
"Or maybe not" Evelyn suddenly said as she pointed towards the horizon with a worried look on her face. "That doesn't look too good"
In the distance they could see dark clouds coming towards Cairo...dark, menacing clouds.
"It's just a storm Evelyn, don't worry about it...put the past behind you" Jonathan said
They picked up their luggage and walked towards the cab that was parked in front of the mini airport. They placed their luggage into the trunk and hopped into the cab then it rode away towards Fort Brydon. After they had left David got into another cab and followed them.. he knew they were up to something.. and he was going to find out what.
"I'm sorry to be such a nag but that doesn't look like your usual storm" Evie said nervously.
Jonathan took a good look at the clouds and his expression changed dramatically "You're right Evie that looks like the storm that happened last year when Imhotep arrived with his first of many plagues"
Rick laughed and shook his head and said with a carefree smile "Oh you guys stop it...don't worry so much, it's just a storm and that's all...Imhotep is dead!"
Evelyn and Jonathan exchanged worried glances and remained quiet the rest of the way. Somehow their intuition told them this was not going to be a usual storm. From inside of the cab they could see merchants scurrying trying to put their belongings inside of their homes or on their carts. The wind had picked up quite a bit and the it was blowing sand everywhere making small dervishes, this was never a good thing.
*~~~Back at Fort Brydon~~~*
Angela was passionately kissing the man of whose name she did not know. She had never dreamt about being in this situation in her entire life. Suddenly she realized once more that it was kinda weird to be kissing a guy who she didn't even know. She gently pushed him away fighting the urge to pull him back and let him kiss her all over. As she sat up she couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated.
"I do not know what to say" she told him breathlessly in Egyptian.
"Do not say anything, just let me lead you" he said as he reached for her again only to have her back away.
"No, we cannot do this...I do not know who you are, what is your name?"
"My name is Imhotep and I am the High Priest of Osiris, but of course you already know that Isiria...why do you play games with me?"
"Alright Imhotep, then I must tell you who I am... my name is Angela...and now come to think of it you are the one who spoke to me in the desert, did you not?"
Imhotep nodded and smiled, but Angela just stared at him. She knew he didn't believe her, yet even if she wasn't Isiria she actually did feel some sort of attraction towards him but she really couldn't explain it....she just stared at him in awe. In return he stared back at her for another silent moment. Angela didn't say anything at all, this was a staring match so she just continued on doing it trying to figure out what he was thinking. Suddenly he smiled as if knowing what she was trying to do...and that gorgeous smile of his made Angela melt in an instant. Without saying a word he kissed her once more. This time Angela couldn't control herself and she started undoing his robe, but this moment of intense passion was about to be broken with the sound of desperate screams for help.
"Oh my god, fire...the end has finally arrived!" people were shouting as they were all running for their lives."God help us all!"
At the sound of the screams Angela stopped and was about to stand up, but before she could Imhotep caught hold of her hand and stopped her.
"Do not worry, my princess, it is nothing"
She wasn't about to ruin the moment, and neither was Imhotep who now slipped the straps off of her shoulders as he kissed her and laid her on her bed.
*~~~Outside of Fort Brydon~~~*
"Oh my god! What's happening?" Jonathan was shouting edgily
"He's here....again" Rick replied looking around for any signs of the high priest.
Fireballs were falling from the sky as the thunder rumbled loudly and lightning flashed everywhere. The courtyard inside the fort was filled with utter panic-merchants, camels, soldiers and horses running in all directions doing their best to dodge the fireballs and hail. A few people were now running to the central fountain to get buckets of water so they could put out the small fires that had just erupted in some areas.
"Who could have awaken him?!" Evelyn shouted to Rick and Jonathan as they ran down the hall entrance.
"I don't know, but when we find them I'm going to kill them!!!" Rick responded
"Is that how you resolve all your problems?" Jonathan asked a bit puzzled
"No, why do you ask?" Rick asked curiously
"Oh no reason" replied Jonathan "No reason at all"
"Oh damn I can't believe this...we have to find a place where we can be safe from those things" Rick shouted just as a ball of fire flew by him...nearly hitting him.
As they continued running down the hallway Jonathan stumbled onto the floor unable to run anymore. Looking up he saw Rick up ahead and he tried to stand up, saying anxiously "What wouldn't I do to have a beautiful girl appear right about now...then I could at least die a happy man, that's the least god could do...oh also bring me a glass whiskey while he's at it!"
Suddenly as if in answer to his beseeching, somebody had crashed into him and once again he was on the floor along with the person who had run into him.
"Watch it!!" Jonathan said angrily
"Oh god, I'm so sorry, but my room it's on fire.. I need help!" the girl said panicking
Jonathan looked up to find a young lady standing up and offering to help him up. When he saw her he was left dumbfounded, never had he seen such a beautiful women such as this one. Compared to all the other women he had ever seen she was a goddess incarnate. Realizing that he was gawking at her he took her hand and she pulled him up.
"Oh thank you god!!! Oh wait! I'm terribly sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you, it was entirely my fault, uh how can I help you, miss?" he asked awestruck.
People were running here and there...some very unlucky ones were being struck by fireballs setting them on fire instantly. It was a barrage of hail and fire that hurtled down assaulting the courtyard like an air raid.
"I need help!! please help me! my room I couldn't, oh god! my room is on fire!! my stuff is still in there!" she was explaining to him anxiously.
"Okay calm down" Jonathan said, trying to reassure her.
"Calm down! how can I calm down?! I have artifacts from a dig in there! I need to get them out! or they'll be destroyed!!" she freaked out.
Without saying another word she grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him over to her room door. In the meantime Rick had gotten Evelyn to safety down the hallway that led to the room where Burns had been turned into a burnt human husk the year before.
"What exactly do you have in there?"
"Uh, a necklace and uh, some other artifacts made of precious metal"
"What kinda of precious metal?"
"Gold and uh, obsidian why?" Angela asked curiously
"Well, uh I just wanted to know because some stuff isn't really worth risking your life for" he said suddenly realizing he had said that, he was amazed with himself in fact he was left in a slight state of shock.
"Oh believe me pal, this stuff is worth risking your life over"
*~~~A marketplace in Cairo~~~*
Screams could still be heard all around...many people were either dead or injured from the fury of hail that had fallen on Cairo....suddenly though as if by magic the hail had stopped and the clouds had disintegrated into nothing...leaving only blue sky and the bright Egyptian sun.
"The dead have risen....it is Armageddon, we are all doomed!!!" a man shouted in Arabic just as he ran out of an alley with a look of utter shock.
People now were not only running in all directions cause of the fires but also because it seemed they had seen a ghost....well close enough. For out of a dark corner of the marketplace near the alley emerged a slimy, semi decomposing corpse...that looked half eaten by animals or insects to be exact.
"I'm going to love this place...in fact I'm going to love it so much I'm going to destroy it along with my master" the corpse said slyly.
It looked straight ahead and saw the buildings toppling, crumbling, and completely covered in fire. He then smiled barring his rotten teeth and gums...the fort lay just across the other side of the city and with it the promise of becoming the person it once had been.
Chapter 6
*~~~Inside Fort Brydon~~~*
"Okay I have an idea!" Angela said excitedly as she ran over to where men were filling buckets with water.
"Well, what is it?" Jonathan asked
Without another word Angela dumped one of the buckets on him and then dumped the next on herself, both were soaked from head to toe.
"What was that for?!" Jonathan said exasperated
"What else? so our clothes don't burn, now come on!" she said as she grabbed him and ran into the room.
The room was almost completely engulfed in fire. In the far corner of the room was Angela's pack of clothes and artifacts. Running over to it Angela grabbed her pack that held the book as Jonathan helped her grab her other belongings. Suddenly Angela realized... "Where was Imhotep? Had he gotten out? and if he did how had he done so?"
For a moment she froze in her steps and just stood looking around frantically but no sign of him. Without warning Jonathan grabbed her by the arm and yanked her out of the room as two pieces of wood came crashing down where Angela had just been standing. When they arrived outside Angela still looked around to see if Imhotep was outside, but no sign of him anywhere at all.
"I can't believe I just did that!" Jonathan said relieved and amazed that he had just ran into a room engulfed in fire.
"Thank you very much for helping me out, how can I ever repay you?" Angela asked gratefully.
"Oh don't worry it was nothing...really"
"No I really want to repay you for what you've done"
"Seeing you smile is payment enough, but I guess if you want to, tell me your name"
"Okay if that's what you want, my name is Angela...what's yours?"
"My name is Jonathan Carnarvon, nice to meet you....in such a frightful event"
"Nice to meet you too Jonathan, again thank you very much"
Looking at the room, Angela went into a state of shock.. seeing it completely destroyed suddenly caused her to suddenly breakout in tears of desperation. Seeing this Jonathan hugged her gently.
"So, where are you going to stay Angela?...my god, I'm really sorry about your room"
"I don't know, I guess I'll have to stay out in the street or find an extremely cheap hotel and stay there for a few days...cause frankly I don't have much money"
"Uh, if you don't mind you can stay with me, I mean, in my room"
Angela smiled and couldn't believe and help but feel really grateful. Nobody had ever help her so much in her entire life as much as Jonathan had in these few minutes.
"Oh Jonathan I really don't want to be a burden on you"
"You won't be, and while we're at it I'll introduce you to my sister Evie and her fiancé"
"Oh all right, I'll stay with you for a couple of days"
With that Jonathan helped Angela with her stuff and led her to his room that he had reserved by telegram the day before. As they walked inside Angela set her stuff down and slowly balanced around at the room trying to get a feel for it, oddly enough she didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable being alone with Jonathan, it was actually the first time she had felt like that in a while.
"So Angela, just a thought, but would you like to go out to dinner with me?" Jonathan asked timidly
"Okay, I guess, after all this excitement I'm famished, just let me get out of this clothes and into something dry"
"Well, I guess I should do the same thing" Jonathan said as he walked over to his trunk of clothes.
Turning back he found that Angela was gone, looking over at the bathroom door he saw that it was shut and could hear Angela fumbling with her hair brush and stuff. Suddenly it occurred to him that he had helped out Angela, saved her from a certain death, and had her here! in his room! It was an odd feeling he had never experienced before, he couldn't really tell what it was.
"Jonathan, you're in love with her!" he thought suddenly
As he had been thinking this Angela stepped into the room and walked towards him wearing a beautiful, but somewhat revealing, burgundy summer dress. Jonathan froze at the sight of seeing her standing there smiling at him with that seductive mouth of hers.
"Do I look okay?" she asked curiously suddenly noticing that he was gawking at her.
"Uh, yes you look positively stunning"
"Thank you, I totally have to get use to wearing dresses. I'm not a really good dresser when it comes to dresses and stuff like that"
"Well, all I can say is that no matter how you're dressed you would look beautiful"
"How do you know that? we've only known each other for what? an hour, now?"
"I just know, it's uh a talent, you can say, of mine.......well we should get going now!"
"Pardon me for saying this but I don't think you want to go to dinner looking like that"
Jonathan was already at the door and froze suddenly realizing she was right. He turned and walked back, picked up his dry clothes and walked into bathroom. While waiting Angela sat down and sighed, the room seemed like a sanctuary that she felt safe in even though she hardly knew Jonathan at all, but her intuition told her to stay cause for some reason it would be worth it.
"Okay Angela we can go now, hopefully we'll run into my sister on the way"
"Well, I'm set, where are we going?" she asked suddenly.
That's when the dream balloon suddenly bursts in Jonathan's face with a bang...there weren't any decent places near the fort or anywhere for that matter that he knew of. But he wanted so much to make her happy.
"Ok well just follow me and I'll show you"
He took her by the hand and led her outside and down the hallway, his hand squeezing hers wondering what her reaction would be when he showed her where he was taking her to have a bite.
"Let's stop here for a moment, I want you to close your eyes"
Angela gave him a puzzled look then followed his instructions. She looked so innocent and so delicate with her eyes closed. Jonathan caught himself when he realized he was staring at her.
"Now follow me" he said as he guided her down the stairs towards their destination.
People were still putting out the fires and starting to clean up all the debris that had fallen, still a bit nervous yet they were sort of use to this event in away. Walking down the stairs Jonathan could still remember seeing the fireballs and hail that had fallen the year the before when Imhotep had came, a sudden chill went down his back causing him to stumble a bit.
"Are we there yet? this is kinda weird...where are you taking me?" Angela asked curiously
"Okay Angela, we're here you can open your eyes now....1...2..3"
Angela smiled and quickly opened her eyes like an eager child who had been awaiting a huge present, her reaction suddenly changed into a look of shock almost traumatic shock.
"The Casbah!? Jonathan you brought me to the Kasbah!!! there is no way in hell you're getting me in there! if you wanted to surprise me Jonathan....it worked! but no way I'm setting foot in that place" Angela said appalled.
"Angela please I just need to find Evie and Rick, they must be in there looking for me don't ask why.. you'll find out in time, believe me...I wasn't planning on bringing you here"
"Ugh! fine but this the first and final time I go in there"
They then walked in though Angela for a moment had been reluctant to go, but nonetheless followed. As they made their way through Angela suddenly noticed all the men staring at her as if she were some kind of treasure that they could get their greedy hands on. Jonathan noticed this as well and gently squeezed her hand in reassurance. Within these walls in the dim lighting soldiers and ex-soldiers of His Majesty plus soldiers of fortune mixed with bad women and bad booze in search of "a good time." The ceiling fans stirred the stale air as they stopped and looked around.
"Look there they are! there are Rick and Evie!" Jonathan pointed towards a handsome guy with sky blue eyes, a leathery tan, and unruly brown hair, next to him was a woman with brown hair and grayish brownish eyes wearing a very conservative navy blue dress with a V-neck, who had a prissy air.
"Well lets meet up with them" Angela suddenly said
"Okay let's go" Jonathan said as they walked towards the two.
"Rick, Evie I knew you'd be here! I'd like you two to meet someone I just met...this is Angela" Jonathan said joyfully.
Rick turned to greet him and suddenly stepped back awestruck at the sight of Jonathan's new friend.
"Uh, Hi Angela, uh...what brings you here to this place?" Rick asked.
"Well, Jonathan brought me here as a practical joke.. would you believe me on that one" Angela giggled nervously.
"Ay I actually would believe you, that's exactly why we're here, you see this is Jonathan's hang out spot, he loves it here...and for fun he plays practical jokes on girls such as you...this is his home away from home" Rick said swirling the whisky in his shot glass.
"Yours too O'Connell" Jonathan commented dryly.
After a sudden long moment of silence Angela and Jonathan took a seat. The atmosphere suddenly became uncomfortable and quite tense, no one at the table said a word.
"So Angela, where are you from?" Evelyn asked suddenly.
"I'm from Chicago, Illinois" Angela responded.
"Hey! I'm from Chicago too!" Rick said amiably suddenly interested in the conversation.
"Wow! that's amazing! I never thought I'd run into someone from Chicago...here in Cairo! my god how interesting" Angela said happily.
"Ya I can't believe it either, so tell me what did you like most about Chicago? isn't it the most interesting and exciting city you've ever seen? god! what do you think of Hyde Park? and the 57th Street Beach?" Rick was asking with extreme enthusiasm
"Whoa! okay let me start out by saying that I only lived there until the age of seven, but I can tell you that in that short amount of time I came to love the city, especially Hyde Park and 57th St. Beach, in fact every Sunday my family and I would go to either one of those places and have picnics after mass, it was the funniest thing ever! What about you? how long did you live in Chicago?" Angela asked joyfully.
"Well In lived in Chicago until I was fourteen that's when I moved to New York with my aunt... family problems forced me to go, but overall I loved Chicago too"
Noticing that both Angela and Rick weren't really saying anything to them Jonathan looked over at Evelyn who was surprisingly looking jealous at them as they talked and laughed about things and places she didn't know anything about. He could so tell that she wanted to interrupt, but before she could Jonathan took Evelyn by the hand and stood up to leave.
"Come on Evie let's go outside to get some air, I think it'll do you some good" he said softly
Evelyn looked up at him in a stern manner but found that for the first time no words could come out of her mouth. Glancing over at Angela she really couldn't help but feel envious of her. Rick really never spoke to her with such spark and enthusiasm when she spoke to him, in fact he always seemed bored and tuned out. Walking towards the door Evelyn stopped and turned towards Jonathan who almost crashed into her.
"Jonathan, where did you find her? why did you bring her here! if you wanted a girlfriend you didn't have to-ugh! forget it I'm going outside like you said" Evelyn said jealously
"Mum, calm down! I met her during the storm! you shouldn't act like this, this isn't you, Evie what's wrong?" Jonathan asked confusedly.
"Nothing Jonathan, absolutely nothing is wrong with me"
"Oh I know! you're jealous of Angela"
"Me? jealous! ha! don't make me laugh"
"Oh but you are Evie, admit it....you're jealous that O'Connell is actually having a full and fun conversation with her unlike the ones he has with you"
Without saying else Evelyn stormed out of the Kasbah with Jonathan trailing behind her. During this argument Rick and Angela hadn't even noticed that they had left instead they were merrily conversing as if they were old friends or family members who hadn't seen each other in years.
"So tell me Rick, did you have any siblings?"
"Yes I had a sister who was or is about your age, she was the youngest, but still she enjoyed doing things with me and I with her"
"So where is she?"
"I don't know, when I left to New York at the age of fourteen my sister stayed with my dad who was an alcoholic, our mom had left him five months before and he went down hill from there"
"I'm sorry, how old was your sister when you left?"
"Seven, I can still remember the look of utter sadness on her face as my uncle drove away with me in the car, before then our family was the happiest on I've ever seen. We always had parties and went out on the weekends. I remember on one outing to the park my sister was balancing herself on a small bridge that cross the lake, me being the oldest and most mischievous walked up behind her and scared her, but she fell in and I had to jump in to save
her"
"Oh man, Rick your parents must have been so angry at you"
"Ya in fact the moment we had gotten out of the water my father grabbed me and said "Young man what the hell do you think you were doing? your sister could have drowned! I- "
"If you weren't my son I swear I would have killed you...you good for nothing child!"
"Uh how did you know?" Rick asked suspiciously
"Lucky guess, the same thing happened to my brother what a coincidence, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is, so Angela what was one of your most memorable moments?"
"Well it was at the age of 5, I had to be in the school play of Peter Pan's Adventures, the night of the performance my parents and my brother totally forgot about it and left me there without saying good luck or anything, that night when I had gotten home I climbed up to the roof and sat there crying, my brother tried to bring me down but nothing, then my dad being the rough guy that he was took a lasso and literally lassoes me like a horse and yanked me down through the shaft I had climbed up on"
"You know that is exactly something that happened to my sister, pardon me for asking but who were your parents?" Rick asked.
"My parents were Michael and Janet O'Connell"
Rick went silent in an utter state shock of at the sound of those names, he had never expected her to answer that.
"So your complete name would be Angela Marie O'Connell"
"Oh god, how did you know? Did you know my parents or my brother?"
"Angela, I am your brother...I'm Richard O'Connell oh my god.. we're......"
"Family...you're my brother!" Angela said jubilant
Both went into a slight state of shock once more. Unable to contain themselves they both started crying...tears of happiness. Instinctively they hugged each other tightly not wanting to ever let go of each other.
"I can't believe this is happening, after so long I finally found you!" Angela said happily
"I know, we have so much to talk about, come on let's go" Rick said as they parted.
Watching this entire moment was Evelyn who was now blushing with anger and envy. Jonathan knew she wanted to hit him so he kept his distance from her in case she tried anything foolish. Though Jonathan was already used to the fact that when he got in trouble he either got punched or slapped in the face. Noticing that Rick was coming Evelyn straightened herself out and sat down on a bench trying to look distracted.
"You two look awfully happy, may we know the reason why?" Jonathan asked curiously.
"This will be hard to believe but Angela and I are family! she's my sister!" Rick said excited over this new event.
Jonathan fainted.
*~~~Downtown Cairo~~~*
Anton and Vinnie were just parking the car in front of the bustling marketplace. The entire way there they both had been completely silent not a word was said...not even when the storm hit. Seriousness and silence was a must for this job, one small move and you lost all sense of direction or the person who you're searching for.
"What do you think that was a moment ago?" Vinnie finally asked
"I have no idea, must have been something to do with the atmosphere.. who knows?" Anton responded with a slight shrug. "To tell you the truth I've never seen something like that"
Stepping out of the car Vinnie walked into the marketplace and immediately started asking about Angela, while Anton looked at the sky hoping that what had happened didn't happen again while he was out here...it was just too unreal. Walking up to Vinnie he paused trying to hear what he was asking exactly.
Turning around Vinnie jumped slightly and regained his composition "So do you think we'll find her?"
"Don't know, I mean for all we know she could have gotten on a train and gone to some other city far from here" Anton responded trying to conceal his urgency and worry, hoping that she really had left.
Anton didn't like the idea of having to track down Angela like a wolf hunting for it's unsuspecting prey. Deep down he loved her like a sister and he knew that if Lewis found out about that he would be killed without notice and erased completely from this earth without a trace.
"Vinnie, why do you work for Lewis?" Anton asked suddenly.
"Mostly because I need the money and I guess I need a bit of adventure and action in my life...what about you?"
"I owe Lewis a favor and I'm also here because of a girl"
"A girl! you! the silent, serious one of the group....whoa Anton, I'm amazed"
"
I don't care if you think it's weird,. but yes a girl...you don't know her, so I won't mention any names...don't tell anyone"
Vinnie smiled and turned to continue looking around and asking people more questions.
"Have you seen this girl?" Anton asked an Arabic merchant while showing him a picture of Angela, hoping that he would answer the same as the others...no.
"Yes, I have, she was heading towards Fort Brydon" the merchant answered.
"Thank You, my good man" Anton said softly.
Anton put the picture into his jacket pocket and looked over at Vinnie who was a couple of yards away from him asking merchants. Immediately he saw the light at the end of the tunnel that could possibly save Angela....preventing Vinnie from going to the fort.
"Hey Vinnie, there she goes, there she goes!" Anton started shouting.
Vinnie looked up to see in the direction that Anton had pointed and looked back at Anton with a confused look.
"Where is she?" Vinnie shouted back.
"Over there she just rounded the corner...she was running in the direction of the train station! stop her before she gets a cab or something!" Anton shouted frustratingly
Vinnie then ran into the direction Anton had pointed hoping to catch up with Angela. Watching him disappear around the corner of the alleyway, Anton smiled and turned back towards the fort. "Angela, please for the love of god, I hope you got of Cairo" he thought as he walked towards Fort Brydon hoping Angela had left on the first train out of town.
*~~~Hotel Stack, a mile from the Fort~~~*
"David, ol'boy you're in Cairo, now next on your agenda find Angela at the dig site, become famous....ah yes following Evelyn will work out splendidly. I will have money, fame and a woman" David was saying to his reflection in the mirror of his room.
The room was rather modest only a bed, a table, and a closet...but the view of the plaza was nice, if you like the sight of camels and yelling merchants. David who was still staring at the mirror, closed his eyes where his mind then took him back to the first day he had seen Angela walking into his office looking for a job...he had been left awestruck by her beauty and open- mindedness. In fact without even asking for references or any other information he had hired her, much to her surprise and the surprise of her fiancé.
"Angela, you will be mine, no matter what the cost" he thought. "But I guess I should first get the book, the treasure and fame, I don't think Angela would want some poor fool, no, she would want someone with power, authority and fame"
There was a sudden knock at the door, David bid them come in and a tall man dressed in Bedouin clothing walked in, a worker it seemed, by the name of Al Janain.
"Yes, what do you want?" David asked, suddenly annoyed.
The man sat down and gave him a look of worry, frustration, and absolute fear, something was troubling him. "There was a problem at the dig site in Hamunaptra, something went terribly wrong, I will explain everything"
**~~~Sunset, An alleyway in Cairo, Egypt~~~**
The sun was doing it's daily thing of setting over the horizon...causing a beautiful paint like image of the sun going down over the Sahara. The blue dusk striped by the orange dying sun was exceptionally beautiful, but beauty sometimes leads to things, horrible things emerging from the darkness of the mind and the ultimate fears of our sub-conscious. It was said long ago that the dead would rise out of their tombs and underground city at sunset to stand on the banks of the Nile looking longingly across the river at the living, but some of the dead don't like to stand on the bank. A small figure trudged down the dark corridors of Cairo glad it was getting dark, dressed in a hooded cloak it was glad that no one could see him for if anyone did they would start a commotion like the one in the afternoon.
"I need to find whoever read that book and the fools who were at the dig site...I need to regenerate" it thought to itself
It walked out of the alley and into the street towards the entrance of the fort, waiting for the right moment to sneak in, if it only knew who exactly had the book in their possession then he could get his job done faster.
"My master and I shall take over this world and once we do, we shall destroy it...ah but how vengeance is good" it said to itself as it stopped by the entrance looking in at the people who hadn't a clue about what was in store for them.
Author: Darlene Evelyn
Feedback: Please let me know what you think but please don't be rude.
Copyright: All Characters from both TM and TMR except for the new ones of course, which are mine, are sole property of Universal Pictures.
Chapter 4
*~~~1,290 B.C. Thebes, Egypt~~~*
Isiria was the most beautiful of all dancers in the Temple of Osiris, a forbidden jewel to all men. Since the sun rose until it set over the Sahara...Isiria danced at the temple. When Imhotep wasn't busy with ceremonies for the dead he had the pleasure of watching her dance. Thebes loved Isiria and she loved Thebes. The city spoke a lot about her purity, dignity and appearance.. unlike the women of Thebes who had black hair and dark eyes she had long, dark brown hair and beautiful almond shaped eyes the color of honey. When Imhotep had seen her for the first time walking into the temple he instantly lusted for her. At night when he couldn't sleep he would watch her dance alone only with the flickering light of the torches. He loved watching her...and was fascinated by her voluptuous body, that alluring body of hers that seemed to call out to him..."Take me". Imhotep knew she was the forbidden jewel but he seemed to have a liking to forbidden things...they involved risk. Countless times he had tried to seduce her and countless times she had rejected him, but that just made him want her more.
The other temple dancers were envious that Imhotep had preferred her over them, but she really didn't let get to her. Isiria was not the arrogant type, but yet she did have her pride. Now today was the annual rebirth of Osiris and there was to be a great celebration in the plaza. Imhotep was looking forward to not only bring back Osiris but also to watching his temple goddess dance, he was definitely going to savor the moment. Across town Isiria was getting ready, she couldn't wait!! It was going to be an exciting day! at least she thought so. As she walked out of her home she picked up her offering of fruits and papyrus she had gathered by the Nile that morning in a rush and set off for the plaza hoping not to be late...since she had overslept for the first time in her life.
"Isis, goddess of rebirth, please watch over me today" she thought anxiously to herself.
Suddenly she realized that she was already in the plaza entrance and as she entered it everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her in awe. She froze in her steps and just stood there not knowing how to react to this sudden wave of attention.
"Do not be nervous, stay calm" she said to herself reassuringly.
Straight ahead of her she could see Imhotep standing by the great statue of Osiris. His eyes were looking her up and down as she walked towards him slowly. Isiria could tell she was blushing since her cheeks were burning up in a scorching fire of deepening embarassment. She did feel something for Imhotep but she knew she couldn't ever tell him...the reason being she also knew about Anck-Su-Namun and him betraying Seti. Isiria didn't like that, first of all because she knew that sooner or later they would be caught and put to death...if not worse.
"I cannot believe Anck-Su-Namun and Imhotep are betraying Pharaoh's trust...it is high treason against the crown, gods, I just hope nothing happens" she thought sternly.
When she got to where Imhotep was standing he signaled the people to be quiet. As the pharaoh, his daughter Nefertiri, and mistress Anck-Su-Namun entered and sat in their places, the people silenced.
"People of Thebes! Today the great god Osiris will be reborn and with this rebirth so shall our lives change, forever!" Imhotep declared sternly.
Isiria felt a cold chill go down her back as she heard him say this, he looked look over at her as he did and smiled.
"Now come Isiria, dance for Osiris, fill him with joy" he said
Suddenly the drums started beating, the flutes whistling, and the bells ringing....the music had started, almost in a trance Isiria started to dance, the people fell silent as she glided across the swaying her body in a dance of seduction and fire. As she twirled around she could Imhotep smiling at her and she knew she wasn't just filling Osiris with joy but him as well. In the last chord she dropped to the ground lying there for a few seconds.
Imhotep walked up to the altar and turned towards the people of Thebes and chanted along with the other priest: "Thou risest, thou shinest, making bright they mother, crowned King of the gods, doeth thee mother Nut with her two hands the act of worship, Receivth thee Manu with content, embraceth thee Maat at the double season. May he give splendor and power together with triumph, and a coming forth of the soul living to see the ka of Osiris. Grant that may be given to him cakes and beer, and a coming forth in the presence of Osiris; may he be like the followers of Horus forever! Behold Osiris!"
Isiria looked up to see a brilliant light coming from the statue then with a flash it was gone! Everyone gasped and stood there in shock. Imhotep remained serene as if the flash had never even occurred.
"Arise Isiria you have pleased Osiris....and you may leave your offerings here at the alter"
That was the signal of the rituals end...the festival had at last begun. As the crowd slowly left their offerings Isiria walked in the direction of the temple she suddenly didn't want to stay at the festival something had came over her, a presentiment of some sort.
"This is odd I didn't feel like this, this morning...what is wrong with me?" she thought
As she walked into the temple she felt like someone was watching her, but didn't see anyone. Her heart was beating rapidly as she walked towards the statue of Osiris and she looked around as she heard footsteps behind her.
'What is wrong with me, there is no one here but me.. so why do I feel as if I'm not alone?" she thought as she stopped.
Noticing the statue of Osiris she smiled to herself and remembered the grand light in the plaza.
"It's just you o'mighty one, your presence is overwhelming... you are back and we the people of Thebes are glad. I hope that our offerings have pleased you" she said out loud as she kneeled down in front of the statue and closed her eyes.
"Your offerings have pleased him" a voice said from behind suddenly.
Isiria immediately stood up and turned around to find Imhotep standing a few feet away from her.
"I do not think Osiris was the only one pleased with some of the offerings" she said slyly.
"Why do you not accept my love for you?" Imhotep asked softly
"Because I know you do not love me, the person whom you truly love is as forbidden as I am" Isiria said sternly
"What are you talking about?" Imhotep asked nervously
"Anck-Su-Namun, Seti's Mistress...you and her are lovers...you are betraying Seti, that will be taken as an act of treason if you are discovered... and death will be your punishment, if not worse...in all reality there are things far worse than death itself" she answered coldly
This came as a shock to Imhotep who couldn't find any excuse to come up with to answer her words.
"What is worst than death?" he then asked cynically almost laughing.
Isiria didn't answer him, she just stared at him giving him a disappointed look...he had stumped her once again like he had done so many times before. Imhotep saw her sudden confusion and then walked up to her and stood a couple of feet away from her.
"I know about you and Anck-Su-Namun...that you have been seeing her in her chambers in the evenings...my question is....why? why could you not have chosen some else that was free of Seti's grasp?" she continued to say.
"Like you perhaps" Imhotep answered
There was a silent moment in which he merely looked at her, marveling perhaps, she couldn't tell. At his words, her own heart started to beat rapidly, he knew. And before she realized what had happened she felt his right arm on her left arm. Then he drew her towards him, close to him, her breasts against his chest, and he kissed her, his mouth opening over hers claiming them as his own at that very moment. The heat was immediate and utterly mind consuming. She reached up to push him a way but found her fingers undoing his robe instead. He then picked her up and carried her towards his chamber. The entire way she was silent, she couldn't think of anything to tell him...she was under his spell.
Incense here; the wax candles lit. He set her down on silken pillows. The erotically, dancing flames of the candles made her close her eyes as the heat seeped through her veins. Perfume rising from the silk beneath her. A bower he had made for her, for himself, for this very moment.
"I love you Isiria, my Egyptian queen...my timeless beauty" he whispered lovingly in her ear.
His kisses paralyzed her instantly and she lay back, eyes closed and let him open her tight choli blouse and cutaway skirt. Luxuriating in this helplessness, Isiria let him rip away the rest of her garments. She lay naked, looking up at him as he knelt over her peeling off his own garments. Regal he seemed, his chest glowing golden in the light, then she felt his delicious weight come upon her crushing her. A soft, ecstatic moan escaped her lips. "I am yours forever" she whispered. He smiled softly and went into her. Pain burnt itself out in her mounting passion. She was kissing him ravenously; kissing the salt and heat from his neck, his face, his shoulders. He drove hard into her and she arched back, lifting herself, pressing herself against him. She cried out as if she were to truly die at that very moment. She heard a deep growl rise from his throat as he came into her. But this was only the beginning. Never had Imhotep received so much passion from Anck-Su-Namun as he did from Isiria. She truly did love him and tonight she had shown him that.
Just before sunrise, they stopped making love. Imhotep was now asleep, but Isiria was not. "They will all know by afternoon Anck-Su-Namun will try to hurt him.. I will be killed!" she realized. Isiria lay besides Imhotep beneath the warm sheets of his bed. She kiss him and slowly got out of bed and dressed herself. Without making any noise she walked outside took a last look at the temple and walked home in silence, trying really hard not to fight against a feeling that urged her to turn around, but she didn't go back. Before the city had woken she had gotten a camel, loaded it up with a few belongings and left the city. Before she lost view of Thebes she turned and blew a kiss to the city she loved.
"Good Bye Imhotep, it was for the well being of all of us" she said sadly before finally turning and disappearing into the desert.
Isiria had a feeling that today was going to be a day that was truly forever going to change many lives and the world itself...how right she was. On that day Seti was killed, Anck-Su-Namun committed suicide, and Imhotep was condemned to endure the Hom-Dai...a fate worst than death.
He had woken up to find Isiria gone. The entire morning he had searched for her thru out the entire city, but no one knew where she had gone to. Isiria had just disappeared without a trace, he had never felt so hurt and so alone as he did today. In an act of desperation he had gone back to Anck-Su- Namun and being caught by Seti, killed him. He realized that he was going mad without her. Knowing he would never see Isiria again he had promised to bring back Anck-Su-Namun, at least he would have her in the end, but once trying to bring her back he was caught by Pharaoh's bodyguards, the Med- Jai, and sentenced with the Hom-Dai...the worst of all Ancient Egyptian curses and the rest of the story you already know.
Chapter 5
*~~~Back at Fort Brydon-Angela's Room~~~*
"So you're telling me that I am a girl named Isiria...I am truly sorry but I am not her, you have to understand that...I am not the girl who was your lover and who left you...I am sorry that, that happened to you and I am sorry that I am not her" Angela said anxiously.
Imhotep shook his head in disagreement. This after she had shoved him away from her and he had explained the entire story...all except the part about Seti, Anck-Su-Namun and the curse.
"I am sorry...I feel bad that I cannot be who you want me to be" she said sadly.
"Do not feel sorry... you should not feel like that because you are Isiria, no matter how much you deny it, you are her and I love you with all my heart" he said softly.
Angela who was sitting on her bed stood up and walked over to the window and looked outside at the fort that was bustling with tourists and soldiers who were walking in the garden talking about life and how bloody hot it was. The day was gorgeous and filled with sunshine and just a few puffy clouds here and there. She smiled to herself and sighed and when she turned around she found Imhotep standing about two feet away from her.
"I love you" he said hypnotically
Before saying another word he kissed her again more ardently than before. Angela lost all feeling in her body and she just kissed him back, letting herself be immersed in his passionate grasp. Just as he had done with Isiria, he picked her up and carried her to her bed...she was under his control.
*~~~The entrance to the City of Cairo, Egypt -2:00pm~~~*
"Well, here we are, Cairo a city that I thought I would never see again....I don't like this bloody city" Jonathan said wearily. "The sooner we get out of here the better"
"Oh relax Jonathan we're just here to get the damn Book and key then we're out of here" Rick said calmly.
"Or maybe not" Evelyn suddenly said as she pointed towards the horizon with a worried look on her face. "That doesn't look too good"
In the distance they could see dark clouds coming towards Cairo...dark, menacing clouds.
"It's just a storm Evelyn, don't worry about it...put the past behind you" Jonathan said
They picked up their luggage and walked towards the cab that was parked in front of the mini airport. They placed their luggage into the trunk and hopped into the cab then it rode away towards Fort Brydon. After they had left David got into another cab and followed them.. he knew they were up to something.. and he was going to find out what.
"I'm sorry to be such a nag but that doesn't look like your usual storm" Evie said nervously.
Jonathan took a good look at the clouds and his expression changed dramatically "You're right Evie that looks like the storm that happened last year when Imhotep arrived with his first of many plagues"
Rick laughed and shook his head and said with a carefree smile "Oh you guys stop it...don't worry so much, it's just a storm and that's all...Imhotep is dead!"
Evelyn and Jonathan exchanged worried glances and remained quiet the rest of the way. Somehow their intuition told them this was not going to be a usual storm. From inside of the cab they could see merchants scurrying trying to put their belongings inside of their homes or on their carts. The wind had picked up quite a bit and the it was blowing sand everywhere making small dervishes, this was never a good thing.
*~~~Back at Fort Brydon~~~*
Angela was passionately kissing the man of whose name she did not know. She had never dreamt about being in this situation in her entire life. Suddenly she realized once more that it was kinda weird to be kissing a guy who she didn't even know. She gently pushed him away fighting the urge to pull him back and let him kiss her all over. As she sat up she couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated.
"I do not know what to say" she told him breathlessly in Egyptian.
"Do not say anything, just let me lead you" he said as he reached for her again only to have her back away.
"No, we cannot do this...I do not know who you are, what is your name?"
"My name is Imhotep and I am the High Priest of Osiris, but of course you already know that Isiria...why do you play games with me?"
"Alright Imhotep, then I must tell you who I am... my name is Angela...and now come to think of it you are the one who spoke to me in the desert, did you not?"
Imhotep nodded and smiled, but Angela just stared at him. She knew he didn't believe her, yet even if she wasn't Isiria she actually did feel some sort of attraction towards him but she really couldn't explain it....she just stared at him in awe. In return he stared back at her for another silent moment. Angela didn't say anything at all, this was a staring match so she just continued on doing it trying to figure out what he was thinking. Suddenly he smiled as if knowing what she was trying to do...and that gorgeous smile of his made Angela melt in an instant. Without saying a word he kissed her once more. This time Angela couldn't control herself and she started undoing his robe, but this moment of intense passion was about to be broken with the sound of desperate screams for help.
"Oh my god, fire...the end has finally arrived!" people were shouting as they were all running for their lives."God help us all!"
At the sound of the screams Angela stopped and was about to stand up, but before she could Imhotep caught hold of her hand and stopped her.
"Do not worry, my princess, it is nothing"
She wasn't about to ruin the moment, and neither was Imhotep who now slipped the straps off of her shoulders as he kissed her and laid her on her bed.
*~~~Outside of Fort Brydon~~~*
"Oh my god! What's happening?" Jonathan was shouting edgily
"He's here....again" Rick replied looking around for any signs of the high priest.
Fireballs were falling from the sky as the thunder rumbled loudly and lightning flashed everywhere. The courtyard inside the fort was filled with utter panic-merchants, camels, soldiers and horses running in all directions doing their best to dodge the fireballs and hail. A few people were now running to the central fountain to get buckets of water so they could put out the small fires that had just erupted in some areas.
"Who could have awaken him?!" Evelyn shouted to Rick and Jonathan as they ran down the hall entrance.
"I don't know, but when we find them I'm going to kill them!!!" Rick responded
"Is that how you resolve all your problems?" Jonathan asked a bit puzzled
"No, why do you ask?" Rick asked curiously
"Oh no reason" replied Jonathan "No reason at all"
"Oh damn I can't believe this...we have to find a place where we can be safe from those things" Rick shouted just as a ball of fire flew by him...nearly hitting him.
As they continued running down the hallway Jonathan stumbled onto the floor unable to run anymore. Looking up he saw Rick up ahead and he tried to stand up, saying anxiously "What wouldn't I do to have a beautiful girl appear right about now...then I could at least die a happy man, that's the least god could do...oh also bring me a glass whiskey while he's at it!"
Suddenly as if in answer to his beseeching, somebody had crashed into him and once again he was on the floor along with the person who had run into him.
"Watch it!!" Jonathan said angrily
"Oh god, I'm so sorry, but my room it's on fire.. I need help!" the girl said panicking
Jonathan looked up to find a young lady standing up and offering to help him up. When he saw her he was left dumbfounded, never had he seen such a beautiful women such as this one. Compared to all the other women he had ever seen she was a goddess incarnate. Realizing that he was gawking at her he took her hand and she pulled him up.
"Oh thank you god!!! Oh wait! I'm terribly sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you, it was entirely my fault, uh how can I help you, miss?" he asked awestruck.
People were running here and there...some very unlucky ones were being struck by fireballs setting them on fire instantly. It was a barrage of hail and fire that hurtled down assaulting the courtyard like an air raid.
"I need help!! please help me! my room I couldn't, oh god! my room is on fire!! my stuff is still in there!" she was explaining to him anxiously.
"Okay calm down" Jonathan said, trying to reassure her.
"Calm down! how can I calm down?! I have artifacts from a dig in there! I need to get them out! or they'll be destroyed!!" she freaked out.
Without saying another word she grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him over to her room door. In the meantime Rick had gotten Evelyn to safety down the hallway that led to the room where Burns had been turned into a burnt human husk the year before.
"What exactly do you have in there?"
"Uh, a necklace and uh, some other artifacts made of precious metal"
"What kinda of precious metal?"
"Gold and uh, obsidian why?" Angela asked curiously
"Well, uh I just wanted to know because some stuff isn't really worth risking your life for" he said suddenly realizing he had said that, he was amazed with himself in fact he was left in a slight state of shock.
"Oh believe me pal, this stuff is worth risking your life over"
*~~~A marketplace in Cairo~~~*
Screams could still be heard all around...many people were either dead or injured from the fury of hail that had fallen on Cairo....suddenly though as if by magic the hail had stopped and the clouds had disintegrated into nothing...leaving only blue sky and the bright Egyptian sun.
"The dead have risen....it is Armageddon, we are all doomed!!!" a man shouted in Arabic just as he ran out of an alley with a look of utter shock.
People now were not only running in all directions cause of the fires but also because it seemed they had seen a ghost....well close enough. For out of a dark corner of the marketplace near the alley emerged a slimy, semi decomposing corpse...that looked half eaten by animals or insects to be exact.
"I'm going to love this place...in fact I'm going to love it so much I'm going to destroy it along with my master" the corpse said slyly.
It looked straight ahead and saw the buildings toppling, crumbling, and completely covered in fire. He then smiled barring his rotten teeth and gums...the fort lay just across the other side of the city and with it the promise of becoming the person it once had been.
Chapter 6
*~~~Inside Fort Brydon~~~*
"Okay I have an idea!" Angela said excitedly as she ran over to where men were filling buckets with water.
"Well, what is it?" Jonathan asked
Without another word Angela dumped one of the buckets on him and then dumped the next on herself, both were soaked from head to toe.
"What was that for?!" Jonathan said exasperated
"What else? so our clothes don't burn, now come on!" she said as she grabbed him and ran into the room.
The room was almost completely engulfed in fire. In the far corner of the room was Angela's pack of clothes and artifacts. Running over to it Angela grabbed her pack that held the book as Jonathan helped her grab her other belongings. Suddenly Angela realized... "Where was Imhotep? Had he gotten out? and if he did how had he done so?"
For a moment she froze in her steps and just stood looking around frantically but no sign of him. Without warning Jonathan grabbed her by the arm and yanked her out of the room as two pieces of wood came crashing down where Angela had just been standing. When they arrived outside Angela still looked around to see if Imhotep was outside, but no sign of him anywhere at all.
"I can't believe I just did that!" Jonathan said relieved and amazed that he had just ran into a room engulfed in fire.
"Thank you very much for helping me out, how can I ever repay you?" Angela asked gratefully.
"Oh don't worry it was nothing...really"
"No I really want to repay you for what you've done"
"Seeing you smile is payment enough, but I guess if you want to, tell me your name"
"Okay if that's what you want, my name is Angela...what's yours?"
"My name is Jonathan Carnarvon, nice to meet you....in such a frightful event"
"Nice to meet you too Jonathan, again thank you very much"
Looking at the room, Angela went into a state of shock.. seeing it completely destroyed suddenly caused her to suddenly breakout in tears of desperation. Seeing this Jonathan hugged her gently.
"So, where are you going to stay Angela?...my god, I'm really sorry about your room"
"I don't know, I guess I'll have to stay out in the street or find an extremely cheap hotel and stay there for a few days...cause frankly I don't have much money"
"Uh, if you don't mind you can stay with me, I mean, in my room"
Angela smiled and couldn't believe and help but feel really grateful. Nobody had ever help her so much in her entire life as much as Jonathan had in these few minutes.
"Oh Jonathan I really don't want to be a burden on you"
"You won't be, and while we're at it I'll introduce you to my sister Evie and her fiancé"
"Oh all right, I'll stay with you for a couple of days"
With that Jonathan helped Angela with her stuff and led her to his room that he had reserved by telegram the day before. As they walked inside Angela set her stuff down and slowly balanced around at the room trying to get a feel for it, oddly enough she didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable being alone with Jonathan, it was actually the first time she had felt like that in a while.
"So Angela, just a thought, but would you like to go out to dinner with me?" Jonathan asked timidly
"Okay, I guess, after all this excitement I'm famished, just let me get out of this clothes and into something dry"
"Well, I guess I should do the same thing" Jonathan said as he walked over to his trunk of clothes.
Turning back he found that Angela was gone, looking over at the bathroom door he saw that it was shut and could hear Angela fumbling with her hair brush and stuff. Suddenly it occurred to him that he had helped out Angela, saved her from a certain death, and had her here! in his room! It was an odd feeling he had never experienced before, he couldn't really tell what it was.
"Jonathan, you're in love with her!" he thought suddenly
As he had been thinking this Angela stepped into the room and walked towards him wearing a beautiful, but somewhat revealing, burgundy summer dress. Jonathan froze at the sight of seeing her standing there smiling at him with that seductive mouth of hers.
"Do I look okay?" she asked curiously suddenly noticing that he was gawking at her.
"Uh, yes you look positively stunning"
"Thank you, I totally have to get use to wearing dresses. I'm not a really good dresser when it comes to dresses and stuff like that"
"Well, all I can say is that no matter how you're dressed you would look beautiful"
"How do you know that? we've only known each other for what? an hour, now?"
"I just know, it's uh a talent, you can say, of mine.......well we should get going now!"
"Pardon me for saying this but I don't think you want to go to dinner looking like that"
Jonathan was already at the door and froze suddenly realizing she was right. He turned and walked back, picked up his dry clothes and walked into bathroom. While waiting Angela sat down and sighed, the room seemed like a sanctuary that she felt safe in even though she hardly knew Jonathan at all, but her intuition told her to stay cause for some reason it would be worth it.
"Okay Angela we can go now, hopefully we'll run into my sister on the way"
"Well, I'm set, where are we going?" she asked suddenly.
That's when the dream balloon suddenly bursts in Jonathan's face with a bang...there weren't any decent places near the fort or anywhere for that matter that he knew of. But he wanted so much to make her happy.
"Ok well just follow me and I'll show you"
He took her by the hand and led her outside and down the hallway, his hand squeezing hers wondering what her reaction would be when he showed her where he was taking her to have a bite.
"Let's stop here for a moment, I want you to close your eyes"
Angela gave him a puzzled look then followed his instructions. She looked so innocent and so delicate with her eyes closed. Jonathan caught himself when he realized he was staring at her.
"Now follow me" he said as he guided her down the stairs towards their destination.
People were still putting out the fires and starting to clean up all the debris that had fallen, still a bit nervous yet they were sort of use to this event in away. Walking down the stairs Jonathan could still remember seeing the fireballs and hail that had fallen the year the before when Imhotep had came, a sudden chill went down his back causing him to stumble a bit.
"Are we there yet? this is kinda weird...where are you taking me?" Angela asked curiously
"Okay Angela, we're here you can open your eyes now....1...2..3"
Angela smiled and quickly opened her eyes like an eager child who had been awaiting a huge present, her reaction suddenly changed into a look of shock almost traumatic shock.
"The Casbah!? Jonathan you brought me to the Kasbah!!! there is no way in hell you're getting me in there! if you wanted to surprise me Jonathan....it worked! but no way I'm setting foot in that place" Angela said appalled.
"Angela please I just need to find Evie and Rick, they must be in there looking for me don't ask why.. you'll find out in time, believe me...I wasn't planning on bringing you here"
"Ugh! fine but this the first and final time I go in there"
They then walked in though Angela for a moment had been reluctant to go, but nonetheless followed. As they made their way through Angela suddenly noticed all the men staring at her as if she were some kind of treasure that they could get their greedy hands on. Jonathan noticed this as well and gently squeezed her hand in reassurance. Within these walls in the dim lighting soldiers and ex-soldiers of His Majesty plus soldiers of fortune mixed with bad women and bad booze in search of "a good time." The ceiling fans stirred the stale air as they stopped and looked around.
"Look there they are! there are Rick and Evie!" Jonathan pointed towards a handsome guy with sky blue eyes, a leathery tan, and unruly brown hair, next to him was a woman with brown hair and grayish brownish eyes wearing a very conservative navy blue dress with a V-neck, who had a prissy air.
"Well lets meet up with them" Angela suddenly said
"Okay let's go" Jonathan said as they walked towards the two.
"Rick, Evie I knew you'd be here! I'd like you two to meet someone I just met...this is Angela" Jonathan said joyfully.
Rick turned to greet him and suddenly stepped back awestruck at the sight of Jonathan's new friend.
"Uh, Hi Angela, uh...what brings you here to this place?" Rick asked.
"Well, Jonathan brought me here as a practical joke.. would you believe me on that one" Angela giggled nervously.
"Ay I actually would believe you, that's exactly why we're here, you see this is Jonathan's hang out spot, he loves it here...and for fun he plays practical jokes on girls such as you...this is his home away from home" Rick said swirling the whisky in his shot glass.
"Yours too O'Connell" Jonathan commented dryly.
After a sudden long moment of silence Angela and Jonathan took a seat. The atmosphere suddenly became uncomfortable and quite tense, no one at the table said a word.
"So Angela, where are you from?" Evelyn asked suddenly.
"I'm from Chicago, Illinois" Angela responded.
"Hey! I'm from Chicago too!" Rick said amiably suddenly interested in the conversation.
"Wow! that's amazing! I never thought I'd run into someone from Chicago...here in Cairo! my god how interesting" Angela said happily.
"Ya I can't believe it either, so tell me what did you like most about Chicago? isn't it the most interesting and exciting city you've ever seen? god! what do you think of Hyde Park? and the 57th Street Beach?" Rick was asking with extreme enthusiasm
"Whoa! okay let me start out by saying that I only lived there until the age of seven, but I can tell you that in that short amount of time I came to love the city, especially Hyde Park and 57th St. Beach, in fact every Sunday my family and I would go to either one of those places and have picnics after mass, it was the funniest thing ever! What about you? how long did you live in Chicago?" Angela asked joyfully.
"Well In lived in Chicago until I was fourteen that's when I moved to New York with my aunt... family problems forced me to go, but overall I loved Chicago too"
Noticing that both Angela and Rick weren't really saying anything to them Jonathan looked over at Evelyn who was surprisingly looking jealous at them as they talked and laughed about things and places she didn't know anything about. He could so tell that she wanted to interrupt, but before she could Jonathan took Evelyn by the hand and stood up to leave.
"Come on Evie let's go outside to get some air, I think it'll do you some good" he said softly
Evelyn looked up at him in a stern manner but found that for the first time no words could come out of her mouth. Glancing over at Angela she really couldn't help but feel envious of her. Rick really never spoke to her with such spark and enthusiasm when she spoke to him, in fact he always seemed bored and tuned out. Walking towards the door Evelyn stopped and turned towards Jonathan who almost crashed into her.
"Jonathan, where did you find her? why did you bring her here! if you wanted a girlfriend you didn't have to-ugh! forget it I'm going outside like you said" Evelyn said jealously
"Mum, calm down! I met her during the storm! you shouldn't act like this, this isn't you, Evie what's wrong?" Jonathan asked confusedly.
"Nothing Jonathan, absolutely nothing is wrong with me"
"Oh I know! you're jealous of Angela"
"Me? jealous! ha! don't make me laugh"
"Oh but you are Evie, admit it....you're jealous that O'Connell is actually having a full and fun conversation with her unlike the ones he has with you"
Without saying else Evelyn stormed out of the Kasbah with Jonathan trailing behind her. During this argument Rick and Angela hadn't even noticed that they had left instead they were merrily conversing as if they were old friends or family members who hadn't seen each other in years.
"So tell me Rick, did you have any siblings?"
"Yes I had a sister who was or is about your age, she was the youngest, but still she enjoyed doing things with me and I with her"
"So where is she?"
"I don't know, when I left to New York at the age of fourteen my sister stayed with my dad who was an alcoholic, our mom had left him five months before and he went down hill from there"
"I'm sorry, how old was your sister when you left?"
"Seven, I can still remember the look of utter sadness on her face as my uncle drove away with me in the car, before then our family was the happiest on I've ever seen. We always had parties and went out on the weekends. I remember on one outing to the park my sister was balancing herself on a small bridge that cross the lake, me being the oldest and most mischievous walked up behind her and scared her, but she fell in and I had to jump in to save
her"
"Oh man, Rick your parents must have been so angry at you"
"Ya in fact the moment we had gotten out of the water my father grabbed me and said "Young man what the hell do you think you were doing? your sister could have drowned! I- "
"If you weren't my son I swear I would have killed you...you good for nothing child!"
"Uh how did you know?" Rick asked suspiciously
"Lucky guess, the same thing happened to my brother what a coincidence, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is, so Angela what was one of your most memorable moments?"
"Well it was at the age of 5, I had to be in the school play of Peter Pan's Adventures, the night of the performance my parents and my brother totally forgot about it and left me there without saying good luck or anything, that night when I had gotten home I climbed up to the roof and sat there crying, my brother tried to bring me down but nothing, then my dad being the rough guy that he was took a lasso and literally lassoes me like a horse and yanked me down through the shaft I had climbed up on"
"You know that is exactly something that happened to my sister, pardon me for asking but who were your parents?" Rick asked.
"My parents were Michael and Janet O'Connell"
Rick went silent in an utter state shock of at the sound of those names, he had never expected her to answer that.
"So your complete name would be Angela Marie O'Connell"
"Oh god, how did you know? Did you know my parents or my brother?"
"Angela, I am your brother...I'm Richard O'Connell oh my god.. we're......"
"Family...you're my brother!" Angela said jubilant
Both went into a slight state of shock once more. Unable to contain themselves they both started crying...tears of happiness. Instinctively they hugged each other tightly not wanting to ever let go of each other.
"I can't believe this is happening, after so long I finally found you!" Angela said happily
"I know, we have so much to talk about, come on let's go" Rick said as they parted.
Watching this entire moment was Evelyn who was now blushing with anger and envy. Jonathan knew she wanted to hit him so he kept his distance from her in case she tried anything foolish. Though Jonathan was already used to the fact that when he got in trouble he either got punched or slapped in the face. Noticing that Rick was coming Evelyn straightened herself out and sat down on a bench trying to look distracted.
"You two look awfully happy, may we know the reason why?" Jonathan asked curiously.
"This will be hard to believe but Angela and I are family! she's my sister!" Rick said excited over this new event.
Jonathan fainted.
*~~~Downtown Cairo~~~*
Anton and Vinnie were just parking the car in front of the bustling marketplace. The entire way there they both had been completely silent not a word was said...not even when the storm hit. Seriousness and silence was a must for this job, one small move and you lost all sense of direction or the person who you're searching for.
"What do you think that was a moment ago?" Vinnie finally asked
"I have no idea, must have been something to do with the atmosphere.. who knows?" Anton responded with a slight shrug. "To tell you the truth I've never seen something like that"
Stepping out of the car Vinnie walked into the marketplace and immediately started asking about Angela, while Anton looked at the sky hoping that what had happened didn't happen again while he was out here...it was just too unreal. Walking up to Vinnie he paused trying to hear what he was asking exactly.
Turning around Vinnie jumped slightly and regained his composition "So do you think we'll find her?"
"Don't know, I mean for all we know she could have gotten on a train and gone to some other city far from here" Anton responded trying to conceal his urgency and worry, hoping that she really had left.
Anton didn't like the idea of having to track down Angela like a wolf hunting for it's unsuspecting prey. Deep down he loved her like a sister and he knew that if Lewis found out about that he would be killed without notice and erased completely from this earth without a trace.
"Vinnie, why do you work for Lewis?" Anton asked suddenly.
"Mostly because I need the money and I guess I need a bit of adventure and action in my life...what about you?"
"I owe Lewis a favor and I'm also here because of a girl"
"A girl! you! the silent, serious one of the group....whoa Anton, I'm amazed"
"
I don't care if you think it's weird,. but yes a girl...you don't know her, so I won't mention any names...don't tell anyone"
Vinnie smiled and turned to continue looking around and asking people more questions.
"Have you seen this girl?" Anton asked an Arabic merchant while showing him a picture of Angela, hoping that he would answer the same as the others...no.
"Yes, I have, she was heading towards Fort Brydon" the merchant answered.
"Thank You, my good man" Anton said softly.
Anton put the picture into his jacket pocket and looked over at Vinnie who was a couple of yards away from him asking merchants. Immediately he saw the light at the end of the tunnel that could possibly save Angela....preventing Vinnie from going to the fort.
"Hey Vinnie, there she goes, there she goes!" Anton started shouting.
Vinnie looked up to see in the direction that Anton had pointed and looked back at Anton with a confused look.
"Where is she?" Vinnie shouted back.
"Over there she just rounded the corner...she was running in the direction of the train station! stop her before she gets a cab or something!" Anton shouted frustratingly
Vinnie then ran into the direction Anton had pointed hoping to catch up with Angela. Watching him disappear around the corner of the alleyway, Anton smiled and turned back towards the fort. "Angela, please for the love of god, I hope you got of Cairo" he thought as he walked towards Fort Brydon hoping Angela had left on the first train out of town.
*~~~Hotel Stack, a mile from the Fort~~~*
"David, ol'boy you're in Cairo, now next on your agenda find Angela at the dig site, become famous....ah yes following Evelyn will work out splendidly. I will have money, fame and a woman" David was saying to his reflection in the mirror of his room.
The room was rather modest only a bed, a table, and a closet...but the view of the plaza was nice, if you like the sight of camels and yelling merchants. David who was still staring at the mirror, closed his eyes where his mind then took him back to the first day he had seen Angela walking into his office looking for a job...he had been left awestruck by her beauty and open- mindedness. In fact without even asking for references or any other information he had hired her, much to her surprise and the surprise of her fiancé.
"Angela, you will be mine, no matter what the cost" he thought. "But I guess I should first get the book, the treasure and fame, I don't think Angela would want some poor fool, no, she would want someone with power, authority and fame"
There was a sudden knock at the door, David bid them come in and a tall man dressed in Bedouin clothing walked in, a worker it seemed, by the name of Al Janain.
"Yes, what do you want?" David asked, suddenly annoyed.
The man sat down and gave him a look of worry, frustration, and absolute fear, something was troubling him. "There was a problem at the dig site in Hamunaptra, something went terribly wrong, I will explain everything"
**~~~Sunset, An alleyway in Cairo, Egypt~~~**
The sun was doing it's daily thing of setting over the horizon...causing a beautiful paint like image of the sun going down over the Sahara. The blue dusk striped by the orange dying sun was exceptionally beautiful, but beauty sometimes leads to things, horrible things emerging from the darkness of the mind and the ultimate fears of our sub-conscious. It was said long ago that the dead would rise out of their tombs and underground city at sunset to stand on the banks of the Nile looking longingly across the river at the living, but some of the dead don't like to stand on the bank. A small figure trudged down the dark corridors of Cairo glad it was getting dark, dressed in a hooded cloak it was glad that no one could see him for if anyone did they would start a commotion like the one in the afternoon.
"I need to find whoever read that book and the fools who were at the dig site...I need to regenerate" it thought to itself
It walked out of the alley and into the street towards the entrance of the fort, waiting for the right moment to sneak in, if it only knew who exactly had the book in their possession then he could get his job done faster.
"My master and I shall take over this world and once we do, we shall destroy it...ah but how vengeance is good" it said to itself as it stopped by the entrance looking in at the people who hadn't a clue about what was in store for them.
