Epilogue
With Brunden out of her apartment, Tally felt she could finally leave the chaos of the past six months behind, so she set to storing and cataloging Cecil's notes, among other tasks, including college, which she'd been allowed to take online, saving her the room and board and meal charges. Besides, when she was asked whether she wanted to stay on campus, it wasn't practicality that kept her from saying 'yes'. It was her relationship with Ahkmenrah.
Tally smiled at the thought of Ahkmenrah, as she always did, and she thought of him rather frequently, not that she could help it.
She turned to the catalog she was building, attempting to wrap it up that day before she had to clock in for her shift. She didn't know how long this stint would last, but for the most part, she really didn't care. Perhaps that was what Cecil felt every night when he worked at the museum.
Her eyes drifted from the catalog to the picture on the coffee table. Sure, she'd visited Cecil in the museum several times before, but somehow, this captured moment made her smile almost more than her memories. "Must be 'cause it's the first," she said to herself.
Ahkmenrah sighed, sliding a little further into a relaxed position on the bench. The Egyptian Wing was deserted, save himself and the two guards, at least, until he heard footsteps. He turned his eyes toward them, seeing Kahmunrah, of all people. "Why are you here?" he asked.
"Oh, I just came here to sit with you."
"Oh, go ahead." Kahmunrah took a seat and examined his brother's expressionless face.
With a sigh, he embarked on a fairly bold venture. "Do you...want to talk?"
"Actually, I was thinking we could just...sit here a while."
"That works, as well."
Cecil, Gus, and Reginald watched the world unfold before them as a new day began on Earth, and the underworld was preparing for night.
"That's beautiful," Reginald said.
"Can it, snack shack."
"Well, boys, the fat lady has finally sung." Cecil sighed and a small smile played on his lips.
"'Bout damn time."