Chapter 24

Snow and ice crunched into crystal dust beneath his Uggs as Harris walked in the park. Normally, he'd have considered the day a lovely one for a stroll on his day off- albeit forced time off, since Larry had suspended him for a couple of days- but this was not a typical, lazy day in the park. Today was one for business.

Finally, the perfect spot. Quietly, Mr. Harris knelt before the frosted pond, where Ahk and his friends had enjoyed their romp and an icy dunk. Waving his hand over an area where the ice was thinner, he muttered a quick incantation, igniting the water with a soft, yellow-orange glow. When he was finished, nothing outwardly had changed- the pond maintained its frozen exterior. Task accomplished. With a crisp shiver, Harris headed for home, smiling in spite of himself- the pharaoh's next dunk would not end so quickly.


Ahkmenrah slumped against the wall, grateful for the support.

"All right there, lad?"

"Well enough for the moment, thank you."

"Perhaps a break is in order? You've been at this for two hours."

The pharaoh nodded. "Just allow me to fix this piece first- it does not sit well to allow it to linger in such a state. It is fortunate Nicky let me use his old artwork from his kindergarden years!" Most of it consisted of scribbles and bizarre, lifeless mounds of clay, so all of it was acceptable to use. With a touch of concentration and the tap of a key, he was able to restore the clay sculpture to its original state. Within minutes, the sculpture was restored.

Teddy nodded satisfied. "You've improved."

Another nod. "Thank you."

"I understand the desire to learn as much as you can about the tablet, Ahk, but perhaps you're taking on a little too much?"

"I know, but if I do not try now, I may never get another opportunity!" Although the dreams had stopped, he couldn't shake the remaining sense of forbodding.

"Don't worry too much about it- we have all the time in the world, don't we? Come, join me in the coffee room!"

"In a moment. I best gather the rubble, or the guardian might get in trouble."

As he helped Ahkmenrah gather bits of plaster, Teddy gave him a sideways glance. "Why do you call him that?"

"Call him what?"

"The guardian."

The pharaoh smiled. "What else is he, if not our protector?"

After another contemplative glance, Teddy nodded, turning so Ahkmenrah wouldn't see him smile. A truly befitting title.


"We need to discuss your progress."

Uh-oh. Judging by the stern glare she offered over her glasses, McKenzie was less than pleased. What had he done wrong?

"Nothing to fret about, but I feel like there should be more by now."

"How? I thought we were progressing reasonably well."

She sighed. "We are, but not as well as I feel we should."

"And my feelings on the matter?" For the first time in a while, he actually felt his prospects were improving.

Looking at him in a way reminiscent of a disciplinary school teacher, McKenzie relented. "Very well, pharaoh. What are your suggestions?"

"My visions have ceased. I am progressing with my tablet. Could we not continue in this mode?"

Pen to her lips, she nodded. "Mhm, my point precisely. You're too comfortable now. Time to shake things up!"

"'Shake up?'"

"You need to put yourself out there! Changing your routine would be one way, though in your case it's not necessary at the moment. Open your mind to new experiences! Sadly, you still have trouble opening up to people beyond a select few- that's what we must work on now. It would benefit you."

His turn to glare. "You mean, make myself more vulnerable."

"In some ways, yes!"

"You understand why I am reluctant to do this? Why anyone would be reluctant to do that!"

"I know it goes against instinct, for Pete's sake! Why do you think everyone struggles with it? It's natural to want to protect oneself, but in your case, you're bloody paranoid!"

"I am-"

"Need I remind you it's normal to grow, to change?"

"My circumstances are far from normal!" He thundered. Unbidden, their first- and last- argument was brought to his attention. He knew he shouldn't talk back, it would be better if they both took a break, but he was weary of her constant nagging. "It might be for others like you, but such exploration for myself must be limited."

"Why? Because you're already dead?" She looked like she wanted to take them back as soon as the words left her lips, but the damage was done.

A silence stronger than the previous shouting followed. "I didn't mean that. Just, please, let's start over, shall we?"

"Start over with what, this conversation? Or our friendship?"

McKenzie eyes widened, then she guiltily looked down at her paper. "Both."

Normally he would have gladly tried to wipe out those ugly words. Tonight, however, her comeback cut deeply into his chest, leaving a welting hole in its wake. "I see little reason to. As nothing I do seems to please you, and I am incapable of complying with your suggestions, what can we try?"

"I don't know, Ahk! I just... I understand your frustration, or at least I'm trying to. I know you hate it when I push you, but if I didn't I wouldn't be doing my job! Opening up is part of friendship- you allow yourself to be more vulnerable. I thought we were friends!"

"As did I! But friends also understand each other's limits, a fact you conveniently ignore."

"Maybe our friendship is a farce."

"A what?"

"False."

The pharaoh glared at her sideways. "I was about to ask you the same question." He stormed out before she could reply.


"New experiences, for one of the walking dead? Ha! Open myself to others? Unlikely." His head was unclear, and he knew it. He didn't care. He would show her, he'd show them all! Make himself more vulnerable? Possible- it had proven painful, but it was certainly possible. Physically, he'd rarely felt as awkward or vulnerable as he had when on frozen water, so that would be a decent beginning. Might as well give it another go!

You're already dead. Her words jarred him as he stepped onto the pond, blurring his sight and clouding his judgement.

One foot before the other, that's it. Not so dangerous. For some reason, he was having an easier time of it than the first trial- perhaps this wasn't so hazardous? Against his better judgement, Ahkmenrah was finding it a mildly enjoyable experience. The frigid air rushed into his face, whipping his scarf around his neck in a comforting manner, as if nature itself was tucking it in. How had he never realized how glorious winter was? The clear ice and frosty air breathed new life into him, refreshing him. They also rushed some sense into him. Unfortunately, they did so too late.

What?- With a crunch and a crackle, his world plunged into darkness and cold.

Caught off guard, Ahkmenrah didn't manage to gulp in a breath before the unwanted dive left him floundering in inky, liquid twilight. It took a second for him to worry about his sudden deprivation of oxygen; it was another three before he realized he was still sinking, and none too gradually. Instinctively he tried breathing, but the water filled up his mouth and lungs like a thousand prickly knives. A voice within urged, Swim, swim! Days of lessons with Kahmunrah took over as he clawed and kicked, terror fueling his strength. The moments ticked away, hardening his limbs to the consistency of lead. Where was the surface?! It cannot be far. Have I turned around, swimming downward? There, ice! Now to find the point of entry- there was none. As he felt around above it sunk in that there was no crack anywhere, nothing to suggest where he'd fallen in. The surface was once more as smooth as glass. Taps became frantic pounding as he fought to break free, failing miserably: the ice refused to give way. Frustration caused carelessness, and he screamed out a stream of bubbles he couldn't afford to lose.

Yet even as he recognized the hopelessness he kicked on, desperately staying as afloat as he could. He'd kicked off his boots already, but the rest of his heavy clothes dragged him further, no longer protection against the cold. Frantically frisking his brain, he failed to recall any protocol for falling through solid ice- last time, he'd been fortunate enough his friends had been there to drag him back out. Foolishness incarnate! In his anger, he'd neglected to tell anyone where he was going, and he doubted the guardian would notice his absence until it was too late. Nobody to save him now.

In the back of his mind, he was aware he was sinking more than floating, but numbness had largely replaced his terror. Acceptance made it easier for him to sink, releasing two more precious bubbles. Yet despite the fruitlessness, he kicked around automatically, which only propelled him downward.

I'm dying. Correction: he was... Already dead. It was the end repeating itself, for the final time. Voices rose from the watery fog, rising into a chorus of the past and present. Was that his brother? At least now he'd be reunited with his parents, gone for so long. Always look on the bright side, he thought sardonically. He knew his eyes were open, but his vision was fading to black.

You're already dead.


A hand descended, snatching his hood in the nick of time. The white snow and clouds were blinding as Ahk was yanked back to safety.

"Breathe, damn you!"

Ahkmenrah coughed up the sluggy pond water, wiping his lips as he stared at his savior. "M-m-m-cKenzie?"

"Shut up. Are you there, are you breathing?" Her frantic pounding on his back was not aiding his recovery, serving only to knock the wind out of him more thoroughly.

"St-t-t-op, I-I-I am-m-m-"

"Freezing. Come on, let's get you inside." She helped him up before half-carrying him back to the museum.

An hour later, having endured Larry's and Teddy's fuming, understandable lectures, Ahkmenrah warmed himself by the fire. Though he'd been sitting there for an hour, his teeth were still chattering- there was a chill within he wasn't entirely sure was caused only by being submerged in subzero water. Remembering the looks of mixed relief and agony on his friends' faces, he shuddered. Once again, he'd screwed up royally.

Disturbed by a hesitant knock on the door, he muttered weakly, "Come in."

McKenzie popped her head in. With great shame, he noticed she'd been crying. "Are you all right?"

"B-better than I was an hour ago." She stood in the doorway for what felt like a long time, looking sheepish as she stared into the fire.

Finally she looked up into the pharoah's eyes. "Would you mind if I sat beside you?" At his slight nod, she sat down gratefully, rubbing her hands near the flames. "I've never seen the president so furious. I heard his shouts all the way from the Miniatures' Hall!"

"He and the guardian had every reason to be angry with me."

Unable to meet his eye, McKenzie focused on the fireplace instead. "I am so sorry."

"For what?"

"This whole mess was my fault. No- don't try to take the blame, we both know I pushed you too hard. I- I've been feeling off all day. I had a horrid spat with my mum this morning, and it evidently did not bode well for our meeting. I should have controlled my temper."

"Yet it was my lapse in judgement which nearly resulted in my destruction. And you were the one who pulled me out."

"If I hadn't said you... If I hadn't made that ridiculously calloused comment!"

Seeing McKenzie close to tears again, Ahk leapt into action. "You were right! I do need to be more vulnerable!"

"That doesn't excuse what I said. I know better, especially after having gotten to know you."

"Believe it or not, you're not the first person who has said that to me."

"What?"

"That- that I'm already dead."

Stunned silence followed as McKenzie stared at him with undisguised horror. "Who. Who would've said that to you?" Up until that point, everyone she'd met in his life had been nothing but compassionate towards him; who would have treated him so harshly?

"It does not matter, not anymore."

"Oh it most certainly does! I'm obviously no expert, but based off of tidbits you've dropped, this individual still holds an influence over you! Now bloody hell tell me- who was it?"

Ahkmenrah hesitated, stubbornly inspecting his lap rather than looking at her. "His name was Dr. Fergus." Saying his name, even after so many years, left a bitter taste, like he'd regurgitated leftover salad.

Well, at least now he has a name. "Dr. Fergus, eh? How did you two meet?"

"He was the first to release me from my sarcophagus," he mumbled, fidgeting as he scratched the back of his neck. "His was the first face I saw in thousands of years, and the first to treat me with kindness- or so I believed." With McKenzie listening attentively, he continued. "He took me under his wing, showing me the ways of his world he felt convenient to show me. He taught me English!" He chuckled at the memories of lessons eons past. "He could be considerate, but if he thought I overstepped my place, he never hesitated to correct me."

Gently rubbing his shoulder, McKenzie asked, "He couldn't have been so considerate if he said you were dead. Was...he the first to lock you away again?" His expression was answer enough. "I am so sorry."

"It truly does not matter now. I have moved on."

"Are you positive?"

Looking her squarely in the eye, he replied, "With friends like you and the others, I think so."