Chapter 13

"Interesting sleeping arrangement. Might I suggest at least forcing yourself over to the fouton next time? You're rather heavy against the door."

This time, McKenzie was almost too sleepy to care her mother had managed to break into her apartment yet again. Almost. She was still annoyed enough to glare up at her through sleep-encrusted eyes. "Sorry, next time I'll be more considerate." Or perhaps I'll simply spend ALL of my time at the museum. To cap off her morning, McKenzie got to the kitchen counter only to find she was out of coffee- with a caffeine-withdrawal headache. Wonderful. Night shifts work wonders on one's health.

With a moderate, politely amused smile, Mrs. McPhee handed her a mug. "Starbuck's Green Tea Latte or whatever. Your favorite."

McKenzie gratefully accepted the cup. Whatever else, her mum always remembered what her favorite beverages were from Starbucks.

"Would you like to go shopping? I've been dying to visit the latest Whole Foods they've opened up!"

"In a bit, I have to go over some notes first." Slightly more alert now, McKenzie slumped over to her desk and began recording the previous night's conversation.

"You quite sure, dear? From what I've seen of your fridge, you need a few groceries!"

"I said I'll come in a bit, all right? There are a couple of things I've got to finish first," McKenzie sighed.

With a mild humph, Mrs McPhee backed down. "I'll be waiting in your bedroom, if you don't mind- I'm feeling slightly fatigued."

"Of course you are," McKenzie grumbled. If there was one thing she could count on her mum for besides coffee, it was suffering from exhaustion fits. Particularly when she failed to get her way. Let her lie down- she would only be a moment.

Last night left her with far more questions than answers, not the least of which was figuring out if Ahkmenrah really was alive every night. If so, the implications of his tablet were... Astounding. She couldn't even begin to fathom how the government would want to use such an artifact for! What they'd use him for... Had Ahkmenrah failed to grasp the implications, or had he been downplaying his thoughts? She wouldn't put the latter past him, for she doubted he'd wondered as little as he'd said. In his shoes, she'd never have been able to stop thinking about what that tablet could do!

Get a hold of yourself, child. Was he her patient, or an anomaly she was studying? He must have more concerns than his tablet right now; they'd get to that later. The pharaoh hid it well, but she noticed the signs of fatigue with every vowel and gesture. He wouldn't hold out much longer. Well, hopefully this technique would help him. She was about to hurry to the museum when her mother called from the bedroom, "Are you ready yet, dear? I feel refreshed enough for a little tour around the market, you know."

"Oh, Mum..."


"Have you heard of lucid dreaming?" She demanded.

"I have no talent in it, I am afraid," Ahkmenrah replied.

"Nonsense! Like any skill, it can be learned. Starting tonight."

"I-"

"Shush. I looked up a few of the best techniques for beginners, they're not too difficult. Here," she added, handing him her homemade pamphlet. "The first step is remembering, which you seem to have little trouble with. Next is repeating this to yourself: 'I can control my dreams.'"

"I can control my dreams," he repeated doubtfully.

"Really? Try harder, I'd have found a robot more convincing!" she laughed. "I also found a couple of subliminal tapes that might help, here, you can use my laptop."

Ahkmenrah just stared at the screen briefly, more at a loss than before. After a few minutes, McKenzie got the hint. "You don't know how to use computers, do you?"

"Unfortunately not very well."

"Ugh! Well, for this you don't need to understand much, just how to log onto youtube. Here!" Privately, she wondered how a pharaoh, even an ancient one, wouldn't find the time to learn all this himself. Even if it had been fifty years. Then again, she reminded herself, he'd spent most of that time locked up in his sarcophagus. Poor bloke.

Soon, they'd logged on and McKenzie left Ahkmenrah to watch a subliminal video for lucid dreaming; personally, she had her doubts about those, but she was trying to be more open-minded. Ahkmenrah, for his part, was wondering what on earth those bizarre images meant- he was unfamiliar of their symbolism. "I believe it is finished."

"Oh, did you find it helpful or soothing?"

"Um, yes?"

"Good! Now then, let's pick up where we left off, eh?"

"Which was?"

"Your tablet! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since we discussed it last night! It holds so much potential, shouldn't we explore it?"

To her surprise, instead of objecting outright, the pharaoh merely stared off into the distance. "You sound just like him."

"Hmm?"

"You sound like an old acquaintance."

"Oh. A good acquaintance?"

The pharaoh didn't answer. "Everything we talk about is confidential, correct?" McKenzie nodded. "Then I promise to tell you all I know about my tablet, though I warn you it is not much. It probably will not satisfy you; it certainly has not satisfied myself. For now, however, I do not wish to discuss it."

"It might help you vanquish your nightmares; they may be connected."

He paused, considering. True, he had suspected a connection for some time, but he couldn't figure out how. "Let us try lucid dreaming first. At least then I will gain some semblance of control in my dreamworld!"

McKenzie sighed. "Very well, we'll drop the matter for now. But believe me, we're far from done, understood?"

Grateful for postponing the topic, Ahkmenrah nodded. "Are there other videos you think might be helpful?"

"Just one more." At that moment, Mr. Harris strolled past them, whistling an old British lullaby as he carried the mop over his shoulder.

"Evening, pharaoh! Working hard, eh?" He called cheerfully. "And who is this charming young lady?" He bowed gracefully before them.

"Good evening, Mr. Harris. This is McKenzie, a friend," Ahkmenrah replied as Harris bent down and kissed her hand. Instead of smiling back, McKenzie stared at the janitor in mild puzzlement before glancing back and forth between her companions. She said nothing.

"Well, I won't distract you any longer- Lord knows how young people enjoy each others' company, eh? They dislike being disturbed by anyone, particularly an old crotch like me. I'll be on my way- plenty to mop!" He loped off, whistling all the while.

"Ahkmenrah, how long have you known Mr. Harris? Has he been employed here long?"

Yet another question that had taken him off his guard! "Not long. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing, it's just... I swear I've seen him before. I know him! And yet I don't..."

Ahkmenrah's heart skipped a beat- he too, had felt this way about Mr. Harris. "Are you sure you have seen him before?"

"Well, no, not definitively. I feel as if I've seen his face before, or should've seen it, but I know I have never met the man before in my life! It's not like he's a close friend of mine or anything, he just looked a bit familiar. Strange... Ha, listen to me ramble! Perhaps our roles should be switched- you should be helping me analyzing my subconscious!" Though she giggled, Ahkmenrah could tell she was ill at ease. Noticing him staring at her, she grumbled, "It wasn't like you two are bossom buddies, either! I saw you stiffening up when he approached. Ah, I know, I won't pry if you're uncomfortable. Shall we continue?"

Upon returning home, Harris settled behind his desk with a groan, removing his amulet. Mr. Davis returned to his true form. His joints urged him into his soft, downy bed, but he had a crucial phone call to make first. "Hello, may I speak to Mrs. McPhee, please?" He paused as he was put on hold, reflecting on his hatred for elevator music. Couldn't they have selected better music? He'd heard the jazzy kind played before. "Evening, my plum. It's been a while."

Mrs. McPhee froze, her hand curled around a tabletop corner. "How did you get this number?"

"Please don't insult me, did you really think I wouldn't be tracking you all these years? It's been twenty years since the last birthday card- a father grows concerned after a long period of silence."

"You're no father of mine, and you damn well know that. But since we're conversing, what do you want?"

"McKenzie is growing lovely, isn't she? Fear not, she didn't recognize me. She doesn't know about me at all." McKenzie's mom thought she detected a note of longing, but she was quite content to keep her daughter in a controlled state of oblivion.

"I see you're allowing her to work in the Natural History Museum. Is this wise?"

Mrs. McPhee couldn't even speak- he may as well have been throttling her through the receiver. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

"I'd advise against this. You know what a hazardous place it becomes, especially at night."

"She's my child, her life is my concern. Have I made myself clear?"

Dr. Davis paused long enough to make her uncomfortable. "Remember the words you uttered, my dear, and pray she hasn't inherited your curiosity or other, more meddlesome qualities. If she does, things might get uncomfortable for her. Never fear- I won't harm her if unnecessary. Just remember my friendly advice, my plum. I only want the best for the both of you." He hung up.


Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! You're amazing readers. :)