Chapter Four

Only after they exited the museum did Brunden hand Tally her keys back. "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it."

"Hey, why didn't you get us into the basement, anyway?"

"I'm not clueing McPhee into the fact that I have keys, even though I'm a night guard."

"Why?"

"Rule one of surviving the Museum of Natural History: Always play it safe."

"I thought that was shmoozing McPhee."

"That's rule number two, and a more specific point of rule number one."

Brunden shrugged. "Okay."

Without another word, Tally summoned a taxi and they climbed in and she gave directions. They rode on in awkward silence until the cab pulled over and she payed fare. Brunden was first to climb out, followed by Tally. "Okay, you wanna stay here today?"

"Yeah, that's cool."

"Okay."

Larry clocked in as usual, followed closely by Tally, who was joined by Brunden. Already, they noticed the new display in the lobby, and it was just minutes to sunset. Tally walked up to the display, mentally preparing herself for the coming battle with Hitler and two of his Nazis. Larry took a deep breath and took a step toward the display, just as the sun set.

Hitler and the Nazis stepped down from the display and approached the three, saying a few things in German.

"Brunden, Larry, run."

"What about you?" Larry asked.

"I'm gonna be fine."

Larry and Brunden took a few steps back as the Nazis seized Tally. Immediately she set to fighting them off to win her freedom. She snapped the neck of one of the Nazis before turning to Hitler. "What's next?"

Hitler grabbed Tally's collar and threw her aside, only to turn to face the cold steel of Kahmunrah's sword, weilded with the equally cold countenance of Ahkmenrah. Seeing an opportunity, Tally wound an arm around the tyrant's neck and squeezed. The remaining Nazi pulled her off and bound her with unhuman ease. Without a word, he threw her through the door, and she rolled down the front steps.

Ahkmenrah swiftly decapitated the Nazi before turning again toward Hitler. The two enemies watched each other with the eyes of stone statues. While Larry ran out to see how Tally held up, Brunden found the nearest bag, which was in a garbage can, and flung it over Hitler's head. He nailed the German where it hurt, allowing Ahkmenrah to slit his throat.

"Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that that was too easy?" Ahkmenrah asked.

"'Cause it was. There's something else going on here."

"What do you suppose it is?"

"I dunno."

Tally's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she noticed was the impression that something was wrong. "Larry, right?" she whispered.

"Yeah. Are you okay? Anything broken?"

"Actually, I'm just fine. Just took a hit to the head, maybe a few bruises, but that's all." Tally sat up, rolled her head around once, and pulled herself to her feet. "How's everything in there?"

"Tally," Ahkmenrah cried, diverting her attention. "Oh, thank the gods, you're alive." He rushed down the steps and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Not...for long...if you don't...give me...air." Ahkmenrah loosened his grip. "Thank you."

"So, how're things in there?" Larry asked.

"Hitler and his two Nazis are dead, but we fear something else is coming."

"That explains the hydra we found in Basement Thirteen."

"Hydra?"

"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure it only gets worse from there."

"Hey, didn't Hitler believe he'd come back to life?" Larry asked suddenly. At Tally's and Ahkmenrah's questioning looks, he added, "I found it in some book."

"Oh, great. He's going to try to resurrect himself."

"Resurrect himself?"

"Sure, why not?" Tally pulled away from Ahkmenrah and looked around. "Now, the question remains, how do we stop him for good?"

"I think I know."