CHAPTER 14

The group of four rushed into the hallway to a railing overlooking the lobby. But to Larry and Avery's dismay, the museum was in pure chaos! The miniatures fighting on the reception desk, the Civil War puppets were stabbing at each other with their bayonets, animals were roaming wildly getting into everyone's way. But things were about to get worse when Attila and his huns spotted the group and started running towards them. Larry took off with the intent to meet him head on. But Avery didn't expect what was about to happen. A screaming match took place between the two men. Larry tried to mimic some Hunnish words. King Ahkmenrah translated that Attila would very much like to rip Larry apart. And suddenly Larry was playing therapist, hugging and comforting a now crying Attila. It wasn't the weirdest thing Avery had seen tonight but it was definitely top ten material. Everyone down below was still fighting and would not or could not hear Larry shout down to them. That was until the Easter Island head shouted and made everyone listen.

"Listen, this here is King Ahkmenrah, his tablet is what brings everyone to life every night, but it was stolen by the three old night guards. We need to find them and the tablet before morning or else this all goes away!" Larry started to direct orders to the exhibits, stumbling on Christopher Columbus's name. When he got to the miniatures, he was met with resistance.

"Oh no way. I ain't working with a toga boy," Jedidiah proclaimed.

"Romans work alone!" Octavius shouted back. Avery wondered how on earth they could hear the miniatures from such a high distance. Must be the tablet's magic, she thought.

Larry gave a rousing speech on how they should all work together and put their differences aside to accomplish the task at hand. And it worked! The exhibits split off into groups to search the museum for the three old guards. Columbus and the neanderthals had managed to trap Reginald while the civil war brothers cornered Gus who was holding lots of stolen jewelry. Larry and crew had rounded the corner to see the two men bound to benches with lots of miniature rope… and the exhibits who trapped them, in case the guards tried any funny business. Larry was thrilled with the outcome, both of having two guards captured and that everyone was working together finally. Now all that was left was finding Cecil who most definitely had the tablet. Avery now felt bitter about his betrayal towards her and Larry. The initial shock had worn off. She never in a million years expected that Cecil, the man who calmed her down after a panic attack her very first day, a man who was kind, jovial and funny, would turn out to be a villain. She had looked up to him as a father figure in her life. She had never had one before and that's what stung most about this betrayal. It was like he was betraying a member of his family. Granted it was the museum family but it was still family nonetheless.

With the tablet securely in his possession, Cecil was intent on making a fast getaway, especially having been blown backwards by a blast from a whale. He couldn't find his other two heistmen so he took off without them.

They should be fine. Afterall Gus does know how to put up a fight.

Cecil had gotten into a van parked by the loading dock but was unaware the miniatures were already there and had deflated a tire. He cussed as soon as he realized he wasn't getting anywhere especially in this snowy weather. While gripping the tablet tightly he made his way back into the museum. He knew just what would help him make a fast getaway.

Larry and crew had just discovered his tracks when they realized they needed help. So off they went to find the best tracker. Running through the museum like crazy people, Avery was starting to lag behind. She hadn't expected her internship to involve this much running… or this much emotional turmoil. She had started to develop a painful stitch in her side. Add on to that the adrenaline rush she had felt when they were in the process of freeing the king, plus the added panic attack… she did not know how much longer her energy would last. As she started to fall back behind the group, King Ahkmenrah noticed and hung back a little.

"Are you alright Miss Daniels?" He was concerned about her? She shouldn't be the focus when there were much bigger things at stake here for quite literally everyone in the museum.

"Not really, no. But thank you for asking." At least she was honest and polite? She was determined to push past this exhaustion. She had to, that was the only way they were going to stop Cecil and secure the tablet.

Breaking an exhibit was the last thing she had expected to happen, she felt bad for when Larry had to explain the mess to McPhee the next day. She did not envy him. But soon they were talking to none other than Sacagawea. They brought her down to the loading docks for her to inspect the tracks. Avery was glad she had her jacket on as soon as the brisk air reached her skin. She edged closer to Sacagawea to get a better look at what she was looking at.

"-he left the wagon and went back."

"Back? Why would he go back?" As Larry was trying to figure out what the next step would be, they suddenly heard the whinnying of horses fast approaching. Cecil was in the driver's seat of a large black carriage pulled by four strong horses.

"Get out of the way!" He yelled, gesturing wildly for the two women in the path to move. Time seemed to stop as both women remained rooted to the floor like a deer in headlights. Suddenly Avery felt strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her back to safety. She didn't have time to react as she saw Teddy dive and push Sacagawea out of the way. But unfortunately Teddy was cut in half at his waist. Dazed and in fear, Avery looked back to see that King Ahkmenrah was the one to pull her to safety. She was startled by how close she was to a king. She immediately broke contact, staring at him wide eyed. She was stunned but mumbled thanks to him. She risked a glance at Teddy and turned around. She knew Teddy was made of wax but seeing him split in half was still disturbing. Sacagawea was grateful and almost bewildered that Teddy had sacrificed himself for her.

"Lawrence, you must fix this. Half the museum is running amok outside!"

A small revving sound came from the loading dock just then as a mini RV with a bone attached came crashing into the snow. Lo and behold, it was Jed and Octavius, with Rexy not far behind following after his bone. Avery had seen the wheels turning in Larry's head, forming a plan.