CHAPTER 13

Meanwhile, Nicky was running about the now alive museum trying to find a place to hide. He was ducking under and around various exhibits. He would have been in awe had it not been a frightening ordeal. He managed to find his way into the Egyptian exhibit and hid behind a column.

Larry and Avery had taken a few seconds to collect themselves before they set off after the guards. Larry had his hand on Avery's back, guiding her as they ran. She was clearly not at 100% yet but he didn't want her falling behind. Afterall he might need an extra hand in dealing with those guards. By the time they had gotten to Nicky, Cecil had already found him and confiscated the tablet. Just as they were running in, Cecil flipped Larry grabbing his keys and swiftly locked the gates. Amongst the chaos, down in the loading dock/storage area, Dexter had managed to open the large doors. He and several animals escaped onto the streets of New York.

After they were locked in, Larry started screaming for Teddy.

"Someone called my name?" Teddy rode up on Texas. He said hello to Avery and introduced himself to Nicky who was in awe.

"Please, Teddy. Can you get us out of here?"

"No can do. This is your moment. You need to carpe diem- seize the day."

"Please Teddy, you gotta help us!" Avery pleaded but there was a strong look on Teddy's face that said he wasn't going to budge.

"Teddy, I'm not you! I haven't done anything worthwhile in my life. I didn't build the Panama Canal, I wasn't president-"

"Actually, I never did any of those things. I'm just a wax replica of the man who did those things. I'm not even brave enough to tell Sacagawea that I love her. I can't write your story. Just like I can't finish your job this time. I know what I'm made of, the question is do you know what you're made of?" And with that existential question hanging in the balance, he rode off on Texas, leaving Larry yelling for him to come back.

There came an ominous sound from behind them as the two guard statues began stalking towards them, spears in hands. Larry suddenly got an idea in his head and had to tug Avery and Nicky along with him towards the back of the exhibit. They had to dodge the spears that were intent on skewering them. Avery shrieked as they came down at them, but Larry had managed to steer them clear of it.

As they reached the back of the exhibit, the loud screaming from the pharaoh had triggered her almost instantly. It reminded her of the screaming matches between her parents. This brought back a whole torrent of unwanted memories. She was already in a downward spiral and now she fell deeper into that pit of despair. She covered her ears in an attempt to drown out the haunting noise. But it didn't work, just like it didn't work all those years ago. She had already reached her breaking point twice this evening and once was more than enough. But Larry needed help in freeing the pharaoh.

"Avery! Please you gotta help me, if we stand a chance at making those guards stop!" His voice was commanding and full of urgency. She shook her head 'no' and continued to weep and cover her ears. So Larry came over and grabbed her shoulders, grounding her in that moment.

"Look I know you're scared and probably going through something unpleasant but if we don't do this, we might die!" His eyes darted over to the ever approaching jackal guards. She caught his drift and tried to steel herself. She angrily wiped away her tears and gritted her teeth and made her way over to the sarcophagus. She was not going to let her life be in danger, not to mention Nicky's life.

Together she and Larry shoved the heavy slab aside. Now the next obstacle was opening the sarcophagus itself. There were two pins on either side of it. So simultaneously both she and Larry pulled the pins. Within the instant that the restraints were gone, the top of the sarcophagus flew open crashing into the wall. Avery was startled and ran behind a pillar with Nicky. This left Larry to do the talking to the ancient mummy. Its head still wrapped in gauze turned slowly, almost eerily towards Larry as he explained to it that his guards needed to be stopped.

"We're not trying to hurt you but I think they think we are. So you think you tell them that right NOW!" He rushed to get the words out.

The mummy shouted a command to his guards who immediately got down on one knee with a hand over their chest to show respect towards their king. The mummy slowly turned back to Larry who looked fearful of what he had done. And slowly the mummy rose from its sarcophagus. Subconsciously Avery pulled Nicky closer to her to protect him. Larry stood in front of the column they were behind, further protecting them.

Not hesitating, the mummy started unraveling its bandages. It seemed eager for a chance to be rid of them, and who could blame him? Avery wanted to look away but found herself fascinated by the mummy. She gasped when she saw his face. She thought the mummy would be a grotesque, decaying figure like how they are portrayed in movies. But the opposite of that was true. Standing in front of them was an alarmingly attractive young man. She had to bite her tongue to prevent her from laughing when he let out a mouthful of dust… right into Larry's eyes and agape mouth. It was a welcome emotion from the negative cycle she was trapped in.

"You would not believe how stuffy it is in there." He had a beautiful voice that seemed to sooth Avery. He looked around his tomb as Larry questioned him how he spoke English if he was an Egyptian mummy? The mummy took a second to survey his surroundings before answering. And slowly creeping out from behind the pillar, Avery and Nicky stood next to Larry.

"I went to Cambridge University. I was on display in the Egyptology department." He then turned around to fully face them. He stood up straight with his shoulders back and announced who he was.

"I am Ahkmenrah, fourth king of the fourth king, ruler of the land of my fathers."

"I'm, uh, Larry, son of Milton and this is my son Nick. We hail from Brooklyn. And this is Avery who I'm sure she could explain better," with that Larry passed the invisible mic to her.

The king's dark eyes landed on Avery making her a tad uncomfortable. This is a thousands year old pharaoh, she didn't know how to act around royalty! And god she must look like a mess from the crying and exhaustion setting in.

"Oh, um… hi I'm Avery Daniels. I'm a student at NYU. I don't hail from Brooklyn though… I guess that's it." Wow, she nailed it…not. Too many pauses like she was unsure of who she was. It reminded her of grade school with first day introductions and how awkward they were.

King Ahkmenrah looked between the three and nodded.

"Larry, Nick, Guardians of Brooklyn, and Avery, honorary Guardian of Brooklyn… I am forever in your debt. Now bestow upon me my tablet so that I may assume command of my kingdom." He walked forward with his hand outstretched towards Larry, and boy was he about to be disappointed by the unfortunate news they were about to bestow upon him instead.

After a brief explanation which received a frown from the king, he ordered his guards to break down the barricade before them.