Emi: Well, this is the first time I wrote something like this. Please like this? PLEASE! COME ON!
Kori: I wonder if the readers have gotten tired of you yet.
Emi: Fridge you. The readers love me more than you.
Kori: I don't want yaoi jerkoffs on my fan page Emi.
Mitsu: Review and hope you enjoy this new story.
Chapter one:
'A dangerous criminal escaped from prison!'
A small boy was kicking his shoes in the sand of the domino beach. His hair was spiked upward and had multiple colors. 'Yugi you have ten minutes before we leave alright!' A female voice shouted packing up the sandwich bags into the garbage. 'Yes mom!' The boy yelled back loudly running to the water for a few moments.
There was only sound of the ocean…and…Crying?
Yugi glanced to his left the small rocky structure of rocks that some kids climbed but there was only one there at this moment. Yugi walked over to the other boy ignoring the smell of salt water. 'What's wrong?' The small boy smiled. The boy raised up his head, his face was bright red and in tears. 'What?' He asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
'What is wrong? Why are you crying?' Yugi asked sitting next to him. The upset boy moved away from Yugi. His appearance was similar to Yugi's; his hair was slightly different though and his face was more mature. 'Go away.' He growled. Yugi giggled and sat closer making him go more to the edge of the large rock. 'Come on! Are you hurt somewhere?' He asked again more cheerfully.
The boy groaned and finally moved his head from in between his knees. His eyes were bright crimson and not even from the crying. 'I hate this town!' He shouted glaring right at Yugi's blue clear eyes.
'Why?' Yugi exclaimed shocked.
The boy put his head back between his legs, 'I had to leave all my friends just to go to this STUPID town.' He explained, his voice was enraged. Yugi put his hand on the boy's shoulder, 'Then how about we be friends?' Yugi smiled.
'Really?' He sniffled.
'Yep I'm Yugi!' Yugi smiled patting the male on the back.
The boy was quiet for a moment, he finally spoke after a moment. 'I'm Yami.' He looked to the ocean seeing the birds trying to get their lunch.
…
RING!
Yugi slapped his hand down on the alarm clock with a sigh. It was so annoying having to wake up for high school. Yugi dragged himself out of his sheets to reveal his pajamas and his bed head. 'I need to hurry up or he will not wake up…' He thought looking at his bedroom door.
He quickly walked to his door and went down the hallway, among other kids still wearing their pajamas (except for the early birds who are already done with everything) the male knocked on a door that had a 'Do not disturb' poster nailed in to it.
'It's me Yugi. I'm coming in Yami!' Yugi announced walking into the dorm room.
The room was messy; Yami basically threw his clothes on the dresser every night and didn't even bother to put on pajamas at night. Just trousers were enough for him apparently.
'Yami please wake up.' Yugi begged pushing on the sleeping male's back. 'Go away…' Yami groaned. There was a slight moment of quiet and peacefulness before Yugi got on the bed sitting on his knees. 'PLEASE Yami!' Yugi shouted tapping Yami multiple times on the ear. 'PLEASE go away Yugi. I'm not going to school today.' Yami covered his head with the blankets once more.
'Yami I will sit here annoying you until your ears explode.' Yugi threatened.
The covers finally were pushed off to reveal his face. He was sweaty and his face was red, almost erotic. 'Wait. Are you actually sick today?' Yugi exclaimed rubbing his hand on Yami's forehead.
Yami shrugged and looked over at his window. 'I might. I don't know, I'm not a doctor.' Yami pushed the covers on top of Yugi as he walked to his dresser and picked up his school uniform. 'Hey if you're sick-'
'I don't care Yugi.' Yami snapped.
''It's always like this. Yami is really distant and he acts cruel to other people but at least he is nice to me. That may sound selfish but I really want to be the one who he is comfortable around.'' Yugi thought getting out from under the covers. He walked around the room picking up the trash and clothes Yami had on the ground.
Yami slipped on his shirt and yawned; he was tired but he knew if he fell asleep Yugi would probably freak out and hit him.
'I don't have much time so please hurry up and get ready.' Yugi finished putting the trash in the garbage bag. 'You have a test today in algebra Yami.' Yugi reminded the taller male. Yami groaned throwing his backpack on the bed.
'I don't like that damn class.' He commented giving a hint of annoyance in his voice.
'What do you actually like Yami?' Yugi giggled as he finished picking up Yami's room. This made the tall male go silent and just begin to ignore Yugi.
'I understand. I'll be getting ready now! Bye Yami!' Yugi grabbed the garbage bag and left the room.
Yami watched as Yugi left the room. He looked at the curtains covering his window. 'What do I like?' He glanced down at his hands and sighed. 'I guess I don't like anyone.' He mumbled getting his book bag.
…
'Hey Yugi are you still getting ready?!' A blonde male exclaimed.
Yugi smiled lightly and sent the two bags of garbage down the garbage shoot. 'I can get ready quickly Joey.' He smiled moving towards his room.
Joey followed him in noticing how neat and organized it was. 'Yugi I decided you are living with me!' Joey joked falling backwards landing on the bed. Yugi chuckled and took his uniform out of his drawers and scooted in his closet to change.
'Yugi are you still helping that kid out?' Joey asked with a more serious tone.
The boy groaned as he slipped on his white shirt. 'I am just being a friend Joey.' Yugi argued.
'I don't know man. He never seems to be nice to you.' The blonde male commented once more.
Yugi came out of the closet wearing the school uniform neatly and with the jacket that no one else seems to wear. 'Can we just go?' Yugi asked brushing his hair with his fingers.
The male smiled and jumped off the bed following Yugi to the hallway only to run in one of the student council members, Tristan Taylor.
'Yo Tristan how's the rose garden?' Joey said in a teasing tone.
Unlike everyone else, the student council wears another uniform that is a black long jacket and pants to match.
'Wheeler, please do not be rude to your superiors.' The brown haired male said politely.
'Hello Tristan.' Yugi smiled. Tristan smiled back down, 'Oh. Good morning Motou.'
'Why are you in these hallways?' Joey rolled his eyes wondering why he has such polite friends. Tristan cleared his throat and straitened his back, 'We are canceling school today due to a suspicious figure near our campus. We believe it to be an escaped convict that made her escape last night from the prison in Group Eight.' He explained.
(The large town of Domino was divided into eight parts depending on your social status or money. If you were in Groups one, two, three, or four you were high up and most likely rich. Yugi was in Group five meaning he was middle class. Joey was in Group six which meant he was still middle class but had less money. Then there was groups seven and eight, for thugs, criminals, and the mentally insane.)
Yugi's eyes shot open wide, he heard about this from his grandpa.
''A girl was put in prison for life apparently. Sad thing, she was only a few more years older than you Yugi. The news said she got in for murder and terroristic threats.'' He remembered his grandfather's words.
Joey looked at the student council member with an enthusiastic face. 'So no school today!' Joey shouted loudly. Tristan scowled and nodded, 'Yes and please tell everyone to STAY in the dorms as much as possible and keep your doors locked.' He looked down at Yugi when saying the commands from the principles.
'I'll go tell people right away.' Yugi looked up with a slightly worried look in his eyes.
Joey scratched his scalp, 'I'll start calling my sister to tell the girl's dorm.' Joey walked off pulling out his flip phone. 'Thank you kindly.' Tristan bowed making his goodbyes then walking off to talk to more students.
…
'Yami, it's me Yugi.' Yugi knocked on the door.
There was no answer but there was a couple of coughs exiting the room. Yugi looked a bit concerned and opened the door seeing Yami lying on his bed coughing a bit.
'Yami you need to lock your door. Oh! And there is no school today but we can't leave the dorms today.' Yugi explained.
Yami raised an eyebrow, 'Why? Is it another stupid holiday Group one made?' He sounded irritated. He must have been watching TV again and saw another story about Groups one and two.
'An escaped convict from Group eight is said to be near the campus.' His voice was concerned.
Yami got off the bed and grabbed the remote from the bed side table. 'You mean the girl who escaped last night?' He asked turning on the TV hoping to find a channel that actually went in to this more.
'Last night a class S criminal finally escaped from Group eight prison after eight years. We are making sure that she will be captured then executed for her crimes against the higher up Groups. We now have a picture of the convict and we strongly advise all citizens to keep all their doors and windows LOCKED tight.'
Yugi looked surprised at the female in the picture. She was just a kid, she was probably the same age as any kid in this school. Her eyes were bright crimson, and she had long multi-colored hair. (Black, red, blonde) This mug shot was terrifying. She was screaming and swinging around a knife, her face was in tears as she held a knife.
Yugi backed up a bit to Yami's window making sure it was locked.
Yami was surprisingly silent. He looked slightly shocked but the facial expression left as soon as it came. 'Yugi no murderer is going to break in to my room and kill me if that is what you are worried about. ' Yami rolled his eyes.
Yugi clenched his hands in to lightly gripped fists, 'It can happen.' He insisted making sure there was no more trash on the floor. 'You know they probably did this just so the citizens would be scared enough to kill the girl when they see her.'
'They wouldn't want that.' Yugi lightly frowned.
A slight chuckle exited Yami's mouth. 'You really are naïve Yugi.' He started to laugh taking off his uniform since there was no need for it today.
Yugi smiled, 'I guess I am aren't I?' He said trying to sound not totally offended.
'You're also a push-over.' He commented again.
'I guess I am.'
'You need to stand up for yourself more.' Yami put on a black shirt.
'I don't need to do anything.' He argued.
Yami threw himself on the bed listening to the news once more.
A man with a bandage wrapped around his neck went on the camera. He looked like he was in his late fifties, and he was trembling with anger and pain. 'She was a monster. She came up to me with a knife and attempted to slit my throat although I was able to escape from her by getting into my car and driving to the hospital.'
Yami chuckled.
'Anything else that you can say about this girl that would… separate her from most teenagers?' The reporter asked.
He nodded, 'She smelled strange, not in a disgusting way. She smelled like she bathed in perfume. I could smell it a mile away.' He sounded less in pain when he was trying to explain what she smelled like.
Yugi was going to walk out the room once he finished picking up the trash that appeared in less than thirty minutes.
'…' Yami looked emotionless as Yugi left.
What do you like Yami?
Yami rolled over on his side looking at a picture nailed on the wall. It was a family; it looked like they were happy but…
It was hell.
…
'Hey Yugi I was able to get serenity to tell all her friends about the no school thing.' Joey called out.
Yugi smiled and walked to Joey, 'I was going to go get some food. You want to go?' Yugi asked.
Joey grinned and raced in front of Yugi following him to the cafeteria for breakfast.
…
There was blood dripping on the ground, the sounds painful groans filled the misty air surrounding her, and she was silent. She was walking as if she was perfectly healthy, although she grabbed her arm every five seconds to stop the bleeding then let it go.
'I-I…I was too careless. I got shot so easily.' She looked behind her seeing nothing but a dark alley way. There was a body at the end of the tunnel, it had a gun without any bullets left. There was a knife wound in his shoulder. Not enough to kill him but it might if he was left alone for too long.
There was a still daylight when she saw the end of the tunnel , there was no way she could leave yet. She could sneak into a normal crowd easily but the gunshot wound would get her put in to a hospital. Then they would notice it was her because of the police bar code on her arm. It was a mark that was supposed to track criminals in case they escaped, but if you had enough signals being sent from a device (like a phone) it jams it and makes you invisible. Well she didn't have a phone or anything but everyone else did. They're technology allowed a killer to get close to them.
'I will find you…' She growled looking through the crowd.
She stumbled her way back to the nearly dead body and got on a knee, she gave a light smile. The man looked at her terrified as she dragged him next to a dumpster.
'May you sleep forever in the light-
Your corruption will go away-
I promise you will not feel any pain anymore-
I will return you to the state of innocence that this world was made in-'
His eyes shut silently as she placed a small needle in his chest, it had large amounts of potassium nitrate (The lethal injection they use in executions) She took his jacket off and searched his right pocket withdrawing about two-hundred yen* from his wallet.
She ripped a piece of his pants at the bottom and wiped her arms then ripped off another piece and wrapped it around her arm. She put on the jacket, it was a bit long but it was winter so nobody would notice.
She pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and checked her reflection. Her eyes would give her away also, not many people were born with crimson eyes. She checked the phone seeing if anything stood out.
'Nothing.'
She threw the cellphone in the dumpster and wiped her hands against each other.
She took the blade from her pocket and stuck it in her sleeves, then put her hands in her pockets.
'I…Don't have much time.' She mumbled.
…
'Yugi I'm gonna go to my dorm room now. I am tired as hell right now.' Joey sighed.
'You ate ten breakfast meals Joey of course you would be tired.' Yugi smiled buying two extra meals. 'Why are you buying more Yugi?' Joey asked confused.
The boy slightly smiled, 'Just for the weekend.'
'Ah. Alright Yug. Well see ya!' He ran off to get an extra lunch…again.
…
Yugi walked into his dorm room. For a split second, something smelled off. It smelled like a garden and old people perfume. He put the breakfasts in the mini fridge cautiously.
He noticed his window was open. The boy began to tremble slightly this was starting to be creepy. When he reached his window he slammed it shut and looked out seeing some people walking outside. There was just some old people, some teachers and students, and a girl lying against the building sleeping.
Wait.
Who was stupid enough to sleep outside at winter? Besides Joey.
Yugi got his cell phone and a first aid kit just in case. He ran to the hallway leaving his door unlocked. Yugi almost collided with Yami while he was going down the stair case.
'Yugi?' Yami looked down confused as Yugi apologized and ran down the stairs in a hurry.
'…' Yami remained silently confused as he walked back to his room holding his lunch.
…
'Miss!' Yugi called out walking over to the girl. She glanced up, her bangs covering her face. 'Are you injured?' Yugi asked worried.
'…Ya…Yam...No…it's not you…' She slightly spoke amazed.
Her bangs moved from her eyes revealing the deep crimson eyes. Yugi's eyes swelled open in horror. Not only were they the same as the escaped convict's eyes, the distant look in her eyes were actually familiar but this did not cross Yugi's mind that much.
Yugi smiled lightly and backed up only to feel her grab him by the arm and slightly push the knife against his wrist. 'Oh big brother you came to get me!' She gave a fake smile. Yugi slightly trembled as she pulled him up. She went next to his ear, 'You say one word and I kill everyone in this area.' She growled.
'Oh brother can you show me your dorm?' She smiled sweetly while giving that, "I will damn kill you." Look.
'Y-Yes…Of course.' He started breathing more heavily.
She kept holding his hand with the knife hiding in her sleeve. She was the convict, and this much was known to Yugi. Although would bring her to his dorm be the best idea? Wouldn't she have a supply of victims there?!
Yugi started to whisper, 'Please don't kill anyone.' He tried not to get in tears.
She looked at him with another fake smile. She pulled Yugi up the stairs, 'Fine.' She lowered her eyes. Yugi went inside the dorm and shut it behind him. She let go of Yugi and went on the bed with a scowl on her face.
'What's going to happen?' Yugi asked setting the first aid kit on the dresser and his cell phone in his pants pocket. She shrugged and took off the stolen coat gripping on to the knife. 'You stay quiet and I'll wait until everyone goes to sleep. She crossed her arms.
Yugi noticed the blood going down her arm, she was in great pain at the moment. He breathed in heavily then re-opened the first aid kit. 'You need help with that wound?' He asked pulling out some wrap and ointment.
She gripped the knife in her hands not answering or speaking as Yugi went next to her on his knees. 'I don't need help from people like you.' She pulled away.
'So you enjoy bleeding to death slowly?' Yugi asked.
She sent a glare over to the boy then groaned. 'Remember what I said. I will kill everyone here if you try anything.' She warned him as she held out her arm.
He pulled the cloth off her arm and saw the dried up blood. 'How did you get so injured this wound is nearly fatal?' He asked cleaning it up with some kind of wipe.
'…' She didn't answer but she had her knife ready at Yugi's throat just in case he tried to poison her or something.
'You might need some pain killers but I doubt you would take any pills I give you correct?' He asked getting a nod from her. 'You're damn right.' She smirked.
He had to apply pressure to her arm, so he wrapped her arm as tight as possible. 'That hurts kid!' She growled.
'Sorry but you want to live don't you?' Yugi asked once more.
'Shut up.' She grinded her teeth.
Once he got done he took a garbage bag from the closet and walked to his door.
'HEY!' She shouted. Yugi looked at the girl showing no fear, 'I have to stop by my friend's dorm quickly. I will be in there for ten minutes at the most.'
'Why the hell should I believe that?!' She grabbed her knife.
'I promise.'
She calmed down and looked at Yugi puzzled, 'What?'
'I said I promise.' Yugi pulled out a breakfast meal from his fridge and set it down in front of her.
'Promise?' She echoed confused.
Yugi nodded and waited for her to take a bite. 'Fine. But if I even sense that you are lying to me-'
'I know. You will kill everyone here.' He smiled.
As he walked down the hallway she looked down at her lunch and smiled lightly, 'This kid is stupid isn't he?' She chuckled eating more. She gave a glance to the door.
…
Yugi stayed quiet as he picked up the garbage in the room he was slightly trembling and looked at the clock.
'Yugi. What's wrong?' Yami finally asked slightly concerned about Yugi's surprising silence.
'Nothing. Just… Thinking about the fugitive I guess.' Yugi sighed.
Yami wasn't buying it.
He grabbed Yugi from behind and pushed him against the wall without bashing his face in. 'YAMI!' Yugi shouted. He glanced to the clock worried, it has been seven minutes.
'Tell me now Yugi.' He commanded. He was dead serious at this point and was ANGRY that Yugi was actually keeping a secret from him.
'I-I… can't talk about it but please I have to go-'
'Why won't you tell me?' He pressed his head on Yugi's shoulder.
'I can't say that either…' Yugi started to tear up.
Yami released Yugi and groaned. 'Fine don't tell me just go.' He fell on to his bed trying to go to sleep.
'I-I..I am sorry I want to tell you but you're too precious to me.' Yug said as he left.
Yami's eyes shot open wide and he leaned up.
…
'Who spends that much time picking up his friends trash.' She was watching TV at this point, but was avoiding the news. She was amused with watching cartoons since she has been in prison for eight years. 'I'm sorry he is usually so calm but now he is such a worry wart.' Yugi sat in front of the TV too scared to get on the bed with her.
(Oh god. Yugi is making friends with a killer.)
'Sounds like PMS.' She chuckled.
'Don't insult Yami like that…' He whispered. She looked at Yugi with a puzzled look.
'Who?'
'Yami.' Yugi responded a bit scared.
'W-WHAT!' She shouted getting up running to the door. 'Where is he?!' She shouted.
'Wait you can't touch Yami!' Yugi shouted as she glared at him. 'WHERE IS HE BOY!' She pulled her knife back out.
'Yugi.' There was a knock on the door, 'Y-Yami don't come in.' Yugi shouted feeling the blade go against his shoulder.
The door opened anyway. Yami came in seeing someone holding a knife up to Yugi's throat.
'Shut the door.' She commanded. Yami chuckled as he followed the murderer's command. 'So you finally found me huh?' He smirked.
She gave a light smile, 'I heard you were in Group Five so I decided to drop by.' She pressed the knife against Yugi's neck leaving a faint line. 'Let him go now.' Yami looked down at Yugi.
She looked at the small boy then let him go and put the knife in her belt loop.
Yugi stumbled over to Yami and grabbed him by the sleeve.
'Thank you Yami.' Yugi looked up with a slightly pained look on his face.
Yami stayed quiet seeming a bit upset. 'Hmph.' He darted his eves to the side. 'What Yami?' Yugi asked wondering why he was now upset.
'Yugi you…' Yami was glaring right at the female.
'I found you!' She glared at the taller male dead in the eyes. They both had the same eyes. 'You can't run away anymore Yami!'
'You know her?' Yugi asked shocked.
Yami glanced to the small male and protectively and kept him out of stabbing range. 'Yeah, we used to live together eight years ago before she got herself locked up.' Yami said in an almost offensive tone.
'Yeah and if they find me they will probably do a public execution.' She crossed her arms dangling the blade by her fingers.
'Why?!' Yugi exclaimed.
The girl chuckled a bit then sent a smirk to Yami. 'Where did you find an idiot like this Yami?' She said in a voice on the verge of laughter.
'You have no right to insult people for being stupid, miss fugitive.' Yami answered with a groan.
'Oi, I could have escaped whenever I wanted to!' She snapped raising her voice once more. Yugi gave a worried look towards the door, then back to the angry female. 'What?!' She snapped once more. Yugi put a finger above his lips and slowly whispered, 'Wouldn't it sound suspicious if a girl is yelling in my dorm?' He backed up slightly afraid of getting yelled at once more.
'Ah. Looks like miss fugitive wants to get caught.' The taller male chuckled once more.
'No- I mean…Shut up Yami! Dammit how dare you treat me like a child after all we went through?!' Her eyes were beginning to get the slightest bit red and swollen from the stress. Yugi's purple eyes widened in shock then he looked up at the tall male.
'Y-Yami? Did you two go out?' Yugi asked with a slight stutter.
There was an awkward pause.
'I would never date that sadistic son of a bitch…' She growled gripping on her knife.
'Yugi… She has been in maximum security prison in group eight for eight years, how would I be able to date her?' Yami gave a light growl of irritation.
…
'Ah. So her name is Momoka?' Yugi glanced to the bathroom door where the current 'guest' was taking a bath to wash out the dry blood.
'No, that is just a fake name she made for stupid reasons.' He rolled his eyes laying a bit more against the pillows on Yugi's bed.
'Oh? Well how do you two know each other?' The male curiously asked.
'She lived with my family while I was a child. There was not that big of an age difference between us so we had a relationship, but it was just like siblings.' Yami looked up with a light smirk, 'Why? Were you jealous?' He teased.
Yugi's face turned a dark red but not out of embarrassment, but more out of anger. 'Why would I be jealous?' He asked putting his head down on his desk. Yami walked over to the smaller male and put a hand on his head, ruffling his hair.
'Maybe because you like me?'
Yugi's eyes shot open. 'Wait I don't-'
'Yes you do.' Yami interrupted wrapping his arms around neck. 'I know you do.'
'Yami please I can't say stuff like that because…'
'Yugi.' Yami put his head on Yugi's shoulder leaning against his face.
'Hey where the hell are the damn towels boy?' Momoka stuck her head out of the bathroom door. Her hair was completely wet and dripping on the floor. 'He keeps them under the sink can't you bend down a few inches?' Yami groaned releasing Yugi from his arms. 'Why do you know where my towels are?' Yugi whispered slightly.
'Whatever! Just put the towels on the rack like the rest of human kind.' She shut the door beginning to dry off.
Yugi forced out a slight chuckle, 'She is rather short-tempered isn't she?' Making short conversation was awkward when Yami was in one of his moods. 'She is a total PMS factory.' He said loud enough for the said girl to hear.
'Yami I will cut both your hands off.' She slightly opened the door then shut it again. Yami chuckled and began to repeat "PMS factory" a few times then stopped when she threw something against the door.
"They don't act like old friends at all…But I don't think I have ever seen Yami this amused before." Yugi thought.
Momoka opened the bathroom door and walked out with a towel around her waist. "Damn you guys do not know how good a bath feels after eight years." She gave a slight yawn. 'Yeah and we know what television is also.' Yami rolled his eyes.
'Dammit Yami shut up.' She lowered her eyes slightly yawning once more. Yugi gave a charismatic look and then smiled. 'You can sleep on my bed if you like.' He offered. She glanced to the bed and nodded slipping in the bed under the covers. The towel was discarded onto the ground.
'Yami if you're tired you can go back to your dorm, if you want.' Yugi opened up his math text book and began to skim over the page. 'I don't care. I'll just stay here tonight.' Yami said dully.
"I guess he changed back to his regular personality, not that there is anything wrong with that! But, he is always so moody when he is like this." Yugi thought.
'A-Are you sure? I mean, there is only one bed and Momoka has it.' Yugi turned looking at the female who did not bother to dry her hair.
'I don't need sleep.' Yami reached for the remote to change the channel. 'Come on Yami you need to sleep or you'll get bags under your eyes again.' Yugi got out of his chair and walked over to the remote to snatch it from him. There was a light grunt sound made as Yami pulled Yugi down on his lap. 'Y-YAMI! I could have hurt you! Don't be so careless…' Yugi leaned up slightly feeling two arms wrap around him once more. 'Yami, I think you're forgetting someone.' Yugi pointed to the female residing in the bed currently. 'Whatever. I don't care.' Yami leaned down slightly pulling Yugi with him. 'I do!' Yugi yanked his body away lying on the carpet.
'Good night Yami.' The small male grinded his teeth.
'Whatever.'
'Shut up…' Momoka tossed a couple of pillows on the ground aiming for Yami's head.
End of chapter one.
Emi: I need sleep Kori…
Kori: You can sleep after you get done typing.
Emi: I typed so much already…
Kori: I don't care. Work more.
Mitsu: Read review and stop slavery.
