𝒎 𝒖 𝒎 𝒎 𝒚
"I think the bracelet is a guide to the lost oasis of Ahm Shere," Evy stated as you walked through the foyer.
The three of you lived together in the mansion Evelyn and Rick bought with the money from all of the artifacts they've donated to the museum.
"Evy, I know what you're thinking, and the answer is no. We just got home." Rick dismissed as he carried your bags over.
"That's the beauty of it. We're already packed," she smiled.
"I'm gonna have to go with my brother on this one, Ev. That last trip was a lot. Maybe we should take a break for a few weeks," you chimed.
"But then weeks turn to years and years turn to never. We're so close," she bargained.
"Why don't you give me one good reason?" Rick asked.
"It's just an oasis, darling. A beautiful, exciting, romantic oasis," Evy said flirtatiously, taking off Rick's hat and scarf.
"The kind with the white, sandy beach and the palm trees and the cool, clear, blue water. And we could have some of those big drinks with the little umbrellas in them," Rick smiled, wrapping his arms around her.
"Sounds good," she whispered.
"Sounds too good. What's the catch?" He bluntly asked.
"Supposedly it's the resting place of Anubis's army," Evy quickly answered.
"Called it. See? I knew there's a catch. There's always a catch. How did I know that?" Rick scoffed.
"Let me guess. It was commanded by that Scorpion King guy?" You asked as the two of you followed Evy.
"Yes, but he only awakens every five-thousand years," she answered.
"Oh, yeah, no nevermind there," Rick sarcastically agreed.
"Right. And if someone doesn't kill him, he's going to destroy the world," you continued, following her up the stairs.
"How did you know?" She asked.
"I didn't. But that's always the story," you shrugged.
"The last known expedition to actually reach Ahm Shere was sent by Rameses IV over three-thousand years ago. He sent over a thousand men," Evy continued as she reached the top of the steps.
"And none of them were ever seen again," Rick finished.
"How did you know?" Evy asked, proud.
"I didn't. But that's always the story," Rick answered, sighing.
"Did I mention there was a pyramid of gold?" She asked quickly.
"Twice," you held up two fingers, turning down the hallway.
"Alexander the Great sent troops in search of it," she continued.
"Hooray for him," Rick sarcastically cheered.
"So did Caesar," Evy added.
"Yeah, look what happened to his career," you sighed.
"And Napoleon," she added again.
"But we're smarter than him. And taller too," Rick teased.
"Exactly. That's why we're the ones who are gonna find it," Evy smiled, climbing up a ladder on her bookshelf.
"Because we're taller?" He asked, confused.
Evy smiled and jumped down into Rick's arms, laughing.
Reading the room, you turned and walked out, going back downstairs.
You loved your brother, and your sister-in-law, too. But what they had together...drudged up too many painful memories.
Or rather, a painful memory.
Ardeth Bay.
The man who had swept you off your feet and stole your heart.
The man who was two-thousand miles away, yet on your mind every minute of every day.
Both of you promised you would see each other again, and save yourselves for when that day came, but-
A girl can grow old waiting.
With a sigh, you hopped off the last stair and and turned to Alex, who immediately tucked his wrist behind his back.
But you ignored that for the moment and instead flashed him a smile. "Happy to be home?" You asked, walking over to him.
"Couldn't be happier," he answered quickly.
"It's the year of the Scorpion," you stated, grabbing a book off the nearby table and showing him the Egyptian calendar.
"Neat!" He marveled, impressed.
"I thought you might like that," you grinned.
You glanced at the chest, and did a double take once you noticed that the key was missing. "Alex...where's the key to the chest?" You asked slowly, turning to him with a scolding look.
"What key?" He asked innocently.
"Alex, I'm serious. If you've lost that key, your mother is going kill you," you sighed, crouching down and going through his little coat pockets.
"I haven't lost it. I just can't find it. There's a difference," he corrected.
"Well, you better start finding it then," you replied, pulling your hands out.
"I will, Aunt (y/n). There's nothing to worry about," he assured, giving you his usual, adorable smile.
"Good evening," a random voice greeted.
A shiver shot down your spine, and you quickly stood up, turning around to find a man in red robes standing there, menacingly.
Glaring at him, you shoved Alex behind yourself.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" You asked, tone dripping with venom as you kept a protective hand in front of your nephew.
"I'm looking for the chest, of course," he answered with an alarming smile. "Give it to me now."
Quickly, Alex picked up the chest off the table, and you walked over to the wall, grabbing a sword and stepping into a fighting stance.
"Get out of my house," you spat, narrowing your eyes.
"Whoa, Aunt (y/n). Maybe not the best idea," Alex said fearfully, clutching the box.
"Alex, get back there," you ordered, nodding towards the back of the room.
But more men in red robes walked in, lining up behind the first man, who was grinning cockily.
"Definitely not the best idea. I think it's time to yell for Dad now," Alex corrected himself.
"Now I will kill you and take it anyway," the man smirked.
"I think not," a familiar voice chimed.
A really familiar voice.
A heart-stopping-ly familiar voice.
Your chest tightened as you turned to your side, only to find Ardeth standing there.
With your heart beating so fast, you wouldn't be surprised if you suddenly died of cardiac arrest.
"Ardeth...you're here..." You gaped, nearly paralyzed by your excitement and disbelief.
"Perhaps explanations are best kept for later," he answered, his eyes sliding to yours with a look only reserved for you, shooting a wink.
Your face glowed, and in that moment you wanted nothing more than to leap into his arms, but you had to keep cool and focus on the problem at hand.
Seven years and nothing's changed...
"Ardeth Bay," the man smirked.
"Lock-Nah," Ardeth nodded.
Lock-Nah ordered the men behind him to attack, and the fight began.
You performed a backwards cartwheel, kicking one of the men in the face, before landed and slashed his chest.
"Whoa, Auntie! That was awesome!" Alex marveled.
"You kidding? That was my sloppiest yet," you smirked, rolling your neck. "I'm out of practice."
Turning around, you grabbed a man by his robes, throwing him into another before muscle memory took over and executed some wildly complicated move you never done before, lodging another man's sword in the bookcase and knocking him out.
"Where did you learn to do that?!" Alex exclaimed, eyes wide.
"I have no idea," you panted as another man came to attack.
You tucked one hand behind your back and began fencing with the man, disarming him and knocking him out with the handle of your sword.
"That I learned from years of lessons," you added.
Just then, a man ran into your stomach head first and pinned you against the wall.
Without missing a beat, you interlocked your hands and slammed them down on his head repeatedly, forcing him to back up.
Using the opening, you kicked him in the jugular and punched him in the face, knocking him out.
Alex got into a battle of tug o' war with a man who was trying to take the chest, and the man threw him across the room.
"Alex!" You exclaimed as you ran over to him, helping him up and shoving him behind you.
"What's in the chest?!" Ardeth asked as he fought with Lock-Nah.
"The Bracelet of Anubis!" You answered, getting into another sword fight with different man.
"They must not get the bracelet! Grab it and get out of here!" He shouted as Lock-Nah sent a hard punch to his face.
"Ardeth!" You exclaimed, worried, as you picked up the chest.
"Auntie, watch out!" Alex warned, implying the man sneaking up behind you.
But it was too late.
You turned around and were socked in the jaw, hard, nearly knocking you out cold.
Scooping you up, the man threw you over his shoulder and picked up the chest.
"(y/n)!" Ardeth shouted, catching a glimpse of your unmoving body as he dodge one of Lock-Nah's attacks.
Luckily, you weren't unconscious, but so disoriented that you could barely see straight.
They took you outside, and before they threw you in the backseat of their car, you managed to catch a glimpse of Evy being thrown into the other one.
Frantically, you turned around and looked out the rear window to see Jonathan, Rick, Alex, and Ardeth run out onto the driveway.
"Ardeth!" You shouted as they tied the gag, banging against the glass.
"(y/n)!" Ardeth yelled, about to break into a dash when the rapid fire of gunshots forced him back.
One of the men in the car yanked you back by your neck and slammed your head against the glass, truly knocking you out this time.
𝒎 𝒖 𝒎 𝒎 𝒚