✘ 'The Journey.' The Mummy, Ardeth Bay x OC Soulmate!

Chapter 6

I sighed as Jonathan helped me clean the cut that I had on my right shoulder.  I was half undressed and pretty uncomfortable.  Rick and Evie were who knows where with the Americans.  We had taken cover behind a rock at our campsite, so no one would see me and, thanks to my overprotective brother, he was using his body as a shield from the only direction someone could see me from unless they were somehow high up on a cliff.  But that'd be impossible when everyone's all in the tomb or whatever.  I winced when Jonathan applied disinfectant.

"Your fault for letting Evie drag you into danger--as always."  Jonathan snickered.  "Think of it as karma."  I rolled my eyes.

"I'd feel worse if I let her go alone."  I huffed, blushing at the feeling of being watched, when I couldn't see who was watching me.  My tattoos seemed to glow under the sunlight, so I just traced the back of my left hand as I hummed and Jonathan wrapped a bandage around my right shoulder; carefully and tightly to stop anymore blood flow.  As always, I still didn't get any sleep, so once I shrugged off the feeling of being watched and had redressed with Jonathan's help, I fell asleep in his lap as he calmingly stroked my hair.

"I promise to keep you safe and to watch over you...so please, Melissa Louise Carnahan...sleep."  Were the last words I heard my brother whisper before I fell asleep from exhaustion.  I had a dreamless night which wasn't so bad.  It was peaceful and relaxing to just...rest and not think about anything.  Unfortunately for me...that didn't last too long when I felt someone shaking me awake.  I groaned and felt around for the hands that were shaking me, grabbing them and burying my head into my pillow more.

"...stop...go....way...sleep..."  Were the only words I could muster as I slowly fell back asleep, letting go of the hands.  Big mistake.  The person continued to shake me, but I continued to ignore them.

"No, no no no...come on, please cooperate."  The familiar, yet not-so familiar, male voice begged as he shook me.  Moments later, an awful, loud roar erupted from nearby.  I felt my body jump out of my skin as I quickly shot up and hit heads with the poor male.  We both groaned and held our heads.

"I'm...sorry.."  I said, still dazed and half-asleep.   I hadn't slept in forever and I was regretting it.

"No, no...it's my fault.  But let's not worry about that right now.  Please, just trust me."  I looked up to the familiar brown-eyed, masked man still cloaked fully in black.  As I felt my eyes drooping, I realized I would have no physical power against him in this state.

"Whatever...too tired to care.."  I sighed, going to lay back down.

"Thank-you."  He spoke gently as he quickly got up and picked me up bridal style.  In a sudden burst of energy, I gripped his clothing and buried my head into his chest, suddenly remembering he was the enemy.

"Please don't hurt me.."  I whimpered sleepily.

"Never.  We share the same scars, so I will know if anyone ever hurts you.  I will not stand for it."  I met his eyes again in realization.

"Oh...thank God...I thought I was about to be a hostage."

"Rest assured, I will protect you." he chuckled. "Now, we must get going."  He carefully helped me onto his horse before pulling himself up behind me so if I fell asleep he could hold me and stop me from falling over the edge.

"I'm...Melissa."  I decided to speak as we quickly rode out of the city with the other Medjai, the campers hot on our trail as they also escaped from the dreadful creature that roared.

"I am Ardeth.  Melissa is a beautiful name.  Now, I will protect you, so please sleep.  I can see the shadows under your eyes from behind you."  He teased.  I smiled and leaned back against him before closing my eyes--suddenly hearing his heartbeat from his chest.  Listening to it rhythmically beat...

...I fell asleep in an instant.

~~~~~~~~

{ AUTHOR'S NOTE: SLOW UPDATES.  Not needed to be said but I'm trying to self-diagnose currently as my mother refuses to take me to any kind of help for mental illnesses.  I want to know what might be wrong with me and unfortunately cannot get proper help until I'm an adult and living on my own.

Currently I'm still in Highschool, so we're gonna be here a while.
My investigation is going to take many years and will never be completed until proper diagnosis which sucks.  But whenever I try to talk with my mum I get: "do you really want that on any of your written records?  People won't hire you." etc.

Please be patient with me, thank-you and sorry for a short chapter.}