Hell's Hotel
Author's note:
Hello everyone! Im Quincy, and this is my first fanfic. Woo? Anywho, I'm Kinda debating over turning this into some shippings, but I don't know yet. Anyhow, continue!
Cool blue skies, not a cloud of worry. The milky haired teen look up, his chocolate eyes searching the sky for any sign of disturbance. No, nothing around to disturb him, but then why did he feel himself twitch with anticipation? Nothing was going to happen, he knew that. It was pure routine. He'd go to school and come home to find his apartment void of any signs of life. So then, why…? He paced, quietly entering the apartment block, quickly racing upstairs to his apartment door, number 601. A pale, slender hand shot out to grip the golden knob that led into his home. His chest tightened. 'Ryou, get a hold on yourself…' he muttered, disappointed at his own fear. Fear of absolutely nothing, need he remind himself again. Breathing uneven, he stuck his other hand into the pocket of his jeans, fumbling around until he was able to pull out his key.
Inserting the small chunk of metal into the brass opening, he flicked his frail wrist, and the door knob under his other hand gave a slight groan as it was twisted, revealing the young boy's home. Ryou quickly replaced the key in his pocket and turned to close the door. Yes, he was alone. Relief filled his thoughts before it was replaced by grief. His father had promised his return, if for only a few days. Oh well. He wasn't sure why seeing his father had not appeared has caused his so much pain. Dropping his school bag at the front the small house, the teen found himself laughing. Slipping his shoes off next to the bag, Ryou retreated further into the miniature home, knowing full well that if he need be worrying he would have to check his phone first. Of course there was a small light blinking on the phone. One new voicemail, of course. He lifted a finger to press the 'replay' button. A warm, apologetic voice found its way into Ryou's head. "Hey, Ry', its dad. Wanted to say sorry that I couldn't make it, and I miss you more and more every day, but work holds me in Egypt… for the time being." A small voice heard off in the distance. Almost an exclamation of pure joy. His father's voice returned back to the phone. "Well, we found an entrance to a tomb of some sort last night, and if you couldn't hear just then, one of the men apparently found some sort of hieroglyph that might help us open it. Anyways, work calls. Again, terribly sorry if I worried you by not showing up. Maybe sometime next month, eh? Love you, Son. Miss you, too. Bye." There was a beep. Ryou looked up and smiled lightly. At least his old man was safe.
However, it didn't keep his from the lingering fact that he was terribly bored and almost lonely to a point of insanity at times. His father being an archaeologist, he was never home. His mother had passed away some time ago, along with his younger sister, Amane. How people could be so cruel, drinking until they couldn't sit straight, yet still have enough nerve to get in a car was beyond him. That, after all, is what took two of his most important people away. A reckless car crash, on some stupid drunk's behalf. He willed himself to stop thinking about such things. After all, these thoughts only left the child more and more depressed. Shuffling back towards the door, Ryou was able to regain control of his ever-wandering thoughts as he bent down to reach for his backpack. The cloth strap securely in his hand, the boy walked slowly back into the kitchen, now sitting at the small table across from the stove-top. School work had always be one of his top priorities for who knew how long and everyone knew it. Maybe that's why his heart suddenly shot into his throat as the phone interrupted the silence and stillness of the air.
Walking slowly over to the phone, his pale hand found it's way other the receiver. "H-Hello?" he spoke quietly. "Ryou-kun!" the voice shouted back, obviously enthused that he could catch his friend on the phone for once. "Hi, Yuugi*..." Ryou relaxed his grip on the phone, his knuckles no longer the color of bone. "Ryou-kun, uh, Jonouchi-kun*, Anzu-san*, Honda-kun* and I were wondering if you'd come hang out with us this weekend!?" the boy's voice wavered, but perked back up. "Well…" Ryou sighed, "What are we going to do?" he glanced at the floor, he shifted his feet upon the carpet. It took a minuet for the voice on the other end to reply. "Well, you know that old hotel about thirty minutes west of domino?" There was a short pause, "It's opening an amusement park and an IMAX theatre tomorrow, so we were wondering if you'd like to go with us!" Ryou could almost feel Yuugi grin through the phone. A small smile fell onto his lips, before a shiver shot down his spine. "But… Yuugi, didn't someone get hurt at that hotel?" He gnawed on his lip. Yuugi's voice responded, almost chiding him. "Ryou-kun!" he sounded exasperated. "I got that answer from Honda! I was expecting more from you, believing in those silly stories." The voice on the other end of the phone sounded disappointed, to say the least. "Sorry, Yuugi… Just, it frightened me when I first heard it. You promise nothing will happen?" Ryou winced slightly at just how soft his voice sounded. "Yes! Will you be able to come?!" Yuugi's voice raising an octave. "So long as nothing happens. After I get my homework done." The corners of his mouth curled. "Yes, okay! Pack a bag too, Anzu said she could get us some rooms! We'll be by tomorrow at Eleven to pick you up, then we'll eat lunch together and go!" the voice filled with child-like innocence. "Alright, Yuugi-kun. I'll see you all tomorrow at eleven sharp." With that, they both hung up the phone. Ryou retreated back to the kitchen table to finish working on his homework. He glanced at the clock, it was Four-thirty.
A few pages of math were completed in a little over an hour. History, science, along with language worksheets sat in his binder waiting to be done. Ryou took the time to stretch out his legs, and walk into the kitchen, shuffling around in cupboards and the refrigerator for something to eat for dinner. Chicken and rice it is, he decided with a sigh. It was easy to cook, and didn't take long. With that, he left the chicken to thaw and water to boil. A few, maybe ten minutes later the same fluffy head of hair wandered into the kitchen to pop the chicken into the oven, and the rice was placed to boil in a pot of hot water. His feet slid along the floor, making a quiet pattingnoise. Ryou appeared in the archway of the kitchen and wandered into the living room, making his way gracefully over towards the stereo. Though he was quiet and bookish, it didn't stop his from loving music. His ears prickled as the beats began to pulse through the silent house, after all, he was used to absolute silence. Bouncing ever so slightly, Ryou made his way back to the kitchen with a small smile on his face. Rice was almost ready, seeing as how the heat was turned up to max on the stove-top. Pulling the black knob on the front of the appliance, the fire underneath grew dimmer, until the rice was just simmering. The chicken, however, could go for another ten minutes before it was ready. Ryou glanced again at the clock. It was just now around six p.m. His binder was open, and brown eyes scanned the words quickly. History grew more boring each time the boy looked at the worksheet. He sniffed the air lightly, chicken was done! Standing up quickly, Ryou sauntered into the kitchen. Covering his hands with oven mitts, the fragile teenager was able to pull the meat out of the over without burning himself. Resting the pan on one side of the counter, Ryou turned his attention to the rice, which was boiling over the sides. "Ahh! Not again." He griped, removing a towel from a drawer to clean up the spill. The stovetop was now turned off, and the rice water mess had been cleaned. Now, a white ceramic platter had a large helping a chicken and side of rice. A fork scraped against the china, picking up small portions of food. Somehow, Ryou was able to keep his food off of his homework. For he sat there for a good thirty minutes, working between science and his dinner. Once his meal had been cleared, he returned to the kitchen, rinsing the plate clean. The young boy returned once again to the table, and there he sat for another three hours. Not a sound interrupted the music that still played, except for the occasional skritch from the pencil.
With heavy eyes, Ryou closed his binder, all his work for the weekend complete. Now, what to do about the actual weekend was his question. With a small shrug, the boy tugged the strap of his backpack over his shoulder, and scurried away from the table. The light was off in a flash, as well as the music. The two rooms that had been bathed in light for the past five hours now still and dark. Back, further on into Ryou's apartment, one could barely make out a golden glow from behind a closed door. Bustling around, the small youth had thrown several articles of clothing onto the bed, in an attempt to collaborate them into two outfits. "One for tomorrow and one for Sunday" he told himself. With tired hands, Ryou pulled his school items out of the backpack, resting them upon an old oak desk that stood below a window in his room. Shoving one of the outfits into the now empty bag, Ryou zipped it up and threw it onto his bed. He quickly retreated from his room and into the bathroom across the hall.
Peeling off is school uniform, and stepping into the shower, hands reaching out to the taps on either side of the faucet. Turning them quickly, he felt the water pressure rise with each small twist of the knob. Warm water poured over his head, trailing down his bare back. Now, this was relaxing. Soft liquid pooled into his hand, and he rubbed it into his scalp. Ryou backed into the water, foam trailing from his hair. Another bottle popped open, and he squirted the liquid soap onto a wash cloth, and proceeded to wash the rest of himself. Once he was completely rinsed, Ryou shut off the water, and wrapped his waist in a towel, mumbling about how he forgot his pajamas in his room. With a click, the light in the bathroom was extinguished as well. Dry, and clothed, Ryou left the towel to dry over the top of his door, while he climbed into his bed. With the lights off, warm sheets surrounding him, Ryou was able to escape his thoughts by drifting into a much-needed sleep.
A/N:
San- title used referring to females and elders.
Kun- title used for junior-high thru high-school males.
Yuugi – Yugi. Anzu – Teá. Honda – Tristan. Jonouchi – Joey. I used the Japanese names, and I will continue to use them in this fanfic, if I even continue to write it. I kinda lost inspiration after the third paragraph… oh well. R&R please? Kinda short, but eh. I did mention that I got tired halfway through. :D Reviews make me smile?