🐫Ҭસ૯ றμறறϓ 1999

🐫સનறμกનϷҬЯન

Happy children run after each other, laughing their way without any worries in the world. Market vendors are loudly shouting their prices, hoping to finally sell something. Veiled women stroll quietly past the stalls in search of a specific item. The sun burns everyone's bare skin and faces as the temperature rises. All in all, a typical Cairo day.
Ashley waits impatiently on Rick and Jonathan who argue with a camel salesman.
"Just give him the money" sounds Rick his voice loudly. Sighing she hangs her leather jacket over her shoulder. "Probably I could have gotten them for free" sighs Jonathan and leads the camels towards Ashley. "We just had to give our sisters," he says.
"Yeah, it was a bit tempting" teases Rick as he looks at Ashley. Ashley crosses her arms over each other. "Was it now?" she asks offended. Rick wants to answer but his words get stuck in his troth when he notices Evelyn walking towards them. Her simple nightgown has been exchanged for a richly decorated azure blue trumpet-shaped gown. The cowl neckline and puff sleeves are decorated with peacock blue lace, matching the veil resting in front of her nose and lips. With every step she takes, her leather gladiator boots appear from under her ankle-length skirt. Cobalt blue threader earrings dance up and down as she comes close to Rick. A proud smile rests on her face, decorated with black snow globe eyeshadow and matching feline eyeliner. The sun reflects in her esclavage golden necklace. Around her, both wrists adorn two slider bracelets. "Is it okay" asks Evelyn reassuring. Violently Rick nods. He swallows and licks his lips. Ashley chuckles and slaps him in the stomach.
"What" asks Rick while following her. "Just ask her out" teases Ashley as she hangs her coat over the camel's back. Surprised Rick looks at her.
"It is not what you think" he answers. "Sure" mocks Ashley and gets on the camel. "Just keep telling yourself that" she teases and leads the camel. For the first time, Rick doubts his own feelings. Lost in thought he takes place on the camel on his back.
"Tsk" he says and leads the animal out into the desert.
"So" Gad begins and appears next to Ashley. Unimpressed Ashley looks at the unclean prison guard.
"The filthy dog has a sister... And what kind of sister!"
"Mister Hassan I have no interest in listening to how good you can insult my brother. "
"No, no. No more insults" he promises. "But I am a very lonely man, and I am just looking for some company."
"Well look it elsewhere" yells Rick. Ashley smirks and gazes at the pyramids again. "Pff" sighs Gad as he nudges his camel.
"I never liked camels. Filthy buggers they are. They smell, they bite, they spit" groans Jonathan.
"Aren't they adorable" laughs Evelyn. Ashley smirks. "I agree with Evelyn," she says while petting her camel's ears.
"Oh, do call me Evie" Evelyn says. Ashley nods. "I'm Ash" she answers. An amused look appears in Rick his eyes as he observes the duo.
As their journey continues, the wind slowly intensifies. The sand crawls between everyone's vests and socks. The air gets colder and darkness takes over the yellow hills. The night is terrifying silent, except for Gad his loud snoring there is no sound in the desert. Ashley rests her head on her fist as her burning eyes become heavy. Before she knows she dozes off.
Carefully Rick shakes with his sister. "Ash" he whispers. Grunting Ashley opens her eyes. The warm rising sun colors Rick his face. Rick gives Ashley a comforting smile.
"We arrived" he mumbles. Ashley nods. Did she sleep the whole night? Never mind, her cracking neck answered that question already. While rubbing through her eyes she notices a group of travelers coming closer. The Americans...
"Good morning my friend" greets Benni once again. His eyes are pinned on Ashley.
"What the hell are we doing," asks Isaac. "Patience my good sahib patience" answers Benni bored. "Hey, O'Connell. Nice camel" mocks Benni. Rick smirks and pats his camel.
"Remember our bet O'Connell, first one to the city" chortles Isaac. "200 cash bucks."
"110 bucks are yours if you help us win that bet."
"With all my pleasure" answers Benni humbly. Rick raises his attention towards Evelyn, obviously not impressed with Benni his chivalry. "You ready for it," asks Rick. Not understanding Rick peers at him. Ashley observes him deep in thought. "Ash, it is coming" whispers Rick.
"Ready for what," asks Evelyn. "You're about to be shown the way". The lost city slowly appears in the desert. As an oasis or a dream of a dream.
"Can you believe that" whispers Isaac. Ashley gazes surprised at the beautiful ruins in front of her. She has no idea how this is possible. After everything she's seen on this trip... she has no other option than to believe. "Hamunaptra" whispers Burns. "Here we go again" sighs Rick. Ashley's attentive stare is broken by Benni who suddenly urges his horse with a loud roar. Without a second of a doubt, Rick follows his example. "Tsk" says Ashley and pokes her camel who gruntingly stands up. Benni, Evelyn, and Rick urge their animals to go nonstop. Loudly trying to attempt the race. But not Ashley. No, she lets her animal walk peacefully through warm desert sand. The mummies won't run away. Ashley doesn't really care much about the bet between the Americans and her brother. Her animal's well-being was more important. Disapprovingly she looks at Benni and Rick. What started with a race, ended with a fistfight. But of course, Rick his patience runs thin and it doesn't take long before he throws Beni out of his saddle.
"O'Connell" roars Benni defeated and stands up. His horse ran off as soon as Benni hit the ground. Moping he kicks the sand in front of him. But quickly his face lights up when Ashley stops her camel right next to him.
"Come on Benni" says Ashley and outstretches her hand. Benni grins and accepts her gesture. "I thank you Miss O'Connell, you have more manners than your brother."
"Just keep remembering that," says Ashley. "She pokes her camel and gently rides towards the city. Benni holds his arm carefully around her waist while he glances angrily at Rick.
"Go Evie" shouts Jonathan enthusiast. Amused by his enthusiasm Ashley smirks. "Oh Miss O'Connell, dwelling with the enemy are we," says Jonathan. "Are you for real", questions Ashley. "It's just a stupid game" she scoffs. Before they pass him complete, Benni sticks out his tongue.
"Well," mutters Jonathan offended. He looks at Gad who rides beside him. "Yeah," says Gad and scoffs.
"Psh" says Rick when he sees Benni coming off Ashley her camel. "Ashley, we will never stay friends like this."
"Is that a promise" Jokes Ashley and jumps on the floor. Rick rolls his eyes and sighs. "I don't like him either," scoffs Benni. Amused Ashley glances at Benni and walks behind Rick. Her eyes glide over the destroyed city. So beautiful, after all these years...
"So, what's the plan," she asks Rick. Rick sighs. "I have no idea," Jonathan says and walks towards Evelyn. Ashley watches Doctor Chamberlain who orders his slaves to make camp. The poor bastards have no idea why they are here probably.
Her gaze is drawn to the mountaintop where five horsemen observe them. Their black robes betrayed their identities. The men who attacked the boat! Nervously she runs to her brother. Her heart beat in her throat. Rick who is hitting Gad deliberately with a rope looks up. "The riders," says, Ashley. "I know. Last night in the desert they were watching us too. But as long as they are just peeking, I'm not going to do anything." Not understanding Ashley glances at the riders once again. Her eyes meet the deep brown eyes of the man in the middle. A mysterious look rests in his strong gaze. Ashley her attention gets pulled away from the horse rider as Gad approaches her. "Don't think about it" warns Rick. Gad huffs and walks in the other direction.
"What's this thing," asks Ashley interested, and observes the statue sticking out of the ground. "That is the statue of Anubis," says Evie. "His legs go deep underground. According to Bembridge scholars, that's where we will find the hidden compartment that will contain the book of the death".
"And these mirrors, what's their use," she asks and helps Jonathan with the glazen dishes. "Why thank you," says Jonathan, and accepts her help. "To answer your question, according to Evie, they are called Egyptian windows. But I call them light bolts. They are the ancient way to provide light in the darkness." Understanding Ashley nods and pulls the mirror up.
"Ash" yells Rick and continues. "It's time to go down." Ashley peeks in the bright sunlight at Rick who lowers Evelyn down in the dark tunnel. Accompanied by a deep sigh Ashley takes the rope from Rick. "Don't worry, I'll be right behind you" he whispers as he lowers her down.
A sour stench fills her nose as she enters the darkness.
"Oh, my" Evelyn her voice echoes in the spacious ancient Egyptian hall. Beautiful carvings and highly decorated pillars complete the grant hall. "And then there was light" Evie announces after clearing dust webs from a silver mirror. The light dish creaks as she gently turns it. A pattern of reflecting light shows colorfully Egyptian art, painted on the walls. "Wow" whispers Ashley while her lips part in amazement. "Oh my, this is a preparation room," says Evelyn impressed.
"A what," asks Ashley. "Preparation for what" grunts Rick who just entered the room. "For the afterlife," says Evelyn mysteriously. Rick takes his pistol and mistrusting peers around. "The mummies my friend" laughs Jonathan and continues. "This is where they made the mummies."
"Do you realize we stand in halls where no one has been for four thousand years?" says Evelyn excitedly.
"Who cares, I don't see a treasure" grunts the warden. "You are welcome to my share of the spider webs," says Rick. "Pfew it stinks to high heaven in here" sighs Jonathan. Ashley scoffs as Jonathan points at Gad. While she tries to peek into the darkness, she follows her brother.
Suddenly she hears a strange noise. As if somebody is scratching inside the walls. It is getting darker and darker as they go and the sound gets louder and louder.
"What the hell," Ashley asks and looks up. Suddenly the sound stops. Evelyn licks her lips. Rick cocks his guns. Jonathan holds his breath. The warden farts. Everyone glares angrily at him.
While the tight space seems to end slowly the sound returns.
"What is that," Evelyn asks frightened. "Bugs" replies Rick. "What did he say," asks Jonathan. "Bugs, he said bugs," Ashley answers. "Bugs? I hate bugs" the prison guard shouts loudly. Ashley smiles and shakes her head.
At last, they see it... the lower half of Anubis.
"Remarkable" whispers Evelyn. Once again they hear the sound again. Only this time coming closer. And closer. Rick grabs Ashley and pulls her behind him. Jonathan places himself protectively before Evelyn and takes a gun from Rick. Rick raises his gun.
When he leaps out the sweated faces of the Americans and their slaves appear before him.
"JESUS!! You scared the bejeezus out of us O'Connell" yells Henderson.
"Right back at ya" says Rick calmly. But nobody lowers their guns. Daniels, the tough one grins. "This here is our statue my friend," he says.
"Your name isn't on it... My friend" groans Rick. "Ten to one O'Connell, your odds are not so good," says Benni. Ashley looks angry at Benni. "Thanks for the ride miss, now we must take what is ours. And not yours." Benni grins.
"I've had worse, and you aren't allowed to talk to her," says Rick angrily. "Yes me too" says Jonathan. Rick looks annoyed at him. Benni grins. He wants it to happen. The tension thickens. Then Ashley takes Rick his hand and lowers it. "Let's play nice Children. If we want to play together we must play nice and learn to share" says Evelyn. Evelyn pulls O'Connel away and everyone follows. It is obvious she knows something the others don't.
While the American's enthusiastic begin the translation everyone follows Evelyn back in the narrow hallway to a secret chamber right under the Anubis. While everyone prepares for the long waited moment the warden gives up and starts searching for his treasure on his own. Ashley looks as he walks away knowing that this kind of man only listens to gold...