Title: Alex's Bad Dreams
Author: Eviefan
Disclaimer. The Mummy and the Mummy Returns are sole properties of Universal Studios and Stephen Sommers. I'm not intending to sell this or make money of this for my own use.
Summary: Okay another Alex fic. This is after TMR, and Alex is having terrible dreams about what went on, and that's the basic plot, or not. There will be more to it, but I don't plan these stories, I just write and it comes to me.
Added note: None of us know how Alex would have dealt with things after the movie, and to back up my view on him, in the making of the Mummy that E! TV did, Stephen Sommers said Alex is a smart kid but not a 30 year old stuck in a 8 year olds body, not quoted exactly, but thats close to what he said. So thats why I think Alex would be mildly freaked.
I welcome your comments good and bad, and if you don't like what I wrote just say "I think its awful," and be done with it. I can't ask you not to tell me what you think but be constructive not destructive.
AND NOW......
Alex's Bad Dreams
Prologue: Finally home
It had been a long journey back to England, and when the taxi pulled up to O'Connell Manor, everyone inside, excluding the driver, gave out a collective sigh of relief. It was finally over, and now it was time to get back to a more normal life, or as normal as things got for the O'Connells. In the back, Evelyn leaned down and kissed Alex's cheek. He had been asleep the whole trip from the port to their house, a thirty minute ride. He was stretched across the back
using his mom's lap as a pillow, and his legs over his uncle's lap. Her kiss didn't do anything to rouse him, and as she was about to call for him to wake up, Rick, who had paid the driver and already gotten out, came around to her door and opened it.
"Let him sleep, I'll carry him up to his bed." Rick lifted him out of the car, and Alex woke up for a moment.
"We're home," Rick reassured. Generally Alex would protest being carried like a baby, but this time he rested his head against his father's shoulder, going back to sleep. Jonathan and Evelyn were the last two out of the cab, and as Evelyn started to get most of the luggage, Jonathan headed for the door, only to be stopped by Rick.
"You could help out you know," He was referring to his wife doing all the work. Jonathan usually wined, but this time he was too tired, and too ready for his own bed, and got everything except her own personal bag Since Evelyn had the least amount to carry, she unlocked the door to their large home, and everyone stepped inside. After closing and locking the door they walked through the passage that led to the main parlor. As they went, Evelyn turned on some lights.
They went upstairs and to the left into a passage where the rooms were for she, Rick, and Alex. Jonathan followed, going past them to the end of the passage, leaving their luggage by their door. They had gone in the first room on the right, Alex's room. It was clean, and the bed was made up, which meant that their housekeeper had been there while they were away. While Evelyn turned down the covers on Alex's bed, Rick sat in Alex's desk chair and managed to get his
coat, shoes, and socks off of him without waking him, then carried him to the bed and laid him down. Alex rolled on his stomach reaching for something. Evelyn found his favorite stuffed animal, a Bear laying half under his bed, and picked it up placing it in Alex's arms. They both gave him kisses good night, then went out of his room shutting the door behind them.
Downstairs, Jonathan had tea and biscuits ready in the parlor, which was also clean. They sat down with him, Rick beside Evelyn, and no one said much of anything. The tea helped them to unwind a bit, and Jonathan asked if they thought Alex would be all right now that he was home. On the journey home he had been having terrible dreams about the events they had all gone through, and each he woke up he wouldn't talk about them, claiming they were just dreams.
"I hope so," Evelyn responded. "I think once he's back at school things will be better for him. He will be with his friends, and can do all the normal things he's used to." Rick took her hand in his, giving it a squeeze. They were all worried about him, and only time and their love would heal what he had been through.
Disclaimer: The Mummy and The Mummy Returns are not my property anything I write, characters used etc. are all borrowed, and the ideas and characters belong to Universal Studios and Stephen Sommers.
Added note: The character of Megan that you will meet either in this chapter or the next depending on what ideas fly out of my brain onto this computer, is mine, and if you want to use her just ask.
Chapter 1: The dreams unfold
It was the same set of dreams, that plagued Alex's mind. The first dream was in the temple. He was up on the scaffolding, trying desperately to get away from the man with the knife in his mouth. In his dream, there was no out, and the man came closer, and closer. Then he was in another place, in the Oasis of Ahm-Shere, running through the jungle, his lungs burning for air, his legs like
weights from all the running. Behind him, he heard Lock-Nah closing in, and then his knife swung at him. Before it cut into his arm, Alex found himself at the Pyramid, watching as his mum took her last breaths of air. That part was the worst, but then watching his father, who until that day, had never ever cried in front of Alex, break down, was the final part of his torment.
Alex woke up out of breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and heavy with sorrow. He took some calming breaths, and wiped away a tear that had escaped him, and got out of bed. He wanted the dreams to stop, and felt that it was something he need to do by himself. In his dresser, he got out his pajamas and put them on, then his slippers and went out of his room. Quietly, he crept out of the hall, and down the stairs. It was dark, save for one light that his mum
always left on. The kitchen was to the left of the stairs, and down the hall a little ways. What always calmed him before, when he had bad dreams, was warm milk, with a touch of cinnamon, and sugar. The kitchen was pretty big, with the most modern appliances. He got out some milk, and set it upon the counter. Then he pulled a chair up to the counter, getting the jar that the sugar was in, and a stick of cinnamon, and the grater. After setting those aside, he actually had
to climb up on the counter to reach the cabinet where the cups were. Back behind a few of the nicer china cups, was his favorite one. He liked it, because it was big, and not as dainty as mum's china. As he pulled it out, his inherited clumsiness kicked in, and one of the china cups fell to the floor shattering.
"Cripes," Alex said, getting back onto the chair, and then to the floor. He would clean that later, or leave it for Marie, their house keeper to clean. His finally task was to get out a pan, and that should have been easy enough, but again when he pulled the one he needed out, one of the other pans fell to the floor, making a very loud clanging sound.
"Great Alex, wake the whole house up," he said to himself, putting the other pan back in the lower cabinet.
Upstairs, Rick had heard something shatter, and now lay in bed listening for anything else. Not one minute later, did he hear something drop, and the sounds came from the kitchen. Before Ahm-Shere, he would have let it pass, but because of that whole experience, he was too afraid to let this go. He tried to get up
without waking Evelyn, but woke her anyway.
"What's wrong?" She asked sitting up. To answer her question they heard something else go bump. She got up too.
"Evy, for once, please stay here." Rick's plea went unheard, and the two of them went downstairs, slowly. They heard movement coming from the kitchen, and on the way Evelyn bumped against a table, making one of the vases shake.
It was that rattle of the vase, that alerted Alex, that someone was in the house. His heart began to thump a mile a minute, and he wanted to yell for dad, but what frightened him even more, was the fact, that whoever was here, might kill his parents, and with no Book of the Dead, he had no way to bring them back. This time it was up too him. He forgot about his milk, and went to the entry, flattening himself against the wall, waiting, shaking. He had not turned
the light on in the kitchen, so when who he though was the enemy walked in Alex closed his eyes, and slammed in to the intruders legs. Rick was unprepared, and fell to the ground, and got punched in the stomach by Alex. He lifted his son away, with Alex still swinging, then the lights came on, and that, plus the sudden smell of burning milk, brought Alex out of his rage. Rick sat up and hugged him tight feeling his trembling. While he comforted Alex, Evelyn turned
off the stove and moved the pan to the sink Alex's teeth chattered, and when Evelyn came and knelt beside them, and reached out to rub his back, Alex jumped.
"It's just me baby," Evelyn said. Alex still clung tightly to his father, but was calming down.
"Did you have another dream?" Rick asked, already knowing the answer. Alex nodded.
"Can you tell us what it was about?" Evelyn tried.
"They're not important." He said, pulling away from his fathers embrace. Rick helped him stand, and Alex yawned.
"It helps to talk about them," Rick said, also standing.
"I don't want to. Goodnight." He left in a hurry, and Evelyn came into Rick's arms.
"Why won't he talk about them," She asked. Rick tilted her face up so she could see him.
"I recall when we were back from Hamunaptra, and you were having dreams about the first time, how reluctant you were to talk about them. He has inherited your stubbornness." She sighed. This was true. It took her a while, to figure out that being a part of a marriage, meant sharing how she felt about things, and while this was slightly different in Alex's case, they both knew, eventually, he would come to them for help. They cleaned up the shattered china cup, then went
back upstairs. As they passed by Alex's room, the door was slightly open, and they looked in finding him sitting up playing solitaire, something Jonathan had no doubt tough him. Both wanted to go in and sit with him, but Alex would protest, so reluctantly they went back to their own bed.
The dreams were nowhere near over, and when Alex fell asleep again, a different dream came. First he watched his mom die, which was the same as before, with his father crying over her body. Then he was in the pyramid, and watched as his father was ripped apart by the Scorpion King. The next part of the dream, he was in the desert alone, and a decaying hand popped out of the sand, grabbing his
feet, and pullied him under. He sat up yelling "no," but not loud enough to wake his parents. Alex took his bear and threw it across the room, then barried his face in his pillow and cried. He hated this. He had experienced bad dreams before, and eventually they went away, but these dreams kept coming. What scared him the most, was that maybe they would come true. What if someday, someone, found a way to dig up Ahm-shere, or another curse, of Hamunaptra was released.
Alex sat up, using the sleeve of his pajamas to wipe the tears from his face. He got up, and went over by his fireplace and picked up his bear, then went out of his room. This time, he took a different rout, going into the upper part of the library, and through a door which led down a long passage. It was chilly, and Alex shuttered, quickening his pace, until he reached his uncles room. Quietly,
he pushed the door open stifling a giggle. Uncle John was snoring. Alex crept over to his uncle's bed, and tugged on the sleeve of the long nightshirt Jonathan had on.
"Not now I'm busy," Jonathan mumbled. This time Alex did laugh, which woke his uncle.
"Alex?" The smile on the boy's face disappeared.
"Can I sleep with you?" Jonathan didn't turn him down, and scooted over allowing Alex to climb in bed next to him.
"More dreams?"
"No, just lonely, " Alex lied. Jonathan knew better, but left it at that. Soon the two of them went back to sleep, and in his sleep, Alex snuggled close to his uncle. The dreams, at least for this night, had ended, and for a little bit both uncle and nephew slept in peace.
Disclaimer: I don't own either The Mummy or TMR. They are soul property of Universal Studios and Stephen Sommers.
Chapter 2: Friends and secrets
The next day was busy for everyone. It was a Tuesday, and generally Alex would be in school, but Rick and Evelyn decided he needed the rest, and let him stay home. For Evelyn, it was a trip to the Museum. Evidently the Bembridge Scholars had been sending many letters to her, while they were away, and wanted her to fill the posision of the Curator, which was now open. Jonathan had made calls early in the morning, to find a buyer for his diamond, and was also out, seeing
who he could get to buy it for the best price. That left Rick to stay home and look after his son, which was fine by him. He was also tired, and more than that, he wanted to try and get Alex to open up to him. He was in the Parlor when Alex came down stairs fresh from sleep. It was about 1pm, and Alex still looked
tired.
"Did you sleep all right?" Rick asked. Alex nodded.
"Where is mum?" he asked.
"She went to the museum." He nodded.
"So how about some lunch?"
"I'm not hungry yet," He went over to the chess set and fidgeted with the pieces. Rick came over beside him.
"Did you know that I was afraid when we were in Ahm-Shere." Alex didn't look up, and shook his head.
"I was very afraid that I wouldn't get to you in time, to save you. Then when your mum..." Alex stopped him.
"Dad. I don't want to remember that time. It's over, and I want to forget it," he said, with conviction. Rick knelt down.
"I know you do, but these dreams aren't going to go away..." Alex ran back upstairs, and Rick heard the faint sound of the door to his sons room being shut. He sighed and got up. He didn't know what to do for Alex, and it scared him that his son wasn't willing to talk about the events, because he knew what had happened was eating his little boy up, and that was not healthy.
Later that day, while Rick was listening to the radio, someone knocked at the door. He got up and went down the hall, into the front room, unlocking and opening the door. Megan, they're neighbor, who lived within a half miles walk, was waiting. She and Alex had been friends since they moved to England, when he was 2.
"Hi Mr. O'Connell."
"Hello Megan. come in." She did, and he took her coat. She had on a warm dress, not fancy, but one girls of rich families wore.
"Is Alex home?" Rick nodded. "He's in his room, go on up." She knew the way, and was soon at his door. She knocked and he told her to go away.
"It's just me silly." In a moment the door opened, and when she was in he shut it. Megan sat at his desk, and he went back to working a puzzle.
"So how was your trip?" He shrugged. She came over to the floor, and sat down across from him, picking up a puzzle piece, and trying to guess where it went.
"It was boring while you were gone. Daddy enrolled me in etiquette classes so I will be more of a proper lady." Megan was, without a doubt, a tomboy at heart, and no classes would change that.
"That does sound rather boring," Alex said, looking at her for the first time, since she had walked in.
"It makes me want to go out and adventure. I wish I had a father who liked to adventure as much as yours, and your mum." Alex looked back at the puzzle.
"Why are you being so quiet?" Megan never gave up, and Alex got up and went to his bed, sitting on it.
"If I tell you something do you swear not to tell anyone?" She came over and sat next to him. "I swear on my mums grave." Suddenly Alex was angry with her ,and she didn't know why. Her mum had died having her, and she had only her father, and the nanny who took care of her.
"Don't ever say that , not ever, or I'll never talk to you again, " he yelled. She jumped back. Alex had never yelled at her before.
"Okay I won't, calm down." He sat down, and in a moment dad knocked on the door.
"Alex, is everything all right?"
"Yes." For a moment he thought his dad would come in, but he didn't, and Alex was glad.
"So what am I swearing to keep secret." He took a deep breath and began with the temple. That part wasn't really the secret, and he told her about the guys who tried to kill him, and then about the Bracelet, and all that transpired after he was taken. When he finished, he was shaking.
"That really happened?" she asked in disbelief, For some reason that made him mad.
"Fine don't believe me. Go home." She didn't move.
"No, just because your scared of something, doesn't mean you have any right to yell at me, Alex O'Connell." Now she was mad, and got up.
"I'm leaving." With that she ran to the door, opened it and ran down the hall, and downstairs, where Rick was still listening to the radio. When she ran past him, he stood and went after her.
"Megan?" She stopped, and tears were running down her cheeks.
"What happened." She wiped them away with the sleeve of her dress.
"Nothing. I need my coat please." Rick got it for her, and helped her put it on, then saw her out the door, and after closing it went to see what was going on..
He found Alex laying in bed facing away from him, and sat down rubbing his back.
"What happened with you and Megan?" Alex sniffed. He too had been crying. Rick lifted him onto his lap, and Alex hugged him.
"She didn't believe me."
"About what?" Alex didn't respond. He had always been told not to tell about anything they had experienced with the dead walking, and the battles they had been a part of.
"Alex?" Rick waited patiently.
"I told her about what happened. She's my best friend, and she didn't believe me." Rick knew that was only part of the problem. "It's not something easy to believe, unless you have experienced it," Rick said leaning back against the pillows on Alex's bed.
"But we tell each other everything. When she told me that her house was haunted, I believed her, so why won't she do the same for me?"
"She might be afraid of what you told her." Generally the fact that Alex had told the secret, would not be something either he, nor Evy would be happy about, but given that Alex was talking to him, Rick let it slide.
"I got really mad at her." Rick nodded.
"I heard. I think maybe you should go talk to her, you hurt her feelings."
"We both hurt each others feelings." He sat up, and Rick wiped a tear away from his face.
"I better go see her." Rick nodded and both of them got up. Alex got dressed, and left for his friends house.
Megan's home was on the other side of the woods from Alex's, and the walk was actually making him feel better. He felt bad, because he had yelled at her, and knew that was wrong. As he approached he found her sitting up on the fence, that kept the horses in her yard.
"Hi," he said. She looked down at him.
"Alex, I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first." She got down and tagged him.
"Can't catch me." She took off and Alex went after her. They ran back into the woods, and she hid behind a large tree. When Alex passed her, she jumped out, and grabbed him by the arm. Alex screamed loud, and she let go alarmed.
"Why the heck did you have to do that?" he yelled, once more.
"Alex we always do this," she pointed out. He took in a few deep breaths and calmed down.
"If you yell at me one more time today, I promise I won't ever speak to you again," she told him. Alex apologized, and they went up to her house to have cookies and milk.
As they sat in her room, later on, Alex went over to her bedside table and picked up a picture of her mum and dad.
"She was pretty," he said. She came over beside him.
"My father thinks that's where I get my rebellious nature. I think that's why he's always on me to be a lady, because I remind him of her, and it hurts." Alex nodded setting the picture down.
"Do you ever get sad?" She thought for a moment.
"You can't yell at me when I tell you my answer."
"I won't," he defended.
"I never knew her, and sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a real mum around, and not Nanny Catherine, but I don't miss her." Alex nodded.
"Do you want to go riding?" He nodded, and they raced outside to the stables, where James, the stable hand was grooming the horses.
"James, Alex and I would like to ride Silent Thunder, and Calysta please." He smiled at the two of them, and went down to the third stall, where Silent Thunder was, and while he got that horse ready, Megan got Calysta ready.
"Take your pick," Alex loved Silent Thunder, and chose that one, and in a moment both were on the horses and road out into the field.
"I'll race you to the stream," she challenged.
"Go." Alex said, and got his horse to go fast. It was like flying, and a whole heck of allot better than being on that stupid camel. When they got to the stream, Megan had beaten him, but not by much.
"Hey your ridings improved." He nodded and told her about his experience on the Camels, which made her giggle.
"Whats so funny?"
"Trying to see you on a Camel." Before he could defend himself she took off and he went after her.
The day ended way too fast, and it was getting dark when Alex headed home. He had a great time, and there was actually a swing in his step, as he walked home.
When he arrived, his mum came to the door, greeting him with a hug.
"You went riding." He nodded.
"Yes, Megan challenged me to a race, and I came this close," He showed her with his fingers, "to beating her." As they walked into the parlor Rick looked up relieved to see that Alex was happy. Maybe Evelyn had been right, and that as Alex got back into his regular routine, the dreams would disappear.
"Dad, do you want to play a game of Chess?" Rick got up from the couch and they seated themselves at the chess board, about to begin, when Jonathan walked into the house, drunk.
"Oh Jonathan, we've talked about this before," Evelyn scolded.
"What old mum, so I'm a little on the happy end of things, and I've got something for Rick, that should make him happy too." Jonathan hiccuped, and went out they way he came in, with the rest of the family in tow. Outside in front of the house was a replica of the car the Mummies had crushed. It was a Beuford, and Rick whistled. He walked around it, and Jonathan was very right, this made his day even better.
"Who wants to go for a ride?" Evelyn looked at him, disapproving.
"Dinners almost ready." He came over to her and took her into his arms. "We can always eat out." They kissed, and both Jonathan, and Alex groaned.
"Hmm, eating out would be nice."
"You two have fun," Jonathan turned and went inside.
"Alex, do you want to come?" He shook his head trying his best to hide the hurt.
They left then, and Alex went up to his room and shut the door. He sat at his desk thinking about what Megan had said about her mum, and about not missing her. He went into the bathroom and ran the water into his tub getting out the ships he played with and put them in. For a while, his thoughts about their earlier conversation disappeared, as he put the two ships into battle. Once he had finished playing, he washed up, then got out of the bath and dressed for bed. Once in bed, he picked up his favorite book, which was still Peter Pan, and opened it to the page of Pans battle with Captain Hook in order to save John, Wendy, and Michael. While reading, he drifted to sleep, and again the dreams came to him.
This dream was here in London. He was sitting at home, working a puzzle when the someone knocked at the door. It was a constable, and he told Alex that his family had been killed in a car crash. In his dream Alex ran up to his room, and when he got there, Lock-nah was there.
"They can't save you now," he taunted. The dream woke him and he screamed. He got out of bed, and ran down the hall to his parents room, but they weren't there. He was crying now, not carrying about being tough, and ran to the other part of the house, into his Uncles room. Jonathan, who had been asleep, woke up.
"Alex?"
"They're not here Uncle John." The rest didn't make much since because he was crying so hard. Jonathan came and hugged him.
"Shh. Alex, they went out remember." Alex shook his head.
"I think they had a wreck." He told Jonathan about his dream.
"I know it scared you, but it was just a dream." Alex was not convinced, so they went into the main part of the house, and as Jonathan was about to get his coat out, and Alex's, the lock on the door clicked open, and Evelyn walked in. Alex ran to her and she caught him in her arms. He held to her for all it was worth,
and she stood with him in her arms, as he cried.
"It's all right," They all went back into the parlor, and Evelyn sat down with Alex. Who was calming down now.
"Alex? Can you tell me what has you so upset," she asked rubbing his back.
"I had a dream, and I want them to stop." Thats all he would say. She kissed the top of his head.
"Alex listen to me. I know you don't want to talk about them, and I can't make you do that, but I promise you it will help them go away if you talk to me or your father, or Uncle John." He took in a deep breath.
"I don't remember them," he said softly still hugging her. Jonathan knew better, and once Alex was in bed, he would tell them what had happened. She sighed looking up at Rick., who sat beside them.
"Alex, are you afraid that by telling us your dreams, that makes you a baby?" He didn't respond, and they found he was asleep.
When they came back downstairs from putting him back in bed, Jonathan had scotch waiting for Rick, and tea for Evelyn. They sat down.
"Alex told me that he had a dream, and in it a Constable told him you two were killed in a car crash. When he went up to his room Lock-nah was there and cut off his wrist." Neither parent had guessed that his dreams were so violent, and it raised the question, as to whether or not they needed to take Alex to see someone professionally. Then they both knew there was no way, because what person wouldn't think Alex had gone insane. No, only they could help him, and both of them knew that it was getting to a point where they would have to force him to deal with his fears.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Mummy, or TMR. They, and any reference to the movies belong to Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios.
Chapter 3: A Very Bad Day
After another night of bad sleeping, Alex, who was already awake when the sun began to rise, decided it was time to go back to school. He really didn't want to go back, but then again, staying at home meant possible having to talk about his dream last night. He got up, got dressed, and went downstairs to the kitchen, where Marie was making breakfast. It was her day to be here, and when she was, she did practically everything.
"Goodmorning Alex," she greeted. She was a short woman, sort of heavy set with dark blue eyes, and graying hair. She was nice, and Alex had always found a great fondness for her.
"Goodmorning Marie." She set down a plate for him, toast, eggs, and bacon, all his favorite things to eat. This morning, however, he didn't eat much and scooted things around on his plate.
"Alex, are you not feeling well?" She asked coming to sit beside him.
"I'm all right," he reassured her, " just not very hungry." She nodded and got back up.
"Would you like me to make you something else to eat? He shook his head, and walked out down the hall to the parlor School wouldn't start for another hour, so he went over the checker board, and challenged himself to a game. That's where Rick and Evelyn found him, when they came downstairs a few minutes later. He looked up as they walked down the steps.
"Goodmorning," Evelyn said, surprised to see him dressed in his school uniform.
"Hi, I decided I wanted to go back to school today." Rick came over and gave him a hug, which Alex returned.
"Are you sure?" Alex nodded. Rick got his coat on, and after Alex said goodbye to his mum and Marie, took him to the School. It was an all boys school, close to the Museum, which was convenient, because he would go there after his classes were out. When they arrived, a few of the boys he didn't like were standing near the entry.
"Do you have everything?" Alex nodded, and got out of the car. Rick watched him go up the steps, and once he was safe in the school, drove home. The day was a typical one, minus the fact that Alex had a hard time staying awake.
When school let out, Alex packed his Rucksack, and headed for the bus stop. Usually he went to the museum, but since Ahm-Shere, he had no desire to go there. That's when trouble began. A few of the older boys, Doug, and Victor followed him, making fun of him as they always did.
"Look its the Pharaoh," Doug sneered. Alex kept walking. His dad, who had taught him a few basic moves, told him that he should never start a fight, and always find another way out. This day, however, the boys kept on teasing him, calling him names.
"I bet his mum still gets him dressed," Victor said. That struck a nerve with Alex. He stopped and turned around to face his two tormentors.
"If you don't have anything nice to say then go away," he said. Both boys snickered.
"Why don't you make us." Victor challenged.
"Because I have better things to do." He turned back around, but one of the boys shoved him down. He fell ,and skinned his knees. It hurt, but Alex didn't cry, he had done too much of that as it was. Bravely, Alex got back up.
"Come on O'Connell lets see what you have. Punch me." Alex reasoned this through for a moment. Doug was asking him to do it, so why not. He punched him in a very sensitive spot, which caught Doug off guard. He coughed, and leaned forward, so Alex kicked him in the face, and that was all there was. Victor was laughing hard, and Alex turned and ran for dear life.
"Don't just stand there get that little jerk," Alex cut into the park, trying to find a place to hide, but both boys were gaining on him. He ran around a vender, and the two boys branched out. Alex didn't like his odds, but kept going, and he was almost to safety, when Victor grabbed him by the back of his coat.
"Let go of me," Alex said.
"Oh no, now we get our turn." Victor held Alex, as Doug delivered a punch to his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Alex didn't cry as the two boys took turns punching him in the stomach, and the face, then they let him go.
"You breath one word about this, and we will do far worse than this." Doug told him. They left Alex alone in a secluded area of the park., and for a little bit Alex lay there catching his breath. He knew he was a mess, and too embarrassed to go anywhere while it was still day light, he crawled into some bushes and stayed there, letting it get dark, knowing his parents would be worried, but his pride was at stake here. When it was finally dark, he came out of the bushes,
and made his way to the museum. He knew his mom wouldn't be there, or at least shouldn't be, but he knew a way in and could call them to come and get him.
Worried didn't even begin to describe things at the O'Connell house. Rick had called the Constable, who had come and taken a report, and had a picture of Alex, and he and his men would search the city for him. Evelyn hadn't said very much sitting on the couch holding Alex's Bear.
"Hey." Rick said. He came and sat down beside her, and hugged her.
"Where could he be? I've got all these fears going through my head. If he was taken again...." The phone rang, and Jonathan picked it up.
"Alex." Both parents ran to the phone.
"It's okay buddy, just stay where you are." Jonathan hung up.
"He's at the museum. He said some of the boys from school were picking on him, and he picked a fight with both of them, and got the worst end of the deal." Rick grabbed his coat, and Evy's, and helped her put it on, then they got in the car and sped to the Museum to get their son.
It was spooky here at night. Even in his mum's office, Alex didn't feel all that safe. He had gotten a good look at his face, which wasn't all that bad, considering how many times it got used as a punching bag. His lip was split open, and his right eye was probably going to be bruised by morning. His knees hurt most of all, both skinned up pretty good, and his stomach hurt if he breathed in too deep. He looked up as he heard running foot steps heading in his
direction, and being paranoid, he hid under the big desk. The door opened.
"Alex," his mom said panicked. He crawled out, and Evelyn was horrified to find him so beat up. She came and hugged him, and he sighed hugging back. He was tired, and hurt, and wanted to crawl under a rock and disappear.
"Can you walk.?" She asked.
"Yes." They all left the Museum and headed home.
Much later that night, Alex's cuts and bruises had been tended too, and he lay in bed playing cards. Someone knocked at his door, which he ignored. He hadn't gotten lectured yet, but he felt that it was coming.
"Alex?" It was mum.
"Come in." Evelyn did, and pulled his desk chair up beside his bed.
"Alex, look at me," she said softly. He looked up, and she could see the hurt in his eyes.
"Do you know the boys who did this to you?" He looked away.
"They're just stupid boys mum, and I should of just kept walking." She sat on the side of his bed and hugged him.
"But you didn't and thats not like you." He sighed. How could he explain to her how frustrating it was, to be picked on day in and day out by the same two guys.
Alex wanted to take care of himself.
"I had to try to get them to leave me alone, my way. If I told you and dad who did this to me, then you would go tell the head master, and it would make things worse." Evelyn didn't agree with him on that.
"Your father and I only want to see you happy, and you haven't made that very easy." He pulled away from her then.
"Alex, your still learning about life, and you won't have all the answers, even I don't have them all, but there is no shame in excepting help from those who love you the most." She reached out to rub his back and he pulled away.
"I'll be downstairs if you want to talk." She got up and gave him one last look, then left. Alex took the deck of cards in his hands and threw them across the room. As he was getting up something hit his window. He looked down and saw a small figure, Megan. Alex opened the Window.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm running away." she told him. That gave him and idea.
"Go hide out in back by the tool shed." She ran off, and Alex got his Rucksack out and packed two of everything. Then he got his Piggy bank, and put a blanket around it, and broke it. He had close to 100 dollars in it, or the equivalent there of. After putting the money in a small sack, and putting that in his rucksack, Alex climbed out the Window and inched around the roof until he got to a trellis and used that to climb down. When he got to her, Megan had been crying.
"Whats wrong?" he asked. She sniffed.
"My father's getting married to a French woman and taking us to France in a month." Alex considered that disloyal, and didn't blame her for wanting to run away.
"Are you running away too?" She asked.
"I have to face my problems, my fears, so I'm going back to Egypt, and back to Ahm-Shere." Megan looked at him like he was nuts.
"And just how do you intend to get there?"
"Well there are ships leaving the port everyday, almost, to go there, so I'm just going to sneak on.
"Thats dangerous," she said interested.
"Yeah, but I'm never going to stop having these dreams unless I face what scares me the most. I want to go back and see if its really gone." She nodded
"Then I'll come too. I took some of my dads money." Together they had over 400 dollars worth of money, and after putting that in his Rucksack, and taking hers, they left for the port.
Note: More to come, keep checking back.
Disclaimer: The Mummy, and TMR Belong to Stephen Sommers, and Universal Studios, and as such don't belong to me.
Chapter 4: The Journey Begins
It wasn't hard to get a bus to take them to the port, and now Alex and Megan waited for the ship, bound for Egypt to arrive. It wasn't to arrive till morning, so they decided to sleep in shifts, behind some cargo containers. Alex took the first watch, glad she had packed blankets for them to use. He pretended like he was on watch for Captain Hook, protecting Tiger Lillie, though he would
never tell Megan that. If he did, she would likely add to his already bruised face. He found a small board, and pretended it was a sword, doing battle with invisible foes. Little did he know that Megan had woken up and was watching him.
"What are you doing?" She asked, giggling. He spun around startled, then he blushed.
"Well, I was pretending to fight off the enemy, who in this case would be Captain Hook." She giggled again.
"You and Peter Pan." He sat next to her.
"I like Peter Pan. He never had to grow up, and lived in a place where the younger people ruled. That made her wish there was such a place, and she said as much.
"Alex, are you sure we should be doing this?"
"Well, you can go home if you want, but I'm not, not until I'm sure everything is the way it should be. Do you know how to play Poker?" She shook her head, and he got out his deck of cards that Uncle John had given him and dealt out two hands, then explained the rules of the game. He basically played against him self, until she got the idea, then they played that for quite sometime. She let him get some sleep, though it wasn't long before one of his dreams came, and he
woke back up. Finally morning came, and their ship arrived. It was a steam ship, passenger, and from past experience, Alex knew there were large cargo bays below. They waited until the found a large group of tourists boarding, and then it was quite easy to blend in. Once they were on board ,they ran up to top deck and watched as the ship left the port. Both of them shared a momentary feeling of fear, but then the adventure was on, and that fear was forgotten.
Back at his home, Alex had done a very old trick of the trade, and left two pillows under his covers. He had hoped no one would come to take a close look, and no one did. Both mum, and dad had peeped in fooled by the pillows, and it was not until that morning, when Rick went in to wake his son for school, that he found out the truth. Alex was gone. He ran downstairs skipping the last four steps, and went into the kitchen where Evelyn was making breakfast, and bag
lunch for her son. "Evy, has Alex been down this morning?" he asked praying that she would say yes, and knowing the answer would be no.
"No, why?" A look of panic crossed her face. "He's not in his bed is he?" Rick shook his head and Evelyn closed her eyes.
"What are we doing wrong, that he won't talk to us?" She felt helpless, angry, and sad at the time. Rick tried to hug her but she pulled away.
"I can't do this, he knows we love him, and he won't let us help him." He pulled her into his arms, and she did cry. It was then, that Jonathan came in, and Rick shook his head, and Jonathan left again. After a few moments Evelyn lifted her head from his chest.
"We should start looking for him. Maybe he went back to the park, to find those boys." Rick had not thought of that, and yelled for Jonathan, who came in a little annoyed.
"First you want me to go then..."
"Jonathan now is not the time. Alex was not in his bed when I went in this morning, and we need to go find him. I'm going to the park, you go to the Museum, and the school and see if he's there." Rick turned back to his wife, pulling her into his arms
"Stay here in case he shows up," he said gently. She agreed, and after a kiss, Rick left as did Jonathan to search for Alex.
It wasn't all that much later, that Mr. Richardson, Megan's father, came over. It was a frantic knocking at their door sending Evelyn running. When she opened it, she was surprised to find him here for a visit. It did not occur to her why he might be here
"Have you seen Megan today?" He asked worried.
"No."
"She was not in her bed this morning, and a found some of my money missing. Is Alex here, maybe he has seen her." What he said made things click, and she invited him in.
Now, in the parlor, Evelyn told him that Alex had also not been in his bed this morning. The older man put his hands on his face.
"I should have known she was mad at me." He looked up.
"I'm sorry Evelyn, I should go see if I can find her."
"You don't think they would be together?" She asked. As close as their two children were, it was a high possibility.
"Why don't you stay here until my husband, and brother return. They've gone to the school, and a few other places to find Alex, and if he's not found, I think maybe they might be together. Mr. Richardson, Daniel, agreed to stay, and Evelyn fixed him some coffee. About an hour later, both Jonathan and Rick returned without finding any trace of Alex. Evelyn greeted them at the door, and told them that Megan was also missing.
"We should look in their rooms for any sort of clue," Rick said to everyone involved. Daniel left to do that, and the rest of them went up to Alex's room. The first thing they noticed was that his Piggy Bank was not on his bookshelf. After a few minutes of searching, Jonathan found a blanket in his dirty cloths basket, and when he took it out pieces of the bank fell to the floor.
"So where ever they have gone, they have about 500 dollars between them," Evelyn said. They kept looking, and Evelyn found that two of his good Uniforms were gone, and his hairbrush, and other things he would need to take a trip, the only problem now was to figure out just where they had gone.
By the end of the day, Rick, and Daniel had called various places of
transportation, asking if two children had been seen, and so far, only the Double Decker Bus company, and the taxi company hadn't returned their calls. The next two days they tore their houses apart trying to find anything else that would lead them in the direction of where the children had gone. It was on the morning of the third day that the Double Decker Bus company called with the news they needed. It was Jonathan who answered the phone
"You don't say, that's just what we needed to hear, thank you." He hung up, and yelled that he had a big clue, and Rick and Evelyn came down from upstairs
"The bus company says two children matching their description took a bus the night before we found them gone, to the Port. Evelyns face drained of all color, and Rick caught her before she fell. She hadn't passed out but the shock of where Alex was heading made everything in her momentarily shut down.
"Evy?" Rick lifted her into his arms and carried her to the couch.
"They went to Egypt," she said in a shaky voice.
"No, after all the dreams he's had, he would never go back. He won't even go the museum anymore," Rick said not wanting to believe, that what she was saying was true.
"When I talked to him, that night, he told me he wanted to take care of things on his own. By going back he's facing his fears," She said. Rick sat down hard. It was one thing when he was kidnapped and those people needed him alive, now his little boy, and an innocent girl were going on a journey that could likely kill them.
"Jonathan call the airstrip and see if there are any flights out today." He kissed Evelyn. "Our best chance is to fly there, and try to get there before they do." That got her motivated and she went back upstairs to start packing.
On the ship, Alex and Megan blended in with the other children, playing games on the top deck, and only god knew why, but they managed to make it to Egypt in one piece. It was midday when they arrived, and Alex spoke the little Egyptian he knew, and told the Cab driver to take them to the train station in Cairo. He had spent most of his time on the train ride looking out the Window, and figured if
they stayed close to the track, he could get them to Karnac. Now they were at a near by market, and Alex bought them food, l ike apples, cheese, dried beef, and lots of water. He also got them a bigger bags, two of them, and some tents. It was not uncommon here for the children to help out with getting supplies, and Alex was not out of place. He knew exactly what he was doing, having watched his
mother and his father deal with these people. The last stop was getting Camels. That two was easy, and Alex found they only had enough Money to get one. Once he had gotten it, He and Megan had to find a place to hide out until the sunset, and at the train station, they found more cargo boxes.
"Alex, people will see the Camel, " she said.
"Now they won't." Alex gave a command and the Camel laid down. While they waited, they ate a small snack, making sure to ration what they ate, to have enough for the journey there, and the journey back. Alex coughed a little, and Megan looked at him.
"Are you all right?" he nodded. Truthfully he was terrified, and since yesterday, his throat had really been sore. He was just glad that in a few days this would all be over, and then he could stop being afraid of things.
When the O'Connells got to Egypt, it had been two days since Alex and Megan had left. Megan's father had to stay behind because of work, and Rick bit his tongue about that, but everyone had their priorities, he guessed. After getting their bags, they got a cab to take them to the Magic Carpet, only to find that it was
abandoned. That put a minor dent in plans.
"We could go to the Museum, the Med-Jai usually have a contact there," Evelyn said. So they returned in to the main hub of Cairo, and when they got the museum, they found one of the warriors, though he was dressed to look like a regular person. Rick approached him, and introduced himself, and there was recognition in the younger mans eyes.
"My son, and his friend we think, are heading to where Ahm-Shere used to be. We need a guide to take us by land, the way they would go." Rick told the man. "Stay here, at the resort, I will go find our leader for you." Rick thanked him, and went back to Evelyn and Jonathan.
"One of us needs to stay at the hotel, in case they get back. Jonathan you wait there, and Evy and I will go get what we will need. That suited Jonathan just fine, and after wishing them luck he went down the way to a hotel very familiar to him. It was tempting to get a drink, but considering why they were there now was not the time to get drunk.
It had been a long two days in the hot desert, and though Alex had not gotten much sleep on their journey, he was glad that in a few days he would be where he needed to go. Megan liked riding on a Camel, and Alex even let her take the lead.
"So what do we do if we get to this place and find it?" Alex hadn't thought about that.
"We won't find it," he said defensively. Megan let it go at that. When the sun started to go down they went off the path of the tracks and over few small dunes, finding a good place to make a camp site. Alex told the camel to lay down, and when it did, they got off, and got the things they needed, and set up a small camp. Once that was accomplished, and the fire was going, they got out some cheese, and a part of an apple and dried meet. They were alternating meals between that and rice.
"What makes you so afraid of this place?" He was silent for a moment.
"Because, my mum died there," was all he would say. Megan was a bit confused, and when he looked up and saw that, he sighed and told her how that happened.
"So this book brought her back to life?" Alex nodded.
"Could it bring my mum to life?"
"If we could find it, but since the Oasis sunk deep into the sand, its likely never going to be found, not unless your willing to make a deal with Anubis like the Scorpion King did," Alex explained. From what Alex had told her, making a deal with that god was a very bad idea.
"You do realize that if we make it back, unharmed. that your parents, and my dad will likely kill us," she pointed out.
"So we don't tell them we came here. We didn't leave any clues, so we could tell them we went to see Paris." Alex was trying to make her feel better she knew, but she was worried non the less.
By traveling all night and all day, the Mad-jai, and Rick's group were now a day behind the children. Now he and Evelyn were talking about Alex as they set up
camp.
"Do you think they will stay at Karnac?" He asked her.
"It's a good place to rest, and has a fresh source of water, " she said hopeful.
They finished setting up their tent and then sat around the fire with Ardeth Bay, and with Jonathan.
"Is there anyway to bring back the Oasis," Jonathan asked after a long silence. He had guessed that was at least one of his nephew's fears.
"Not that we know of. " Now the wise leader spoke to Rick. " You said that you sent him to the under world, and that is what caused the break down of the Oasis?" Rick nodded taking a sip of water.
"After we climbed out of the pit, really before, the whole place was getting sucked down some sort of whirlpool, and when we were safe in the ship, and saw you, it was no more.
"Then there is no way it will ever return. The curse was broken when you killed the Scorpion King.." After a bit to eat, they all went to their tents. In theirs Evelyn came over to their mat and Rick gently pulled her down into his arms.
"You've been quite this trip, " he said gently holding her to him. She rested her head on his chest.
"I'm trying to figure out how we should handle things, when we find our son," she replied, quietly.
"I know. I'm not sure whether to yell at him or hug him, or do both," Rick admitted. She lifted her head to look at him.
"You've never yelled at him." He knew that well.
"No, and until now, I've never been as angry at him, as I am at this moment. I know yelling at him won't do anything to help matters, but his punishment won't be anything he will forget in the near future." He smiled at her.
"What kind of punishment?"
"He's going to be grounded for at least a month, no privileges of any sort, and odd jobs around the house until he helps Megan pay back what she took from her father." Evelyn was in full agreement with her husbands punishment, and after a goodnights kiss they went to sleep.
Disclaimer: The Mummy and TMR are soul properties of Universal Studios, and Stephen Sommers, and are not my own.
Chapter 5: Found
It took another day of travel, but Alex and Megan made it to Karnac. Now he showed her around, telling her about what had happened to him while he was here.
"Were you afraid of Imhotep?" She asked. He had told her about escaping the train, which oddly enough was still there, and how the priest had used some sort of power to lift him off the ground.
"Not really of him. The first time I saw him, I figured he would kill me, but then I had to guess that they needed me to find the Oasis, so I stopped being afraid." He showed her where they had chained him, and a little bit remained of the sand castle he had made, to lead his parents to the next destination. He showed her the dark pool that Imhotep had walked across, then they went to one of the fresh canals, and splashed each other, then played chase, and hide and
seek. When night fell, Alex made them another fire, and they sat around it eating rice.
"We should have gotten more of a variety of food," Megan complained. She was tired of eating the same thing all the time. Truthfully so was Alex.
"Do you think your parents have figured out where your are?" Megan asked him.
"Maybe, but if they have they should be pretty far behind us." They told ghost stories, which scared them a little, then went to bed to rest before the next days journey.
Later that night, Alex had a terrifying dream. He dreamed that he and Megan arrived at Ahm-Shere, and found it still there, and that the pygmies had caught them and were using them as food. He woke up sitting straight up breathing hard.
"Alex?" Megan asked, in a tired voice. He got up.
"We need to go now." She got up and they packed, and despite it being dark, loaded up the Camel, and left. Riding under the stars was a new experience for both of them, and one that Alex liked. It made him feel like they were a part of space.
It was that next morning, only hours after the children had left, that Rick and his group arrived. They searched around, and found a place where a recent fire and been burning.
"We're so close," Evelyn said. They all got back on their horses, and Camels, and the Med-jai decided to take them the most direct route to where Ahm-Shere had once been. They reasoned that Alex would do the same, and hoped that by nightfall they would find the Children.
Alex didn't want to admit it, but he knew they were lost, and that was a bad thing. He thought he could get them there without going to each landmark, and temple, but he had been wrong.
"Shouldn't we be there by now?" Megan asked, worry tingeing her voice.
"It should be just up over that rise," Alex pointed to the dunes they saw off in the distance, and got the Camel to travel faster. They arrived up, and over the dunes to find more endless desert.
"You got us lost didn't you?" Megan asked beginning to panic.
"Not yet, we just have to keep going is all. I figured it would only take us a half a day, so its going to take us a little longer." He hid his panic well, and they kept riding till night fell. When they had not found anything Megan who was, and had been brave, throughout this adventure started to cry. Alex tried to hug her and she pushed him away nearly knocking him off of the camel.
"I can't believe I actually came here with you," she practically screamed, as they got of the Camel.
"Well fine then go back the way we came. I know we will find it tomorrow." They set up two tents this time, and Megan went in to hers, telling Alex not to come anywhere near her. Now Alex sat by the fire trying to figure out where he had gone wrong. He finally fell asleep under the stars, and at least for a little bit things were all right.
The Med- jai led the O'Connells, to the place where the Oasis had once been, but there was no sign of the children, which meant they had lost their way. Ardeth Bay had brought several of his young warriors with him, and split them into groups. One would go to the Island temple, or in that general direction, and one would go to the other temple, the last stop before they had reached Ahm-Shere.
That left he, and the O'Connells, and he suggested that they double back.
The next morning, Megan was still not speaking to him. It was no fun, not to have her to talk to. It was about Midday when a problem arose. Off in the distance they saw what looked like fog, and Alex knew that it wasn't fog, but a sand storm. He commanded his camel to stop and lay down, and got off which got Megan's attention.
"Look I know your mad at me, but that fog looking stuff is a sand storm, and we have to share a tent because when that thing hits we are in serious trouble.
"What about our camel." Alex had not thought about that. It was too big to put it in the tent with them, and by the time they got it set up and were in it the Sand storm hit full force. They held the tent down and kept blankets over their heads. It seemed to last forever, but finally it settled down. When they uncovered themselves sand was everywhere on them. They got out of the tent, and did not find their camel, and Megan started to cry.
"Don't touch me. I don't want to die Alex.
"We won't die, we just have to keep our heads up," He tried. Aside from the tent and the blankets, there were no more supplies, and Alex knew they were in trouble. He took charge and told her they needed to stay in their tent by day, because the heat was at its worst, and then they would travel by night.
A night and day passed, and both children were exhausted and hungry, and thirsty. When they set up camp this time, neither of them had trouble falling asleep. It wasn't long after they had gone to sleep, that a group of Med jai, the ones bound for the Temple Island spotted their tent. When they arrived, Alex startled awake, and for a moment he was terrified, then he realized who they were and woke Megan.
"Who are they?" she asked scared.
"They are my friends." The first thing the Med-jai did, was to get water into the children, and some food. Then each of the children, road with one of the brave warriors, who were headed back to Karnac, which was the rendezvous point. It took a half a days journey to get there, and theirs was the first group to arrive. The warriors set up a fire, and made a stew which both Alex and Megan devoured, and then made up camp, and both children shared a tent. Now they lay
talking
"What will happen with your dreams?" Megan asked.
"I'll sneak out tonight." he said not seeing his parents approach
"You most certainly will not," came his mothers voice. Alex nearly jumped out of his skin. Megan was glad to see them, Alex on the other hand was not all that happy.
"Thank god you two are safe," Evelyn said after a moment and hugged both of them.
"Mrs. O'Connell can we go home now?" Megan left Alex's side clearly not happy with him.
"We will leave first thing in the morning." It was dark out already, and for now Evelyn and Rick didn't say anything to Alex about punishment. He was quiet now as they left the two of them to sleep, he though about things. He knew the dreams would come if he went back to sleep, and being restless he left the tent, he and Megan shared, and went over to his parents.
"Mum, dad?" Evelyn told him to come in, and he did.
"I've decided that if I tell you about my dreams, that it might help me feel better." Evelyn and Rick made a space for him in between where they were sleeping and once he was snuggled with them he began.
"I have the same one now all the time. I keep seeing us at the pyramid, and I keep seeing you as you die". He took in a deep breath. "Then I see dad and he's crying. Then Lock-Nah keeps chasing me wanting to cut my wrist off, and they won't stop." That last word ended on a sob, and Evelyn held him in her arms letting him cry. When his tears subsided, Rick who had gone out of the tent came back with some water, and Alex sat up with mum's help and drank some.
"I'm so scared that something will happen to you, and that you'll die, and I won't have anyone left." Evelyn hugged him and Rick who sat next to them, pulled both of them into his arms.
"I know that was scary for you son," Rick said. "And your mom and I promise to take care not to put ourselves in dangerous situations." Evelyn nodded.
"Do I have to go back to school," This got a chuckle out of both of his parents.
"Yes, but your father and I will go talk to the Head Master about those boys, and don't you worry about them bothering you again," Evelyn said. He nodded.
"Am I in trouble." They both knew that would be his next question
"Your not going to go unpunished," Rick told him. Alex didn't like the sound of that
"What's my punishment?" He was getting tired.
"We'll discuss that when we get home." Rick was about to add more when Megan called out. Evelyn told her to come in, and this night both Children slept with them.
Epilogue:
Three months had passed since Alex's great adventure. He was back in school, and true to their word, his parents had made sure that the two boys, who had beat him up, were not aloud to bother him again. Alex and Megan both had to do odd jobs around their houses, to earn the money back that she had taken from her father, and were both restricted to their house for the month after their return.
Megan moved with her father to Paris, and wrote to Alex as often as she could. She liked her new stepmother, and they had plans to see each other again, but with adult help.
From all of this, Alex had learned that there was no shame in being afraid, and for the first few weeks after their return, he would start out sleeping in his bed, and end up with them. By talking about his dreams, and his fears, eventually they subsided. Now he was back to himself, still into mischief, but that was his nature.
THE END.
Authors note: I hope you guys liked this. I feel like I sort of lost steam at the end, but I made every effort to tie it together. Be looking for more stories by me in the near future :)