Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Then a tremendous force swept through, dragging Darius toward the coffin.

"Help me, Mr. Keller, help me!" he screamed in terror, breaking down into tears.

A dull thud echoed as a hunting knife flew in from the doorway. It grazed Darius' head and drove straight into the mummy's skull, nearly splitting the entire dried

head apart.

Andrew appeared at the chamber entrance with the others, his face cold as ice.

Having narrowly escaped death, Darius broke free and stammered his thanks. "Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Lloyd, for saving my life."

Andrew's expression remained stern as he ignored him completely. He stepped forward, pulled out the hunting knife, and turned to leave the chamber.

Logan had already found Lenny, the other missing team member, and walked over to deliver two sharp slaps across Darius' face.

"You damn fool, who the hell told you to go off on your own? You son of a bitch, don't you realize that your stupid stunts could get all of us killed?"

Logan's fury was far from spent, and he delivered two more slaps that left Darius dizzy and disoriented.

Covering his face, Darius whimpered submissively, "Mr. Keller, I-I won't do it again!"

Logan gritted his teeth and growled, "I should just kill you!"

Andrew suddenly barked, "Quiet! Everyone, not a single sound!"

He pushed past Tiana and the others at the doorway and stepped back into the chamber.

The rustling sound returned, like butterfly wings fluttering in the darkness.

Andrew stared at the displaced coffin and asked Darius, "Did you open this?"

Darius' face flushed red as he stammered, "I-I was just curious to take a look! Don't be angry, Mr. Lloyd... I'll go close it right now!"

Andrew waved him off and said, "Don't bother. Let's get out of here-there seem to be bugs inside."

Darius laughed nervously, "It's fine, I heard them earlier too."noveldrama

He rushed to the coffin, hoping to make amends by closing the lid.

Suddenly, a palm-sized red flying insect burst out from inside the coffin. It hovered in the air, its wings buzzing loudly.

Chantelle asked curiously, "Where would flying bugs come from down here?"

Andrew stared at the insect and saw

it resembled a twisted human face.

His heart skipped a beat, and

without hesitation, he shouted, "Run! Everyone, get out! Now!"

Then, the buzzing sound grew louder. A second, third, fourth, and more bugs emerged, followed by countless more red flying bugs swarming out of the coffin.

Without exception, each insect bore a face like a miniature, twisted human face. Just one glance was enough to make anyone's skin crawl.

Andrew had already sprinted more than 30 feet, moving at incredible speed.

Chantelle and Natasha followed close behind, asking nervously, "Mr. Lloyd, what are those bugs?"

Andrew's face was grim as he replied, "Deathbugs!"

A piercing scream suddenly erupted from behind them.

Everyone was startled and slowed down, turning to look back. They saw Darigs.covered head to toe with red flying insects-on his head,. shoulders, and all over his body. Before long, more bugs continued streaming out of the chamber. Some pursued Andrew and his group, while others attached themselves to the isolated Darius.

Under the horrified gaze of Chantelle and the others, the red insects devoured Darius in seconds, leaving only his skeleton. Then, with a crash, the white bones scattered across

the ground like spilled water.

Lenny, who had fallen behind, was terrified out of his mind. "Holy shit! Holy shit! Darius is dead, just like that!"

Logan cursed loudly, "You idiot, run for your life! Don't worry about that fool!"