Author's Note: I have taken some suggestions into account and have changed a little from the movie. I hope you like.
Chapter 7: Hidden Secrets and the Book of the Dead
Uncle Jon and I break apart as a shadow washes over us. I look up to see the outline of a scorpion. The shadow moves up and vanishes inside the diamond on top of the pyramid. Uncle Jon and I both look at each other. I can see that he too realizes that the army of Anubis has been set free. My mind drifts briefly to Ardeth and the other medjai. I hope they can hold them off.
I plop down in the sand with exhaustion sweeping over me. After everything that has happened in my life, this was what was meant to be. I put my head in my hands and let the tears fall again. Evy had promised she would never leave me. Willingly or not, she still broke her promise. Then there was Alex. My little brother was the innocent in this. He didn't deserve anything that happened to him. He especially didn't deserve for his life to be taken in such a manner.
Despair and grief washed over me and I felt like I was hyperventilating. I heard Uncle Jon plop down beside me. I felt his forehead on my shoulder and I look up at him.
"Try to think of it like this Emily," he says with the pain evident in his voice. "They've gone to a better place. You know, like it says in the good book." At the mention of book, something clicks inside my head. The Book of the Dead can bring people back to life. I remember my mother telling me the story about dad's trip to Hamunaptra. Evy had accidently used the Book of the Dead to bring Imhotep back to life.
"Book," I interrupt Uncle Jon's little monologue.
"What?" he asks looking up at me.
"That's it. That's it," I begin to chant.
"What's it?" Uncle Jon questions. He still hasn't figured it out.
"Come on Uncle Jon," I say as I try pulling him up. He still looks confused so I elaborate on my realization, "The Book of the Dead." That's all I had to say. He quickly jumped up and scooped up Evy. I followed him and scooped up Alex. We both headed for the entrance of the pyramid. After walking a ways, Uncle Jon speaks up.
"You realize of course that this can only be done by someone who can read ancient Egyptian. I don't know about you but I'm a tad rusty." We come to a "T" in the tunnels. "Now where?" Uncle Jon asks shifting Evy to get a better grip.
"We go right," I state simply.
"How do you know?" he asks in a surprised tone. I then proceed to read the Egyptian to him.
"Basically, this way to the scorpion king," I translate. "Mom taught me."
"Evy?" he questions.
"No, my mother wanted me to be well rounded. She started teaching me when I was six." I continue walking as I explain.
"I had no idea. Does your dad know? Did Evy?" he asks in quick succession.
"It never came up in conversation," I shrug.
"Well aren't you just full of hidden secrets," he says with pride in his voice. I look back at him and smile. "This just might work," I hear him say to himself. We finally arrive in the room where Anck-su-namun is waiting for Imhotep to return. We both set down Evy and Alex. Uncle Jon looks at me and whispers, "I will distract her." I nod my head and he heads off.
"This is for my sister and my nephew," he tells her as he puts up his fists. I see her smile at him as I grab the book. I quickly rush back and begin flipping through the pages. I can hear Uncle Jon fighting in the background. I know I don't have much time. I find the right page and begin reading.
"Hurry up, Emily," I hear Uncle Jon say. His little interruption has made me lose my place. I quickly find it and begin reading. I get to the last symbol and my mind draws a blank.
"Uncle Jon," I yell. "I don't know what this last symbol is."
"What's it look like?" he asks breathlessly.
"A bird," I try to describe it. Then it comes to me, "It's a stork."
"I know that one. I know that one," he yells.
"Well what is it?" I ask impatiently. After a couple of failed attempts, he finally gets it out. After a brief palm to forehead moment, I finish the incantation. A light flashes in my eyes, temporarily blinding me. When it dissipates, I gasp at what I see. Both Evy and Alex are lying there wide awake. I quickly glance between the both before throwing my arms around them. After a brief moment of shock, they return the hug. I pull back and Evy notices the book.
"Did you bring us back?" she asks. I can only nod. "By yourself," she states as realization floods her.
"I had a little help from Uncle Jon." Evy realizes that Uncle Jon is fighting Anck-su-namun. She quickly gets up to go help. She pauses for second and turns back.
"You are just full of hidden secrets," she says with a smirk. "Alex, stay with your sister." With that said, she goes to help Uncle Jon. Alex and I watch her leave. After a brief moment, he turns to look at me.
"Are you okay?" he asks me with a quizzical glance.
"Never better," I reply. "Why do you ask?"
"I saw you crying. You never cry." His innocence never ceases to amaze me. After everything he has been through, he is still worried about me.
"I thought I had lost you and mom. How was I supposed to react?" I question. His eyes widen in shock when I said mom. Before he can comment I speak up, "This is a recent development." He smiles at me.
"We better go check on Uncle Jon," he says with a smirk. I nod my head in agreement. He takes me by the hand and I lead him to the others…