Fleeing the Shadows

I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to make you think that I wouldn’t finish this story! I was just curious, cause there are a couple of mischievous plot bunnies running around in my head that more of a suspense/thriller than anything else, and I wondered if I should pursue them. Read the story over and as it gets into later chapters let me know if you want to read this type of story, or if I should go back to fluff. I promise to always finish what I start (unless something serious happens – and then you will be informed). So please don’t think that I will abandon this. I already know the ending; I just need to type it up!

This story is dedicated to Dragonlady222: And a big, huge thank you to ObsidianJade, for her CSI knowledge, and beta skills – especially for keeping up with my insane schedule! And as always – thanks to those who have reviewed and read this story!

And before you read any further – this is YAOI, I don’t own Yugioh, and this story is darker than I ever thought, so if you have a weak stomach, or are underage, this isn’t the story for you!

On to the next chapter!


Last week:


Atemu flew out the door, running full speed for the Caprice. He jerked the door open and dragged the sleeping teen from the backseat. It didn’t take long for Yugi to realize he was in danger, and with a cry he began kicking and beating on his attacker. Then catching a glimpse of Atemu’s demonic ruby eyes glowing in the dark, amethyst eyes rolled up into the back of his head - and the boy fainted, dropping to the ground when the agent let go of him in surprise.

This week”

Atemu wasn’t even sure what he was going to do once he pulled the sleeping child out of the car. All he knew was that this person had information on his parents’ murderers. And he wanted to know what it was. As soon as he seized a hold of the boy, he felt a massive electrical surge shoot through his system. What the hell?! The young agent yelped in shock and released his hold, letting the cataleptic boy fall to the ground.

Before his younger partner could do anymore damage, Seto jumped him, hauling him away from the lifeless teen. “What the hell is wrong with you?!! He’s unconscious!” He, too, wanted to know what the boy saw, but he wasn’t about to beat the information out of him, like his quick tempered cousin was appearing to want to do.

Shadi marched over to the two agents, who were still struggling against one another. The older man was absolutely furious. He was willing enough to believe in his instincts, but he’d be damned if he let Atemu intimidate the already traumatized boy that was in his care. His youngest needed put back in his place. And quickly.

“Enough! Damn it!” The older agent roared at his subordinates.

Shadi lowered his voice when he saw the small form flinch out of the corner of his eyes. “The boy’s been in shock since I found him. He witnessed a violent murder for Christ sake. Do either of you even remember how you felt when you lost your family?! Kindly think of that fact when you deal with him.”

Both agents stilled immediately. “That was a low blow boss.” Seto hissed after a moment of shocked silence, matching his boss glare for glare.

Atemu shook off his older cousin’s grasp, glowered angrily at Shadi and walked back over to the boy passed out in the grass. Dropping to his knees, he lifted the child into his arms, studying him carefully. He felt his heart twist. What the hell happened earlier? Whatever it was, it didn’t happen this time. Maybe he had just imagined it.

This was their witness?! This small boy with the face of an angel? He couldn’t be more than a child, but the boy had the most enchanting features. From the tips of his gracefully arched brows to the most kissable lips that Atemu had ever seen. He was almost feminine in his beauty and so very fragile looking, with the dark circles under his eyes. The young agent’s conscience stirred uncomfortably. What the hell was he going to do earlier? This boy had already been through enough suffering, he didn’t need Atemu adding to it.

“He’s in a state of severe shock. He has been since I found him. I couldn’t make heads or tails of what he said for at least an hour before he passed out.” Shadi explained flatly, still irritated.

“Atemu, get him out of here. Take him to your cabin or something. Marik, Malik and Seto can take care of the rest of this case. I’ll contact you when I can. I think someone’s on the take… something. I’ve been over and over the files, and it’s all I can think of to explain why these murders have been going on for so long. Do you understand what I’m saying? No one’s safe. If it’s not Isis or myself calling you…do not under any circumstance let anyone know where you are.” The older agent ran his hand over his bald head in frustration.
Atemu processed the information, nodding slowly, regret visible in his ruby eyes. Then he picked the boy up gently in his arms and headed towards his car, or rather the car that he was driving while undercover. It was a red Dodge Viper, and it came with a hefty price tag for the Feds.

Looking back at the others, he nodded once “I’ll switch to my car when I get home and we’ll take off for the mountains. We can hide up there for a while. You can come and get the car at my house, tell them I took a vacation.”

“That sounds like a good plan. And Atemu…” Shadi’s voice was sharp enough to bring the young agent’s attention back to him. “Don’t frighten the kid anymore. He’s terrified as it is. Remember what you felt like when this happened to your family.”

Both of the young agents cringed again at the reminder. Seto’s mouth thinned until his lips were white, and Atemu’s ruby eyes flashed dangerously.

“You didn’t need to pull that card. I already knew I was wrong the minute he looked at me like I was some kind of…demon.” Atemu murmured, gazing down at the boy in his arms. His protective instincts kicking in the moment his eyes locked on the diminutive, unconscious form.

The longer he looked at the minute figure, the more he was beginning to feel a stirring in the pit of his stomach. The child was absolutely stunning, an angel trapped in flesh, and he was going to make the coming days hell on earth. Briefly, he wondered what god he angered to be stuck in this situation. He would be alone for god knows how long with this beauty, but unable to so much as touch him. This was one of those days where life truly sucked. The agent rolled his eyes, cursing his fate.

He placed the boy gently in his car, and smoothed a lock of blonde hair off his forehead. In passing, Atemu wondered what color his eyes were. He hadn’t taken any notice when he pulled him out of the car. Maybe a light blue or a deep brown. Neither color would look right with his face, he decided. His young charge looked so innocent lying there.

The agent shook the thought away. He couldn’t afford to get mixed up with the only witness this case had ever had in the twenty some odd years it had been going on. And chances were the boy was straight. So whatever he was thinking a moment ago, it was better to just leave it be. He slammed the driver’s door and peeled out of the driveway, shooting down the street in a cloud of tire smoke. His small passenger didn’t even flinch at the noise.

The bulk of the young agent’s thoughts were heavy and dark as he drove the two hours it took to get to his house. His mind wanted to wander back into the past. And it was all because of this boy, and the case that he was caught in the middle of. This case was special to Atemu. Even more so than the one he was working on with his cousin. This case was the very reason that both he and Seto ended up orphaned.

Seto had been adopted by his parents when he was but two years old, Atemu just a baby at the time. Seto’s mother hadn’t adapted very well to motherhood, so when she said she was putting her two year old son up for adoption Katana and Petre, Atemu’s parents, jumped at the chance. Their youngest child would have someone to grow up with. They loved children, but were unable to have anymore after Atemu.

The night of their murder, when Atemu was seven, they were protecting Katana’s older daughter from another marriage, Atemu’s half sister Mana. A group of men had invaded their home, intent on taking the young girl with them. Her charred remains were discovered some five days later. Atemu and Seto found themselves shuffled around various relatives’ homes after that night. Each one of them trying their hardest to break his parents’ iron clad will. When they found out it couldn’t be done, the boys were dropped off at a foster care.

It wasn’t until Shadi had come around, looking for anyone connected with this case, that the boys even saw each other again. And the only reason they did was that Shadi and Isis were a childless couple, who couldn’t deal with the burden of younger children. But they saw potential in the two teens that’d had their lives ripped apart nearly a decade earlier.

The two FBI agents took in both teens, giving them a new lease on life. Their only condition was that they must do something productive with their lives, rather than continue on their paths of self destruction. It was much to their pleasure when both Atemu and Seto decided to enroll in the academy as soon as they were eligible, both taking up the same careers as their adoptive parents.

By the time that Atemu had run through, mentally, the events that lead up to his current lifestyle, he was already pulling into the driveway of a modest two story colonial house. He had bought it not long after being accepted into the FBI. It was his present to himself, so that he would always have a place to return to. To belong. To give him the stability he had always longed for as a youth.

Pushing thoughts of his own broken past out of his head, the crimson eyed agent turned to his restless passenger. So far the boy had not returned to consciousness. But he was still mumbling and sobbing in his sleep. Several times throughout the drive, Atemu jumped at a high keening cry that was made by the trembling child.

Carefully, so as not to wake the slight figure, the ruby eyed agent scooped him into his arms and made his way to the garage. But before venturing into the darkened room, Atemu reached out mentally, feeling for anything out of order with his mind. Once he was sure there was no surprise waiting for him in the dark, Atemu walked into the garage and gently laid the boy in the passenger seat of his personal car. He had long ago learned to trust his instincts, if that’s what they were. The voice in the back of his head had saved his ass more than once. Of course, it had gotten him into trouble just as many times.

He got into the driver’s seat and started the sleek 2006 Corvette, with a smirk. It was a gift from Shadi and Isis on his 21st birthday. And he loved it all the more because it meant that someone cared enough to give him something without expecting a favor in return. Every time he took the car out for a spin, he was reminded that he was no longer alone in the world. And it was a good feeling. He had a family again. A weird, intensely dysfunctional, and highly annoying family at times, but at least they cared. That was something he was sorely lacking throughout his time spent in the care of different relatives and foster homes.

He briefly touched the remote for the garage door, backing out of the garage as soon as he was clear, swinging the car around to speed off towards the distant mountains. As much as he loved his new family dearly, he still needed time to himself. He had spent almost five years in the system, shuffled from house to house. And in nearly every household there were small children who cried constantly. He did his best to stay quiet and out of the way, often hiding outside until darkness fell. He learned long ago to enjoy the peace and solitude of being alone.

Even now, years later, the crying of a child would send him into panic mode. Too many people in one place and he was looking for the exit. So his buying a secluded cabin in the mountains did not come as a surprise to either of his adoptive parents.

The agent flew down the road towards the mountains, testing the car’s limits. He felt free when he was driving by himself. Not a care in the world as he listened to the radio announce another storm warning. His passenger was getting restless again, making small noises. Atemu turned his head, intending to comfort the youth…only to look straight into the most beautiful amethyst eyes he had ever seen. His mouth turned dry at the sight.

Yugi attempted to surface from the ever present fog that had settled in after what he witnessed earlier in the night. But the shadows didn’t want to let him out of their grasp, his brain muddled by irrational thoughts. Blinking slowly, trying again to clear the haze, he looked up and saw his attacker from earlier. The small teen couldn’t help the cry that came from his lips. This wasn’t what he was supposed to see when he woke up.

He thought the person who had gotten him out of the house earlier had promised him that he was safe. Or had he imagined the whole scenario. Right now he was far from it. This man was going to kill him. Then all conscious thought flew out the window when those glowing scarlet eyes turned on him. Yugi did the only thing he could think of. He screamed!!!

The seemingly innocent child in the passenger seat let out the most unearthly cry, lashing out with his hands and his feet at what he thought was the enemy. Atemu slammed on the brakes, the vehicle veering to the side. As soon as the Corvette came to a stand still, the boy kicked open the door and ran as fast as he could towards the brush and undergrowth next to the deserted highway.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Atemu climbed hastily out of the car and tore off after the child. He couldn’t afford to lose this witness. Not only would Shadi kill him, he would kill himself. He was just that much closer to finding out who had killed his parents when the boy was in his hands. He wasn’t giving this one up.

He chased his young charge into the brush, branches whipping at his face and his arms as he tried to keep sight of his target. Fortunately for the agent, the boy was still battling shock and exhaustion. All of a sudden the boy tripped over an exposed root, and Atemu pounced, pinning the struggling form between him and the moist ground below.

“Stop squirming! Enough already!” Atemu tried to subdue the boy. But he was struggling something fierce. “Stop!”

The agent flipped the boy over so that they were facing each other, pinning his small hands above his head. Atemu felt a stirring in his groin as soon as he saw the boy’s face. This child was so beautiful. He was sin with the face of an angel. The young agent could clearly feel himself hardening with every small movement the child was making. Slowly, Atemu lowered his mouth, until they were only a hairsbreadth apart - fearful amethyst clashing with lust filled crimson - until he caught the luminous sheen of tears in the boy’s stunning eyes. What the hell?! This wasn’t right! He couldn’t be thinking like that!

“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me, don’t kill me.” Yugi whispered over and over, tears spilling down his face. He was going to die. This man with the devil’s eyes was going to kill him and there was nothing he could do about it. He wasn’t ready to die yet.

Atemu pulled back, astonished. “I’m not going to kill you. I just wanted you to stop running. I’m not going to hurt you. Look, I’m used to chasing the bad guys, kid. I’ve never had to deal with someone like you before. So I know I’m a little rough, I’m sorry. We need to get back in the car and get you to someplace safe. Are you following what I’m saying?”

The agent watched as those striking amethyst eyes glazed over. Frowning, Atemu tapped two fingers against the boy’s cheekbone. He wasn’t sure that the child had even understood a word he said. Gently he tapped the boy’s face again.

“At least nod if you understand me. We need to get back in the car. It’s not safe here.”

The boy was out of his daze long enough to catch what he was saying, nodding solemnly. Atemu breathed a sigh of relief. Pushing himself up off of the small body, he picked him up in his arms and made his way back to the Corvette. This time the boy gave no resistance, fortunate as Atemu needed all his focus on finding a path that didn’t involve briar bushes. When they reached the car, the young boy allowed Atemu to position him, doll-like, without even blinking.

Atemu’s mind was racing by the time he put the car into gear and continued their journey. At least the boy was no longer terrified of him, but this blank silence was hardly any better. And on top of that, they had not yet escaped the danger zone. There were still had a couple of hours to go before they would be totally safe. But Atemu was nothing if not determined, and he intended on them making it there with no one being the wiser. It was going to be a long night.

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Opening the door to the small one bedroom cabin, Atemu shouldered his way into the house with the small teen wrapped tenderly in his arms. The boy was in and out of consciousness so much that the agent was almost certain he should be in the hospital under surveillance. But at the moment that wasn’t an option. The child would be nothing more than a sitting duck if he were to be sent to the hospital.

He gently set his burden on the king size bed in the cabin’s only bedroom. Well, this was going to be fun. He was stuck babysitting one of the sexiest people he had ever seen. And there were only a few problems with that. One, he didn’t even know if the boy was of age for him to be thinking along those lines. Two, this boy was a very important witness to a series of crimes that dated back to before they were both born. Thirdly, the boy was quite possibly straight, and fourthly, if that was a word, he was very nearly catatonic.

All in all, it was enough proof for the crimson-eyed agent that Hell existed… and that he was currently stuck in it. Atemu shook his head, wondering if he should shove an icepack down his pants. Thinking the same thoughts as earlier in the evening was getting him nowhere. What was it about this boy that kept made him want to throw him on the bed and ravish his body?

It was approaching seven o’clock in the morning, and Atemu knew that he wasn’t going to be able to remain awake for much longer. He lay down beside the sleeping youth and took the boy into his arms. He noted that the boy seemed to settle down when he did that, curling towards the warmth that his body offered. His thoughts still centered on his young charge, the agent drifted off to sleep. Shopping could wait until they woke up. There was enough canned food to last through at least one meal.

Atemu was only asleep for about six hours before quiet, distressed sobbing was his wake up call. Glancing blearily around the room for the source of the noise, he caught sight of the boy that should have been asleep in his arms. The small boy was curled into a ball by the locked bedroom door, rocking back and forth and sobbing. Atemu raised his head, intent on coaxing him back to sleep. How did the boy get out of his grasp without waking him? He was usually a light sleeper.

“Little one, why are you out of bed?” Atemu asked softly, pushing himself upright.

The boy’s head shot up, his eyes dilating at the sight of Atemu climbing out of bed. He leapt to his feet, pulling at the door, franticly searching for a way out of the room.

“Whoa…take it easy, little one. I mean you no harm. Where are you gonna go? This is probably the safest place around. They won’t get to you here. Not while I’m around.” The agent circled around the boy, hoping to get close enough to grab him, keep him from hurting himself.

Somehow, the words penetrated the haze of terror in the boy’s mind. At the reminder that he wasn’t safe anywhere, he slid to the ground, a blank, defeated look in his tearful amethyst eyes. Atemu couldn’t bear to see that look. It was as if the boy had given up. He watched as the tears slid down the boy’s face and his lower lip trembled piteously. It was all the agent could do to keep from breaking down with him. That look was just…He had never seen such a look of complete defeat on anyone’s face. It made him want to cry in sympathy.

“What is your name little one? How old are you?” Atemu kneeled in front of his charge, touching his face gently to force the boy to look at him.

“…” Yugi couldn’t breathe around the lump in his throat, let alone talk. Dark, chaotic thoughts clouded his mind as he tried to answer the man who was speaking so softly to him. His throat constricted further, leaving him struggling for breath. The weight on his was chest becoming more oppressive with every attempt.

Atemu could see the child struggling to take in enough air to speak, but after a few futile attempts, he knew it wasn’t going to work. This boy was in such shock. Shadi had better call with some information soon. The situation didn’t look good for their young witness. And he had no earthly idea what to do to help him. So he just took the child into his arms, letting him sob out his panic and grief.

“It’s okay little one…I’m still here. No one expects you to do this alone. I’m trying to help you if you’ll let me. Breathe…one at a time. Come on, you can do it.” Atemu coached the boy.

He could feel the boy’s heart fluttering in his chest. To him, it felt like the boy was going into cardiac arrest. But he was no expert on shock, so he couldn’t be sure. But he needed to help the child catch his breath. Somehow. So he whispered the same things his mother used to speak of when she put him back to bed after a nightmare, as he rocked the child on his lap.

Many tense minutes passed, where it looked like the boy was fighting a losing battle. Then his breathing began to even out, and his jewel like eyes fluttered closed. Once he was sure the danger had passed, Atemu lifted the boy back into his arms and laid him on the bed, curling protectively around him. He lay there for a long while, wondering what would have caused the small boy to react the way he did. What did he see last night? Atemu was desperate to know the answer.

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Jou laid the bouquet of flowers down by the fence. With a tear trickling down his face, he nodded to his friends. It was time to go. They couldn’t do anything here. Slowly the group made their way away from the house that their small friend had lived in.

“I can’t believe they’re gone. Who would do such a thing?” Anzu cried. “They never did anything to anyone.”

“Sometimes people don’t need a reason to do what they do.” Honda wrapped an arm around the girl, offering comfort. The three moved slowly, none of them wanting to turn their back on the house where their friend had once lived

“It’s still a load of bullshit!” Jou cried, shaking his fists.

The news was all around town that morning. There had been a ghastly murder the night before, Yugi’s grandfather. And as of yet, Yugi’s whereabouts were unknown. The three friends came by to offer a bouquet of flowers as a token of their affection for the reclusive, elderly man that they called grandpa for the past two years. But their mind was on their missing friend. They needed to do something. They couldn’t just sit here and let something horrific happen to the small teen that had brought so much joy into their lives.

“I say we meet up here later tonight. We’ll find Yugi if he’s still around.” Jou offered.

“And what if he’s not? You’ve heard about those murders that have happened all over the country, right? What if the people doing that kidnapped Yugi? That’s what the papers are saying.” Anzu countered, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t say that! Nothing like that happened to Yug. Do you hear me?! Nothing!” Jou growled back. Until they saw proof… until they saw a body… Jou refused to believe. People like Yugi didn’t die. They certainly didn’t get murdered.

“Easy man, chill out. We’ll try to find him. I’m gonna walk Anzu home and I’ll be back in a few minutes. Okay. She’s upset as it is. If she wants to come back tonight then that’s up to her.” Honda offered rubbing the girl’s back and trying not to let his voice shake.

“Whatever.” Jou responded, snidely. If they didn’t want to help, then fine. He couldn’t just stand idly by while his friend was in danger. He had to do something. Even if it was just to stay busy.

The group split up. Honda and Anzu made their way towards her house. Jou cut through the back yard of one of Yugi’s neighbors. He was looking for anything out of the ordinary. Anything that would point towards his missing friend. He couldn’t give up hope. His friend couldn’t be one of the many victims that he had heard about.

“They’ve split up boss. One of them went behind the house. The other two are walking down the street. Which one do you want me to go after?” One of the men sitting in an unmarked car said quietly into his radio.

“Take the two that are walking down the street. You need to act natural, and that means take the ones in the open. Just be yourself, they’ll trust you. Remember, you only have three weeks to find this kid. I would hate to have to use our reserve this time; you only have a year left.” Came the reply.

“Gotcha. I’m out.” Putting the car into gear, he took off after the two unsuspecting teens. He would be damned if they used his little brother in their ritual. Given another year his younger sibling would be too old for them to consider, but…he had to find the original target. There was no other way. No way out. He would do anything to protect his little brother. Even if it meant handing someone he didn’t know over to his boss, for their ghastly rituals.

Deep, honey brown eyes gazed left and right as Jou walked between the houses in Yugi’s neighborhood. The blonde was praying to god that he would find some clue, just a small scrap of anything that would lead him to his missing friend. He knew all about the kidnappings where the person missing would be found five days later, their corpses nothing but a pile of burnt ash in the shape of a person. He shivered slightly at the thought of that happening to his small friend. Not if he could help it. But if the police and FBI couldn’t help these people, then how could he, one lone teenager, do anything for Yugi.

As he turned down the small alleyway between two of the houses, a scrap of material caught his attention. It was hanging off a piece of trim that stuck off one of the houses. Jou plucked it from its perch, turning it over in his hands. It had the same yellow star pattern on it as Yugi’s pajamas. The only reason he knew that was Yugi wore them when he stayed the night at his house. Jou sucked in a breath. No way!!! His friend had passed through here just last night, in his pajamas. Running away…or running to get help? He had to tell Honda and Anzu.

Jou took off at a dead run. Rounding the corner just in time to see his friends talking to one of the many police officers that were cruising the neighborhood. As the two teens got into the car, Jou crouched back into the alleyway. He would talk to them about this later, when the cops were finished with them. He didn’t like cops none too much anyways. They used to return him to his father when he ran away. Never once did they ask why he did so. If they would have, he would have shown them the many bruises and marks that his old man gave him when he was drunk. But they never asked.

Jou retraced his steps to where he found the scrap of fabric. If he had found that, then maybe he could help after all. The blonde wandered around the neighborhood until it was almost dark, not finding anything else of interest. By then it was time to meet his friends in front of Yugi’s house. Maybe the cops told them something. Disappointed, he made his way back to his friend’s house, hoping that they would be able to find him before it was too late.

He sat down on the porch to wait for Honda and Anzu, ducking under the yellow crime scene tape that was across the entryway. One look at his watch and he saw that they were late. Maybe they were still at the police station. He waited for another fifteen minutes and dug out the cell phone that his sister had given him for his birthday. It was her way of saying keep in touch. Briefly, he felt bad. He wished he was living with his mother and his sister out in California, but his mother just up and left without him, leaving him in his drunken father’s care. She never called to see how he was. Nothing.

Jou shook his head. It was well past time for Honda to be here, even if Anzu didn’t want to come. He dialed information and got the number for the police department. After being transferred from department to department, he was finally in contact with the lead detective on Yugi’s case.

“I was just wondering if my friends were still down there. Their names are Honda Jacobi and Anzu Levigne. They are down there for questions concerning Yugi Motou’s whereabouts.” Jou said as he leaned his head on the railing.

This really sucked. No one he had talked to even knew that the teens had been brought in for questioning. And here he was proud of himself for speaking professionally, like Grandpa Motou had taught him. But no one knew what he was talking about.

“I’m sorry sir. As far as I know, no one’s been brought in for questioning on this case. And everything goes through me. Is there something you want to tell me about Yugi Motou?”

“But I saw them get into a cop car. How can you tell me you lost them?!” Jou stood up. If they weren’t at the station, where were they? That was a cop car they got into, he could have sworn it.

“Maybe State picked them up. What color was the car?” The man on the line asked.

Jou thought for a minute. Was it brown…or was it blue? It was an unmarked car, he knew that for sure. “I think it was brown…I don’t know, it was unmarked, you know, like undercover. Where did you guys take my friends?!” Jou snapped, irate. This wasn’t happening! When this day started, only one of his friends was missing. Now all three of them had disappeared. What was going on?

“I’m the only person who drives an unmarked car in this district. And I didn’t pick anyone up. Listen to me…you need to stay where you are, I’ll come get you. I don’t know what’s going on around here, but I’m going to figure it out. Tell me where you are now, and I’ll pick you up. Hello?”

Jou didn’t answer the person on the other end of the phone. He was watching a dark colored unmarked cruiser make its way slowly down the street. Scooting slowly back until he was hidden by the porch swing, he watched as the car turned on its searchlight, illuminating the yard and the front of the house. Maybe if he stayed really still, he wouldn’t be noticed. The blonde didn’t even dare breathe. This was the car that his friends had gotten into earlier. It had the same dent in the driver’s fender. But this car wasn’t supposed to exist. It didn’t belong to the Domino Police Department, if the detective was to be believed.

He tightened his grip on the cell phone as the car came to a stop. The searchlight made a wide sweep around the front of the house, obviously looking for something. Then the car went on its way. Jou breathed a deep sigh of relief, he wasn’t spotted. Then he remembered that he had someone on the line.

Quietly he said “Are you still there?”

“Hello? Are you there?”

“Thank god. It came back. It’s a brown car, I can’t see the plate…it’s definitely a cop car. What do I do?” What if this person was looking for him? It didn’t take much imagination to think that if the person in that car had Honda and Anzu, then he would be next. What if this person had Yugi too?

“Where are you?”

“I’m sitting in front of Yugi’s house. The guy just went by here, looking for something. What happened to my friend? Oh god what’s going on?” Jou dissolved into tears. Something was very wrong with this situation. His friends were missing, and some guy was lurking around the neighborhood, probably looking for him.

“I want you to go around the back of the house, out of sight of the road, and wait for me there. Do you hear me?” The man’s voice sounded urgent. “I’ll be there in about five minutes. I’ll come around from the back yard. The safe word is hamburger. If someone tries to approach you and they don’t say that word, I want you to get out of there as fast as you can. I’m on my way. I don’t want to give away your position in case they are on foot, so I’m going to let you go. Remember – hamburger.”

Jou put the phone in his back pocket and made his way quietly to the back of the house. He curled up by the bushes, sniffling, and waited for help to arrive as every noise in the night became magnified to his hearing. And everything he heard, his mind turned into footsteps that were getting closer and closer to his hiding spot.

‘Please get here soon.’


Just a little background on what’s happening. You’ll see more of our favorite boys in the next chapter! Just don’t expect them to fall into bed with each other right away, they have some hurdles to overcome.

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