I don't own the Mummy or any of the characters.

Trinkets and Curses

Recap of last time:

"I'm Larissa Winters, but you can call me Rissa; what's your name?"

"Alexander O'Connell, but everyone calls me Alex."

"Well Alex, let's go home," Rissa grinned as the sad boy led her to his home, after he had watched his parents being loaded into an ambulance that would take them to the hospital…

Chapter 3

"WOW!" Rissa gaped openly at the mansion, "You sure you live here?!"

"Yeah, mom's side of the family's ancestral home. I hope she's alright…" Alex murmured.

"Don't worry Alex, I'm sure your folks will be… well, I hope they get better," Rissa smiled sadly at the boy. "So we gonna write a letter or use the telly to contact your friend?"

"I'll try the telly, letters can get intercepted," Alex replied logically, surprising the girl in front of him.

"You want me to stay here while you talk?"

"If you wouldn't mind, Rissa," Alex bit his lip.

"Not a problem, kid," Rissa tussled Alex's hair lightly. "Brought me own cards, so I'll play solitaire for a bit.

And that was how Alex left her in the living room, playing solitaire on the floor. Alex dashed to the telly and made a quick call to alert Ardeth that he was in trouble and needed him. It surprised Alex that he was actually speaking to Ardeth, before when he had called it had been one of the other Medjai. Ardeth had told him that he would be using Izzy's services to arrive in London within the week. When Alex returned to the living room, he found Rissa grappling with a man, who vaguely resembled her stepfather.

Alex, knowing what was valuable and not, quickly picked up one of the heaviest books in the room and promptly dropped it on the man's head, "You okay Rissa?"

"No," Rissa replied truthfully. "Get me some rope and then well call the constables. A pox upon all stupid stepbrothers and stepfathers!" Rissa cursed.

"He's your stepbrother?!" Alex exclaimed in shock.

"Not exactly my choice, mate," Rissa grumbled as her older stepbrother began to stir. She quickly grabbed the book that Alex had used earlier and began whacking the evil man with it. "Just get me some rope or something to tie this buffoon up!"

Together they tied up Rissa's stepbrother and waited for the constables to arrive to take the man to prison, "Urgh!" the man struggled to undo his bonds, but Rissa had made sure to tie them super tight.

"So nice to see you again, James," Rissa purred with anger.

"Father's gonna get you for this, wench! And this time your filthy mum isn't around to save your hide!" James snarled as the doorknocker was heard.

"Check the door before you open it, Alex," Rissa cautioned the kid.

"Rissa, it's the constable!" Alex yelled as he let the man in. He led the constable to the now ruffed-up living room and the bruised Rissa.

"Constable, this is my stepbrother James Moriarty. He is wanted for murder and thievery. I'm sure your higher ups at Scotland Yard will be thrilled to have finally captured the notorious James Moriarty."

"Little miss, is there anything else I need to know about?" the constable asked. "Anyone who can come and get you?"

"Not that I know of constable, my young friend and I will be safe enough until his guardian arrives. If you have any problems with him, inform me and I'll help you the best I can to convict him," Rissa smiled up at the pleasant and trustworthy constable.

"Of course little miss, would you like us to watch the house until your guardian arrives?"

"No thank you constable," Alex replied politely. "Uncle Ardeth is supposed to be here in a few days."

"Good day then, little miss, little sir," the constable smiled at the two and hauled Rissa's step brother away to the paddy wagon.

"Uncle Ardeth? Why do I get the feeling that your guardian… this Ardeth isn't your Uncle?" Rissa smirked mischievously at Alex.

"He's not really, but he's like a brother to my father…" Alex sighed.

"Don't worry so much Alex, I'm sure your friend Ardeth will be here in a few days," Rissa comforted the boy.

"He always keeps his promises," Alex smiled. "Thanks for cheering me up Rissa, you're a real friend!"

Sorry the update took so long! I went blank for a name for Rissa's stepbrother... And since I'd just watched the new CSI episode, Professor Moriarty's name seemed to creep into my head. Oh yeah, I don't own the name 'James Moriarty' I believe that honor belongs to Sir Arthur ConanDoyle. Hope you liked this chapter!

My thanks to the following for reviewing!

JewelBlossom

SilentTrainConductor

lilylynn

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