Author: Eviefan
Rating: PG
Action/Adventure
Summary: I know I�ve done one before of Alex and how he reacts after the events of Ahm Shere, but I wanted to do it again only in more depth and a little bit differently so here we go.
Alex�s Fears
Chapter 1: It�s Over
It was over, everyone was safe and accounted for, and they were heading home for Egypt and England. Alex stood at the bow of the ship starring out over the sand thinking about a lot of things. His young mind wasn�t prepared to handle all he had seen and it was an overload for him. All of his life he had been fairly sheltered. He had known about the Mummy from his Uncle John, but had always believed it to be just another one of his many tales. Now Alex knew that the stories were very true, and he was afraid of more bad things happening. He was so lost in thought that he didnt notice his mother coming to him. Evelyn had gotten her life back, and she owed that to her baby. Now that she had Rick had dealt with their feelings she wanted to check on Alex to make sure he was all right. He was such a strong little boy, and she wasn�t sure what to expect.
�Alex?� she asked as she came to stand beside him.
�You and dad lied when you said there weren�t any monsters,� he said looking up at her with accusing eyes. Evelyn knelt down so they were more eye level.
�Alex we didn�t want to frighten you, and what happened over these past weeks is something that normally doesn�t happen,� Evelyn said trying to explain their actions.
�But it did happen Mum, it did, and I don�t know how to feel safe,� he admitted. Evelyn hugged him and he sighed accepting the strength that he found in her arms.
�Your daddy and I will keep you safe,� she said after a moment then he pulled away a bit.
�How?� he asked his voice soft. Evelyn reached out and pushed his long hair out of his face.
�The way we always have baby,� she said. She and Rick had always taken precations with him, had kept out of the lime light of success, but now that safety had been breached, and she knew they would need to find a way to make things more secure both for them and their little boy. As she gazed into his eyes she noticed the weariness there, and stood up.
�Lets see if we can find a place for you and I to take a rest,� she said. Alex seemed to hesitate, then nodded and followed her over to the supplies. Evelyn got out a couple of warm blankets and pillows and handed him a few, then they moved away from where Rick Izzy and Jonathan were talking, and found a clearing. Evelyn laid out the blanket then the pillows and when it was ready Alex sat down and let her take off his shoes. Upon doing so she found several blisters.
�We should tend to those,� she said, and left him to go get a first aid kit. He watched her, trying not to be afraid because she was within his site, but his fears also centered on how he had almost lost her, and that amoung all the other things he had been through was the most frightening. When she returned she sat down beside him and began to apply Iodine to the more nasty looking blisters. Alex flinched, and she blew on them trying to sooth the pain. Once she had covered his wounds with the Iodine, and ointment she wrapped gauze around them. He hadn�t spoken a word, and when she had finished that she lay next to him and he willingly went into her arms needing to feel her close. Sleep came fast for him, and Evie stayed where she was troubled by the events he had gone through
From his place by the fire, Rick had watched the two of them. Evelyn had tended to his blistered feet, and now lay with him as he slept. After a few minutes more, Rick excused himself and went over to where they rested and knelt beside Alex.
�How is he?� Rick asked softly.
�Frightened,� she responded. Very carefully she eased away from him, and stood then willingly let Rick hold her in his arms.
�I feel responcibile Rick. I was so obsessed with my dreams, that I didn�t even think about Alex,� she admitted. He sat down pulling her against him.
�I don�t think we had much of a choice Evelyn, if we wouldn�t have intervened, the bracelet would have led Havez and his men to Ahm Shere, and we wouldn�t be here,� he said. Though she knew his words held a certain truth to them, she still felt as though she had let her son down.
�We�ll soon be home, right now I think we could both use some rest,� Rick said. She agreed with that, and so they settled beside Alex one on either side of him, and let sleep fall over them.
Chapter 2: Withdrawn
After a fitful night of sleep, Alex awoke to the smell of good food, though he wasn�t much in the mood for eating. He found that his parents were already up, and just stayed put. All of his life he had lived for adventure, and now he just wanted to be at home where things were normal. He heard someone approaching, and closed his eyes. Evelyn walked over to her son, concerned. It was nearly noon, and he hadn�t made a peep, though in all honesty, he needed to sleep, since he had not been able to get much the night before. She knelt down and kissed his forehead, then moved away going back to Rick Jonathan and Izzy who were talking about their past adventures. Once she was gone Alex opened his eyes again, and tried not to think about what he had just dreamed but it was difficult not to. Frustrated beyond belief Alex kicked the covers off, and got up going to the side of the ship to look over it. Rick took notice and excused himself from the group, then went over to his son.
�Hey Alex,� he said. Alex kept looking over the side of the ship wondering if he could just jump. There had to be a way to get the dreams out of his head, the images of his mother dying, and the other images of being eaten by pygmies, and though he knew that he would be badly hurt if he jumped, there was some part of him that wanted that.
�How about some lunch?� Rick tried again. Alex just shook his head not moving from his spot, and Rick frowned. He looked over where Evelyn was sitting, and saw the concern in her eyes but what could they do for their little boy. She stood up and came to where they were standing and knelt down.
�Alex will you tell me about your dreams?� she tried. He pulled away and went to the other side of the ship looking out over the sands there so that they wouldn�t remind him of what he most feared, her death. When he left, Evelyn stood and went into her husbands arms.
�Rick what do we do?� she asked.
�I don�t know sweetheart, all we can do is love him, and try to be understanding,� he answered. From where he was sitting Jonathan had watched his nephew with equal concern, and left his diamond not caring about it any longer. He walked over beside Alex, and put a hand on his shoulder. Alex didn�t respond other than to stand there, and Jonathan frowned.
�Have I ever showed you how to win at Poker?� Jonathan asked trying to make him smile. Alex shrugged.
�I could show you now, its really easy just a slide of the hand and you can win every game just like I do,� Jonathan said. Alex didn�t move or say anything back, and after a little bit Jonathan went back to the lounge chairs and settled down next to everyone else. Now that people were leaving him alone, Alex felt worse. He wasn�t sure what he wanted. Whether he wanted people to be there for him or for all of them just to leave him be. He guessed maybe it would be better just for them to all go away, that if they did he wouldn�t have to be afraid of one of them dying like his mother had done. The problem was where would he go that they wouldn�t find him. His stomach growled and he sighed. Eating meant he would have to talk to people, and he didn�t want to face anyone today, so he just stayed put, then he felt another hand on his shoulder.
�Alex please come eat,� Evelyn said. He shook his head.
�If you don�t eat you�ll get sick,� she said. He sighed.
�I�m not hungry,� he said then went over to their beds and lay down pulling the blankets over his head, and closed his eyes. Sleep soon took him, and with it his dreams.
The dream was the same, time had passed since Ahm-Shere, and in this world Alex had not been able to save his mum. He and his dad and Uncle all lived without her, and the pain that he felt was unbearable. He walked through the large manor house in his pajamas, going to his fathers room, hearing him crying for his mother, and then he began to run, but the crying got louder and louder until he thought his ears would bust. He put his hands over his ears shaking his head but he kept hearing the crying, and then he heard his mother voice.
It was getting dark again, and both Evie and Rick had tried to get Alex up to eat something but he had refused. Now as they sat around the fire eating some Rice and beans, they became aware of a soft crying. Evelyn was the first to get up and go to her baby, and she knelt by him gathering him against her.
�Alex shhh,� she said as Rick came over. He shook his head and put his hand over his ears crying louder, and harder, and it took both of them to wake him up. Once he realized his mum was there, Alex clung to her squinting his eyes shut against the dream and that horrible reality.
�Get a glass of water,� Evie said softly as she held her baby. Rick went over to their supplies and got one of the mugs, filling it with water, then returned to his wife and his son. Alex was still upset, though Evelyn was helping him calm down which was relief.
�Take a deep breath and let it out,� she said stroking her hand over his back. He did, and then took another still holding on to her. Once he was more calm, Evelyn took the cup of water from her husband, and helped Alex drink a little, though after a moment he pushed that away, still staying in the safety of her arms which was a start, or so she hoped.
�Can you tell me what you saw in your dream?�
�You didn�t...� he took a breath and let it out.
�Didn�t come back with us, and Dad was crying, and I couldn�t get away from it,� Alex said and his grasp around her got a little tighter.
�Alex look at me,� she said gently. Reluctantly he eased away from her.
�I�m right here. You were my smart boy, because you remembered The Book of the Dead and the power of bringing me back to life. Because you remembered that I�m here,� she said, and leaned down kissing his forehead.
�Then why do I keep having those dreams? I see it and feel it just like it was real, and I try to wake up from it but I can�t,� Alex said. His lip trembled and Evie held him close to her once again.
�What you went through with seeing me die was something you weren�t ready to face, and in order to face it you need to let daddy and I help you. Will you do that?� she asked. He didn�t respond to that, not ready to talk about it, and Evie didn�t press it. She felt at least for now they had made some progress.
�Will you eat some stew if I fix you a bowl?� Evelyn asked changing the subject. He nodded, and she started to leave but he held on to her.
�Don�t go mum,� he said softly. Rick heard, and in a moment he brought the bowl of stew and settled next to them. Alex sat between them and made the food disappear fairly quickly. After he had eaten, he went with them by the fire, and listened to his fathers story of being in the Legion. Try as he might, Alex couldn�t stay awake, and it wasn�t long before he fell asleep.
It was chilly, and when he woke up again he was in his own room. Alex looked around finding everything as it should be. The fire was burning strong, and it was just breaking to a new day outside. As he sat up his door opened and his father walked in.
�Hey pal,� Rick said as he settled on the bed next to his son. Alex gave him a hug.
�Morning dad,� Alex replied. After a moment the two of them parted, and Rick went about getting Alex�s cloths laid out. While his father did that, Alex went to his bathroom and washed his face, then brushed his teeth and combed his hair. When he walked back out his father was sitting on his bed holding a picture of all of them standing at the pyramids of Giza. Alex frowned and walked over to his dad.
�I love that picture of all of us,� Alex said.
�I know its one of my favorites. Your mum was so happy to go back to Egypt,� Rick said, and the pain in his voice was evident which started Alex�s heart pounding.
�Well she is always proud when we go there,� Alex pointed out trying to push off the feeling of dread that was creeping into his heart. Rick looked at Alex.
�Son, she is gone,� he said, and that echoed in his ears. Alex dropped his hair brush then and got up.
�No she�s not. Mum is alive dad, I read from the book,� he said wanting to get out. Rick held him then.
�Alex you tried reading from the book, and it didn�t help to bring her back. I know it�s easiest to pretend none of that happened, but it did,� he said near tears himself.
�No dad no,� Alex replied and started to cry.
�She was on the boat with us, I know thats not a dream,� he said and clung to his father.
Feeling her son�s restless movement against her woke Evelyn. She sat up just as he called out �No dad no�, then mumbled something about she and the boat before he started to really cry, and that woke Rick, who took him in his arms.
�Hey Alex,� Rick said kissing the top of his head, as well as rocking him. Having heard the commotion, Jonathan came over with a mug of warm tea, and handed it to Evelyn, staying by their side as Alex slowly came awake.
�Where�s mum?� he said panicked. Evelyn moved beside them, and Alex went into her arms.
�Mum your not dead your not,� he said feeling the reality of her arms around him, and knowing well that was not a dream, though it was becoming difficult to choose between what was real and not real.
�I�m real baby,� she said terrified for him.
�Because when I go to sleep your not there, and dad tells me I have to face that I didn�t save you,� Alex said, his voice shaking with every word he uttered. Rick couldn�t imagine what life would be like without Evelyn, and the thought of his son facing such dreams was painful to him as well.
�Alex Mum and I are here, and she is alive,� Rick said. Alex eased away and reached out touching her face, then leaned in against her chest.
�How do I get the dreams to stop?� he asked.
�Tell me what scares you the most,� Evie tried. Alex knew what scared him the most, but he couldn�t voice it.
�I�m not sure, I think it was being chased down by that man with the sword who wanted to chop my hands off,� Alex said. That had scared him but it was far from the truth of what he was afraid of.
�Alex maybe what your afraid of most is what you are seeing in your dreams,� Evelyn said.
�But your here with me, and I�m not afraid mum,� he said though he still hung on to her for dear life. They tried to get him to talk more about the dream, however the more awake he became the less willing he was to talk about it, and for the time being the subject of his dream was dropped, as the new day began.
Izzy announced that they would be back in Cairo by lunch time, and that was excitement enough for everyone. Alex however stayed fairly quiet. He got a chance to fly the ship on his own, which was great fun. Then by lunch, when they landed he was worn out. While everyone unloaded the ship, Alex hung back playing with some of the children around Izzy�s place. Some of the boys led Alex a little away where there were some kittens, and one of the boys handed him one.
�You keep,� he said. Alex already had a cat, or rather his mum did. Cleo was a finicky cat, and she hid from pretty much anyone that wasn�t Evelyn.
�Thanks,� Alex said, and ran over to his mother
�Mum look this little boy gave me a kitten to have. May we keep it?� he asked hoping she would say yes. The kitten in question was a Siamese. Evelyn was about to say no, but the look in Alex�s eyes changed her mind.
�All right, but I want you to take responsibility for this pet,� Evie said. Alex hugged her as his kitten snuggled against him. About that time, Rick came and told them it was time to head to the city, and noticed the cat.
�Mum said I could keep him,� Alex said in defense.
�Sure,� Rick said just as happy to see happiness in their son. Once they had said goodbye to Izzy, they headed back to Cairo, to their house there, where they would spend the rest of the week. The steamer ship which would take them to Alexandria was leaving on Saturday, and both Rick and Evie had planned to spend time with Alex to help him. As they drove along Alex tried to think of a good name for his cat.
�Mum is this a type of cat? Like Cleo is just a stray, but Amelia at school has a Persian, so whats this one?� he asked as his kitten batted at his hand.
�I think that is a Siamese,� Evelyn said, they were fairly common around Egypt, as was every other type of cat.
�Hmm I think I�ll call you Siam,� he said. (pronounced sigh-am) After thinking up a good name for his kitten Alex went back to sleep.
It was his kitten licking his face that woke Alex, and when he opened his eyes he found himself in his parents bed, and without a second thought he knew where he was. Siam was there with him purring loud as Alex sat up, which woke his father.
�How do you feel?� Rick asked as he pet the kitten.
�This isn�t real,� Alex said as he sat up more. Rick frowned at that.
�What isn�t real?� he asked reaching out to feel Alex�s head. He wasn�t warm, but his son�s constant need to sleep was worrying him.
�You aren�t real. I am asleep right now and this is just a stupid dream. Tell me how I got Siam?� Alex said starting to get angry. Rick pulled Alex into his arms, and his touch melted Alex�s strong resolve.
�When we got back to Izzy�s a boy gave him to you. He told you that the kitten was Siamese, and you decided to call him Siam,� Rick said. Alex felt pain in his heart again.
�Why is this happening to me?� he asked. Siam stayed snuggled in Alex�s lap as Rick held him.
�I�m not sure Alex. Maybe because you need to face your fears,� he said, and Alex found a common link. His biggest fear was still way to scary to admit, though right now he seemed to be living it.
�I don�t have any fears,� he said and he got up taking Siam with him out of his fathers room to explore. They were in the Manor house, and nothing was different. Everything was how it should be, except that Evelyn wasn�t there. His wondering led him to the other part of the house, and he found his Uncle John asleep in his bed.
�Uncle John?� Alex called out. After a moment Jonathan sat up and made room for Alex in his bed.
�What is it partner?�
�What happened at the pyramid?� Alex asked rubbing Siam�s ears. Jonathan pulled Alex closer in his arms.
�Your mother and I ran as fast as we could to keep up with you, and when we arrived you and your father were safe. I was about to go explore, when Imhotep and that woman came up. I knew I should have thought about your mother but because I didn�t, she was killed.� His words hurt, and Alex got up and ran from him. He ran as fast as he could to his own room, closing the door behind him, then he laid down on the bed and started to cry. Siam crawled onto his back flexing his feet against Alex�s back, what could best be described as making muffins.
When they arrived at the house, Alex was asleep. Rick carried he and his kitten up to the master bedroom, and held him as Evelyn made the bed. When she finished, carefully he placed his son in the bed covering him up, smiling as the small kitten cuddled up next to him ready to protect him. With Alex asleep, Rick and Evelyn went back downstairs to the Parlor. Jonathan was there, and had made some tea, which both of them gladly accepted.
�I�m going to go out for a night on the town,� Jonathan said. He left then, and Evie and Rick retired to the parlor. They sat in the sofa against the far wall, looking out at the darkening sky.
�What would you have done if Alex wouldn�t have been able to bring me back?� Evelyn asked. That question was something Rick had known she would ask, and even with knowing that, it was still difficult for him to face.
�I think about that, now more than ever since he has been having dreams. I would try to help both of us move on. I�m not sure if I would ever find anyone who I would want to spend the rest of my days with, so I would devote my time to our son,� Rick said. She sighed and nodded, then both looked up as Alex walked in. He walked over to the window and looked out holding Siam in his arms. Evelyn stood and went over to him resting her hand on his shoulder.
�Would you like to go out for a walk?� she asked. He shook his head, trying to figure out what was real and what was not. Both this place and the place he didn�t like seemed equally as real, and he wasn�t sure how to cope with any of it.
�Why don�t we find some milk for Siam,� Evie suggested. Alex nodded and followed her in the kitchen, and Rick followed them. From one of the cabinets, Evie took out a clay bowl and then got some milk from the refrigerator. She poured some into the bowl and set it down as Alex set Siam down, and in a moment the tiny kitten was going to town on his treat, and that made Alex laugh a little.
�You like that don�t you?� Alex asked as he pet his kitten on the back. When Siam had finished his milk he meowed at Alex, and started to purr once his boy picked him up and held him again.
�Do you want to have a nap?� Alex asked, and walked off without a word to either of his parents.
Chapter 3: Lost
It had been a week since the O�Connell�s return to England, and Evelyn was glad that the museum had offered to clean up the carnage of people left behind before their return. Alex had become more withdrawn, and when he was awake he panicked anytime she wasn�t within his vision. Another cold rainy day presented itself as her alarm went off. Evelyn felt Alex stir against her and quickly shut it off, then turned over kissing his cheek. The school had inquired about his long absence, and she had told them he had sustained an injury while away in Egypt and that she would make sure he did his studies. Rick was facing her on the other side of Alex and Siam was asleep on Alex�s side.
�What are your plans for today?� Rick asked softly, so he wouldn�t upset Alex. Evelyn sighed.
�The museum wants me to take over the job as the curator, but thats just too much responsibility to take on, and I�m not going to leave him, not while he�s so fragile,� she said and kissed his cheek. Alex sat up out of breath and when he saw her he laid back down, snuggling against her. Rick lifted Siam away from Alex, and scooted against them, then laughed when the kitten wormed his way between them.
�Siam,� Alex said, and the kitten climbed into his arms. Cleo, who was sleeping on the pillow above Evelyn�s head, looked down at the little kitten and for the first time since she had been introduced, didn�t swat or hiss at him.
�What would you like to do today?� Rick asked his son. Alex sighed and eased away from them both. He usually snuggled with them, then left them to be on his own. After getting out of their room he went to his own, and got dressed, then headed downstairs where Marie was making breakfast for everyone.
�There is my early riser,� she said and for her he gave a smile.
�Lets see, I think Alex likes eggs over easy, and three slices of bacon,� she said.
�Sounds good,� he said as he settled at the table. In a moment she brought his plate, and a large glass of juice for him to drink, then went about making breakfast for the rest of the family. As he ate Siam walked in mewing, and Marie set down a bowl of milk for him and some meat she had cooked. After a few minutes of picking at his food, Alex got up from the table and walked out of the kitchen, going down the hall which led to the Parlor. There he went over to the couch and knelt on it, looking out the window. It was raining, and he wanted to go out and spend time with his horse, but it wasn�t a very good day to do such things. Hearing his parents voices caught his attention, and when he turned around he saw his mother and father walking downstairs, and his mother dressed for work. Panic quickly set in and he ran to her.
�You can�t go mum,� he said hugging her as tight as he could. Evie knelt down and Alex rested his head against her shoulder.
�Alex all I�m going to do is go to the museum to meet with the committee, and tell them I�m not going to be the new Curator, then I will come straight home,� she said rubbing his back.
�But what if you have a car wreck?� he asked, doing his best not to cry.
�I�ll be extra careful,� Evie tried.
�I�ll come too,� he said pulling away from her. Rick came over to them and knelt down as well.
�Alex why don�t we go out to the barn and groom Seti and Barnie?� he asked. Alex seemed to consider that for all of two seconds.
�No, fine you go and do what you want to do mum,� he said and ran up the stairs. They heard the door to his room slam shut, and Evelyn stood ready to go after him, ready to tell him she would stay, but Rick stopped her. He pulled her against him and held her for long moments without speaking.
�He will cool off,� Rick reassured.
�Evie we have to get back to living, and I know he is afraid but he won�t get over his fears if we stay as we are. You work at the museum, and there is nothing wrong with that,� Rick said. Evelyn knew he was right, but it was so difficult to see Alex going through such fears, and as a mother she wanted to sheild him from it, even though the right thing to do was to make him face what he feared. After a moment more in his arms, Evelyn parted from him. While she got her coat on, Rick went outside and started her car for her, then came back with an Umbrella and walked her outside. Once she was in her seat, he leaned in and gave her a kiss.
�Be safe,� He said as they rubbed noses.
�I will be,� she replied, then he shut the door and watched as she pulled out of their drive way. He closed his eyes and said a quick prayer for her, and hoped that everything he had learned in Sunday School as a child was true, that his prayer would be heard, and that Evelyn would be safe. After a moment he went back inside and headed upstairs to his son�s room. When he arrived the door was open, and Alex was gone. Rick sighed and knew that he was likely out at the barn, and decided to let him have his space.
It had hurt him that his mother had left him, and not being able to face even being in the house without her, Alex ran to the barn. Now he had Seti out, and was in the process of getting him ready for a ride.
�I think it will be good for us to go out,� he said, as he finished grooming his horse. Once that job was done, Alex went into the tack room, and got the saddle pad, the saddle, and the reins, and brought them back out in the main part of the barn. Seti held still while Alex got him ready, and once he was, Alex led him out of the barn. It was just drizzling rain, and Alex knew his parents had always told him that it was a bad idea to go out on a day when it was rainy, but he didn�t care. Once he made sure the girth was tight, he put his left foot in the stirrup then jumped up, and kicked his right leg over the horse. He made sure all was secure then clicked, and Seti walked down the incline, toward the vast field. Once they were on relatively flat land, Alex squeezed his legs against Seti�s sides, and clicked, and his horse broke into a trot. More squeezing and clicking and a tap with the crop, and Seti quickly moved into a gallop. Going as fast as he was, made Alex feel like he was flying, and he turned his horse making him go into the woods. He was headed for the stream, having a wonderful time, then the rain started to pound down and a clap of thunder startled his horse. Seti stood on his hind legs, and threw Alex back. Usually Alex was prepared, but he had been so lost in the feeling of flying that this time he was not, and fell back, his head hitting hard against a large stone. Everything went dark, and Alex felt nothing.
An hour had passed since Alex had left the house, and Rick decided he better go outside and have a look, especially with the rain pounding down so hard, and the lightening and thunder that rumbled through the sky. After putting on his leather jacket, and gloves, Rick took off running for the barn. Lightening flashed, and he ran faster, getting to the barn just as the ran started to beat down even harder. When he arrived his heart started to pound harder in his chest. Seti was not in his stall, nor was Alex in the barn, and that wasn�t a good thing. Knowing his son fairly well, Rick guessed Alex had gone to the stream and gotten spooked by the sudden storm. He decided against getting Barnie out, and ran out into the field, running at top speed to the path which led to the stream.
�ALEX?� He yelled as he entered the woods. Not to far in, he saw Seti approaching him, and his heart sank as he realized Alex was not there with him.
�Where is Alex?� he asked the horse as he grabbed the reins. More thunder, and Seti winnied nervously. Rick patted his muzzle and whispered soothing words which seemed to calm the horse, then he led the horse back toward the stream. He called for Alex, but the sound of the rain falling against the leaves of the trees drowned him out. Just before they reached the stream, Rick saw his son laying just off the side of the path, very still. He let go of Seti and ran to his boy�s side.
�Alex?� Rick felt his neck and felt his pulse strong, but didn�t get a response. A further look showed him that Alex�s head was against a stone, and Rick reached his hand between and felt warmth, and instead of the hardness of a skull like he should have felt, he felt softness, and knew it was bad. Quickly he romoved his jacket and put it over Alex. Rick was aware that he shouldn�t move his son, but he had little choice. Very carefully he slid one arm under his legs, and the other under his upper back and shoulders. He stood making sure to support his head as best he could and when he turned Seti was waiting. Rick was angry, and felt like shooting the horse for hurting his son, but knew that he couldn�t. Slowly he made his way back to the house.
At the Museum, Evelyn had just gotten out of her meeting with the Bembride Scholars, and was in her office gathering a few things she would work on while she was at home. As she was about to leave the phone rang, and she quickly picked it up.
�Evelyn O�Connell,� she said.
�Evie I want you to meet me at St. Lukes. Alex went for a ride and Seti threw him,� Rick said. There was panic in his voice, and for a man who never panicked about anything, to hear that put terror in her heart.
�I�m on my way,� she said. She hung up the phone and left all of her work behind. Outside the rain had let up, and very quickly she got into her Buford, and sped off toward the hospital. The drive seemed to last forever, even though it was only ten minutes, and when she arrived, she parked it and ran inside. Rick was there waiting, and she hugged him briefly.
�Where is my baby?� she asked.
�In the Emergency room,� he said and took her hand. They walked together down the white walled passage, and through a set of heavy oak doors. Just to the right of the doors was a nurses station, and across from that another room, a waiting room, and that is where they ended up. They sat in silence for almost two hours before Doctor Brigman came out. Both parents stood up as he walked in.
�We have moved Alex to a private room in the children�s ward. He smashed his skull, and there was great trauma to the back of his head. We had to put a halo on him to reduce the swelling in his brain, and for now he is holding on. He has slipped into a coma. I�m not sure how long it will last, days or weeks, but you should be prepared for the eventuality that he won�t wake up,� he said. Evelyn hugged tight to her husband. How much were they going to have to go through?
�What is this Halo?� Rick asked, his voice shaky.
�It is a steel devise that goes around his head. We have drilled holes in his skull to relieve the pressure, and sometimes doing that helps the brain heal.� they nodded and followed him to the Elevator. They went to the third floor and followed Dr. Brigman to the end of the hall. He opened the door and Evelyn buried her face against Rick�s chest. Alex was hooked up to and Ivy, just like he had been when he fell from the tree, and had a tube running out of his nose. The only difference was what the Doctor referred to as a Halo, and the fact that most of his hair had been shaved off.
�I�ll leave you,� he said. Rick nodded and wrapped his arms around Evie holding her until she was ready, then they walked over to the bed. Evelyn took one of her baby�s hands and lifted it to her lips kissing him there.
�Alex mummy and daddy are here,� she said. He didn�t respond, and Evelyn turned, and rested her cheek against Rick�s chest letting her tears fall.
It was his head feeling like it would split into which woke Alex, and he found himself in the woods. Seti stood a bit away from him, and he noticed that the rain had stopped. Carefully he sat up and put a hand to the back of his head. There was a bump there but not a bad one, though it still hurt.
�Come on boy, we better get home,� Alex said as he stood. He was soaked to the bone, and decided a nice hot bath would feel good, when he got home. Instead of riding Seti, Alex decided to walk back to the barn. It took him longer, but he finally reached the barn, and once he had Seti groomed, he put him back in his stall, then ran toward the house hoping that his mum would be home. When he walked in all was quiet.
�Dad?� he called out. In a moment Rick came down the hall noticing how wet Alex had gotten.
�I was about to come out and look for you,� he said as he put his arm around his son�s shoulder.
�Well Seti threw me. A big clap of thunder and wham there I went right against a rock,� Alex said. He showed his dad the bump, and Rick hugged him.
�I�m glad you are safe, I don�t think I could bare to lose you too,� Rick said. Alex pulled back at his words.
�Lose me too?� he asked.
�What with your mum passing away at the pyramid,� Rick reminded. Those words made Alex start to tremble.
�No she�s not dead dad. I woke up this morning in bed with both of you. I got mad because she said she was going to go to the museum,� Alex tried to tell him. Rick gathered his son in his arms.
�You woke up with me this morning, and we had breakfast. I told you I was going to go down to the museum and clean out her desk, and you got mad at me,� Rick said.
�Nooo,� Alex cried. He let go of his father and ran back up to his room. Siam was there on his bed, and Alex went to him.
�Oh god Siam, why?� he asked and started to cry. He lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes knowing that if he went to sleep he would wake up in his own bed in the real world where his mother was alive and well.
Night fell, and Alex had not moved since they had arrived. The nurses came in every half hour and checked his temperature, and his pulse, saying very little. Dr. Brigman had been in twice to test his reflexes and didn�t get any response on what he called pain stimuli, which was scraping the bottom of Alex�s foot with the back of his mallet, which he used to test Alex�s reflexes by hitting it against the lower part of his knee. He had also used a pin, not enough to stick into him to test him, and his pressure points but none of that had gotten any response.
�Evie why don�t we try reading to him,� Rick said. She opened her eyes.
�His books are at home,� she reminded. Rick left the room and went down the hall to the phone. He picked up the receiver and had the operator call to the Manor praying that Jonathan wasn�t gone yet. It rang twice then he picked up.
�O�Connell Residence,� Jonathan said sounding tired.
�Jonathan listen carefully. We need you to go into Alex�s room and get his copy of Peter Pan, and that Jules Vern novel he has been reading and bring those to St. Lukes,� Rick said, not realizing that Jonathan didn�t know what had happened. Rick�s words woke him fully.
�What happened?� he asked.
�Seti threw him and his head hit the back of a stone, it�s pretty bad. Just get down here and Evie and I will tell you the rest when you get here,� Rick said. He got off the phone and went back to their room. As he approached he heard Evelyn�s lullaby, and when he walked in, he found her laying on the bed next to their son.
�He�s on his way,� Rick said as he walked to the other side of Alex. He took his small hand in his, and sat down.
�Hey Alex, it�s dad,� Rick said, not sure how much to say, whether or not their son could even hear them.
�Uncle John is going to bring your books, and I thought maybe Mum and I could take turns reading to you,� Rick said kissing his frail hand. Evelyn had rubbed some salve around the places where the halo went into Alex�s head and continued to sing to him.
It was feeling someone rub his back which woke Alex and he expected it to be mum. When he sat up and looked it was his father.
�Marie made your favorite, Leg of Lamb,� Rick said.
�Where is mum?� he asked. This was getting more and more difficult for Rick. He knew Alex missed her, knew what it felt like not to have her there, but his son had to realize that his mother was not going to come back.
�Alex listen to me. I know its nice to dream about her, but thats what it is, its a dream,� Rick said. Alex felt tired and confused, and he loved his father. He hugged him and closed his eyes.
�But how can it be a dream dad. I saw us all on the ship, we were about to sink into the sand and you and mum were hugging me, and then Izzy came and he lifted us into the air and we flew all of us back to Cairo. I know thats what was real dad,� Alex said and sobbed that last part out. Rick held on to his son letting him cry, hoping that he was coming to terms with what was real.
�What do we do without her dad?� he finally asked. Rick kissed the top of his head.
�We do our best to go on. It won�t be easy, but we have to live, and do all the things we did while she was still with us,� Rick said. Alex nodded and laughed as Siam jumped up on his lap.
�Why don�t you get a bath, and afterward you and I can go out to a picture show,� Rick said. That sounded like a good idea to him, and he went into the bathroom and started the water. His head was hurting again, in certain points, and as he moved around to get clean cloths he thought he heard his mothers sweet voice singing to him. He put his hands over his ears to try and get her voice out of his head but he heard her as clear as he had heard his fathers voice just a moment ago, but for some reason he couldn�t reach her. Once he had gotten his cloths off he stepped into the warm water and sat down, closing his eyes, wishing that he could find his way back to the place where she was, wishing that he knew which was the dream and which was not. For now however he had to face this world, a world where she did not exsist, and as he sat in the bath tub he started to wonder if perhaps there was more to this dream than just it being a dream.
Chapter 4: The Battle Within
Everytime he went to sleep, Alex had hopes to wake up, to really wake up. He knew that the world he was in couldn�t be real, and refused to see it as that, though for his fathers sake, he put on an act, and stopped telling him what he thought. Now he sat in his class learning his math, though he was more focused on trying to find his way back to the real world. He thought of all the stories his mother had told him of Egypt, and not one of them which came to his mind delt with other worlds, dream worlds. It was a ruler being slapped down on his desk which quickly got Alex�s attention.
�Mr. O�Connell, you will pay attention in my class,� Miss Andrews said gruffly. Alex had almost wet his pants when she did that, and as it was he was having a difficult time catching his breath. His head started to hurt something awful, and he, and he rubbed his figures over his temples, finding that the hurting originated around certain parts of his head. Aside from his head hurting, he was having a hard time catching his breath. He closed his eyes and the pain in his chest intensified, as though his heart would burst, then he heard a pop and everything went dark.
Two weeks had passed since Alex went into a Coma, and neither Rick nor Evelyn had left his side. They had once, and gone home to their own bed where they had shared in a joining which renewed their love, but aside from that they had been there for their baby. Right now Evelyn was giving him a sponge bath with Rick�s help.
�Megan sent you a letter today,� Evelyn said as she finished wiping down his arms and chest.
�She misses you, and wants you to get better.� Evelyn wiped his face, and then she started to cry. Rick came to her, and held her in his arms.
�Why won�t he wake up?� she asked softly. The thought of loosing her only child terrified her, and she wanted to help him fight, but she wasn�t sure how to do that.
�We have to keep talking to him Evelyn. I think that he hears us, and somehow maybe he will fight his way back to...� He stopped when Alex took a gasp, and while Evelyn took Alex�s hand Rick ran out to the nurses station and called her in. Nurse Annie followed him and when she came to Alex�s side he was taking several labored breaths. She held her stethoscope to his heart and yelled for one of the other nurses to get Doctor Brigman then forced Rick and Evelyn to wait outside. Now they waited in the hall, Evelyn in her husbands arms.
�Why is it taking so long?� she asked terrified.
�I don�t know,� he said as he kissed the top of her head. When Doctor Brigman finally came out the look on his face was grim.
�His lung collapsed, I�m not sure what caused it, but I inserted a tube in his chest which should help him. I know this is difficult for you to hear, but usually parts of the body start to shut down, and usually death isn�t far behind,� he said.
�He won�t die,� Evelyn said, then walked back into the room to her baby.
In his darkness Alex heard his mother�s soft voice, and his fathers. They were talking about him, and he heard her telling him about Megan. Alex fought to wake up, and when he did he was in his own room, and his father was resting his head against his bed. Alex closed his eyes and tried to find the voices he wanted, but they were not there.
�Hey,� Rick said as he had felt Alex move a little.
�Hi dad, what happened?� he asked.
�You had a dizzy spell,� Rick said as he leaned in and kissed his cheek.
�Dad I need to tell you something and you have to believe me,� Alex said. Rick took his hand.
�Tell me,� he said.
�When I was asleep, or where ever I was, I heard mum. She told me that Megan had written me a letter, and that she missed me. Then I felt a pain in my chest, it really hurt but I couldn�t scream,� Alex said.
�Alex, Megan has been gone since you two got into my guns,� Rick said. That he knew wasn�t right, and for now Alex closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
Tired of having her baby in the hospital, Evelyn demanded that they release him and with persistence they did. Now he was home in his own bed, and under the care of a private nurse, as well as the care she and Rick gave to him. Today Megan had come to see her best friend and sat with him on her own per her request.
�Hey Alex you need to wake up so they can take that metal thingy out of your head. You look about as good as Frankenstien does,� she said in a light manor.
�You should see yourself, you have this tube in your stomach which gives you food, and this one going up your nose that is so if you vomit, and an IV, and the Halo, its quite a mess they have made you, and you even have one in your winky that goes in a bag so that when you pee you go in that. I wonder what you do while you sleep, I mean do you dream?� she asked as she rubbed his hand.
�Siam is getting fat, I think everyone feeds him, and I saw him sitting on the table while your dad gave him...� She stopped when she saw his eyes squinch up.
�Alex can you hear me?� she asked. His mouth opened and Megan yelled for his parents, who came running. He squeaked out something and Evelyn took Megan�s place.
�Alex baby fight I know it hurts but wake up,� Evie said kissing his cheek. She looked at him and his mouth had shut and there was nothing more.
�I was telling him how he looked,� Megan said as Rick held her. She was crying now, afraid for her best friend.
�It�s okay honey, I think he hears you,� Rick said daring to hope that were so , and from then one he, Evie, Jonathan, and when she could Megan took turns talking to him about anything and everything.
Life went on for Alex though the ache in his head got worse by the day. Today he had his father take him to the Cemetery and saw Megan�s grave for himself, but he knew it wasn�t real. When he slept he heard voices, their voices, his fathers at times, his Uncles Mum�s and Megan�s at others, and he was bent on finding his way back to that reality.
�Megan I know your alive so I won�t be sad by this,� he said and went over to his father.
�I thought perhaps you and I could go to a picture show,� Rick said. Alex shook his head. When they got to the house, Alex went to the Barn and got Seti out of his stall.
�Okay big guy, you and me are going back to the woods, and your going to throw me,� he said. He had with him, his fathers gun, and the only thing he remembered with clarity was the huge storm and the fall into darkness. Once Seti was groomed, Alex road off into the woods. He found the Rock and knew it was likely that he wouldn�t hit it again, and as he was about to fire his gun, when a clap of thunder rumbled through the sky. Seti reared back and Alex fell from him. His head felt as it was going to split in to, then the darkness came, and with it intense pain. He felt pain in his chest and every part of his body, then he heard his mothers lullaby, and focused on that. For some reason his eyes felt like they were taped shut, and it took him a while but he finally got them to open, and found her there. Something was wrong with his hands because he couldn�t get them to move, and again he had to focus on that and wiggled his middle finger which got her attention.
�Oh Alex,� she said as she kissed his hand. It was late at night, and she wanted to scream for Rick but she didn�t want to scare Alex. He tried to speak that all that came out was a �Muu,� Evelyn left him and he made more noises then she came back with the nurse.
�I�ll call Doctor Brigman and wake your husband,� Annie said. She left.
�Shhh, it�s all right baby, I know you must be hurting, and Doctor Brigman will come and help us,� she said. Rick walked in and stood next to Evelyn.
�Wwwhyy..Wwwhyy not ove,� he said.
�You can�t move?� she asked afraid now.
�No,� he said. They got him to relax, and kept him awake until Doctor Brigman arrived. He examined Alex thoroughly and was pleased to see him pass the pain stimuli. His reactions were slow, but he passed.
�Since he hasn�t used anything in such a long time, he has atrophied, meaning his muscles have softened, as for his speech the more he talks the better. I�ll remove the Halo now. Alex this is going to be painful, and I�m sorry but we can�t put you under for it, because I don�t want to risk you going back to sleep,� he said. Alex screamed for the entire twenty minutes it took the Doctor to get the Halo off of him and once it was done, Evelyn held him in her arms, which calmed him. He wanted to tell her everything that had happened in his dreams, and tell her what he was afraid of but his words wouldn�t work right. As morning broke he finally fell asleep in their bed.
It was feeling a washcloth wiped over his face which woke him, and Alex found his father there. Panic set in.
�Mum,� he said, and that had come easy.
�Whhr mum,� he slurred.
�She�s getting your breakfast ready,� Rick reassured, and Alex relaxed. When he had slept, he hadn�t had any memorable dreams, and he looked past his father as Evie walked in. She had a large glass of milk, and a bowl, and Alex made a face when he saw that it was porage.
�I know you hate it, but for right now you have to stick to easy things, just until we get you better,� she said as she sat down with him. Alex took a bite from her and managed to get his arm to move a little wanting to try it with help. Evelyn caught on fast, and took his hand in hers, putting the spoon there and holding his fingers around it. She dipped his hand, making the spoon take a bite and helped him feed himself. Alex felt the food dribble out of his mouth and turned his head away in shame.
�No merr,� he said closing his eyes. Rick settled next to him.
�Alex, you need to eat, and mum and I don�t care how much of a mess you make, the more you do on your own the quicker it will come back to you,� Rick said hoping that what Dr. Brigman had told them was right. After a moment Alex let Evelyn help him, and finished his meal, then went back to sleep.
The next few weeks were long ones for him, and by the third week Alex could talk with ease, though the rest of his body was slow to work like it should. Today Megan had come over for a visit and now the two of them sat in his bed.
�When I dreamed I found myself in a place where Mum wasn�t alive, and you weren�t either,� Alex said.
�That�s creepy, how did you know it wasn�t real?� Megan asked.
�Because I just did, this is where I belong, and that world I�m not sure. Mum told me it was made from my fears, but I wonder if maybe there are different parts of our world, like different worlds, or maybe its a different reality, where in one world I exist without my mum, and without you,� Alex said. Megan smiled.
�Maybe then I exist in another reality with both of my parents,� she said, then laughed when Siam pounced Alex�s face. Alex moved his arm with ease and got him off and Megan leaned against him.
�Well I�m glad that you are back with me,� she said. Alex sighed. Megan was his best friend in the world, and to her he told all his secrets.
�Let�s take a nap,� Alex said still tired. This morning he had his therapy session, walking, and that had not been much fun, but he was getting better at it.
Time moved on, and by the middle of the second month after his Accident Alex was back to full speed, and back in school finding that the teasing there was unbearable, and so he began fighting, and put his parents through another challenge of helping him grow up.
THE END.