A/N: Dearest Revieweroos...wow, I feel like you guys are with me all the
way! I'm hooked on writing this now, because I also want to see what Johnny
gets up to- I'm not making this up ya know, I'm just a spectator to his
antics!
Marybug6otnile: I'm so glad you like this story! I read your latest chapter of Imhoteps Revenge, and I cant wait for the finale! I'm also a bit sad that it has to end... I will have to start reading Tears as Rain, but I'm saving that for when I have nothing else by you to keep me occupied! Your reviews mean a lot to me, because you're such a great writer.
Imhoteps Lover: You are such a diligent reviewer- like me you hate it when people don't review. I'll try to help you get to your 200 goal, but I need to get to my first mile stone- 50! By the way, I was only pulling your leg in my weakest link review. I know you have a lot of stuff going all at the same time, so whenever you have the inspiration.
Nefertirioc: I'm glad you think I portray Jonathan well- I think he's my favourite character, so I want to do him justice. Your reviews always make me feel better about my meager creative offerings. Thanks so much!
Brunette: Welcome! Glad you're enjoying it. I do try to make the descriptions as important as the dialogue, after all its not a screenplay. I did a degree in English but I never got to write creative stuff because it was all literary criticism- snore. Now I get to do some though! Glad my efforts are appreciated.
Nakhti: shut your mouth you stooped wench! I don't need your flames!
I am writing this next chapter on my sexy new computer- god I love it! The sound of the keys as I tap away is like chocolate dropping on velvet! Oooohhh, I'm gettin carried away with it all.....
*Glazed expression*
AHEM!! On with it then.
*****************************************************
Chapter 6
*****************************************************
Stephen stood beside the spot where he had last seen Jonathan, just before he had plummeted into the unknown gloom of the jagged aperture. He bent low over it, cupped his hand to his mouth, and called out again.
"Johnny! Jonathan, are you hurt?"
From somewhere beneath him, filtering up through the darkness from what seemed like a long way away, came a thin voice.
"Er...ye-es...I...I think so..." then a dusty cough and a painful moan. "I hurt my...you know..."
Stephen winced with a sharp intake of breath through clenched teeth.
"Oh, mate!" he said sympathetically, knowing full well what a clonk in the crown jewels felt like. "Can you get up?"
This was answered by the sound of shifting rubble and clinking pottery, then another loud crash, as of heavy wooden crates toppling from a piled height. An explosive smash and the tinkle of broken glass.
"Jon, don't move! I'm coming down."
Stephen dropped to his knees at the edge of the shattered cover, wishing it wasn't easier said than done. He had no idea how far down the floor was, and if he let himself fall and just hoped for the best he was likely to bust an ankle, or his neck. Then they really would be in trouble.
The horizon was becoming steadily brighter, pouring a watery light over the buildings and casting a vague saffron glow onto the upper part of wall in front of him. The alley was still in shadow, but Stephen thought he could make out certain objects below him in the underground storeroom, a dim lustre picking out planes and angles a few feet beneath him. Packing crates.
He scooted onto his backside and dangled a foot into the opening. Stretching his leg down a little further, edging out onto the dangerously unstable cover, he found the flat surface he was feeling for; the top of a stacked tower of wooden boxes. He wobbled it about a bit and found it fairly stable, so he gently lowered his entire weight onto it. Standing half in, half out of the cellar he started to climb down.
"Stephen!"
"Shit!" He nearly lost his footing at the shock of the sudden shout from below him, and clutched at the nearest crate to steady himself as he rocked back and forth precariously. "What?" he asked irritably when he'd found his balance again.
"You'll never guess what." Jonathan said.
"You're a big numbnuts?"
"Actually they are a bit numb...but no. I've found the stairs." Jonathan chuckled as he watched his friend perilously negotiating his way down the tall, teetering tower. He pointed just to his right where, leading up to the side of the cover that was still in tact, was a rough timber staircase providing access to street level.
"Ha bloody ha!" Stephen snarled as he continued to risk life and limb in his daring rescue attempt. Finally he planted his feet firmly on safe ground, and turned around to see what had become of his friend.
Jonathan was lying down, propped up on his elbows amidst the splintered wreckage of several crates and wicker storage baskets, squinting back at him from the shadows. There was a contented grin plastered all across his dopey face, and then Stephen saw why; he had a bottle in his hand again.
"Must be some sort of wine cellar- rather poor stuff, but it doesn't half pack a wallop!" he said cheerily, already tilting the bottle for another swig.
"I thought you were hurt!" Stephen said angrily, slightly put out that he had just risked his neck, getting some pretty impressive splinters for his trouble, only to find Jonathan having a whale of a time. "Get off your arse you lazy bastard!"
"Don't be like that, Stevie-"
"Don't you 'Stevie' me!" He shouted, putting his hands on his hips, his brows forced together in a cross look. Jonathan was reminded of one of his dear baby sister's more unpleasant expressions, and giggled quietly.
"Don't be such an old woman! Honestly, you're worse than Evy." Suddenly a wicked idea popped into his head. "Ha! That's what I'm going to call you from now on if you don't lighten up!" Jonathan shifted about and tried to aim a playful kick at Stephen's shin.
"Ow! Ah, that wasn't a good idea..." he moaned, wincing with pain as he felt a sharp sensation in his backside.
"Oh good, you're injured after all." Stephen muttered unkindly.
Jonathan gave a strained grin and put the bottle down, extending a hand for Stephen to pull him up by. Stephen crossed his arms and simply stood watching him struggle. Jonathan pouted in a wimpy, pleading expression.
"C'mon, give me a hand...please STEPHEN." Reluctantly Stephen relented, tutting and shaking his head at himself.
As he grasped his friends wrist and heaved back on it, Jonathan gave a little scream of agony.
"What?"
"I don't know...ow, it hurts! It hurts!" he whined like a baby, waving one limp wrist in the air as he shut his eyes in pain. He began to whimper in the back of his throat, making little rodent like twitters in the dim light.
"Jonathan...quit being such an imbecile. You're getting on my nerves."
"You try feeling like there's a hot poker up your bottom, see how you like it!" the recumbent gent shot back defensively. He carefully levered himself up, with Stephens help, trying very hard not to knock his delicate posterior.
As he got to his feet and turned round to inspect the damage, he realised that a new stain had been added to his dreadfully soiled trousers; blood.
In the spot Jonathan had just vacated, glinting in the steadily growing glow of daylight, were the shattered remains of a glass bottle, several sharp slivers of which were now protruding from Jonathans derriere.
"Oooch, that smarts!" he cried as he fingered the shards sticking out of his tender flesh.
"Don't fiddle with it, you moron!" Stephen had now assumed the amused tone of a sadistic older brother, smiling as he watched Jonathan fannying about in agony and anguish.
"Stand still, for God's sake, let me have a look!"
"NO!" Jonathan shrieked, "You'll hurt me!"
"I'll hurt you a lot more if you don't stop making that racket! You'll bring down holy hell on us if you wake someone up!"
Jonathan abruptly ceased his fretting and stood stock still, realising where he was. Just behind him was a concrete step leading up to an inner door, and the last thing he wanted was to see a light go on the other side of it. He suddenly felt very trapped.
"Alright," he said resignedly, "just be gentle with me..."
Stephen came up behind him, bent down slightly, and surveyed the area. He was barely able to conceal a smirk as he realised his friend was going to have a hard time sitting down for a while.
"Drop 'em." He commanded.
"What?!" Jonathan squeaked.
"Drop your bloody trousers or I'll rip 'em off myself!"
Jonathan began whimpering again as he undid his belt, gasping at the sharp sensations zinging through his buttocks as he delicately tweased his filthy, sweaty trousers away from his body. He cried out when he accidentally snagged one of the sharp glass splinters buried in his butt.
"Big baby," Stephen mumbled under his breath.
"Yeouch! I don't suppose there's any chance of you keeping this to yourself? I mean, it would be slightly embarrassing..."
Stephen smiled evilly.
"It's a rather delicate matter, as I'm sure you can appreciate..." Jonathan continued, bending over gently to allow his friend a better view of his bottom.
"Oh yes, it's delicate alright," Stephen agreed as he went for the largest of the pieces and grasped it between his thumb and forefinger. "Unfortunately I never did master the art of being 'delicate'..." and he ripped it out with a quick tug.
Jonathan roared.
"Shush!" Stephen admonished, flinging the little splinter away and putting a finger to his lips. Not that Jonathan could see the gesture, what with having his back turned to him and his eyes tightly squeezed shut against the pain. "It's just like ripping off a band aid- quick and painless."
"Painless my arse!" Jonathan hissed under his breath, with unintentional irony.
"Oh stop your whining, you're making it seem much worse than it is."
One by one he extracted the remaining shards of green glass, Jonathan gritting his teeth and letting out the occasional stifled yelp. When he had pulled out the last one he stood looking at Jonathan's mangled flesh, peppered with puncture wounds and bleeding slightly. With a malicious gleam in his eye he slapped him on his red rump.
"All done!"
Jonathan fainted.
**********************************************
A/N: Ok, sorry to delay the inevitable, but I promise they will get back and find out what Evy has to say eventually! But I've got a few more chapters first... hope you're not getting bored!
Marybug6otnile: I'm so glad you like this story! I read your latest chapter of Imhoteps Revenge, and I cant wait for the finale! I'm also a bit sad that it has to end... I will have to start reading Tears as Rain, but I'm saving that for when I have nothing else by you to keep me occupied! Your reviews mean a lot to me, because you're such a great writer.
Imhoteps Lover: You are such a diligent reviewer- like me you hate it when people don't review. I'll try to help you get to your 200 goal, but I need to get to my first mile stone- 50! By the way, I was only pulling your leg in my weakest link review. I know you have a lot of stuff going all at the same time, so whenever you have the inspiration.
Nefertirioc: I'm glad you think I portray Jonathan well- I think he's my favourite character, so I want to do him justice. Your reviews always make me feel better about my meager creative offerings. Thanks so much!
Brunette: Welcome! Glad you're enjoying it. I do try to make the descriptions as important as the dialogue, after all its not a screenplay. I did a degree in English but I never got to write creative stuff because it was all literary criticism- snore. Now I get to do some though! Glad my efforts are appreciated.
Nakhti: shut your mouth you stooped wench! I don't need your flames!
I am writing this next chapter on my sexy new computer- god I love it! The sound of the keys as I tap away is like chocolate dropping on velvet! Oooohhh, I'm gettin carried away with it all.....
*Glazed expression*
AHEM!! On with it then.
*****************************************************
Chapter 6
*****************************************************
Stephen stood beside the spot where he had last seen Jonathan, just before he had plummeted into the unknown gloom of the jagged aperture. He bent low over it, cupped his hand to his mouth, and called out again.
"Johnny! Jonathan, are you hurt?"
From somewhere beneath him, filtering up through the darkness from what seemed like a long way away, came a thin voice.
"Er...ye-es...I...I think so..." then a dusty cough and a painful moan. "I hurt my...you know..."
Stephen winced with a sharp intake of breath through clenched teeth.
"Oh, mate!" he said sympathetically, knowing full well what a clonk in the crown jewels felt like. "Can you get up?"
This was answered by the sound of shifting rubble and clinking pottery, then another loud crash, as of heavy wooden crates toppling from a piled height. An explosive smash and the tinkle of broken glass.
"Jon, don't move! I'm coming down."
Stephen dropped to his knees at the edge of the shattered cover, wishing it wasn't easier said than done. He had no idea how far down the floor was, and if he let himself fall and just hoped for the best he was likely to bust an ankle, or his neck. Then they really would be in trouble.
The horizon was becoming steadily brighter, pouring a watery light over the buildings and casting a vague saffron glow onto the upper part of wall in front of him. The alley was still in shadow, but Stephen thought he could make out certain objects below him in the underground storeroom, a dim lustre picking out planes and angles a few feet beneath him. Packing crates.
He scooted onto his backside and dangled a foot into the opening. Stretching his leg down a little further, edging out onto the dangerously unstable cover, he found the flat surface he was feeling for; the top of a stacked tower of wooden boxes. He wobbled it about a bit and found it fairly stable, so he gently lowered his entire weight onto it. Standing half in, half out of the cellar he started to climb down.
"Stephen!"
"Shit!" He nearly lost his footing at the shock of the sudden shout from below him, and clutched at the nearest crate to steady himself as he rocked back and forth precariously. "What?" he asked irritably when he'd found his balance again.
"You'll never guess what." Jonathan said.
"You're a big numbnuts?"
"Actually they are a bit numb...but no. I've found the stairs." Jonathan chuckled as he watched his friend perilously negotiating his way down the tall, teetering tower. He pointed just to his right where, leading up to the side of the cover that was still in tact, was a rough timber staircase providing access to street level.
"Ha bloody ha!" Stephen snarled as he continued to risk life and limb in his daring rescue attempt. Finally he planted his feet firmly on safe ground, and turned around to see what had become of his friend.
Jonathan was lying down, propped up on his elbows amidst the splintered wreckage of several crates and wicker storage baskets, squinting back at him from the shadows. There was a contented grin plastered all across his dopey face, and then Stephen saw why; he had a bottle in his hand again.
"Must be some sort of wine cellar- rather poor stuff, but it doesn't half pack a wallop!" he said cheerily, already tilting the bottle for another swig.
"I thought you were hurt!" Stephen said angrily, slightly put out that he had just risked his neck, getting some pretty impressive splinters for his trouble, only to find Jonathan having a whale of a time. "Get off your arse you lazy bastard!"
"Don't be like that, Stevie-"
"Don't you 'Stevie' me!" He shouted, putting his hands on his hips, his brows forced together in a cross look. Jonathan was reminded of one of his dear baby sister's more unpleasant expressions, and giggled quietly.
"Don't be such an old woman! Honestly, you're worse than Evy." Suddenly a wicked idea popped into his head. "Ha! That's what I'm going to call you from now on if you don't lighten up!" Jonathan shifted about and tried to aim a playful kick at Stephen's shin.
"Ow! Ah, that wasn't a good idea..." he moaned, wincing with pain as he felt a sharp sensation in his backside.
"Oh good, you're injured after all." Stephen muttered unkindly.
Jonathan gave a strained grin and put the bottle down, extending a hand for Stephen to pull him up by. Stephen crossed his arms and simply stood watching him struggle. Jonathan pouted in a wimpy, pleading expression.
"C'mon, give me a hand...please STEPHEN." Reluctantly Stephen relented, tutting and shaking his head at himself.
As he grasped his friends wrist and heaved back on it, Jonathan gave a little scream of agony.
"What?"
"I don't know...ow, it hurts! It hurts!" he whined like a baby, waving one limp wrist in the air as he shut his eyes in pain. He began to whimper in the back of his throat, making little rodent like twitters in the dim light.
"Jonathan...quit being such an imbecile. You're getting on my nerves."
"You try feeling like there's a hot poker up your bottom, see how you like it!" the recumbent gent shot back defensively. He carefully levered himself up, with Stephens help, trying very hard not to knock his delicate posterior.
As he got to his feet and turned round to inspect the damage, he realised that a new stain had been added to his dreadfully soiled trousers; blood.
In the spot Jonathan had just vacated, glinting in the steadily growing glow of daylight, were the shattered remains of a glass bottle, several sharp slivers of which were now protruding from Jonathans derriere.
"Oooch, that smarts!" he cried as he fingered the shards sticking out of his tender flesh.
"Don't fiddle with it, you moron!" Stephen had now assumed the amused tone of a sadistic older brother, smiling as he watched Jonathan fannying about in agony and anguish.
"Stand still, for God's sake, let me have a look!"
"NO!" Jonathan shrieked, "You'll hurt me!"
"I'll hurt you a lot more if you don't stop making that racket! You'll bring down holy hell on us if you wake someone up!"
Jonathan abruptly ceased his fretting and stood stock still, realising where he was. Just behind him was a concrete step leading up to an inner door, and the last thing he wanted was to see a light go on the other side of it. He suddenly felt very trapped.
"Alright," he said resignedly, "just be gentle with me..."
Stephen came up behind him, bent down slightly, and surveyed the area. He was barely able to conceal a smirk as he realised his friend was going to have a hard time sitting down for a while.
"Drop 'em." He commanded.
"What?!" Jonathan squeaked.
"Drop your bloody trousers or I'll rip 'em off myself!"
Jonathan began whimpering again as he undid his belt, gasping at the sharp sensations zinging through his buttocks as he delicately tweased his filthy, sweaty trousers away from his body. He cried out when he accidentally snagged one of the sharp glass splinters buried in his butt.
"Big baby," Stephen mumbled under his breath.
"Yeouch! I don't suppose there's any chance of you keeping this to yourself? I mean, it would be slightly embarrassing..."
Stephen smiled evilly.
"It's a rather delicate matter, as I'm sure you can appreciate..." Jonathan continued, bending over gently to allow his friend a better view of his bottom.
"Oh yes, it's delicate alright," Stephen agreed as he went for the largest of the pieces and grasped it between his thumb and forefinger. "Unfortunately I never did master the art of being 'delicate'..." and he ripped it out with a quick tug.
Jonathan roared.
"Shush!" Stephen admonished, flinging the little splinter away and putting a finger to his lips. Not that Jonathan could see the gesture, what with having his back turned to him and his eyes tightly squeezed shut against the pain. "It's just like ripping off a band aid- quick and painless."
"Painless my arse!" Jonathan hissed under his breath, with unintentional irony.
"Oh stop your whining, you're making it seem much worse than it is."
One by one he extracted the remaining shards of green glass, Jonathan gritting his teeth and letting out the occasional stifled yelp. When he had pulled out the last one he stood looking at Jonathan's mangled flesh, peppered with puncture wounds and bleeding slightly. With a malicious gleam in his eye he slapped him on his red rump.
"All done!"
Jonathan fainted.
**********************************************
A/N: Ok, sorry to delay the inevitable, but I promise they will get back and find out what Evy has to say eventually! But I've got a few more chapters first... hope you're not getting bored!