Reincarnated Atlanteans: Wisdom's Quest

By Elisabetta Panzica

On a deadly trip across Egypt, Ella and her classmates discover their strengths as well as their weaknesses. They uncover an object of great importance, something they've had all along, hidden in plain sight. It holds the power to transform the world and destroy menacing adversaries. The object has been sought after for millennia and now, Ella and her siblings are the only ones who can unravel both its power and purpose. In the midst of disaster Ella and her friends take charge, knowing that doing so will change their lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kreative Outlets
• Release date: Mar 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393265757

Elisabetta Panzica

Elisabetta Panzica lives in Southern California. She has published short stories and poems, and was nominated Poet of the Year by Illiad Press. In 2010, Elisabetta started a writers critique group in Orange County California that includes several published authors, and a screenwriter for television and film. She calls it the Tuesday Night Fugitives and attributes her success to the support of this group. 

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Outsmarted or Not? 

The sun had already set, and the sky was black. Strings of streetlights wove through the city casting rainbow shadows over the ruddy streets." Cairo was buzzing with life. Jared drove to the Marriott Hotel. That’s where Professor Capra had told them to meet him; he had negotiated their protection with top Egyptian authorities there. Ella leaned her head against the window of the truck, peering out at the busy streets. Timothy stretched out on the back seat, nervously tapping his leg, arms crossed.

They had outsmarted the Egyptian agent, but Timothy didn’t feel good about it. Leaving him on the ground behind a market, in a village that didn’t even appear on the map, wasn’t right. The stranger was alive, breathing when they left him but severely impaired. Timothy’s conscience gnawed at him. He had stabbed the man with a dagger containing Ketamine, a tranquilizer used on wild animals. It was deadly to humans if not administered in the correct dosage. He had to send help. What if this man died because of him?

Timothy picked up his cell and dialed directory assistance.

Operator, how may I assist you? A woman’s voice answered on the other line.

Can you give me the number to the nearest pizza place?

Pee Tsa plasss? The voice on the other line asked. She had a heavy accent and probably did not eat a lot of Pizza, Timothy thought. She sounded a little confused. You mean restaurant, correct?

Yes, mam, Timothy drew in a deep breath, rolling his eyes.

Maison Thomas, in Cairo, provides access to an in-house deli. Shall I connect you, sir?

Yes, Timothy said, his voice happy and loud.

Pizza does sound good, Ella murmured, turning her head to look at him.

Timothy’s finger swayed from side to side. Not for us, he mouthed.

"Maison Thomas, will this be delivery, or will you be dining with us?

Delivery, please. We’d like a large pizza with everything on it.

Delivery? Ella’s brows furrowed. How was that going to happen?

We’ll be there in twenty minutes, sir. The young girl on the other end of the line said. May I have the address?

Ella, the address to the market, do you have it? Timothy whispered, covering the phone with his hand. Ella scribbled it on a piece of paper and handed it to him. Timothy placed the order.

We can go to their other location later, the one next to the hotel. My treat, Timothy said, pocketing his phone and laying a hand on Ella’s shoulder. 

Didn’t we just order a pizza? Jared turned, narrowing his eyes. Because I swear I heard you order.

That was a ploy. Timothy grinned.

A ploy? Jared sounded confused.

Yes, so they find the body on the doorstep.

I get it! Ella smiled, I told you he was smart.

I don’t get it, Jared said.

Exactly, Timothy boasted, that’s why I’m in MENSA. Let’s go eat. His mood shifted, and his entire being brightened. Today, his ingenuity would save a man. The workers would find him as soon as the pizza delivery came. Deliveries to markets were usually made at the back of the store. Usually, he crossed his fingers. The chimp screeched and covered his eyes with both hands, shaking his head. He was almost human, Timothy thought, with annoyance.

Is that Fatma? Ella squinted, rolling down her window. A woman in a brown burka stood in front of the Marriott. It stretched eighteen stories over the bustling city and overlooked the Giza Plateau.

That’s her. Timothy leaned in, and the professor. Jared pulled into the parking lot. Ella took off her seat belt and jumped out of the truck before Jared had turned off the ignition.

Professor! Fatma! Ella pulled up her burka and raced across the parking lot.

Ella! Jared ran after her, weaving in and out of a long procession of cars making their way across the city. He ignored traffic signals and signs, knocking over a few merchant carts while Timothy waited for the light to turn, then cautiously made his way across.

What did you do? Fatma crossed her arms over her chest. Her expression severe. Ella?

You and your friends are in a lot of trouble, young lady. The Professor pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

What did we do? Jared came up behind Ella, pocketing his keys in a side pocket.

Don’t play dumb with me, boy. Professor Capra’s voice deepened.

We didn’t do anything. Timothy stared at the Professor, joining the ensemble.

You attacked an Egyptian secret service agent, bagged him, and dumped him somewhere. And then you have the gall to ask what you did? We sent him to help you. The Professor glared at them.

He was on our side? Ella’s face paled. We didn’t know, Professor. I’m sorry.

We were trying to negotiate your safe return to the states, Fatma said.

The Professor turned and walked away. I’ll figure something out. You need to lay low. We have to be somewhere. He kept walking.

Fatma shook her head and followed Professor Capra, leaving Ella standing at the hotel entrance.

Wait! Ella ran after them. What about the others? The Professor and Fatma exchanged glances.

Ella, we’ll take care of this. You have to trust us, the Professor said. Please don’t do anything else. Go upstairs with Tim. Stay put.

Forget them. We’ll find your friends. Jared rubbed Ella’s shoulder. I promise.

Yeah ... right. Timothy panted, reaching them, I’m going inside. He pushed the revolving door at the entrance of the Marriot. A security guard standing outside yanked him back.

NO! You, not welcome. Go!

But I have a room. I have things in there! Timothy shouted.

No things ... go! The man pulled a gun and shoved it into Timothy’s side. Ella’s necklace felt hot, it burned against her skin, and the pendant began to change color. Jared’s ring did the same.

It’s the eye of RA, Ella said, shaking. But the earrings are missing. Brianna’s gone. How is it working without the third element?

He has a gun! Timothy swallowed, breathing hard, running his hands through his hair.

Who? Ella leaned forward.

The ... s-security guard. Timothy stammered, grabbing Ella’s arm. Let’s go.

A blue light shot out of Ella’s necklace like a strange metallic blue laser beam and hit the security guard in the forehead. His brown eyes rolled upward, making only the whites visible. He froze in place, unable to move his legs, his arms thrashing about aimlessly. Ella reached for his belt and pulled out his gun.

What are you doing? Timothy paled.

Making sure he doesn’t hurt anyone. Ella managed a weak smile.

Chill out, dude. You’re hungry, right? Jared asked. Let’s get some of that pizza you’re so crazy about and figure things out.

Jared’s right, Ella said, we need to brainstorm. She handed Jared the weapon.

Timothy took a swig from his old beat-up plastic water bottle, sighing heavily.

I’m going to roll the windows down for Whittier, Jared pointed at the truck, and give him some food. You two go ahead. Jared started toward the rental. Hey, little man, I didn’t mean to leave you. Jared opened the door to the truck and reached into his carry-on, pulling out some treats, bananas, and apples. Sorry. He stroked the chimp’s head.

"Whittier eat. Good food," the chimp signed.

Good boy. Jared closed the door. Whittier shrieked and grinned, peeling a banana and tossing the peels on the back seat. I’ll be back. Jared peeked in through the window, his knuckles knocking on the glass; he waved at Whittier and started towards the double glass doors of the restaurant where Timothy waited with Ella.

It was a small place with plank flooring, fading and chipping with age, giving it an air of antiquity. There were six bistro tables scattered across the length of the restaurant, all of them dark wood, with four tall stools surrounding each one. 

I’ll get a pizza, everything on it, anchovies on the side. Timothy walked up to the front counter, looking up at the cashier, stomach growling loudly.

Any drink? Timothy shrugged and turned to Ella, who’d already found a seat at the back of the restaurant.

Two regular Cokes, Jared shouted. The man behind the counter grinned, nodding at Jared and Ella.

And a lemonade, please. How much? Timothy pulled out his wallet.

No, I bring, you sit, pay after. The man crossed his arms. You American? Timothy nodded. Nice, you teach me speak English good? The man behind the counter seemed friendly and polite.

Timothy smiled. Sure.

I want to say to girl ... I want you go out with me. How I say? He cupped an elbow with one hand, tapping his lips with the other. Timothy’s eyes twinkled, and he laughed.

You say, he pointed at the cashier, Would you like to go out for coffee sometime?

American girls like coffee?

Some; it’s an ice-breaker. You can ask her to dinner if coffee doesn’t work.

You break ice? Why?

It’s an expression.

Expression, the man repeated. What mean expression?

A way to say something, Timothy said, walking over to the table where Jared and Ella sat, chuckling to himself. He turned to the cashier. Thanks.

We have to put our heads together. Jared rubbed his hands on his pant legs. He cleared his throat, lifting his gaze and making direct eye contact with both Ella and Timothy.

I just want to save my friends, Ella lowered her head.

Does she have a cell phone? Timothy stared at Ella, leaning into the table. He rolled up his sleeves. Although the fans blew continuously, October in Egypt was like summer in the OC.

Who? What do you mean?

Brianna, we can track her location or Moira’s cell, it doesn’t matter.

Yeah, she does. They both do. I think.

Do you have their numbers? I did, but I lost my phone. It’s at the newspaper’s office. I had to delete it. Ella paused. They would have caught us, traced us down.

We need a laptop. I can find them. Timothy stared at the two. All my stuff is at the hotel.

Your pizza. The waiter arrived and placed the pizza in the center of the table. Enjoy. He gave a curt bow and set a small stack of paper plates on the edge of the table.

Thank you, Ella murmured, managing a weak smile.  Her head and face were uncovered; her scarf draped over her shoulders like an exotic shawl. She reached for a slice. The place was small and cozy; their table was next to the open kitchen. Ella could see the chef preparing the meals. She watched him as if some sort of secret language existed between them. My dad had a pizza place like this, Ella said. He had a show every night. She smiled, thinking of the memory.

Show? Timothy tapped the buttons on his cell, listening vaguely, catching a phrase or two of her conversation.

Yeah, him and his chef, they’d toss pizza dough in the air, whirling it like a wheel above their heads, almost touching the ceiling. Ella lifted her forefinger in the air, twirling it. They would catch each other’s pizza dough in mid-air and keep tossing them back and forth. People loved it.

There’s a computer shop in Cairo, near Giza, Timothy interrupted, vaguely aware of his surroundings, buried deep into his own world.

So? Jared bit into his slice, licking his fingers. Globs of cheese dripped over his hand and onto the paper plate. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth vigorously as if removing paint.

You’re thinking of buying a laptop at a time like this? Ella asked. We need to find our classmates.

I think I can find them, but I need a computer. Timothy scrolled down on his cell. This is weird. It says, ‘store location, approximate.’

What does that mean? Ella fiddled with her necklace.

I guess it means it’s close to this street. Timothy read the words aloud, Mohy El Din Abu El Ezz, El Dokki, Giza.

Write it down, write down the phone number. Then, we can call it in the morning, Jared said, making a concentrated effort to be cordial.

It seems too long for a street name, Ella began. Are you sure you can track them?

If they have their cell phones, I can. I need to log on to a tracking site.

After we’re done here, we can start heading over to the internet cafe, Jared suggested. We’ll sleep in the truck.

No way, I’m not sleeping in a truck in that neighborhood, Timothy protested.

Suit yourself, dude. We’re sleeping in the bed of the truck. He pointed a thumb at Ella and then turned it towards himself.

We are? Ella looked surprised.

You want to pay for a hotel? Jared narrowed his eyes.

No. I just, I don’t know.

There’s a blanket outside we can lie on. Whittier can sleep inside. Jared grabbed another slice and took a swig from his Coke. Besides, it never gets cold here. He smiled, eyes twinkling.

Ella fidgeted on her seat, crossing and uncrossing her arms; she knew where Jared’s mind was going. Sleeping inches from Jared would be awkward after their breakup, and even more so with Timothy in the cab of the truck.

Everything good? The server came to the table. You need box? He turned and pointed at three towers of boxes stacked behind the counter, crazily tilting, one stack almost touching the ceiling.

Yes, thank you. Timothy stood up to pay.

That’s our cue, Jared said, jumping off his stool and holding his hand out to Ella.

Ella grasped his hand and climbed down. Thank you. She could tell he wanted to spend more time with her, and she didn’t know whether to be glad or weary. Weeks before he called their relationship an entanglement, he said it would never lead to anything, although their attraction was intense; now, he was all over her. She didn’t understand. And then there was Timothy.

Timothy pulled the door open, and the three walked out of the restaurant, with Jared leading the way back to the truck.

Jared’s phone rang. Is it one of them? Timothy jumped, excited. If it is, ask them where they are. It’ll save us going to the store.

It’s not, be quiet. I can’t hear. Jared plugged one ear and squashed the phone to the other. It’s for you. He looked at Ella quizzically, handing her the phone.

It was Esther, her roommate. Ella ... Ella, I’m here, Esther shouted.

What? Ella’s face paled.

We’re at the airport.

We? Ella’s brow wrinkled.

Yes, Matthew and I.

Why?

Really, Ella? Esther chastised. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? It’s all over the news, and we saw you on TV at home. The Americans think you’re a terrorist. Ella, why didn’t you say something?

I ...ahh...

Who is it? Timothy pressed.

Shut up.