Mummy Issues, Part - 4

MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE PREVIOUS PARTS IN THE COLLECTION!! CHAPTER TWO ( Part 1)Despite the scorching midday heat, I shivered as I approached the wooden stairs that led to the attic. My father's words bounced around my head, ‘Don't go up there, my son!’ But there I stood, my throat tightening in anticipation as I prepared to defy him. Thud! I put a cautious foot on the first step. I drew a deep breath, and climbed swiftly the rest of them, Thud, thud, thud - each footfall shattered the silence of the house until I found myself before the attic door. The door groaned in protest as I pushed it open. It revealed a world veiled in almost-darkness. The only thing I could see were the dust particles hung in the mid-air, where few rays of sunlight passed after sneaking through the sheet-covered attic window. I yanked that sheet off first, letting in more light, so now I could see clearly. The attic was packed with stuff my father had piled up over the years. It was tossed all around, some on the floor, some on shaky shelves. First thing that grabbed my attention was a small statue of Anubis, the jackal-headed god of death. It looked gold, with precious stones set for eyes. I looked at it, played with it, then put it back. Beside it was a papyrus scroll, edges burnt and worn. I carefully rolled it out, showing off detailed hieroglyphics. Was it a real relic of the past, or just another of my father's good fakes? I added note to myself in my head that I should try translating it using my book. I picked up a small box next, hoping for something good based on the clinking noise it made. But inside, it was just fake coins, each with the face of Cleopatra, tarnished by some acid probably to look old. I continued digging through the mess, the dust making me cough. But it was worth it because eventually I found it, hidden in the disorder - a small roll of money. Not much, but it was something. Enough for food. I felt guilty about taking the money, but I shoved that feeling aside. I had to do this. Then I saw a crate, bigger than the rest, sitting alone in the far corner of the attic It was layered with dust. What could be in it? I had the money safe in my pocket, and moved towards the crate, the old floor groaning under me. I'd found a little treasure, maybe there was more. The crate was long, its length stretching wider than my outstretched arms. I heaved the cover off. It was filled to the brim with old woolen blankets, packed so tightly that they had the uniformity of an undisturbed bed. Hidden among the blankets, a velvet bag caught my attention. I pulled it out, revealing a collection of artifacts. A ceramic vessel, its color faded, sat weighty in my hands. It was sealed, hinting at some hidden liquid within, yet shaking it revealed no sound. Alongside it, a large scarab, black and red. And then, a bracelet - chunky, golden, large. I tried it on, but it was much too big, slipping down my wrist and stopping only at my shoulder as I raised my arm. I set them aside, already planning to haul them downstairs for closer scrutiny. After the bag was emptied, I went back to the blankets. I started pulling them out, layer by layer, expecting more hidden treasures or perhaps, discarded keepsakes. But as the last layer of wool fell away, I was greeted with an unexpected sight. A mummy. I recoiled, surprise sucking the air from my lungs. My mind whirred, trying to comprehend the sight before me. It was so perfect, so meticulous in its wrapping, as if stolen straight from an ancient tomb. It looked just like the ones in my father’s books. Suddenly, the dusty air of the attic felt heavy, pressing in on me. But despite the chill running down my spine, I steeled myself to take closer look. There were two things which you couldn’t fail to notice. The first one was that the shape beneath the layers of linen was unmistakably female; the swell of hips and breasts made it clear, even under the faded, coarse wraps. And the other one was the form nestled against her midsection - not simply a bulge but something with well defined edges and corners. It was a boxy shape, cradled protectively between her arms.