بازگشت مومیایی فصل 23

Return of the Mummy - Chapter 23

“How did you get my mummy hand? What are you doing?” I demanded.

Nila ignored my questions. She held the flashlight in one hand. She gripped the little hand in the other, holding it up toward the approaching mummy.

“Come here, my brother!” she called, waving the hand, summoning the mummy. “It is I, Princess Nila!” Its legs cracking, its brittle bones breaking inside the gauze wrappings, the mummy obediently dragged itself forward.

“Nila—stop it! What are you doing?” Sari shrieked.

But Nila continued to ignore us. “It is I, your sister!” she called to the mummy. A triumphant smile crossed her pretty face. Her green eyes sparkled like flashing emeralds in the darting light.

“I have waited so long for this day,” Nila told the mummy. “I have waited so many centuries, my brother, hoping that someday someone would uncover your tomb and we could be reunited.” Nila’s face glowed with excitement. The little mummy hand trembled in her hand. “I have brought you back to life, my brother!” she called to the mummy. “I have waited for centuries. But it will all be worth it. You and I will share all this treasure. And with our powers, we shall rule Egypt together—as we did four thousand years ago!” She lowered her eyes to me. “Thank you, Gabe!” she cried. “Thank you for The Summoner! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I knew it could bring my brother back to me! The ancient words weren’t enough. I needed The Summoner, too!” “Give it back!” I demanded, reaching out for it. “It’s mine, Nila. Give it back.”

A cruel laugh escaped her throat. “You won’t be needing it, Gabe,” she said softly.

She waved the hand at the mummy. “Destroy them, my brother!” she ordered. “Destroy them now! There can be no witnesses!” “Nooo!” Sari shrieked. She and I both dove to the doorway. But Nila moved quickly to block our path.

I shoved my shoulder against her, trying to push her away like a football lineman. But Nila held her ground with surprising strength.

“Nila—let us go!” Sari demanded, breathing hard.

Nila smiled and shook her head. “No witnesses,” she murmured.

“Nila—we just want to get Daddy out of here. You can do what you want!” Sari insisted desperately.

Nila ignored her and raised her eyes to the mummy. “Destroy them both!” she called. “They cannot leave this tomb alive!” Sari and I spun around to see the mummy lumbering toward us. Its blackened skull glowed in the dim light. It trailed long strips of yellowed gauze across the dirt floor as it dragged itself closer.

Closer.

I turned back to the door. Nila blocked the way. My eyes darted frantically around the chamber.

No way to escape.

No escape.

The mummy lurched toward Sari and me.

And reached out its cold, cold hands to obey Nila’s cruel command.