by Scott Peters
"So it spoke to you at that point?" Kat asked, winding her braid tightly in one fist. She frowned. "Real words?"
"Yes."
"What did it say, exactly?" she asked.
"Something like, who dares disturb my tomb?"
She dropped her hands into her lap. "That is so strange. Isn't it? Since before it only whispered mumbo-jumbo."
"I know, that's what I'm telling you."
"I guess it wanted to get the message across—in plain words," she said.
"What's weird is, looking back, it seems like the mummy wanted us to follow it. Up to its tomb. Why else was it lit up in that boat?"
"Maybe it couldn't help being lit up?" Kat said. "Maybe that's what happens when you're a mummy?"
"It wasn't lit up other times."
"True." She chewed her lip.
"Here's a question—where did the snakes and bugs go? And all the stuff? The sarcophagus? Where? It's all too strange."
They sat in silence, pondering.
Kat shifted, wrapping her covers tighter around her shoulders. "What about before then? Anything else you remember?"
"No . . ."
"From the marketplace?"
"No . . ." Then he sat bolt upright. "Wait—I totally forgot!"
"Well?" Kat said.
"When we ran out of the square! Hui wanted to tell me something. He saw someone. But I didn't listen. I was too busy trying to spot the mummy. Hui seemed really freaked out."
"Who was it? Who did he see?"
"That's the thing," Zet said. "I forgot all about it. I never got the chance to ask him."
"Could it be a clue?"
"I'm not sure. We need to ask him. But that won't be easy. His mother doesn't want us there. We'll have to sneak over. Tonight."
From the rooms below, a wail startled them. It was Apu. He was usually such a happy baby. But these past few days, nothing seemed to comfort him.
Zet and Kat shared a glance, reading one another's thoughts. Was Apu affected by the mummy?
Kat stood and bent to make her bed. Quietly, she said, "First the mummy came here. Then it went to Hui's. Last night, it was at our stall. It's running out of places to go."
Zet stared out over the adjoining housetops. Orange sunlight pooled across tiles and balconies. It streaked along walls and doors. It cast speckled shadows in the streets.
"Where's the mummy going to strike next?" Kat said.
"Good question."
Kat walked to the roof's edge. Fisting her hands at her sides, she gazed toward the center of Thebes. A breeze fluttered her dark bangs. "I think I might know."
Chapter 19
Who's There?
Before Kat could tell him her suspicions, a loud hammering came from downstairs. Someone was banging on the front door.
"Who could that be?" Zet leaned out from the roof as far as he dared.
"I don't know," Kat said. "A visitor? At this hour?"
Whatever she'd started to tell Zet about the mummy was temporarily forgotten as they bounded down the ladder and headed for the front room. They reached the door at the same time.
Zet was about to yank it open but Kat put a hand on his arm.
She whispered, "Hold on, we don’t know what's out there."
In a loud voice, Zet said, "Who is it?"
"Geb," came the muffled reply.
Zet and Kat stared at one another. Geb? The spice vendor from the market? What was he doing here at the crack of dawn?
Their mother appeared, wrapping a linen robe around herself. "Who's out there?"
"It's Geb, the spice vendor," Kat said.
"Well, open the door."
But Zet had already done so. He liked Geb. The spice-vendor was a good man and an old family friend. Geb stood on the front stoop. His weather-beaten face wore a worried frown.
"Hello," Zet said. "Is everything all right?"
"Er—" The small man shuffled his feet nervously.
"Come in, Geb," their mother said.
"I shouldn't." Geb had his woolen wig in his hands. He wrung it like a dishrag. "Just a quick word."
"We'll be more comfortable inside. Please. Zet and Kat will bring refreshments."
Old Geb nodded, looking glum. "All right."
Not wanting to miss a word, Zet and Kat ran to the kitchen and filled a platter with fruit and nuts. When they hurried into the front room, Geb was speaking.
"I don't like it either, my lady, but you understand, don't you?"
Zet and Kat exchanged a fearful glance. What had they missed?
"Yes, I understand," their mother said, yet her face had lost all its color.
"Understand what?" Zet said, his fingers gripping the platter. "Mother? What's going on?"
"Set the fruit down here," she said. "I'm sure Geb is hungry."
Geb looked anything but hungry. He looked sick to his stomach.
Kat said, "Why have you come, Geb? Please, tell us."
"It's not easy to tell you kids. I see how hard you work." Geb cleared his throat. "It's because of this mummy business. The vendors are scared."
"You mean they're scared they'll be cursed, too?" Kat said.
He nodded. "The mummy haunted the market last night. There's talk amongst the citizens about boycotting our shops. To keep the curse from spreading."
Kat said, "You make it sound like our stall is a disease."
Geb said, "I know your stall is one of the oldest. Your great-grandfather was one of the market's founders. Your grandfather was a friend and a good man. Your father is, too."
"But . . .?" Kat said.
Zet said, "We've already shut down our stall. We're only taking returns."
"I must beg you to remove it," Geb said, licking his dry lips.
"Remove our stall?" Kat screeched. "Permanently? You can't ask that of us!"
"This won't last forever," Zet said.
Damp spots appeared on Geb's forehead. "I don't like it any more than you do."
Zet's mother said, "The vendors need to think of themselves, Kat. We cannot ask them to lose their livelihood, too. When this curse is clearly targeting us."
"No . . ." Kat managed. "No, you're right."
"I'm sorry, Kat. Zet." Geb wrung his woolen wig in his gnarled hands. "If it were only me, I'd tell you to stay. But I'm an old man with little to lose. Many vendors have families to feed and house."
Zet could hardly believe this was happening. His whole world was crumbling around him. Lose the stall? Shut it down forever? It was their family's history and its future. They would be lost. And what would they eat? What of the roof over their head? What would their father come home to? Zet had sworn to keep life steady and safe while his father was away. He'd failed completely. And all because of that awful mummy!
His throat felt thick. He swallowed hard. He didn't want them to see the sadness written all over his face. Going to the door, he wiped his eyes on his tunic sleeve.
Geb said, "We marketers have always stood together. When times have been hard, we've stood behind you, as you've stood behind us. This decision was not made easily."
"No, I figured that," Zet murmured, believing him. He recalled how even grumpy Salatis, the date-seller, had come to Zet's aid more than once.
"But I'll do whatever I can to help you," Geb said. "I plan to share my income until you can get back on your feet."
Kat's face was red. Her eyes brimmed with tears. "Oh Geb, that's kind, but I don't think we'll ever be able to get back on our feet. We'll have lost everything!"
Zet wouldn't let it come to that.
As Geb made to leave, their mother walked him out into the street. They stood murmuring together, but Zet no longer cared what they had to say. This had gone way too far. He was furious and frightened all at once.
He had to stop that mummy, no matter what it took.
Kat sat on a cushion staring blankly at the floor.
"Kat," he said, causing her to start.
She blinked up at him with red-rimmed eyes.
"Yes?" she said wearily.
"You said you knew where the mummy would show up next. Where?"
Her lips pinched together. Then she unfolded herself from the floor and stood. Taking a shaky breath, she nodded. "I do know where. I'll tell you. And we'll stop it together."
After she explained, Zet felt his excitement rising. "I think you're right!"
"I know I am. Where else could it go?"
"That's settled then. When the time comes, we'll be ready."
Chapter 20
Fun and Games
They paced the roof, making plans, when their mother called up to them.
"Zet, Kat? Get your sandals on. We're going out."
"Out?" Zet climbed down the ladder.
His mother wore a simple linen day-dress. Her hair was pulled back in a low coil at her neck. She looked pretty. Apu was settled on her right hip. The baby chewed fiercely on his wet thumb. "I think we all need a break," she said. "There's been too much stress this past week. So we're going to take a picnic and spend the day in the public gardens."
"A picnic?" Kat clambered downstairs. "Now? But everything's falling apart!"
"That's exactly why. We need to take time for each other. Especially when things are difficult. The good news is that Geb has given us two more days. If the Royal Guards fail to stop the haunting, we'll do as they ask. So yes, we're going on a picnic. I've packed a basket. Put your sandals on. It's lovely outside."
"But mother—"
"No buts. We're going to enjoy ourselves while we still can. We're going to eat and drink and play games. Everything else, we'll forget until tomorrow."
Zet and Kat stared at one another. What choice did they have?
The family trekked through the streets. Zet carried the heavy picnic basket. He wished he could talk to their mother and tell her everything he knew. But what if she forbid him to do anything about it? Who was he supposed to be loyal to? His mother's wishes, or those of his father? And if he left things up to the Royal Guard, would they really solve the mystery? Could he afford to take that chance?
Whenever their mother's back was turned, Zet and Kat whispered about the mummy. Or about Hui.
"Do you think he got caught sneaking back in?" Kat whispered, brow furrowed.
"I dunno. I wish we could tell him that we figured out where it's going to strike next."
"I figured it out," Kat whispered.
"Yes, fine. Does it really matter? I just wish we could tell him."
"Well, we can't," Kat huffed, clearly feeling snubbed.
"I want to know who he saw in the market that night!"
It seemed they both were on edge. At least Apu seemed happier than he had been in weeks. The baby peered around with wide eyes as they left the dusty streets and entered the lush gardens. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers. Bees and insects buzzed lazily in the heat.
Their mother laid out several linen blankets.
At first, Zet felt too wound up to relax. Still, he flopped next to Apu.
A leaf spiraled down and landed on Apu's upturned face. His little brother squealed with delight, waving his chubby arms. Kat smiled. Zet couldn't help it. He did, too.
"Want to try the fishing net?" Zet asked Kat.
"All right."
To Zet and Kat's amazement, they caught three big Nile perch. Their mother regaled them with praise. Then she grilled the fish over a small fire until the fat crackled and popped and the meat turned a deep golden color. Zet's stomach rumbled at the delicious scent. They ate perch and crusty bread until their bellies were full to bursting.
Kat begged their mother, who had a beautiful voice, to sing, and so she did, urging the others to join in. Apu clapped and bobbed, falling over and giggling.
As the day cooled and they packed up, it felt as if they'd gone on a long holiday.
Yes, there were troubles ahead. But as they walked together in the growing twilight, their eyes shone with happy smiles. They had each other, and it was the best feeling ever.
Back home, they gathered on the roof amongst the stacks of returned pottery. Their mother ran a hand over a large soup-serving dish.
"It's lovely, this tureen, isn't it?" she said.
"I remember getting that," Kat said. "On last year's trip to the artisan village."
"Do you remember the boat ride home?" Zet grinned. "When we nearly got overturned by those hippos? Kat, you were screaming and screaming."
Their mother laughed and said, "We were all screaming."
"You're right," Zet said.
"Especially when that hippo started bellowing." Kat let out a bellow of her own and chased Zet between the stacks.
The sound of her snorts and roars soon had him and his mother in stitches. They doubled over, laughing until tears ran down their cheeks and they had to beg her to stop.
Apu stuck out his tongue and sent a wet PLLLFFHHLUT at them all.
That sent everyone into fresh gales of laughter.
Despite the mummy fears that had gripped Thebes, the following day promised a welcome distraction for the city. The Wag Festival was drawing near. As part of the celebration, Princess Meritamen's statue would be unveiled at the Temple of Isis. The unveiling would take place that afternoon.
With the market closed, nothing could be done about the pottery stall. Yet Zet couldn't forget that today was the last day that Geb and the others were willing to wait. If this haunting didn't end tonight, they were done.
At home, no one spoke their worries aloud.
Kat said, "Mother, are you sure you don't mind us going to the unveiling?"
From outside came the lively chatter of people in the streets. Their voices drifted through the open windows.
"Of course not. Princess Meritamen is your friend. You must go." She peered out at the crowds. Dressed in their finest, it seemed everyone was headed for the center of town. "You know I'd love to come. But Apu isn’t up to it. I'll walk you to the door."
Zet and Kat kissed their mother goodbye.
On the street, they joined the crowds.
They'd barely gone ten feet before a figure darted out of an alley and grabbed Kat's elbow.
Kat screeched. Clutching at her chest she said, "Hui! You scared me half to death!"
"Sorry." Hui grinned. "I didn't want your mother to see me. Because she'd tell my mother I'm hanging out with you, which I'm not supposed to be doing."
"She wouldn't, actually," Zet pointed out, "Because our mothers aren't talking."
"Ah. Right. Good point," Hui said.
"I was worried about you," Kat said. Two red spots bloomed in her cheeks. "I mean—we both were."
"Really?" After a pause, he hooked his arm through Kat's. "About me? Nah."
Her color rose even higher, but she didn't let go. They walked along, their faces wreathed in shy smiles. Zet rolled his eyes. They looked ridiculous.
"Can we talk about this mummy business?" Zet said. "When you two are finished grinning at each other like baboons?"
This energized Kat, who said, "I figured out where the mummy is headed next!"
"Where?" Hui said.
"It's not good," Kat warned.
"Tell me, you're killing me," Hui said.
"There's only one logical place left," Kat said. "The mummy seems to know everything about us. Where we live. Where you, our best friend lives. Where our stall is. So it has to know about our friendship with a certain important person."
"Wait—" Hui said. "You know an important person?"
"Hui!" Zet and Kat said at once. "The PRINCESS!"
"Oh! Oh yeah. Right. Merit. I guess she is kind of important."
"Kind of?" Kat said. "She's royalty. How much more important can you get?"
"Sheesh, I don't know," Hui said, flapping his arms.
"Save the argument, you guys," Zet said. "We have more important things to worry about. Like catching this mummy."
Hui came to a full stop. "Oho no—no way. Not me. We did that already. Remember?" He brushed at his n
eck as though recalling all those beetles.
"This time will be different," Zet said.
Hui made a face. "I don't see how."
"Because I have some serious suspicions about that mummy."
"Like what?" Hui asked.
"Here, down this side street. I'll tell you in a minute. After we climb onto that roof," Zet said.
They veered away from the crowds. The Temple of Isis where the unveiling would take place wasn't far now. But Zet, Kat, and Hui weren't going there. They felt certain the mummy would appear. And they needed a good place to watch for its approach.
And its escape.
"Perfect," Zet said when they'd climbed to the top of a row house. Like many in Thebes, it was attached on either side to at least a dozen more. "We can see the Temple of Isis and the whole square from here."
Kat pointed. "Look, there's Pharaoh. And Merit. Up on the Temple steps."
The Princess and her father shone golden in the light. Next to them stood a towering object draped in gilt-edged white linen.
As the square filled to bursting, musicians began to play.
The festivities had begun.
Chapter 21
She Screamed
The three children stared out over the crowd toward the royal family. Suddenly, Hui grabbed their arms. He yanked them away from the roof's edge.
"Get down!" Hui gasped. "Quick, get down!"
"What's happening?" Kat cried, throwing herself flat.
Zet did the same. For a moment, they lay there, panting.
"Hui?" Zet hissed. "Is someone coming?"
"I saw them!" he said.
"Who?" Zet and Kat demanded.
"That person—the one I saw before!"
"Before when?" Kat said, eyes wide.