When Jamila opened her eyes she was sitting by a fire. She groaned as she held her head.
"Evy? Jonathan?" she said.
"Your friends are not here," said a familiar voice.
Jamila opened her eyes. She was staring face to face with the man in black.
"Where are they!? What did you do to them!?" she shouted. "Where is Mr. Burns!?"
"Your friends are safe," he said. "As safe as they can be with The Creature running loose. As for your Mr. Burns, we saved him before the Creature could finish his work."
"Why didn't you take me to my friends!? Why am I here?" she asked again.
"My men brought you here by accident," said the man. "You will be returned to you friends as soon as possible."
Jamila groaned. "If I'm going to be stuck here, I'm going to need to know your name. I can't call you the man in black all the time."
He chuckled. "My name is Ardeth Bay. I am the leader of the Medjai."
Jamila jerked her head up to look at him. "The Medjai?"
Ardeth nodded.
"I – I thought they didn't exist anymore," she said. "I thought they went away after Seti the First died."
"We have been watching the tomb of the Creature for thousands of years, making sure he was never woken. And because of you and your friends, we have failed," said Ardeth disgruntled.
"Hey now! I didn't do anything!" shouted Jamila. "That my Evy who read from the book. It's her fault we're in this mess!" she shouted. "Actually, it is the American's fault we're in this mess! They opened that stupid chest and found the book!"
Ardeth shook his head, "Regardless. The Creature walks the earth. No mortal weapon can kill it. We must find a way to kill him before he can take over the world."
"This is going to be fun. Why didn't I listen to Evy when she said to stay home?" groaned Jamila.
"I have a question for you," said Ardeth.
"Hmm?" said Jamila looking at him.
"What am I to call you?" he asked. "You know my name and that puts me at a disadvantage."
"Jamila," she said. "Most people call me Mila."
Ardeth nodded his head. "Mila," he repeated.
"Come, Mila," said Ardeth. "It is time to go."
Jamila groaned as she stood from her mat on the ground.
"It is a long journey to the city," said Ardeth handing her some water. "Conserve what you can."
Jamila nodded as she sipped the water and climbed onto the camel waiting for her.
They had made good time getting to Cairo by mid-morning. Ardeth led her to the back entrance of the Museum of Antiquities. He helped her off the camel before he led her inside. Inside the building they were met by the curator.
"What is she doing here?" he asked.
"Nice to see you too," she said with a glare. "I was kidnapped, thank you very much."
"Kidnapped?" asked the Curator.
"The Creature is alive," said Ardeth. "He has come to the city."
Just then thunder clouds rolled in and it started to rain. As the rain came down so did fire comets.
"It has started," said Ardeth.
"Come with me," said the curator. "We will talk about this in a more private manor.
As they moved through the museum one of the workers came running up to the curator.
"A message from Ms. Carnahan. She is on her way to see you," he said handing him a piece of paper.
The curator nodded. "This way," he said to Ardeth. "Have her meet me in here," he told the worker.
The worker nodded and ran off to intercept Evelyn and company.
"What is going on!?" shouted Jamila as she was led into the exhibit on Seti the First.
"You will know soon enough," said the curator.
"What was that about?" asked O'Connell as they walked through the halls of the museum.
"What's this guy want anyway?" asked Henderson.
"There's only one person that can give us any answers," said Evelyn as she led the group through the museum. As she turned the corner she came face to face with Ardeth and the curator. "You!"
"Miss Carnahan," said the curator. "Gentlemen."
O'Connell had pulled his pistol out and was pointing it at the two men.
"What is he doing here?" she asked.
"Do you really want to know, or would you prefer to just shoot us?" said the curator.
"After what I just saw," said O'Connell. "I'm willing to go on a little faith here."
"And by the way, Jamila is safe as well."
"What? What do you know about Jamila!? Where is she!?" shouted Evelyn. "WHERE IS SHE!?"
"Calm down, Evy," said Jamila walking into the room. "I'm fine, no thanks to you."
Evelyn pulled her cousin into a bone crushing hug.
"Evy, I – I can breathe…you have to let go!" said Jamila trying to extract herself from her cousin's grip.
"Are you all right?" asked Evelyn.
"Yes," said Jamila nodding.
"Right, now back to the issue at hand," said the curator.
The group moved to sit around the main part of the exhibit. Jonathan was sitting on the chariot with the Seti wax figure. Evelyn was standing next to the sign talking about the piece. Daniels and Henderson were standing and sitting, respectfully, by the other end of the main piece. O'Connell was sitting across from it. Ardeth had taken up post next to a chair, while Jamila was on the other side.
"We are part of an ancient secret society," said the curator. "For over 3000 years we have guarded the City of the Dead."
"That's why you didn't want us to go! I knew there was another reason to it!" said Jamila.
"Hush, girl," said the curator. "We are sworn at manhood to do any and all in our power to stop the High Priest Imhotep from being reborn into this world."
"And now because of you, we have failed," said Ardeth.
"And you think this justifies the killing of innocent people?" asked Evelyn.
"To stop this creature? Let me think. Yes!" said the curator.
"Yes," said Ardeth with the curator.
"Question: Why doesn't he like cats?" asked O'Connell.
"Cats are the guardians of the underworld," said Jamila absently.
Ardeth just looked at her.
"Every Egyptian knows that," she said rolling her eyes.
The curator nodded. "He will fear them until he is fully regenerated."
"And then he will fear nothing," said Ardeth.
"You know how he gets hisself fully regenerated?" said Daniels.
"By killin' everyone who opened that chest," said Henderson.
"And suckin' 'em dry! That's how!" shouted Daniels.
"I could've gone without that visual, thank you," said Jamila.
"Jonathan will you stop playing with that?" said Evelyn.
Jonathan let go of the bow that was sitting next to him. Jamila laughed as it popped him in the face.
"When I saw him alive at Hamunaptra, he called me Anck-su-namun," said Evelyn. "And then just now in Mr. Burns' quarters. H-he tried to kiss me."
"Yech!" said Jamila.
"It's because of his love for Anck-su-namun that he was cursed," said the curator. "Apparently, even after 3000 years…"
"He is still in love with her," said Ardeth.
"Talk about long lasting love," said Jamila.
"Yes, well, that is very romantic, but what has it got to do with me?" asked Evelyn
"Perhaps he will once again try to raise her from the dead," said Ardeth.
"And it appears he has already chosen his human sacrifice," said the curator.
Everyone turned to look at Evelyn.
"Bad luck, old mum," said Jonathan with a sigh.
"On the contrary, it may just give us the time we need to kill the creature," said the curator.
"We will need all the help we can get," said Ardeth looking out the window. "His powers are growing."
Everyone turned to look out the skylight as well.
"And he stretched forth his hand towards the heavens and there was darkness throughout the land of Egypt," said Jonathan.
"We must stop him from regenerating," said Evelyn.
"Who opened that chest?" asked Jamila.
"Well there was me and Daniels here," said Henderson. "Oh, and Burns of course."
"And that Egyptologist fellow," said Daniels.
"What about my buddy, Beni?" asked Rick.
"No, he scrammed outta there 'fore we opened the damn thing," said Daniels.
"Yeah, he was the smart one," said Henderson.
"Well, that sounds like Beni," said O'Connell.
"We must find the Egyptologist and bring him back to the safety of the fort," said Evelyn. "Before the creature can get to him."
"Right," said O'Connell. "The girls stay here. You three come with me."
Everyone started arguing and protesting all at once. Evelyn and Jamila were refusing to be left behind and the men were trying to come up with excuses not to go.
"You can't leave me behind like some old carpetbag," said Evelyn. "Who put you in charge? O'Connell, what do you think you are doing?!"
O'Connell had picked Evelyn up over his shoulder and tossed her on the bed in the bedroom. He turned around and grabbed Jamila by the arms and swung her in there. He closed the doors behind him and locked it.
O'Connell grabbed Daniels by the collar of his shirt, "This door doesn't open. They don't come out, and no one goes in, right?"
"Right," said Daniels.
"Right?" he said turning to Henderson.
"Right," agreed Henderson.
"Let's go Jonathan," said O'Connell walking out of the room.
"Well, I just thought I could stay at the fort and reconnoiter," said Jonathan.
"NOW!" said O'Connell.
"Yeah, right. We're just gonna go rescue the Egyptologist," said Jonathan following O'Connell out of the room.
"This is ridiculous!" said Jamila from the bed. "I can't believe he locked us in here!" she said yanking on the handles.
Evelyn sighed as she laid down in the bed. "I'm going to try to get some sleep."
Jamila nodded as she sat down at a small table in the room. After a moment or two she heard Henderson screaming from the room next door. She slid down behind the table and waited. She watched as sand poured into the room through the key hole. She tried to wake Evelyn quietly, but to no avail.
Imhotep walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. He mutter "Anck-su-namun" before he kissed her. Evelyn jerked awake and started screaming. Just then O'Connell kicked the door in.
"Hey, get your ugly face off of her!" he shouted.
Imhotep stood up. He said something in Ancient Egyptian as he stood up.
"Look what I got," said O'Connell holding up the car.
The cat hissed and Imhotep shrieked before dissolving into a sandstorm and disappearing out the window.
"You all right?" he asked Evelyn.
"Well, I'm not sure," said Jonathan.
Jamila and O'Connell just stared at him.
They left the room and went down the lobby. The all piled into the car and made their way over to the Museum again.
"Well, according to legend, the black book the Americans found at Hamunaptra is supposed to bring people back from the dead," said Evelyn.
They were following the curator and Ardeth up the stairs to the second floor. Jamila was right on Ardeth's tail as they climbed the stairs.
"Until now it was a notion I was unwilling to believe," said Evelyn.
"Believe it, sister," said O'Connell. "That's what brought our buddy back to life."
"I'm thinking that if the black book can bring dead people to life…" she said.
"Then maybe the gold book can kill him," said O'Connell.
"That's the myth," said Jamila.
"Now we just have to find out where the gold book is hidden," said Evelyn.
As they reached the top of the stairs they could hear chanting coming from the street. They walked over to the window to see a mob of people heading towards the museum, and Imhotep was in the center of it all.
"Last but not least, my favorite plague, boils and sores," said Jonathan.
"They have become his slaves," said Ardeth. "So it has begun, the beginning of the end."
"Not yet it hasn't," said Evelyn. "Come on."
The group turned and followed her to a large statue with hieroglyphics on it.
"According to Bembridge scholars, the golden Book of Amun-Ra is located inside the statue of Anubis," said Evelyn.
"That's where we found the black book," said Daniels.
"Exactly," said Evelyn.
"Looks like the old boys at Bembridge were mistaken," said Jonathan.
"Yes. They mixed the books up," said Evelyn as she was reading off the statue. "Mixed up where they were buried. So if the black book is inside the statue of Anubis then the golden book must be inside…"
Just then the front doors gave way to the mob.
"Come on, Evy. Faster," said Jonathan.
"Patience is a virtue," she said as she ran her fingers across the glyphs.
"Not right now it isn't," said O'Connell looking over the railing.
"Uh, I think I'll go and get the car started," said Jonathan.
"Chicken," mumbled Jamila watching the mob with Rick and Ardeth.
"I've got it. The golden Book of Amun-Ra is at Hamunaptra inside the statue of Horus," she said. "Take that, Bembridge scholars!"
"Okay, then let's get going!" said Jamila
"Go, go, go!" shouted Daniels as he ran around the building." Get this thing in gear, boy. Let's get outta here."
"Evy!" shouted Jonathan. "Come on, Evy. Hurry up."
"Imhotep! Imhotep!" shouted Beni as he ran out the back door.
"You're gonna get yours, Beni! You hear me?" shouted O'Connell as the car drove away. "You're gonna get yours!
"Oh, like I've never heard that before!" Beni shouted back at him.
They sped through the empty streets of Cairo. Suddenly Jonathan slammed on the breaks. Standing in front of them was another mob.
"Jonathan," said Jamila calmly.
"Huh?" he said.
"RUN THEM OVER!" she shouted.
Just then O'Connell stomped his foot on top of Jonathan's sending them barreling forward into the crowd.
"Hang on!" shouted O'Connell
People started hitting the car and bouncing off the sides as they went down the street. O'Connell and Ardeth were fighting off any of the ones who were able to hang on.
"O'Connell! Ardeth!" shouted Jamila.
Ardeth turned. One of the men had Jamila and was trying to pull her out of the car. Ardeth head butted him sending him flying off the car. Jamila swung her arms around his neck and kissed him. She let go immediately with a shocked look on her face He stared at her for a moment before another man jumped on the car.
"Hey! O'Connell! O'Connell!" shouted Daniels as two men grabbed him.
Rick turned around just in time to see them pull him off the back of the car. Daniels had his guns in hand and was shooting at anything that moved. He would run out of bullets soon and then he would be at their mercy.
The car slammed into a stand and everyone piled out of it as quickly as possible. O'Connell helped Evelyn out of the car while Ardeth grabbed Jamila's arm and pulled her behind him. The mob was right on top of them. And Imhotep was coming up the center of the group.
"It's the creature," said the curator. "He's fully regenerated."
"Keetah mi pharos aja nilo, isirian," said Imhotep.
"Come with me, my princess," translated Beni. "It is time to make you mine forever."
"For all eternity, idiot," said Evelyn.
"Koontash dai na aja nilo," said Imhotep extending his hand.
"Take my hand and I will spare your friends," said Beni.
"Oh dear. Have you got any bright ideas?" asked Evelyn.
"I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'," said O'Connell.
"You better think of something fast, because if he turns me into a mummy, you're the first one I'm coming after," she said looking at Rick.
Evelyn stepped forward and took his hand.
"No!" said O'Connell pulling out his gun.
"Don't! He still has to take me Hamunaptra to perform the ritual," said Evelyn.
"She is right," said Ardeth grabbing O'Connell's arm. "Live today, fight tomorrow."
"I'll be seeing you again," said O'Connell waving his torch at Imhotep. "Evelyn!"
"Hey, that's mine," said Jonathan as Beni took the key from his jacket pocket.
"Thank you," said Beni as he took the key and walked away.
"Kill them all!" shouted Imhotep in Egyptian.
"No! Let go of me!" shouted Evelyn struggling to get way.