بازگشت مومیایی فصل 18

Return of the Mummy - Chapter 18

Sari and I exchanged glances.

The pyramid seemed so much bigger at night, so much darker. The gusting wind howled around its walls, as if warning us to stay back.

We crept behind a pile of stones left by the workers. “Let’s wait out here for Daddy to come out,” Sari suggested.

I didn’t argue with her. We had no flashlights, no light of any kind. I didn’t think we’d get very far wandering the dark tunnels by ourselves.

I pressed up against the smooth stones and stared at the pyramid opening. Sari gazed up at the half-moon. Thin wisps of cloud floated over it. The ground darkened in front of us.

“You don’t think Daddy is in any kind of trouble, do you?” Sari asked. “I mean, he told us he didn’t trust Dr. Fielding. And then—” “I’m sure Uncle Ben is okay,” I told her. “I mean, Dr. Fielding is a scientist. He’s not a criminal or anything.” “But why did he force Daddy into the pyramid in the middle of the night?” Sari asked shrilly. “And what were they arguing about?” I shrugged in reply. I didn’t remember ever seeing Sari so frightened. Normally, I would have enjoyed it. She always bragged about how brave and fearless she was—especially compared to me.

But there was no way I could enjoy this. Mainly because I was just as scared as she was!

It did look as if the two scientists were fighting. And it did look as if Dr. Fielding pushed Uncle Ben down into the pyramid.

Sari crossed her arms over her sweater again and narrowed her eyes at the opening. The wind fluttered her hair, blowing strands across her forehead. But she made no attempt to brush them away.

“What could be so important?” she demanded. “Why did they have to go into the pyramid now? Do you think something was stolen? Aren’t those police officers from Cairo down there guarding the place?” “I saw the four policemen leave,” I told her. “They piled into their little car and drove away, just before dinner. I don’t know why. Maybe they were called back to the city.” “I—I’m just so confused,” Sari admitted. “And worried. I didn’t like the look on Dr. Fielding’s face. I didn’t like the way he was so rude, just bursting into the tent like that. Scaring us to death. Not even saying hi.” “Calm down, Sari,” I said softly. “Let’s just wait. Everything will be okay.”

She let out a sigh, but didn’t say anything in reply.

We waited in silence. I don’t know how much time went by. It seemed like hours and hours.

The slivers of cloud drifted away from the moon. The wind continued to howl eerily around the side of the pyramid.

“Where are they? What are they doing in there?” Sari demanded.

I started to reply—but stopped when I saw a flicker of light at the pyramid opening.

I grabbed Sari’s arm. “Look—!” I whispered.

The light grew brighter. A figure emerged, pulling himself out quickly.

Dr. Fielding.

As he stepped into the moonlight, I caught the strange expression on his face. His tiny black eyes were wide and seemed to be rolling around crazily in his head. His eyebrows twitched. His mouth was twisted open. He seemed to be breathing hard.

Dr. Fielding brushed himself off with his hands and began walking away from the pyramid. He was half-walking, half-staggering, taking long, quick strides with his lanky legs.

“But—where’s Daddy?” Sari whispered.

Leaning out from the rocks, I could see the pyramid opening clearly. No light flickered. No sign of Uncle Ben.

“He—he isn’t coming out!” Sari stammered.

And before I could react, Sari leaped out from our hiding place behind the stones—and stepped into Dr. Fielding’s path.

“Dr. Fielding,” she cried loudly, “where is my dad?”

I pushed myself away from the stones and hurried after Sari. I could see Dr. Fielding’s eyes spinning wildly. He didn’t answer her question.

“Where is my dad?” Sari repeated shrilly.

Dr. Fielding acted as if he didn’t see Sari. He stepped past her, walking stiffly, awkwardly, his arms straight down.

“Dr. Fielding—?” Sari called after him.

He hurried through the darkness toward the row of tents.

Sari turned back to me, her features tight with fear. “He’s done something to Daddy!” she cried. “I know he has!”