Hamunaptra

Children happily run after each other, without any worries in the world. Market vendors are loudly shouting their prices, hoping to finally sell. Veiled women stroll quietly past the stalls in search of a specific item while the sun burns brightly on everyone's bare skin. Ashley looks at the warm sand and sighs. Her denim jacket hangs quietly over her shoulder while Rick and Jonathan argue with a camel salesman. "Just give him the money", Rick shouts and turns around. 'I probably could have gotten them for free. All we had to do was give our sisters. "" Yes, it was a bit tempting ", Jonathan replies with a sigh. Surprised, Rick looks at Evelyn who slowly walks toward them. Her nightgown has been exchanged for a beautifully decorated black outfit with a matching transparent veil. Her lips rest. a smile as she comes to Rick. "Is it okay?" Rick nods violently. Ashley smiles and slaps him in the stomach. "What" he asks and follows her. "Ask her out" laughs Ashley, and she hangs her coat over the back of the camel. Rick looks at her in surprise. "It's not what you think, okay," he says mockingly and sits on the camel. Ashley laughs and also sits on the camel Keep telling yourself Tsk, "she says as the camel gets up and walks out into the desert. Rick shakes his head with a sigh.

"So," says Gad while he appears next to Ashley. "The filthy dog has a sister... And what kind of sister!." Ashley looks over her shoulder at him. "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 and rides further.

"I never liked camels. Filthy buggers they are. They smell, they bite, they spit" groans Jonathan. "Aren't they adorable" laughs Evelyn after Gad starts Singing? Ashley laughs. "I agree with Evelyn" laughs Ashley. "Please call me Evie" she grins. Ashley nods. "Ash" she says smiling. Amused Rick looks at the duo.

While they continue their journey in the desert the flying sand and the wind slowly intensify. The air gets colder as the sun sets under the yellow hills.

It doesn't take long before night has fallen upon them. Sighing Ashley listens to the snoring sound from Gad and rests her head on her fist. Her burning eyes become heavy and all of a sudden, she realizes that she didn't sleep yet. Before she knows it she softly dozes off.

"Ashley" whispers Rick and shakes with her. "Ash." Ash opens her eyes and looks at the rising sunlight that colors Rick his face. "We are here" he whispers. Ash nods and wipes her eyes. Did she sleep the whole night? Never mind, her cracking neck answers that question already. She looks to the other travelers who come closer and swallows. "Good morning my friend" greets Benni once again. His eyes were pinned on Ashley. "What the hell are we doing," asks Isaac. "Patience my good sahib patience" answers Benni bored. "Hey, O'Connell.. Nice camel" laughs Benni. Rick smirks and pats his camel. "Remember our bet O'Connell, first one to the city" laughs Isaac. "200 cash bucks." "110 bucks is yours if you help us win that bet." "With all my pleasure" answers Benni humble. "You ready for it," asks Rick. Evelyn looks not understanding at him. "Ash, it is coming" whispers Rick. "Ready for what," asks Evelyn. "You're about to be shown the way" "Can you believe that" whispers Isaac while the lost city slowly appears in the sand. Ashley gazes surprised at the beautiful city in front of her. She has no idea how this is possible. After all, after everything she's seen on this trip... she has no other option as to believe. "Hamunaptra" whispers Burns. "Here we go again" sighs Rick. Ashley's attentive stare is broken by Benni who suddenly urges his camel loudly. Rick quickly followed his example. "Tsk" says Ashley and pokes her Camel who stands up growling and follows his brothers. Unlike Rick, Benni, and Evelyn who urge their animals nonstop and loudly try to race, Ashley lets her animal walk quietly through the musty desert sand. She doesn't care much about the game. She cares more about the animal's well-being than a few dollars.

She looks disapprovingly at Rick and Benni who drive on while they are fist fighting. It doesn't take long before Rick is fed up and throws Benni off his animal. Shaking her head, she looks at Rick. "O'Connell" Benni groans hopelessly. "Ho" whispers Ashley. Benni looks surprised at Ashley. "Come on Benni" says Ashley and gives him a warm smile. Benni grins and grabs her hand. "I thank you miss O'Connell; you have more manners than your brother." "Just keep remembering that" laughs Ashley and waits until Benni sits down. "She pokes her camel and gently rides towards the city. Benni holds his arm carefully around her waist while he angrily looks at Rick over her shoulder.

"Go Evie" shouts Jonathan enthusiast. Ashley laughs with his enthusiasm. "Oh Miss O'Connell, dwelling with the enemy are we," says Jonathan. "Seriously Jon", laughs Ashley. "Take it a bit more light will ya" she says and runs past him. Benny sticks his tongue out to Jonathan before the pass hem. "Well" mutters Jonathan offended and looks behind him to Gad. "Yeah" says Gad and lifts his shoulders.

"Psh" says Rick when he sees Benni coming off the camel. "Ashley, we will never stay friends like this." "Is that a promise" Jokes Ashley and gets of the animal. Rick rolls his eyes and sighs. "I don't like him either," says Benni. Ashley looks amused at Benni and follows Rick into the destroyed city. "So, what's the plan," she asks Rick. Rick sighs. "I have no idea," he says and walks towards Evie. Ashley looks at the 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 mountain top where five horsemen stare at them. The riders of the boat! She runs nervously towards the stone formation. "Rick" she calls and looks at her brother who deliberately hits Gad with the rope. "Rick the Riders!"I know, I saw them in the desert at night. But as long as they are just watching it's okay right?" Ashley looks to Rick. "What," she asks and gazes upon the riders again. "Jon it is the meaning that you catch the light with that," she says. Gad looks at Ashley while he softly walks closer. "Don't think about it" whispers Rick while he walks further. Gad sighs and walks away again. "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". Ashley helps Jonathan while Rick walks towards Evelyn. "Ah thank you," says Jonathan smiling. "What are these mirrors for," asks Ashley. "According to Evie they are Egyptian windows or something. Light bolls I call them. They provide light in the darkness. " Ashley nods and pulls the mirror up.

"Ashley, time to go down" yells Rick. Ashley looks up to Rick who already lowered Evelyn in the tunnel. Sighing she walks towards him and takes the rope. "I'll be right behind you," he says. Ashley nods nervously. Rick smiles warmly before he lowers her in the dark tunnel. "Oh my" she hears Evelyn saying. Surprised Ashley looks around in the dark hall.

Beautiful carvings and pillars complete the spacious hall. "Then there was light," says Evie after clearing dust webs from a silver mirror. She gently turns the mirror. Its bright light reflects off a second mirror that completes the pattern and conjures light into the main hall." This is a preparation room," says Evelyn. "A what," asks Ashley. "Preparing for what" Rick blows as he lights the torch. Evelyn scoffs "For the afterlife". "The mummies my friend" laughs Jonathan. "This is where they made the mummies." Grimly, Ashley looks around and follows Evelyn to the statue of Anubis at his feet. "Do you realize we stand in halls where no one has been for four thousand years?" says Evie excitedly. "Who cares, I don't see a treasure" grunts the warden. "You are welcome to my share of the spider webs," says Rick. "And it stinks to high heaven in here" sighs Jonathan. Ashley rolls her eyes.

She follows her brother into a narrow hall and peeks into the darkness. 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 protective before Evelyn and takes a gun from Rick. Rick raises his gun.

When he leaps out the sweaty faces of the Americans and the 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 misses, 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 angry. "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 enthusiasm begins the translation everyone follows Evelyn back in the narrow hallway to a secret chamber right under the Anubis. While everyone prepares for the long-awaited 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...