The Seven Swords of Diya: An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction - Part 2

Chapter 226: Flashback: Archaeological Site Egypt, Along the Red Sea 1947

Flashback:

Archaeological Site

Egypt,

Along the Red Sea

1947

"We're gonna be without air in a few minutes," Marion trembled, watching the flame inside their lantern flicker.

"Yeah." He looked up. There was another level that they'd traversed, but they now only had one rope and his whip. And without fresh air, there would be no escape. Sure, he could get out, and Marion could probably get out - but there would only be time for one of them, and neither of them could carry injured Emily and climb the rope.

Indy was quiet. "Marion..." He sat behind her and gently brushed her dark hair through his fingers. "I love you."

He leaned over her, protecting his wife and daughter as best he could, staring over her shoulder at their child. The girl's face was half covered in her own blood and her hair was matted around what Indy was certain would need medical attention, but for now...

Marion leaned into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you," he whispered to Marion, as he gently touched Emily's head. "I feel like I just witnessed her birth. You're amazing, Marion. I can't tell you how amazing you are."

Marion's cheek landed against Indy's stubbled jaw. Both felt tears. "Will she be all right, Indy?"

Indy felt for a pulse in Emily's neck. "She shouldn't be unconscious this long. And with a head injury like that... we'd better have a doctor look at her."

"The face wounds?" Marion swallowed. "It looks like she's been half crushed."

"I did find her in the rubble," Indy mused. "She was sinking in the sand and had some pouring into her mouth."

Marion started crying.

"Shhh, hon." Indy murmured. "We've got to stay calm until we can get back to the surface. I promised Em sunlight."

"I know..." Marion stammered, her voice breaking, because she knew the truth. They weren't going to make it back to the surface. "But... Indy... promise me that we'll go home after this?"

"We'll go home," Indy replied trying to soothe her.

"No more archaeology chases for arcane artifacts and evidence of ancient relics ruins and treasures? We won't be running around the world looking for bits and trinkets of junk like Abner?!?!"

Indy was silent.

"Indy!" Marion pleaded.

He helped her to her feet, both supporting their unconscious child.

"Indy, please!" Marion hit his chest with her hand. "Answer me!"

Indy's eyes were locked on his daughter. "I... I can't answer that, Marion. I may have to go after some artifacts to pay the bills..."

He looked at Marion for a long moment, trying to memorize every contour of her face in the dying light. They'd be next.

He gently took her chin. "Don't argue with me, Marion. And don't drop, Em. I love you. I love you both. Annie too. Tell her that. Annie needs to hear that whatever happens none of this is her fault."

"Whatever happens...?" Marion stared at him. "You're planning -"

He took the rope Marion had secured from the level above and lengthened it to his whip so that both ropes joined together would flow, lifting one of them up. He wrapped it across Marion's hips. "I love you. I love you both. Annie too. Don't forget to tell her that. She's the oldest - but my darling treasure needs that reassurance too."

"Indy - you can't!" Marion protested. "It won't work! I can't lift you once I'm up there! And the only way you can lift me - with my hands full - is for you to fall down!"

Indy leaned close. "That's why I told you not to argue with me." He gave Marion a passionate kiss, and then fell backwards.

The rope tightened - lifting Marion and Emily out of the pit.

"INDY!" Marion screamed, clutching Emily as she heard the splash far below.