-10-
Aira woke up hours later. Her head hurt and every muscle in her body ached. Judging by the musty smell of the room she was in, she must have been on a ship.
Her hands were shackled together and she was trapped in cage that didn't allow her to do much more then sit up.
Her X-Com had been removed from her pouch, along with her pocket knife.
The young girl banged her shackles against the cage. There was a pair of leather gloves on her hands, so she couldn't command the shackled to release her.
Ah, look. The little hostage has woke up! Did you have a nice nap? Benny came over and jingled the keys in front of her, Don't you wish you could get out of there?
Aira said nothing, her heart was racing. They weren't going to let her out! She had a mild form of claustrophobia. Aira was only effected when she was in such small quarters that she could barely move. But now that she was in this cage, her mild claustrophobia had become so horrible she could hardly stand it.
Her heart skipped a beat. She had to get out of there as soon as she could.
Please! Let me out! I swear I won't run! Please! Aira begged.
Ah, but last time you weren't true to your word, hostage. You tried to escape! Benny said.
Please! I swear! Cross my heart hope to die, and all that! Please let me out!
Benny just shrugged and left the room. Aira broke down, sobbing with her head pressed against the bars.
~*~
Meanwhile.....
Can't we go any faster?
Logan turned around from the seat in front of the boy, Jamie! If I hear that question one more time, you will be walking instead of riding, understood?
Jamie grimaced and sunk back into his seat. They had already investigated the cave and found it empty. Aira wasn't answering her X-Com either.
Evy had gotten a report on the radio about a sandstorm passing through Cairo and heading off into the Mediterranean sea.
That's Imhotep! She had proclaimed, and they had hopped into the dune buggy and drove north.
Jamie was disgruntled that Aira had taken his place as hostage. That was what Imhotep had wanted, he was going to use her somehow to get the manacle.
Why would Imhotep want to kidnap Aira? Evy asked Logan.
As surprising' as it may seem, sprite is actually pretty powerful. She could sneak up on people and they would never hear her until it was too late, and she can manipulate inanimate objects as well as humans and animals.
Well, I don't think Imhotep is using her to break in a horse. Jamie mumbled and took out his X-Com to try to call her again, as Alex nervously gripped his wrist.
~*~
RIIIINNG!
Aira looked up from the cage floor. Bewildered, she looked around for the source of the ringing, then she remembered her X-Com.
The ship jolted back and forth on the waves, and the X-Com had gotten moved closer to her cage.
She slipped her shackled hands through the widely spaced bars of the cage. If she could just reach a little farther....
CRUNCH! A large burly man stepped on the X-Com and smashed it to bits. Aira watched in horror as her only chance for help was smashed.
Come on girl. The big burly man opened up her cage and pulled her out by her arm. He dragged her up onto the deck of the ship. The bright sunlight stung her eyes. They were on a large fishing ship that was old and rusty.
She walked peacefully along the deck until they came to a large doorway. The man opened the door pushed her in and slammed the door shut behind her.
Aira turned around and banged on the door with her shackled hands, Let me out! She screamed, Let me OUT!
Not until you comply to help. Came the deep voice that was all to familiar.
Aira spat in disgust as she turned around. Out of the looming darkness, the large mummy came closer to her.
You will separate the manacle from the boy's hand and I will let you live. You fail to do so, you die.
Aira shook with fright, she couldn't think of what to say.
They find us when we reach America. Until then, you help the cook in the kitchen and think about what I said. Imhotep turned and left.
America? They were going to America? But why? America was closer to the Institute. Unless that was what he wanted...
The burly man returned and dragged her along to the galley where the cook was waiting.
~*~
Did any ships leave through here recently? Logan asked a small man who was keeper of the canal.
I'm not allowed! Against my ethics! The little man squeaked in shaky English.
I'll ethics you! Logan said, grabbing the man by his collar, Last chance!
One boat... The man squeaked, heading for America, canal was closed, but huge man forced the ship through.
Logan dropped the man and turned back to his companions, He growled, and they all turned and left.