Dreams & Nightmares

Chapter 7: Found

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The characters are very happy to not be in my possession

"Jakal? Nefertina?" A familiarly reedy, accented voice called from just outside the decaying building where the two in question had sought shelter from the night storm. When next the voice spoke, it was at the left open door, "Are you in here?"

Through the water-pale light that filtered into the dusty, grimy room Rath's willow-thin silhouette appeared as a dark shape for an instant before the scribe stepped in, his head swivelling around as he looked about the room. He moved farther inside, still searching for them.

Wiping at the tears that now refused to stop, Nefertina squeezed her puffy eyes shut and groaned at the unfairness of fate. Why did Rath have to come? Rath disliked her, had stated as much previously, and she did not want him to see her at the moment. She knew how he would react, how he always reacted towards her these past years. He thought of her as a child, and had never fully forgiven her for hiding her true self in Egypt all those centuries ago, for lying to them. And right now, with her emotions so raw and her battered body still hurting, she knew she would never be able to deal with his sarcastic comments and occasional cruelty.

A startled gasp escaped her when Jakal abruptly stood, seeming to have no difficulty doing so while lifting her at the same time. He stood for a moment, looking down at her, before calling out to their comrade and walking forward.

"C-could you set me down? Please?" She spoke up quickly, ashamed at the hoarse croak her voice had become. "I don't want Rath to see me like this."

He hesitated for a moment, gazing down at her with an unreadable expression. "Can you stand?"

She nodded and was grateful when he did as asked, setting her slowly on her feet and easing his grip. Weaker than she thought she was, her shaking legs buckled and nearly sent her to the ground but she found herself instead borne back into Jakal's strong arms. New shame burned her face at this weakness. She must look like a helpless child, it mattered little how safe it made her feel.

Rath had heard them and was rapidly making his way to their location, a look of relieved annoyance on his countenance that she would normally find amusing and would have already made a comment on it. Today, Jakal noticed as he looked down at her, she tensed at the scribe's approach. She was… frightened of him?

As he moved forward, he leaned down to whisper what he hoped was a reassurance, "He won't do anything, I promise."

She looked up at him, the familiar light of argument shining in her bloodshot eyes. He was certain she would have said something but Rath reached them then, silencing her and causing her to drop her gaze. Knowing she would say little more, he faced the inquisitively staring wizard, finding they were under his rather intense scrutiny.

One thin eyebrow cocked upward. "Well, this should be interesting to hear… Armon and I have been worried sick, where―"

"Not now, Rath," Jakal warned. "Did you bring the Hot Ra?"

Mouth closing with a click, the thin scribe surprised them both by mutely nodding and stepping aside, trailing behind with a deeply thoughtful expression. Ptah's warrior was difficult to dissuade when his curiosity became piqued, and now it fair blazed in his narrowed green eyes, the hunter only hoped he did not overstep his bounds in the questions sure to come.

Stepping out into the wane early morning light barely filtering through the thick clouds, he could smell the strong scent of coming rain. Far away, heavy rumbles still groaned through the dense air partnered with needle-like flecks of electricity that clawed across the dark sky. The storm was still settled over the city, looked to have made itself at home with little hint of leaving.

Up the debris-littered street, glistening like a gem in the dim light of dawn, sat their vehicle. As Jakal hurried towards it in the light drizzle, Rath muttered about finding Armon and nearly ran off in the other direction. He passed them another quizzical look before disappearing around a corner.

Retracting the clear top of the Hot Ra, Jakal set his charge in the back seat and climbed in next to her, shutting the roof against the chill, strengthening rain. The new tension in the air of the enclosed space could be felt so strongly it seemed to be solid and visceral.

"How are you feeling?" He asked quietly after a short silence. She had kept her face hidden when Rath was before them, seemed as though she wished to do the same with him. A gentle brush of his fingers was enough to bring her bowed head up to look at him. It unnerved him, the fear he still saw deep in her eyes

She opened her mouth as if to answer, closed it and swallowed thickly, finally turning away from him once more. Great hesitancy had descended within her to speak or even want to look at someone, a frightening change he had noticed in the night. Some part of him hoped that, by some miracle, she would be well again; it now seemed a ridiculous hope. This change was unsettling in someone as vibrant as the charioteer. Was it really only yesterday? Gods, it seemed centuries that he saw her smile…

I'll tear Scarab apart for this, he thought darkly. Mother of Horus, what sick depravity caused that madman to decide upon this course of action?

He became aware of the sea-salt trace of tears then, and realized Nefertina had begun to cry. So softly it would have escaped most other's notice. Yet he could hear the quiet weeping, even the quick rhythm of her heartbeat. It tore at his heart, ripped his soul, making him flounder for some way to comfort her.

Scooting closer to her on the bench-like rear seat, he reached for her with the intention and thought of pulling her into an embrace. Her voice stopped him mid-movement.

"I hate this," she brokenly uttered in disgust, "I hate being so weak…"

His eyes widened slightly at the pronouncement. "You are not weak, Nefertina." Enough conviction was in his voice to make her look at him. "You have never been weak, you're the strongest person I know."

She sniffed and wiped at the tears coursing down her face with the palm of one bandaged hand. "I don't feel very strong," she murmured.

"Then let me be your strength," he said as he pulled her to him. The hunter embraced her tightly.

End chapter 7

I can't believe I was so lax as to let this fiction go for so long. Can you ever forgive me? I was stymied until just recently about what to do with this story (a big thank you to Julie for getting my lazy butt in gear again) but the worst of that is hopefully over.

Many thanks also to anyone who has reviewed before and to anyone who will still read this.