CHAPTER EIGHT

"Jonathan, have you read the news today?". She read it out loud.

𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗

𝙴𝚐𝚢𝚙𝚝 𝚙𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐.

𝙰 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎𝚗.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢.

Evelyn looks up from the paper and begins to be curious. Her mind is thinking about the same fate of a band of American treasure hunters who died exactly the same way like these three young men.

They died of Imhotep. He first went after blind Mr. Burns then finished off the American by taking their organs and fluids as his flesh and muscles regenerated itself until Imhotep became fully regenerated.

Evelyn's jaw drops as her eyes on Jonathan.

"Jonathan, I don't think these men died in an accident. What if? I mean whoever is doing this. Surely it was Imhotep".

His eyes wide not dare to look up at her. He knows Imhotep is alive, he watches that night with Ardeth, but he had no strength to tell her yet.

"I am sure how many times I told you. Imhotep is here. Alive".

"Evy no. He wasn't". he lied. "Maybe those three young men already died like months ago or anything connected of their murderer".

"Jonathan. Skeleton! Our body usually takes three weeks to several years for a body to completely decompose into a skeleton. Well depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, presence of insects, and submergence. But this Jonathan.. These bodies took less than a week".

He doesn't want to say anything about Imhotep. Never. "What caused them to die?"

"Well then my sweet baby sister". he pushed the chair. "I don't know. I'm going out".

"Oh, could you please help me buy some spices from Omar's stall. The kitchen is running out of spices". he nods then walks out. Evelyn buried her nose reading the news.

Museum of Antiquities. Day. Dakota helps Dr. Bey in the library rowing the book back to the shelves as his mother used to work here.

Dr. Bey loves his company around here that reminds him of his mother. But Dakota wasn't a clumsy boy like his mother.

He walks to the tall ladder between two of these rows and leaning against one of the bookshelves with the book under his armpit, he climbs up then standing at the top of the tall ladder.

Finishing stacking the book back on the shelves, he slid down the ladder, gathered another book in his arm then backed up again. He didn't notice that he almost slipped from the tall ladder and someone prevented him too.

He looked down. It was Imhotep. He smiles as he looks up at Dakota. "Hello again".

"Don't you have better things to do with your life, Imhotep". he climbs down the ladder then walks to another shelf. Imhotep follows. "I'm working here!"

Imhotep smiles more happily than ever. "I noticed". he dragged the chair and sat on it. His eyes watch Dakota row the book.

He looks just like his mother, especially those with eyes, strength like him. "Do you work here, Dakota?"

"Nope. I am helping Dr. Bey. Perhaps you know him, everyone does". Imhotep nods. Apparently he doesn't know who the hell Dr. Bey is. "Dr. Bey in his office if you like to see him in person".

"I am here to see you". Dakota turns to Imhotep. "Almost lunch if you like we two can have lunch together. There's a kebab I would like to try just around the corner".

Dakota grinned. "I know that kabab. Dr. Bey likes that kebab. But I can't. I'm too busy". Imhotep tried to persuade him again but it didn't work. Yes. Dakota is exactly like his mother. "What do you do for a living?"

"I am a Priest. High priest Imhotep. I served the Pharaoh".

"There is no Pharaoh in here anymore unless you lived in the 13th century B.C where the Pharaoh was".

Dakota still didn't get anything from that information. Quickly rows the book back on the shelves and ignores Imhotep who sits on a chair staring at him.

"I am done. I should go to Dr. Bey's office".

"What about lunch?"

He sighs. "I don't want to be rude. Still I can walk with someone I don't trust". Imhotep smiles and nods his head.

Dakota makes his own way to the door and suddenly Dr. Bey on his view. "Oh I am about to walk to your office. Since you are here do you know that man sitting on that chair".

His finger point. "That man has been stalking me since we talked outside the building".

"I don't see any man sitting on that chair".

"He was right..." he turned where Imhotep had sat. "There.. I swear there is a man sitting on that chair".

Imhotep was no longer sitting on that chair, he just disappeared just like that. Dakota studied in curiosity because there was no exit door except the door where he and Dr. Bey were standing right now.

The only door remaining is here in and out. How is that possible?

"There is a man there, Dr. Bey, I swear. He's like a prince wearing black garments, bald head, tall, strong figure. He sits right there where I point". he shouts. "I swear.."

"Enough son. You must be tired of reading the book all day by yourself or hungry. Perhaps you need Harry to help you here. I don't think his parents allowed him to, you need someone". he touches his shoulder. "Come. I'm hungry, let's go".

Moments later. Imhotep fled from the library then back to the abandoned museum. The curator from his office hears a thud from upstairs. Imhotep went missing since that night he fled, knowing he was coming back the curator hurried his feet to see what happened to Imhotep.

Where did he go?

Imhotep standing at the balcony in his smile. Spending his day with Dakota was the most precious thing to do as a father for his son.

He makes sure no one can know about Dakota and his mother. Once Evelyn sent him back to the underworld and this time she won't if she finds out Dakota is with his father.

"My lords? Are you in there? '' Imhotep looked over his shoulder where the door was. "My lords?" Baltus Hafez banging at the door. "My lords?"

He could hear Meela's voice behind that door, trying to ignore it. All he wants is his son Dakota.

"Don't you have a key to open".

"If I had the keys I already did open the door".

Imhotep breathed. Meela would only turn to violence when in the most pressing situations like this for not being seeing Imhotep. Therefore she turned to trickery when dealing with those that were, in her views, dispensable.

Before she could ask Lock-Nah, bursting that door open. Imhotep on the other hand uses his power to open the door from afar. Lock-Nah stumbled in front a bit. Three of them now see the back of their Lords standing.

Fully regenerated.

"My lords, how is that possible?" Meela pushed Baltus Hafez away, she wanted to see him very close then she smiled as Imhotep turned to her. "My lords". they bow to him.

"I must kill. Or else.." he said in Egyptian. Of course he had to kill for their organs and fluids. Dakota will shriek if he sees him form like a corpse. "Thank you for bringing me back to life".

Baltus Hafez bowed again. "There is a reason why my lords. You have to kill the Scorpion King".

"What about the bracelet have you found?"

"Not with my command my lords. We know exactly where the bracelets are. The bracelet now was with the Carnahan's".

Imhotep gave Baltus Hafez deadly glare, did he mention Carnahan name right in front of him?

He never forgot that name, not even a bit he forgot about how beautiful Evelyn was. A woman who carried his child gave the child a name, Dakota.

Meela and Lock-Nah react as Imhotep choked Baltus Hafez, his back leaning on the wall. His feet barely touch the ground.

Imhotep growled. "Don't you dare touch my family!" he said in anger.

"My.. lords.."

Baltus Hafez tries to push Imhotep but seems Imhotep has grown stronger than him. Lock-Nah attempts to save Hafez from Imhotep's strong grip but ends up on the floor. Meela stops him.

.. "H-help.."

"My Lords please". her hand wrapped around Imhotep arm, didn't budge either as she too ended up like Lock-Nah on the floor. "My lords!" she yelped.

Imhotep eyes on Baltus Hafez. "Just take the bracelet then go, do not harm that family". he let go of him. Baltus Hafez dropping on the floor, his hand touching his neck and coughing.

Imhotep studied him. "That family is mine!"

"I don't understand my lords". Meela standing behind him. "Carnahan is your family. How is that possible?".

Imhotep looked over his shoulder. "Didn't your vision show you anything about that family? That Carnahan woman carried my son before I died in Hamunaptra. She is mine, reincarnated as the woman I loved in my past. Nefertiri".

"Evelyn Carnahan". said Meela. Imhotep nods. "That is why that night you fled. You found your son today?" he nodded again. "NO! It cannot be".

Imhotep storms out the room leaving speechless Lock-Nah, Meela and almost dead Baltus Hafez behind.

Meela cannot accept the faith that Imhotep had a child with a woman she never met yet. That darn Evelyn Carnahan.

"He had a son with her!" she exploded. "A son.. HER!"

"Meela you cannot change anything. It is his choice to have a son with a woman he loves. Didn't you hear what Imhotep said? He says that the librarian woman resembles his lost one so he thought she was still living".

Baltus Hafez rubs around his neck. "Do not do anything stupid nor even harm that boy". he warn.

Hurried to his feet and found Imhotep. He found him outside the building sitting on the empty fountain. He rubs his neck again. Gently he approached.

"My lords".

Imhotep stared at the empty fountain without looking up at him. "I am sorry I hurt you".

Baltus Hafez smiled a bit. "I am fine. My lords if I ask". Imhotep looked up at him. "If it is true the boy is yours? You had the right to claim him".

"I can't hurt anyone I love, Baltus Hafez. I cannot hurt his mother again. I ruined his mother's life with my obsession, she lived with her son without me. So strong, so sweet".

Everything went silent for a moment. Imhotep spoke back. "I can't take my son away from her. He needs his mother more than me..

"She will hate me until her last breath. I want her to love me the way I love her. My awakening is to find her and my son so I can build my own family..

"I just want to be part of their life".

Baltus Hafez steps forward. "The bracelet is still with her. Maybe I could talk with her on your behalf. Convince her so then you free".

"She won't trust me not anymore. I don't want to force her to love me, let her come to me". he smiled. "Let her come.."

Hafez nodded. "So what now my lords. What do you want us to do?"

"I will have her and my son in my arms then I will kill the Scorpion King and rule the world with my loved one. She must accept the faith that she belongs to me since the beginning I lay my eyes on hers. My Nefertiri.. I am home".

Carnahan's home. Night. Evelyn was shocked as Dakota mentioned Imhotep name that he met today and before.

Imhotep?

Who is this man? and why he claims himself to be Imhotep. Served the Pharaoh? it cannot be.

"I am telling the truth. He wears a black garment, tall, broad shoulders and a handsome one".

"He worked with the Pharaoh?"

"That's what he said. So I tell him there is no Pharaoh in this place unless you lived in the 13th century B.C. His joke is.. am I right?"

Evelyn eyes Jonathan. She noticed he began to be uncomfortable in his seat with the conversation.

"Yes. That man must be joking. Well it's time for you to sleep. You work harder than me. Dr. Bey loves your company today".

"Turns out I slowly turned like you".

"Don't you like to be like me?"

"Of course I am. I love the smell of the book". he walked towards the stairs. "Goodnight".

Evelyn turns to Jonathan. "Is there something you kept from me that you are obviously afraid of?".

"No. I-I nothing to keep from you".

"I can tell you how you lied to me".

"I don't. I'm going to sleep".

Jonathan jumped off from the sofa, hurried his feet climbing the stairs, and heard the door close behind. She sighs knowing Jonathan is still lying to her.

Is that man really Imhotep?

Midnight. Dakota up from bed with close eyes. He may be sleepwalking or maybe he is not. Turning the knob he went downstairs to the main door. Something had controlled his mind to do so.

Dakota was standing in the middle of the road outside the house and he began to walk. Ardeth Bay caught his shoulder.

"Dakota wake up". with that Ardeth caught him in arm and brought Dakota back to the house. "Evelyn!... Evelyn!.. Evelyn!"

Ardeth hears heavy footsteps running. Evelyn on view. "Ardeth? What are you doing here?"

"Found your boy walking outside with eyes closed. Does he sleepwalk?"

"No. He wasn't sleepwalking as far as I know. Dakota wakes up". gently he shook his body. "Honey, wake up".

"Stay with him". Ardeth tells her. "Do not leave his sight". Evelyn nods understanding as she watches him. "Locked this door. It's not safe in here". he left the house, the door being locked from the inside.

He doesn't care what Evelyn does to her son. For what he cares now he saw fully regenerate Imhotep around the corner with anger. So he's the one who makes Dakota walk out from the house unwillingly.

Ardeth takes a last shot of Imhotep figure then he walks. Imhotep knows her house is being guarded by his fellow warriors. He cannot make anything stupid cause to hurt her and his son.

For a moment Imhotep stared at the house. He then walked.