Chapter Three-Amelia's Revenge

The next morning came far too fast for Alexandra, who was in a happy dream, when a knock came upon her door. "Who is it?"

"It's Aunt Amelia." The voice on the other side of the door didn't sound too much like Amelia's though. It was lacking the cold, harsh tone the child was used to.

Alexandra looked over at Shadi, who was staring at the door intently. "Should I let her in, Shadi?"

"I wouldn't be too hasty about it, Alex. Something seems off." The gentle man replied. He moved to the center of the room, in order to be able to protect his young friend if necessary. "Go ahead."

Alex stood up slowly, and opened the door. "Aunt Amelia?"

"Well now, it's such a pretty day outside. Why don't you go and play? You've done more than enough work this week."

The child was taken aback. Why was her aunt being so nice? "Okay."

"Very good then. I'll have Claudia lay out your breakfast in the dining room. Perhaps your friend would like some as well?" Amelia stared up at Shadi kindly.

Shadi wasn't buying it though. "I think not. I expect you will give your niece more than a crumb this time though,won't you?" His eyes narrowed on the woman suspiciously.

"But of course. Eggs and bacon are already being prepared for her. Alexandra,darling, what type of juice would you like?"

The girl could tell Shadi was wary of Amelia, and that made her nervous as well. "A-apple juice?"

"Fantastic choice. I will go and make sure Claudia is doing as told. Come down when you're ready." Amelia closed the door behind her.

"I don't like this one bit, Alex. You be careful of trusting that one." Shadi cautioned her. "Of course, I will be here no matter what, but you should take care as well."

"Yes Shadi." She was still playing like Shadi was her father,though she didn't say it out loud.

"Alright. Let's go get your breakfast."

"The trap is laid out, Sister. She thought I was you." Agatha reported.

"Good. The drug is hidden, and untraceable. By the time that Shadi realizes what's happened, it will be far too late." The real Amelia was mixing up a vile of her special ill drug. "She's about to be the sickest she's ever been." She sneered, as she poured it into a glass of apple juice, and stirred.

"Sister, after what he did to you, do you think it's wise to madden this Shadi?" Agatha asked nervously.

Amelia laughed. "His little ankh didn't hurt me, Agatha. No, it just made me very angry. He'll get what coming to him, but first, we're going to have to make sure Alexandra can't interfere.

"Of course,Amelia." Agatha had been horrified when Amelia came downstairs. Her sister looked absolutely shaken. When she'd asked what happened, Amelia had told the most unbelievable tale of the man Shadi, with his ankh. She'd made a promise to herself then not to upset Shadi. What they were about to do would certainly do that.

"She's coming, with him." Agatha said softly.

"Stop worrying. He won't hurt us unless he sees need to." Amelia set the juice down, beside the plate of food.

When Alexandra walked into the dining room, she moved cautiously, afraid that almost anything could be a trap. She sat down in front of her breakfast, and studied it.

Shadi had followed her, but he remained invisible to the two aunts. "Take caution when you eat that."

Alex nodded slowly, and began to eat. Upon the first bite, the hungry child forgot about caution, and all but inhaled the remaining food. She then drank the juice down as well. "That was good…I haven't been so full in my life."

"How do you feel?" Shadi asked her in concern. He was absolutely certain they'd poisoned something in the meal, but if so, it would take a little while to take affect.

"I feel fine. I'm going out to play." Alex told him. "Will you come too?"

"No….I think I will stay inside. I want to look into some things." Shadi replied, patting her on the head. "You just go have fun." Shadi really hoped that she would have the chance for fun. Children in her position rarely did have that opportunity.

"Okay!" Alex got up, and ran outside.

The Egyptian man watched her go, with a deep sigh. Oh child….I really hope they've not hurt you in a way that I can't fix. He turned at the sound of voices in the hall, and walked down there to investigate.

"How long will it take for the drug to take effect?" Agatha asked.

"Fifteen minutes. When it does, we will lock her upstairs. It will keep her cooperative at least for a little while. She'll be so delerious, she won't know what she's telling us. " Amelia snickered.

"Yes, but what about Shadi? Certainly he will not leave her when she's ill and helpless."

"Leave him to me, Ma'am. " A third voice broke in. "I know all about him."

Shadi stepped into the room now, cloaked by the power of his ankh. It was the souless Claudia.

"Very good, Claudia. Be gone." Amelia replied. When the girl returned to the kitchen, she turned to Agatha. "Taking her soul away was a good idea. It's really left Alex without any allies, other than Shadi. He too, will be gone soon enough."

Shadi's anger flared at that. They were planning to torture that poor girl. The one that'd realized what he wanted. He showed himself now, glaring at the two women. "You want to get rid of me, do you?"

"Ah…Shadi….we were just talking about you. We don't like the fact you've turned our own niece against us." Amelia smirked, holding up a vial.

"You did that yourselves,woman. By the way you treat her." Shadi stared at her, stonily. "I have warned you for the last time."

"It doesn't look like your warning had any effect." Agatha remarked, as a horrified scream came from the backyard.

The Egyptian turned his head towards the sound of the Alex's cries. "What did you do to her?!"

"A lot less than we're going to do to you." Amelia answered, as she injected Shadi with a tranquilizer.

"A-alexandra…." Shadi fell to his knees, fighting the instant drowsiness that the drug caused.

"Is all ours now."Amelia kicked him in the gut. "Agatha, put this busybody somewhere. Like the cellar maybe." She turned on her heels to fetch her niece.

"You're not like her, Agatha…you…." Shadi had tried to reason with the twin, but lost consciousness. Agatha hauled him down into the cellar.

When Alexandra awakened, she couldn't remember what happened. She was tied down into her bed. Beside her, her aunt was mixing up more drug. "No more…please…." Tears slid down her face, as she watched.

"Are you going to tell us what we need to know?" Amelia asked her.

"Y-yes.." Where was Shadi? Why wasn't he helping her? "Where's Shadi?"

"Shadi had to go away for a while,but I'm sure he'll come back." Agatha lied. "Now, what do you know about your past?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying." Amelia glowered at her, poised to slap her. "Tell the truth."

"Nothing! I don't know anything!" Alexandra shrieked.

"Liar!"Amelia struck her hard across the face, before walking out,and locking the door.

Oh Shadi…..where have you gone? How could you leave me like this? I'm so cold..and in pain….The tears streamed, stinging the fresh cut on her lower lip, as Alex forced herself to sleep.