Hiya, all! LOL. Get it? Hiya all? OK....LOL. Right. You're all going to
hate me for this next chapter....but I love you guys! ( LOL. OK, now, just
a warning: Ardeth's not in this chapter at all, and neither is Izzy. But
don't worry, they'll have their turn I just had to really concentrate on
Rick/Evy/Alex and partly Shanala, ok? But I promise everyone else'll come
back in big time for the next chap, ok? Now, this is a very loooong
chapter, so I won't waste your time here. I promise that at the end of this
book, I'll personally thank everyone. ;). OK, everyone. You're all special
and dear and I love you to pieces. ;)
Chapter 17
Shanala shrieked loudly, kicking wildly and beating Lock-Na on the back with her fists. "Let go! I'm not going back! Let me go!"
"Shut up!"
"No! Dad! Dad!"
"You have no father now, Foolish Child!"
"Help me, Daddy!"
****************************
"God, I can't take this!"
Rick felt ready to explode. In the distance he could hear Shanala calling for him desperately, her voice filled with absolute horror.
"Leave Shanala alone!" he growled at the soldiers surrounding him.
The men simply smirked.
Ardeth was looking around, grimacing in pain, "Rick...go help her..."
"What about you? Who's gonna help you?"
"I'll care for myself, just go!"
Rick knew he wouldn't be able to hear Shanala's helpless voice screaming for help much longer but he also knew that if he left his friend, death would be impossible to resist.
"Can this get any worse?" Rick shouted.
That was when he was his in the back of the head by the handle of a gun and he fell over, unconscious.
*************************
Jonathan wandered along blindly for a time, coughing and spluttering, and then finally collapsed onto the grainy sand. "Rick!" he yelled, "I'm looooost!"
"Rick! I'm looooost!"
Jonathan jumped. Blinking, confused, he yelled "Hello?"
"Hello?"
"Oh great. An echo."
"Oh great. An echo."
This time the voice was closer.
Jonathan swallowed, "OK, fine. Be that way!"
"OK, fine. Be that way!"
The voice was behind him. Jonathan swallowed hard, and slowly turned around. Then he screamed.
**********************************
Evelyn was listening hard, her heart trilling madly in her chest, her blood running cold. She couldn't hear anything but howling wind occasional cries or shouts, but she still kept hoping that she would hear Rick's voice calling to her.
*****************************
"Dad! Dad! Oh no, what'd you do to him?" Alex dropped down next to his father's unconscious body.
The soldiers shrugged, "He wouldn't cooperate."
Imhotep smirked wickedly, "It seems that the great O'Connell has finally been taken 'down and out' as I've heard your people say."
Alex glared up at the man, "No. He hasn't. He's just down. He's not out."
*******************************
Shanala could see the camp in the distance, and in the camp she knew who she would find. Struggling even more than before, sweat sticking to her body, she tugged at Lock-Na's arms, screaming weakly for help.
"Shut up, Girl!" Lock-Na snapped.
"No! I can't go back there! You don't understand! She'll kill me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Her! She'll kill me! Please...I'll do anything....don't take me back to her!"
Shanala was sobbing uncontrollably. Lock-Na sighed angrily, "Will you shut up?"
"No!"
"I can't handle this brat alone," Lock-Na muttered furiously.
He was just about to smash Shanala down on the ground and leave her there when Abitula and two of him men raced towards him. They stopped before Lock- Na, and Abitula snickered, "We were worried that you'd been overpowered by her."
Lock-Na glared at him, "Shut up and help me."
"M'Lady is not pleased with you, Girl," Abitula said to Shanala, grabbing her arms and lifting her form Lock-Na's shoulder.
Shanala, still crying, stammered, "Of c-c-course she is. Sh...she...n...ever...w...as...pl....pl...eased...with...m-m-me."
Abitula chuckled darkly, and he and his men dragged Shanala the rest of the way to the camp, Lock-Na trialing behind, sword drawn.
************************************
Evelyn hated Anck-su-namun so much that it scared her. Every time she saw that woman walking by, her blood boiled. Anytime she heard her voice, her face became a mask of detestation. Any time she even heard her name, it made her cringe. Evelyn had never hated anyone that much before, but she knew that she had a good reason to despise Anck-su-namun. She had killed her father in ancient times. She had attempted to murder Evelyn, and actually done it once. She had assisted in the kidnapping of her son. And now she was going to kill Shanala and the rest of Evy's family without a backwards glance. Evelyn sat up more in the sweltering tent, listening as Anck-su-namun spoke with Imhotep. "Aer tui desñi Shanala esa Lock-Na. Ais dils wreñta fhodna kiset, ben Maaña." "There is dear Shanala,' Evelyn mumbled to herself, "and Lock-Na. The time is drawing closer, My Love." Evelyn swallowed hard, "Shanala's here already? Then where's Rick?"
"Hey you!" Evelyn jumped as a man at least twice her size tore into the tent and reached for her arm, "You're wanted out here."
Before Evy could even comprehend his words, the man jerked Evelyn up by her arm and stalked out of the tent with her in tow.
*******************************
Alex never cried. Not ever. Well, sometimes he did. Like when his mum had died. Or when he thought his family had been killed. And now, he was crying. He was scared. He didn't think he'd ever been so scared. His dad was lying before him, completely oblivious to everything going on around him. His mum was being dragged out by her arm and she too started crying at the sight of Rick. Shanala was screaming loudly as Abitula and his men carried her over to Anck-su-namun and Imhotep, who were both watching the scene with wicked smiles. Alex couldn't stop. Like a baby, he sobbed into his father's chest eyes squeezed shut, face soaked. Evelyn was thrown down next to him in a heap, and she laid her head on Rick's chest, barely breathing, listening for his heart. When she heard that, she relaxed a little and her wits came around. She wrapped her arms around Alex and hugged him, tears of dismay and fear trailing down her cheeks. Alex hugged her back, remembering back to when he was little and he could just come to Mummy for help for anything. For once, he wanted to go back to being the stupid, babyish little boy he once was. The kid who would run around in nothing but a diaper all day. The kid who liked to play in rain puddles. The kid who could hug his parents without feeling stupid. Alex breathed in his mother's sweet, sharp scent then never seemed to leave her, even after days of being hidden in a broiling hot tent. Alex could vaguely hear his mother's voice telling him it was ok. He had just begun to stop crying and had just started to feel foolish for his immaturity when he was jerked from his mother's arms. Evelyn got to her feet immediately, her eyes filled with fire like Alex had never seen before. "Don't you dare hurt him," she hissed. Alex looked behind him at Lock-Na, who watched Evy carefully. Anck- su-namun smiled slightly, tilting her head innocently to the side, "Why, Nefertiri. I'm simply fulfilling my part of the bargain."
Alex expected Evelyn to relax at those words, but instead she seemed even more anxious and infuriated, "I want my husband awake now. Right now. Wake him up."
Anck-su-namun raised her eyebrows, but nodded to one of her men. The soldier grabbed a waiting bucket of water and dumped it on Rick, who surprisingly sprang to life immediately.
"Who in the devil?!?"
Alex grinned widely, and Evelyn knew that she'd never seen him so happy, "Dad!"
Rick whipped around and his eyes shone with tears of joy, "Alex! Alex you're ok!"
Then Rick's eyes fell on two things that made his smile fail and his face contort with rage; his son was being held back from him by Lock-Na, and Shanala was by Anck-su-namun, looking ready to pass out. Speaking through clenched teeth, his voice deathly soft, Rick growled "Let go of our kids."
Evelyn started to nod, but stopped, eyes wide, "I-I'm sorry Rick? I-I-"
"I'll explain later," Rick said hastily, shooting an apologetic gaze at his wife.
Imhotep chuckled darkly, "O'Connell, it seems to me that you have only one child, and that is your son."
Rick smiled slightly, "Seems to me like you're a bit behind the times."
"As are the rest of us," Evelyn mumbled.
Alex nodded, looking confused, "Yea, Dad. What's up with this?"
"D'ya think we could talk about this after I kick some mummy tail?"
Alex and Evy shrugged, "Oh alright."
"Thank you. Now, as I said before. Give me my kids!" Rick said forcefully.
Anck-su-namun nodded to Lock-Na, who pushed Alex forward, letting him tumble to the ground.
Alex started to get to his feet and run to his mother's outstretched arms, but Imhotep suddenly stepped forward and gripped his wrist, jerking him back.
Rick started to speak, but before he could, Imhotep's other hand came out from his robes, holding a glinting blade. Rick didn't freeze that time. With Evy's startled shriek echoing in his ears, he ran forward, a mixture of shock and overwhelming terror shooting through him. One thought was racing through his head endlessly, repeating itself over and over: Gotta make it. Gotta make it. Gotta make it. Rick lurched forward just as he saw the dagger come sailing down, bound for his son's side. Alex was screaming. Rick didn't know what he would do once he actually reached his son. All he knew was that he had to stop Imhotep. He had to. Then he was stopped with a sudden jerk; he looked behind him and saw soldiers holding him back, jeering at him. By now, his mind was blank with fear. He fought against the guards, Evy's petrified cries seeping into his mind. He finally broke free and ran faster than he ever had in his life. He made it to his son just in time to see the dagger plunge into his side. Alex stood stock still for a moment, eyes wide and body trembling. Then, he collapsed. Rick just managed to catch him before he hit the sand. Slowly, everything began moving again. Anck-su-namun took hold of Shanala's arm and dragged her, screaming, away. Imhotep followed Anck-su-namun, dropping the blood-stained dagger on the sand and shooting a wicked glance at Evy as he passed. The soldiers all walked by, talking in their native tongue. Eventually, Evy came over and dropped down next to him; they didn't say a word to each other as they watched their son slowly drift away...
****************************
Chapter 17
Shanala shrieked loudly, kicking wildly and beating Lock-Na on the back with her fists. "Let go! I'm not going back! Let me go!"
"Shut up!"
"No! Dad! Dad!"
"You have no father now, Foolish Child!"
"Help me, Daddy!"
****************************
"God, I can't take this!"
Rick felt ready to explode. In the distance he could hear Shanala calling for him desperately, her voice filled with absolute horror.
"Leave Shanala alone!" he growled at the soldiers surrounding him.
The men simply smirked.
Ardeth was looking around, grimacing in pain, "Rick...go help her..."
"What about you? Who's gonna help you?"
"I'll care for myself, just go!"
Rick knew he wouldn't be able to hear Shanala's helpless voice screaming for help much longer but he also knew that if he left his friend, death would be impossible to resist.
"Can this get any worse?" Rick shouted.
That was when he was his in the back of the head by the handle of a gun and he fell over, unconscious.
*************************
Jonathan wandered along blindly for a time, coughing and spluttering, and then finally collapsed onto the grainy sand. "Rick!" he yelled, "I'm looooost!"
"Rick! I'm looooost!"
Jonathan jumped. Blinking, confused, he yelled "Hello?"
"Hello?"
"Oh great. An echo."
"Oh great. An echo."
This time the voice was closer.
Jonathan swallowed, "OK, fine. Be that way!"
"OK, fine. Be that way!"
The voice was behind him. Jonathan swallowed hard, and slowly turned around. Then he screamed.
**********************************
Evelyn was listening hard, her heart trilling madly in her chest, her blood running cold. She couldn't hear anything but howling wind occasional cries or shouts, but she still kept hoping that she would hear Rick's voice calling to her.
*****************************
"Dad! Dad! Oh no, what'd you do to him?" Alex dropped down next to his father's unconscious body.
The soldiers shrugged, "He wouldn't cooperate."
Imhotep smirked wickedly, "It seems that the great O'Connell has finally been taken 'down and out' as I've heard your people say."
Alex glared up at the man, "No. He hasn't. He's just down. He's not out."
*******************************
Shanala could see the camp in the distance, and in the camp she knew who she would find. Struggling even more than before, sweat sticking to her body, she tugged at Lock-Na's arms, screaming weakly for help.
"Shut up, Girl!" Lock-Na snapped.
"No! I can't go back there! You don't understand! She'll kill me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Her! She'll kill me! Please...I'll do anything....don't take me back to her!"
Shanala was sobbing uncontrollably. Lock-Na sighed angrily, "Will you shut up?"
"No!"
"I can't handle this brat alone," Lock-Na muttered furiously.
He was just about to smash Shanala down on the ground and leave her there when Abitula and two of him men raced towards him. They stopped before Lock- Na, and Abitula snickered, "We were worried that you'd been overpowered by her."
Lock-Na glared at him, "Shut up and help me."
"M'Lady is not pleased with you, Girl," Abitula said to Shanala, grabbing her arms and lifting her form Lock-Na's shoulder.
Shanala, still crying, stammered, "Of c-c-course she is. Sh...she...n...ever...w...as...pl....pl...eased...with...m-m-me."
Abitula chuckled darkly, and he and his men dragged Shanala the rest of the way to the camp, Lock-Na trialing behind, sword drawn.
************************************
Evelyn hated Anck-su-namun so much that it scared her. Every time she saw that woman walking by, her blood boiled. Anytime she heard her voice, her face became a mask of detestation. Any time she even heard her name, it made her cringe. Evelyn had never hated anyone that much before, but she knew that she had a good reason to despise Anck-su-namun. She had killed her father in ancient times. She had attempted to murder Evelyn, and actually done it once. She had assisted in the kidnapping of her son. And now she was going to kill Shanala and the rest of Evy's family without a backwards glance. Evelyn sat up more in the sweltering tent, listening as Anck-su-namun spoke with Imhotep. "Aer tui desñi Shanala esa Lock-Na. Ais dils wreñta fhodna kiset, ben Maaña." "There is dear Shanala,' Evelyn mumbled to herself, "and Lock-Na. The time is drawing closer, My Love." Evelyn swallowed hard, "Shanala's here already? Then where's Rick?"
"Hey you!" Evelyn jumped as a man at least twice her size tore into the tent and reached for her arm, "You're wanted out here."
Before Evy could even comprehend his words, the man jerked Evelyn up by her arm and stalked out of the tent with her in tow.
*******************************
Alex never cried. Not ever. Well, sometimes he did. Like when his mum had died. Or when he thought his family had been killed. And now, he was crying. He was scared. He didn't think he'd ever been so scared. His dad was lying before him, completely oblivious to everything going on around him. His mum was being dragged out by her arm and she too started crying at the sight of Rick. Shanala was screaming loudly as Abitula and his men carried her over to Anck-su-namun and Imhotep, who were both watching the scene with wicked smiles. Alex couldn't stop. Like a baby, he sobbed into his father's chest eyes squeezed shut, face soaked. Evelyn was thrown down next to him in a heap, and she laid her head on Rick's chest, barely breathing, listening for his heart. When she heard that, she relaxed a little and her wits came around. She wrapped her arms around Alex and hugged him, tears of dismay and fear trailing down her cheeks. Alex hugged her back, remembering back to when he was little and he could just come to Mummy for help for anything. For once, he wanted to go back to being the stupid, babyish little boy he once was. The kid who would run around in nothing but a diaper all day. The kid who liked to play in rain puddles. The kid who could hug his parents without feeling stupid. Alex breathed in his mother's sweet, sharp scent then never seemed to leave her, even after days of being hidden in a broiling hot tent. Alex could vaguely hear his mother's voice telling him it was ok. He had just begun to stop crying and had just started to feel foolish for his immaturity when he was jerked from his mother's arms. Evelyn got to her feet immediately, her eyes filled with fire like Alex had never seen before. "Don't you dare hurt him," she hissed. Alex looked behind him at Lock-Na, who watched Evy carefully. Anck- su-namun smiled slightly, tilting her head innocently to the side, "Why, Nefertiri. I'm simply fulfilling my part of the bargain."
Alex expected Evelyn to relax at those words, but instead she seemed even more anxious and infuriated, "I want my husband awake now. Right now. Wake him up."
Anck-su-namun raised her eyebrows, but nodded to one of her men. The soldier grabbed a waiting bucket of water and dumped it on Rick, who surprisingly sprang to life immediately.
"Who in the devil?!?"
Alex grinned widely, and Evelyn knew that she'd never seen him so happy, "Dad!"
Rick whipped around and his eyes shone with tears of joy, "Alex! Alex you're ok!"
Then Rick's eyes fell on two things that made his smile fail and his face contort with rage; his son was being held back from him by Lock-Na, and Shanala was by Anck-su-namun, looking ready to pass out. Speaking through clenched teeth, his voice deathly soft, Rick growled "Let go of our kids."
Evelyn started to nod, but stopped, eyes wide, "I-I'm sorry Rick? I-I-"
"I'll explain later," Rick said hastily, shooting an apologetic gaze at his wife.
Imhotep chuckled darkly, "O'Connell, it seems to me that you have only one child, and that is your son."
Rick smiled slightly, "Seems to me like you're a bit behind the times."
"As are the rest of us," Evelyn mumbled.
Alex nodded, looking confused, "Yea, Dad. What's up with this?"
"D'ya think we could talk about this after I kick some mummy tail?"
Alex and Evy shrugged, "Oh alright."
"Thank you. Now, as I said before. Give me my kids!" Rick said forcefully.
Anck-su-namun nodded to Lock-Na, who pushed Alex forward, letting him tumble to the ground.
Alex started to get to his feet and run to his mother's outstretched arms, but Imhotep suddenly stepped forward and gripped his wrist, jerking him back.
Rick started to speak, but before he could, Imhotep's other hand came out from his robes, holding a glinting blade. Rick didn't freeze that time. With Evy's startled shriek echoing in his ears, he ran forward, a mixture of shock and overwhelming terror shooting through him. One thought was racing through his head endlessly, repeating itself over and over: Gotta make it. Gotta make it. Gotta make it. Rick lurched forward just as he saw the dagger come sailing down, bound for his son's side. Alex was screaming. Rick didn't know what he would do once he actually reached his son. All he knew was that he had to stop Imhotep. He had to. Then he was stopped with a sudden jerk; he looked behind him and saw soldiers holding him back, jeering at him. By now, his mind was blank with fear. He fought against the guards, Evy's petrified cries seeping into his mind. He finally broke free and ran faster than he ever had in his life. He made it to his son just in time to see the dagger plunge into his side. Alex stood stock still for a moment, eyes wide and body trembling. Then, he collapsed. Rick just managed to catch him before he hit the sand. Slowly, everything began moving again. Anck-su-namun took hold of Shanala's arm and dragged her, screaming, away. Imhotep followed Anck-su-namun, dropping the blood-stained dagger on the sand and shooting a wicked glance at Evy as he passed. The soldiers all walked by, talking in their native tongue. Eventually, Evy came over and dropped down next to him; they didn't say a word to each other as they watched their son slowly drift away...
****************************
