CHAPTER 15
After a quick preparation, the group was off. Rexy was outfitted with a rug so that Nicky, Avery and King Ahkmenrah could ride without being left behind. Avery was in the middle and was very much aware of the King's strong arms wrapped around her waist.
What was wrong with her? There was something much more important at stake and here she was worrying about the strong yet gentle touch of his arms around her waist. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She was glad they were outside, so that she could blame her blushing face on the brisk air.
Soon they had caught up to Cecil. After a brief moment of hesitation Jed had turned the wheel of the car directly onto the same path as Cecil. But to avoid being crushed he had to make a very sharp turn. Unfortunately that resulted in the duo flipping over into a snowbank. There was a small burst of smoke. The trio atop Rexy couldn't help but gasp. And without a bone to follow anymore Rexy simply stopped abruptly, almost causing them to fly off. Thankfully it was King Ahkmenrah's strong arms that held them all in balance. After Rexy had lowered to the ground to let them off, the group started looking for the miniatures and the car. But it seemed to be lost in the snowbanks.
No! No! We are not losing anyone else, not if I can help it! Avery frantically overturned every snowbank in hopes of finding Jed and Octavius. The snow was falling harder now. She started to feel herself get worked up to the point where a few tears escaped her eyes which she angrily wiped away.
Damn it! Where are you guys!
Meanwhile Larry was riding up against Cecil demanding the tablet.
It was hard to hear what was being said but there was an unmistakable sound of the word "Dakota!" Avery felt bad as she watched Cecil be launched from the carriage seat, but reminded herself that he was the one who brought this upon himself. He wasn't just a frail old man like she had originally thought.
As Cecil was apprehended by Attila and his men, Avery went back to searching. She just couldn't give up. She barely registered that Larry had given the tablet back to the king when she saw a golden glow surrounding the park. She looked up just in time to see King Ahkmenrah's eyes meet hers as he smiled. She couldn't help but smile back, they were going to make it through this night! As all the wayward exhibits started to make their way back to the museum, Avery was once again reminded that there would be two less people there; Jed and Octavius. She felt at a loss. It was true she didn't know them for long but they had made an impact on her. As she sat in the snow with her hands in her lap, Larry, Nicky and King Ahkmenrah came up behind her silently urging her to come with them back to the museum.
"Larry…I can't. I need to keep looking for them! They're part of the museum family. I can't fail them!" Her voice cracked. Larry looked at her with the same sorrow she had felt.
"No Avery, you didn't fail them. And I'm sure they wouldn't want you to cry on their behalf. They were…mighty leaders who feared nothing." Larry attempted to smooth over how everyone was feeling. And with that they were on their way back to the museum. Except Avery couldn't accept it and hung back to look some more.
After everything that went wrong today, she prayed to the universe to give her a sign that they were still alive somewhere. Miraculously it worked! Her hands were frozen and stinging from the cold but they brushed against the exterior of the toy car. Excited at her find she eagerly swiped away the snow to dig it out. But to her dismay there was nobody in there. She held the car and the bone close to her chest and started calling Jed and Octavius hoping her voice would carry enough in the snowy weather to reach them. Fate must be on her side tonight because she soon heard a faint popping noise and distant yelling. Slowly following the trail she stumbled upon the two miniature leaders.
"Oh! Oh my god! You're both okay!" She adjusted the car in her arms and scooped them up and hugged them close, being mindful not to hurt them.
"Yeah we figured as soon as we crashed that we should make our way back to the museum when we heard you calling. So I got out my trusty gun and started firing warning shots." Jed had explained which she told him was a smart idea.
"Yes and I was the one who was yelling!" Avery thanked Octavious for his service.
Meanwhile, back at the museum Larry and crew were trying to make a checklist of which exhibits were coming in. Larry and Teddy were looking into the distance lamenting on how they had lost two fine men.
"Don't write us off too fast Gigantor!"
Startled, both men looked around the corner to see Avery carrying both miniatures to show they were safe and sound!
"Jedediah, Octavius! Glad to have you back!" Teddy boasted joyfully, clapping Avery on the shoulder for a job well done.
"Yeah, Missy here didn't give up on us!"
"Yes and we are in your debt milady!"
"Well we can start by getting inside so that I can warm up my hands so I don't get frostbite!"
Avery hurriedly rushed past the two men and dashed up to the miniature exhibit hall. Hey for what they just went through they deserve to be carried here. And I also might feel bad for them having to walk all that way upstairs if dawn is approaching.
On her way there, she was surprised to see Rebecca talking to Sacagawea. She smiled at Avery with a look that said this is surreal! She mouthed a word of thanks to her and resumed her conversation with Sacagawea.
After gently setting them in their respective exhibit, Avery desperately tried to get the sting out of her hands by rubbing them together and blowing on them. Curse myself for not bringing along mittens! She wanted to be useful in helping clean up but how could she help when her hands were numb and stinging? Well she could always direct exhibits but then again they all knew where they needed to be. She felt lost, utterly at a loss for what to do. She knew she should give herself a break because she just operated a one woman search and rescue. She supposed she should check in on King Ahkmenrah… and thank him properly for saving her from being sliced in half.