Hey peoples! Didja miss me? LOL. Prolly not as much as u missed the story,
eh? LOL. J/K. OK, I must hurry about this note, but I want to do a few
things:
Welcome Jinx! Sooooo glad that uve joined us! Thank u for ur reviews! ;)
Welcome Nefertirioc! LOL. I know you've reviewed my other story....but welcome anyway. And thank you so much for reviewing every chapter and 4 being so sweet! U totally rock! ;) Love ya lots! (
Thanx to all of my other reviewers, you all rock so much...I'm just sry I don't have time to thank you all personally...you all rock, ok? And I luv ya tons and tons and tons!
Chapter 19
Imhotep held the Book of Amun-Ra. Where he had gotten it, Shanala could only guess; next to him, Abitula held the Book of the Dead. Sweat cascaded down Shanala's face and neck as she stared down into the pit. Below her was nothing but a pitch-black tunnel, at the end of which was a glowing, hissing fire. Shanala struggled against Anck-su-namun's grasp, but stopped when her stepmother shoved her nearer to the pit. Shanala's upper arms hurt where Anck-su-namun was grasping them, but she would rather put up with the pain then what would happen if she happened to let go...
"Please don't do this," Shanala gasped, trembling as Imhotep continued searching through the Book of Amun Ra.
Anck-su-namun simply smirked.
"My Lady, are you certain that you do not wish for me to throw her in?" Lock-Na questioned.
Anck-su-namun nodded, "Yes, Lock-Na. I am certain. This has to be done by only Imhotep and I."
"Yes, My Lady."
Shanala, terrified as she was, felt a streak of rebellion race through her, "I knew you'd do this. I already knew it."
"I am aware of that."
Shanala frowned slightly and attempted to look behind her, at Anck-su- namun, "But...but you said my punishment would be a-"
"A surprise?" Anck-su-namun laughed harshly, "Yes, and it will be, Shanala."
Shanala felt her mouth go dry; why had she said that? She should have kept her mouth shut.
*****************************************
"Hurry, Rick. Please!"
"I am, Honey."
"There going to kill her...but they won't...they'll..." Evy broke off, horrified.
Ardeth Bay placed a hand on her shoulder, "Evelyn, you must not let your memories haunt you."
Evelyn turned to look at him, "Ardeth....don't you think something as horrible as I saw would haunt you?"
"What'd you see?" Rick asked.
Evelyn faltered and bit her lip, "I-I....I can't describe it, Rick..."
Rick frowned, "Nonsense, Evy. You're superb at describing stuff. C'mon..."
Evelyn took a deep breath and sighed, "Oh, alright...you see...when we were younger...Shanala and I, that is...she....she would like to wander off and spy on people."
Rick nodded, "Yea. I heard."
"Well, one time she was spying on Imhotep and Anck-su-namun and...they were..." Evy cleared her throat, and Jonathan chuckled.
Rick nodded, "Yea."
"So, Shanala ran to tell our father. The next time he saw Anck-su-namun, he ordered that she wear body paint so that he was certain that she was true to him. Of course, Anck-su-namun despised the paint, and she blamed it all on Shanala..."
Ardeth gripped his sword tighter, "And...?"
"And...well....on this particular day, Shanala was playing alone in our room. I...I think she was playing with one of my dolls..." Evelyn chuckled, "She always did that. I used to get so angry!"
Jonathan smiled.
Ardeth chuckled softly.
Rick nodded with a slight grin.
"Anyway...she was playing...and...Anck-su-namun found her there..."
Evy broke off, "I...I don't know if I can tell you, Rick..."
Rick stopped and turned to his wife. "Evy," he said, taking her hands, "You can trust me with anything. I know this might be hard for you, but....it's very important that we know what happened to Shanala."
"And why is that?" Izzy demanded.
"Izzy, shut your trap and stop annoying me before I shoot the other half of your 'arse' off."
Izzy snapped his mouth closed.
Rick looked at Evy again and gave her an encouraging smile, "Go on, Baby. We're listening."
****************************************
Imhotep continued flipping through the pages of the heavy book, his eyes searching for words he already knew. The only reason he needed the book was for ceremonial purposes, and it was really quite a hassle. Abitula stood nearby, holding the other book so that Imhotep could bring to life the one thing that could aid him in his quest... Imhotep smiled suddenly, and Lock-Na glanced at him, "My Lord...?"
Imhotep shook his head, refusing to share his thoughts; Lock-Na would never understand. Imhotep looked up and over at Anck-su-namun; she was staring at him and smiling. He smiled back and turned back to the book. Shanala was fighting against Anck-su-namun desperately, tears staining her cheeks. Imhotep was filled with contempt and only slight pity for the girl; even he himself would be afraid to die the death that she would soon endure...
****************************************
Evy took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears as she continued speaking. "You see," she spoke softly, "Anck-su-namun...she was still...very angry about...about the paint...and...well...when she found Shanala...all alone...just playing by herself with no one to protect her...she took the opportunity and..."
Rick realized how terribly fearful his wife was, and he hugged her tightly, "Evy...you don't...you don't have to..."
Evy nodded, furious with herself, "Yes. I do, Rick. And...I will." Taking a deep breath, she pressed on, "Shanala didn't even see her come in. She was...so busy playing..." Tears slowly made trails down Evy's cheeks as she choked, "I...I remember how happy she was...she was only playing...she didn't...didn't know..."
****************************************
*remembering*
Shanala stretched her legs out and sighed, setting Nefertiri's doll on the cold marble floors. "Nefertiri?"
"What?"
"Are you almost ready?"
"No."
"Almost almost?"
"No."
"Almost almost almost?"
"No!"
"Almost almost alm-"
"Shanala!
"Yea?"
"Just...keep quiet and play with your dolls, ok?"
Shanala scowled, but picked up the dolls and started to reenact her father leaving for war.
"Be good," she said in a deep voice, bringing one of the dolls towards her make-shift chariot (it was really a rock) "And maybe I'll bring you surprises when I get back."
"Ok Daddy."
"Yes Father."
Shanala giggled, "Nefertiri?"
"Yes?"
"Why don't you say daddy anymore?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean...you always say 'father' instead of 'daddy'."
"Yes. When you get older you'll do that as well."
"I will?" Shanala fingered the doll in her hands and wrinkled her nose up in thought, "I....don't think so..."
Nefertiri laughed from the next room and stuck her head in, "Oh really? Well, I bet you those two dolls right there that you call dad 'father' by the time you're my age."
Shanala's eyes widened, "You mean you'll actually give me these dolls?"
Nefertiri smiled and nodded, "Yep."
"Ok! But....what about if I lose?"
Nefertiri leaned against the doorway, considering. Finally, she grinned and replied, "You have to give me back the brush you stole from me and won't give back."
"Oh. Ok."
"Aha! So you admit it!"
"Admit what?" Shanala asked, turning back to her toys.
"That you stole my brush."
"No I didn't."
Nefertiri laughed, "Ok, Shanala. You didn't. I'll be in here, alright? Don't make a big mess for me to clean up!"
"I clean up my own messes," Shanala mumbled, but Nefertiri was already gone.
Getting bored with the dolls, Shanala picked them up and set them in her toy chest before she began rummaging around for something else; she was so busy digging through her balls, tops and pull-carts that she didn't see Anck-su-namun leaning against the doorway.
"Aha! So you admit it!" Shanala said in a perfect imitation of her older sister. She picked up a pull-cart and set it down next to her feet before she continued in her search for more toys. "Aha! So you....you admit it..." Shanala yanked a ball out and tossed it over her shoulder; it rolled across the floor and stopped at Anck-su-namun's feet. Anck-su-namun stooped down, picked it up, and held it in her hands as she walked over to Shanala. "Aha!" Shanala exclaimed loudly, "So you admit it!"
"Shanala?" Nefertiri asked, "What are you doing?"
"Just....playing..." Shanala found a brush lying in the bottom of her chest and muffled a giggle with her hands.
"What's so funny?" Nefertiri questioned.
"Nothing..." Shanala set the brush back down, then decided against it and picked it back up.
"Nefertiri! You'll never believe what I-" Shanala broke off as a shadow fell across her. She stayed perfectly still until a ball dropped into her lap, "Did you lose that, Shanala?"
Shanala swallowed hard as she heard her stepmother's voice, "Ummm...yes. Thank you..."
A hand floated down on her shoulder and gripped it tightly, and when she glanced at it, Shanala saw that it was painted gold. "Don't you like the color, Shanala? Your father picked it out," Anck-su-namun hissed, and Shanala could sense her anger more than hear it.
Shanala screamed.
***************************************
Evelyn shuddered, and Rick held her tightly, "It's ok, Evy...it'll all be ok..."
"I never helped her," Evy sobbed, clutching Rick's shirt, "I...she called me Rick...she called me and I never helped her...I just...just sat there and listened to her..."
Jonathan draped an arm across Evy's shoulder, "I've done that to you before, and you forgave me."
"Oh, Jonathan...but there's a difference between playing hide-and-seek for over and hour and you ignoring me when I kept yelling that I gave up...and...and this..."
Jonathan lifted Evy's chin with his hand and smiled, "I see no difference.:"
Evy managed a small smile in return, "Thank you, Jonathan."
**************************************
Imhotep found the passage. Shanala knew it. A wicked smirk had began to melt over his lips, and endless chills began to run through her body despite the heat. "Oh please no..."
******************************************
Rick and Evelyn ran through the tunnels, guided by Shanala's struggling cries.
*********************************************
Imhotep gave a last glance at Anck-su-namun before he started reading, "Aishñe tor hoste..."
***************************************
Ardeth was holding his sword so tightly his knuckles were turning white as he turned the corner after Rick and Evy...
*****************************************
Anck-su-namun pushed Shanala a little closer to the edge of the pit and loosened her grip on her arms...
*****************************************
Jonathan and Izzy were directly behind Ardeth as they finally reached the entrance to the room...
********************************************
Imhotep's words were starting to become louder; he was almost done reading the book and then...then Shanala would be tossed into the pit to die...Shanala twisted in fear, almost brainless with horror...
*****************************************
Rick saw the soldiers come charging at them to defend Imhotep. Ardeth leaped in front of him and immediately ran at them, letting loose a war cry. Jonathan Izzy joined him, fists held up, crying, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" Rick turned and set Alex safely in Evy's arms. "Be right back," he said, winking as he reached for his guns.
******************************************
Evelyn shifted Alex's weight and sat down, clutching him to her chest, watching Ardeth lop a guess head off with his sword. She couldn't help but to cheer for them as she watched Rick blast a man in the center of his forehead. "So...barbaric," she thought, "...and here I am cheering for them."
***********************************
Shanala felt Anck-su-namun jerk her backwards at the sound of gunfire. Shanala turned her head slightly and saw the only people in the entire universe who could make her happy again; the O'Connells and Ardeth...and of course the little pilot Izzy. Shanala grinned widely, "Dad! Mum!" Anck-su- namun hissed at her to keep quiet. Not wanting to make her stepmother any angrier than she already was, Shanala obligingly shut her mouth, secretly cheering her family on.
******************************
Rick glanced up and saw his daughter safe and sound, and hope and joy swelled in his chest. He kicked a man down onto his back and shot Shanala an encouraging smile; her eyes lit up. Jonathan was backing a man into a corner with Izzy, fists up, head held high. "How do you like that?" he asked the soldier, "Huh? Huh?" "Yea!" Izzy joined in, "You like it?"
The man growled angrily, drew his sword, and lifted it high. Jonathan and Izzy looked at the weapon, then at each other, and then at the man. They gave him nervous smiles and backed away slowly, "Now, now...let's not get violent..."
******************************************
Evy was staring at her son, trying hard to imagine that he wasn't dead....only sleeping...She felt so overwhelmed with everything going on: Shanala looking terrified, trying to free herself from Anck-su-namun; Jonathan and Izzy screaming, running away form a large man with a sword; Ardeth and Rick working together as a wonderful team, blasting and chopping men's heads off; Alex lying in her arms dead...
"No. Sleeping," Evy murmured, moving a stray strand of Alex's hair away from his eyes, "He's only sleeping..."
*********************************************
Shanala didn't think she'd ever seen Anck-su-namun or Imhotep look so angry. They were both fuming, fire in their eyes. Shanala winced slightly when Anck-su-namun's already painful grip tightened around her arm, "Ow....you're hurting me! Let go!"
"Keep quiet, Shanala."
To her surprise and everyone else's, Shanala screamed, "NO!"
Everything seemed to stop. The fighting ceased. The shouting silenced. Even the echoes from the clanging of swords disappeared. Shanala swallowed hard, averting her eyes.
"What did you say?" Anck-su-namun breathed.
A mixture of shock and terror slowly melted in Shanala's soul, "I...I said...I..."
The silence was throbbing inside her head. Her voice sounded tiny and insignificant as she stammered, "I...I didn't...I mean..."
Anck-su-namun's eyes burned into her soul, dark and infinitely despising. "Let's go, Shanala," Anck-su-namun hissed, turning and walking towards the next endlessly empty and dark chamber with Shanala in tow.
******************************************
"No! Shanala!" Rick yelled, racing towards his little girl. Several men bombarded him then, and he was forced to start fighting again with Ardeth at his side.
The battle had begun.
**************************************************
`
Welcome Jinx! Sooooo glad that uve joined us! Thank u for ur reviews! ;)
Welcome Nefertirioc! LOL. I know you've reviewed my other story....but welcome anyway. And thank you so much for reviewing every chapter and 4 being so sweet! U totally rock! ;) Love ya lots! (
Thanx to all of my other reviewers, you all rock so much...I'm just sry I don't have time to thank you all personally...you all rock, ok? And I luv ya tons and tons and tons!
Chapter 19
Imhotep held the Book of Amun-Ra. Where he had gotten it, Shanala could only guess; next to him, Abitula held the Book of the Dead. Sweat cascaded down Shanala's face and neck as she stared down into the pit. Below her was nothing but a pitch-black tunnel, at the end of which was a glowing, hissing fire. Shanala struggled against Anck-su-namun's grasp, but stopped when her stepmother shoved her nearer to the pit. Shanala's upper arms hurt where Anck-su-namun was grasping them, but she would rather put up with the pain then what would happen if she happened to let go...
"Please don't do this," Shanala gasped, trembling as Imhotep continued searching through the Book of Amun Ra.
Anck-su-namun simply smirked.
"My Lady, are you certain that you do not wish for me to throw her in?" Lock-Na questioned.
Anck-su-namun nodded, "Yes, Lock-Na. I am certain. This has to be done by only Imhotep and I."
"Yes, My Lady."
Shanala, terrified as she was, felt a streak of rebellion race through her, "I knew you'd do this. I already knew it."
"I am aware of that."
Shanala frowned slightly and attempted to look behind her, at Anck-su- namun, "But...but you said my punishment would be a-"
"A surprise?" Anck-su-namun laughed harshly, "Yes, and it will be, Shanala."
Shanala felt her mouth go dry; why had she said that? She should have kept her mouth shut.
*****************************************
"Hurry, Rick. Please!"
"I am, Honey."
"There going to kill her...but they won't...they'll..." Evy broke off, horrified.
Ardeth Bay placed a hand on her shoulder, "Evelyn, you must not let your memories haunt you."
Evelyn turned to look at him, "Ardeth....don't you think something as horrible as I saw would haunt you?"
"What'd you see?" Rick asked.
Evelyn faltered and bit her lip, "I-I....I can't describe it, Rick..."
Rick frowned, "Nonsense, Evy. You're superb at describing stuff. C'mon..."
Evelyn took a deep breath and sighed, "Oh, alright...you see...when we were younger...Shanala and I, that is...she....she would like to wander off and spy on people."
Rick nodded, "Yea. I heard."
"Well, one time she was spying on Imhotep and Anck-su-namun and...they were..." Evy cleared her throat, and Jonathan chuckled.
Rick nodded, "Yea."
"So, Shanala ran to tell our father. The next time he saw Anck-su-namun, he ordered that she wear body paint so that he was certain that she was true to him. Of course, Anck-su-namun despised the paint, and she blamed it all on Shanala..."
Ardeth gripped his sword tighter, "And...?"
"And...well....on this particular day, Shanala was playing alone in our room. I...I think she was playing with one of my dolls..." Evelyn chuckled, "She always did that. I used to get so angry!"
Jonathan smiled.
Ardeth chuckled softly.
Rick nodded with a slight grin.
"Anyway...she was playing...and...Anck-su-namun found her there..."
Evy broke off, "I...I don't know if I can tell you, Rick..."
Rick stopped and turned to his wife. "Evy," he said, taking her hands, "You can trust me with anything. I know this might be hard for you, but....it's very important that we know what happened to Shanala."
"And why is that?" Izzy demanded.
"Izzy, shut your trap and stop annoying me before I shoot the other half of your 'arse' off."
Izzy snapped his mouth closed.
Rick looked at Evy again and gave her an encouraging smile, "Go on, Baby. We're listening."
****************************************
Imhotep continued flipping through the pages of the heavy book, his eyes searching for words he already knew. The only reason he needed the book was for ceremonial purposes, and it was really quite a hassle. Abitula stood nearby, holding the other book so that Imhotep could bring to life the one thing that could aid him in his quest... Imhotep smiled suddenly, and Lock-Na glanced at him, "My Lord...?"
Imhotep shook his head, refusing to share his thoughts; Lock-Na would never understand. Imhotep looked up and over at Anck-su-namun; she was staring at him and smiling. He smiled back and turned back to the book. Shanala was fighting against Anck-su-namun desperately, tears staining her cheeks. Imhotep was filled with contempt and only slight pity for the girl; even he himself would be afraid to die the death that she would soon endure...
****************************************
Evy took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears as she continued speaking. "You see," she spoke softly, "Anck-su-namun...she was still...very angry about...about the paint...and...well...when she found Shanala...all alone...just playing by herself with no one to protect her...she took the opportunity and..."
Rick realized how terribly fearful his wife was, and he hugged her tightly, "Evy...you don't...you don't have to..."
Evy nodded, furious with herself, "Yes. I do, Rick. And...I will." Taking a deep breath, she pressed on, "Shanala didn't even see her come in. She was...so busy playing..." Tears slowly made trails down Evy's cheeks as she choked, "I...I remember how happy she was...she was only playing...she didn't...didn't know..."
****************************************
*remembering*
Shanala stretched her legs out and sighed, setting Nefertiri's doll on the cold marble floors. "Nefertiri?"
"What?"
"Are you almost ready?"
"No."
"Almost almost?"
"No."
"Almost almost almost?"
"No!"
"Almost almost alm-"
"Shanala!
"Yea?"
"Just...keep quiet and play with your dolls, ok?"
Shanala scowled, but picked up the dolls and started to reenact her father leaving for war.
"Be good," she said in a deep voice, bringing one of the dolls towards her make-shift chariot (it was really a rock) "And maybe I'll bring you surprises when I get back."
"Ok Daddy."
"Yes Father."
Shanala giggled, "Nefertiri?"
"Yes?"
"Why don't you say daddy anymore?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean...you always say 'father' instead of 'daddy'."
"Yes. When you get older you'll do that as well."
"I will?" Shanala fingered the doll in her hands and wrinkled her nose up in thought, "I....don't think so..."
Nefertiri laughed from the next room and stuck her head in, "Oh really? Well, I bet you those two dolls right there that you call dad 'father' by the time you're my age."
Shanala's eyes widened, "You mean you'll actually give me these dolls?"
Nefertiri smiled and nodded, "Yep."
"Ok! But....what about if I lose?"
Nefertiri leaned against the doorway, considering. Finally, she grinned and replied, "You have to give me back the brush you stole from me and won't give back."
"Oh. Ok."
"Aha! So you admit it!"
"Admit what?" Shanala asked, turning back to her toys.
"That you stole my brush."
"No I didn't."
Nefertiri laughed, "Ok, Shanala. You didn't. I'll be in here, alright? Don't make a big mess for me to clean up!"
"I clean up my own messes," Shanala mumbled, but Nefertiri was already gone.
Getting bored with the dolls, Shanala picked them up and set them in her toy chest before she began rummaging around for something else; she was so busy digging through her balls, tops and pull-carts that she didn't see Anck-su-namun leaning against the doorway.
"Aha! So you admit it!" Shanala said in a perfect imitation of her older sister. She picked up a pull-cart and set it down next to her feet before she continued in her search for more toys. "Aha! So you....you admit it..." Shanala yanked a ball out and tossed it over her shoulder; it rolled across the floor and stopped at Anck-su-namun's feet. Anck-su-namun stooped down, picked it up, and held it in her hands as she walked over to Shanala. "Aha!" Shanala exclaimed loudly, "So you admit it!"
"Shanala?" Nefertiri asked, "What are you doing?"
"Just....playing..." Shanala found a brush lying in the bottom of her chest and muffled a giggle with her hands.
"What's so funny?" Nefertiri questioned.
"Nothing..." Shanala set the brush back down, then decided against it and picked it back up.
"Nefertiri! You'll never believe what I-" Shanala broke off as a shadow fell across her. She stayed perfectly still until a ball dropped into her lap, "Did you lose that, Shanala?"
Shanala swallowed hard as she heard her stepmother's voice, "Ummm...yes. Thank you..."
A hand floated down on her shoulder and gripped it tightly, and when she glanced at it, Shanala saw that it was painted gold. "Don't you like the color, Shanala? Your father picked it out," Anck-su-namun hissed, and Shanala could sense her anger more than hear it.
Shanala screamed.
***************************************
Evelyn shuddered, and Rick held her tightly, "It's ok, Evy...it'll all be ok..."
"I never helped her," Evy sobbed, clutching Rick's shirt, "I...she called me Rick...she called me and I never helped her...I just...just sat there and listened to her..."
Jonathan draped an arm across Evy's shoulder, "I've done that to you before, and you forgave me."
"Oh, Jonathan...but there's a difference between playing hide-and-seek for over and hour and you ignoring me when I kept yelling that I gave up...and...and this..."
Jonathan lifted Evy's chin with his hand and smiled, "I see no difference.:"
Evy managed a small smile in return, "Thank you, Jonathan."
**************************************
Imhotep found the passage. Shanala knew it. A wicked smirk had began to melt over his lips, and endless chills began to run through her body despite the heat. "Oh please no..."
******************************************
Rick and Evelyn ran through the tunnels, guided by Shanala's struggling cries.
*********************************************
Imhotep gave a last glance at Anck-su-namun before he started reading, "Aishñe tor hoste..."
***************************************
Ardeth was holding his sword so tightly his knuckles were turning white as he turned the corner after Rick and Evy...
*****************************************
Anck-su-namun pushed Shanala a little closer to the edge of the pit and loosened her grip on her arms...
*****************************************
Jonathan and Izzy were directly behind Ardeth as they finally reached the entrance to the room...
********************************************
Imhotep's words were starting to become louder; he was almost done reading the book and then...then Shanala would be tossed into the pit to die...Shanala twisted in fear, almost brainless with horror...
*****************************************
Rick saw the soldiers come charging at them to defend Imhotep. Ardeth leaped in front of him and immediately ran at them, letting loose a war cry. Jonathan Izzy joined him, fists held up, crying, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" Rick turned and set Alex safely in Evy's arms. "Be right back," he said, winking as he reached for his guns.
******************************************
Evelyn shifted Alex's weight and sat down, clutching him to her chest, watching Ardeth lop a guess head off with his sword. She couldn't help but to cheer for them as she watched Rick blast a man in the center of his forehead. "So...barbaric," she thought, "...and here I am cheering for them."
***********************************
Shanala felt Anck-su-namun jerk her backwards at the sound of gunfire. Shanala turned her head slightly and saw the only people in the entire universe who could make her happy again; the O'Connells and Ardeth...and of course the little pilot Izzy. Shanala grinned widely, "Dad! Mum!" Anck-su- namun hissed at her to keep quiet. Not wanting to make her stepmother any angrier than she already was, Shanala obligingly shut her mouth, secretly cheering her family on.
******************************
Rick glanced up and saw his daughter safe and sound, and hope and joy swelled in his chest. He kicked a man down onto his back and shot Shanala an encouraging smile; her eyes lit up. Jonathan was backing a man into a corner with Izzy, fists up, head held high. "How do you like that?" he asked the soldier, "Huh? Huh?" "Yea!" Izzy joined in, "You like it?"
The man growled angrily, drew his sword, and lifted it high. Jonathan and Izzy looked at the weapon, then at each other, and then at the man. They gave him nervous smiles and backed away slowly, "Now, now...let's not get violent..."
******************************************
Evy was staring at her son, trying hard to imagine that he wasn't dead....only sleeping...She felt so overwhelmed with everything going on: Shanala looking terrified, trying to free herself from Anck-su-namun; Jonathan and Izzy screaming, running away form a large man with a sword; Ardeth and Rick working together as a wonderful team, blasting and chopping men's heads off; Alex lying in her arms dead...
"No. Sleeping," Evy murmured, moving a stray strand of Alex's hair away from his eyes, "He's only sleeping..."
*********************************************
Shanala didn't think she'd ever seen Anck-su-namun or Imhotep look so angry. They were both fuming, fire in their eyes. Shanala winced slightly when Anck-su-namun's already painful grip tightened around her arm, "Ow....you're hurting me! Let go!"
"Keep quiet, Shanala."
To her surprise and everyone else's, Shanala screamed, "NO!"
Everything seemed to stop. The fighting ceased. The shouting silenced. Even the echoes from the clanging of swords disappeared. Shanala swallowed hard, averting her eyes.
"What did you say?" Anck-su-namun breathed.
A mixture of shock and terror slowly melted in Shanala's soul, "I...I said...I..."
The silence was throbbing inside her head. Her voice sounded tiny and insignificant as she stammered, "I...I didn't...I mean..."
Anck-su-namun's eyes burned into her soul, dark and infinitely despising. "Let's go, Shanala," Anck-su-namun hissed, turning and walking towards the next endlessly empty and dark chamber with Shanala in tow.
******************************************
"No! Shanala!" Rick yelled, racing towards his little girl. Several men bombarded him then, and he was forced to start fighting again with Ardeth at his side.
The battle had begun.
**************************************************
`
