"All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere…"

-Gary Jules

1: The Maddening of Jack Atlus

Bruno was innocently working on Yusei's new engine.

He typed in codes that changed a formula in his work. Yusei and Crow were both out, leaving Bruno and Jack alone in the garage. Bruno was working extra hard on Yusei's engine, determined to impress him.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Bruno turned to see Jack staring down at him, a strange glint in his eyes.

"So… whatcha doing?" Jack asked in a tone Bruno didn't recognize.

"I'm uh… working on Yusei's engine," the blue haired amnesiac replied. He had been sure Jack knew that, so why had he asked?

"Hm… sounds interesting…" the blonde haired duelist said, "But you looked tired… why don't you take a break?"

"Oh, I'm fine, really," Bruno told him, turning back to his work. Is Jack feeling okay? He's emphasizing his words strangely, as if he's trying to suggest something else…

The grip on Bruno's shoulder became tighter, almost painfully.

"No… I insist…" Jack said, his grip now becoming painful.

"Ow, Jack, you're hurting me…" Bruno said, flinching. Jack released his grip. "Oh, sorry…" he said quietly. He continued to stare at Bruno. The blue haired one rubbed his shoulder. Jack sure is acting strange… he thought, I hope Yusei returns soon…

"So, what's this on the screen?" The blonde haired man asked, his face suddenly extremely close to Bruno's. Bruno jumped a little and moved his face away.

"I-It's the inside of the engine," he explained, as Jack inched his face closer again.

"Hmm…" Jack said in a voice barely above a whisper, "You know what I'd like to see the inside of?"

Bruno suddenly found himself staring straight into fiery amethyst eyes. Their noses were just barely touching.

That's it! I don't know what Jack's playing at, but this has got to stop!

"Jack, leave me alone," Bruno told him, pushing his face away, "I'm trying to work here."

Suddenly, Jack had both his hands on Bruno's shoulders.

"It's alright, you can take a little break, can't you?"

And once again, Jack's face was a centimeter from Bruno's.

"Jack, stop it!" The blue haired super mechanic once again pushed the strange blonde away from him.

Yusei… please hurry up and come home! Jack is really starting to scare me!

"Come on, Bruno. Don't deny it. I know you want this too~" Jack sang as he began to massage the amnesiac's shoulders.

Bruno shoved him away. "Jack, I don't know what you're trying to do, but please stop. It's not funny and I don't-"

But suddenly, Jack shoved Bruno sideways and the blue haired mechanic fell over, falling on his back. The blonde haired duelist towered over him, his amethyst eyes sharp as knives.

"I don't think you want me as your enemy, Bruno…" he snarled, bending down and grabbing Bruno's shirt collar. He lifted him up.

"J-Jack..! What's gotten in to you?" Bruno gasped, trying to struggle free from his grip.

"There's something I want, Bruno," Jack said, "Something I won't take "no" for answer for… And I'll take it by force if I have to…" He kneeled down so he was hovering right over Bruno. Bruno shrank back, fear rising up inside him.

"W-What do you want from me?" he gasped, "I don't have anything! I have no money and no cards! What do you want?"

"I want you~!" Jack said, and he kissed him.

Bruno's eyes widened. He threw Jack off him and scrambled to his feet. His mind was racing. There was definitely something wrong with Jack today.

"That's it. I'm calling Yusei!" Bruno said, not noticing the way he was shaking. He took out his phone, but it was knocked from his hand in a flash. Jack walked over to it and smashed it with his foot. He turned and glared at Bruno.

"This is between you and me," he said in a soft but dangerous voice. Bruno let out a squeak. This was no joke. Jack was serious. He wanted Bruno and he wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

"J-Jack, t-think about what you're doing," Bruno stuttered, backing away.

"I am thinking about it," Jack cooed, "I'm thinking about all the things I want to do to you~"

He lunged at Bruno, who wasn't fast enough, and wrapped his hands around Bruno's throat. The young mechanic coughed and gasped, trying to breathe.

"J-J-Jack-k-k-k…!" he spluttered, "S-S-Stop-p-p-p..!"

"Then I think you'd best cooperate with me," Jack whispered in Bruno's ear before letting him go. Bruno swayed and stumbled backwards as he gasped for breath. He dropped to his knees, the world spinning around him from his lack of oxygen.

"So what's your answer?" Bruno heard Jack say. Bruno was unable to speak as he was still panting for breath. Jack took this to offense. He grabbed Bruno's collar and yanked him up. Then he socked him right in the face.

Bruno flew back, his head hitting the ground. His nose felt as though it was on fire, and he felt something hot running down his face. He put his hand to his nose and felt blood. He curled into a ball, putting his hands over his bleeding nose, and began to cry.

"You'd rather work on a stupid engine then submit to me?" Jack growled. He walked over to Bruno's computer, pulled out the memory disk, and snapped it in half.

"The person who broke in and attacked you also stole your program," Jack told the crying Bruno, "And if you tell anyone differently, you'll be in for it way worse next time."

Bruno whimpered. What was wrong with Jack? Why was he doing this?

Jack broke the disk into more pieces and pocketed them.

"Don't forget that I have the power to turn Yusei and Crow against you in an instant. I've been friends with them my whole life, and we've only met you a couple of weeks ago. And if it' my word against yours, I think you know who'll win…"

Bruno's mind raced. He felt as though he had just walked into a nightmare that he could not escape.

"I hope you'll rethink your answer," Jack said, "Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to get some tea…"

Not too long after Jack left, Yusei returned.

"Jack! Bruno! I'm back!"

There was no answer.

Yusei put his tool box down. "Hello?" he called.

He heard a strange noise coming from the basement part of the garage. He cautiously walked to the doorway and peered down the stairs.

"Bruno?"

He heard someone let out a sob.

The crab headed duelist bolted down the stairs to find Bruno curled up in a ball, blood everywhere.

"Oh my God! Bruno? What happened?" Yusei exclaimed, shooting over to him.

Bruno lifted his head. His face was overflowing with tears and blood.

Yusei grabbed a nearby rag and handed it to his bleeding friend. Bruno took it and buried his face in it, sobbing harder.

"Bruno, what happened? Who did this? And where's Jack?" There was urgency in his voice, a need to know exactly what had happened so he could bring justice upon it.

Bruno shook his head, too worked up to reply.

"Come then, let's get you cleaned up. Then you can tell me what happened."

The blue eyed man gently led his friend to the bathroom and helped wash him off. Bruno calmed down once his nose had stopped bleeding and he was cleaned up as best as possible. Yusei noticed that he was extremely shaky.

"Bruno, you tell me when you're ready. I won't you to say anything you don't want to," Yusei assured him.

Yusei… You're too good to me… But Jack… He has so much power over me… What can I do…?

"I… I was… attacked…" Bruno said, his voice shaky.

"By who?" Yusei asked, a little too swiftly.

"I-I don't know…" Bruno lied, looking down.

"Where's Jack?" Yusei asked.

"He… He went out for tea…" Bruno mumbled.

"What?" Yusei exclaimed, "Grr…! That Jack…! I told him to stay here! He knows you don't fight back! He was supposed to watch over you!"

Bruno groaned. The irony was too much for him.

"What else happened? Was anything stolen?" the crab headed duelist asked. Bruno was quiet.

"Our engine program…" he finally told him.

"WHAT? God damn it!" Yusei shouted, slamming his fist into the wall, "We worked so hard on that!"

"I-I'm s-sorry…!" Bruno sniffed, beginning to cry again.

"No, no, Bruno…! It's not your fault…!" Yusei said quickly, "It's Jack's fault! If he had been stayed here like I told him to, this wouldn't have happened!" That only made Bruno cry harder.

Yusei sighed and put an arm around his friend.

"Don't worry. I'll file a report to security. They'll catch the culprit. Did you see what he looked like?"

Bruno shook his head, and Yusei sighed again.

"Well, I guess it could have been worse. At least you're still alive." Yusei gave a weak smile, trying to cheer Bruno up. Bruno stopped crying, but not because of Yusei.

"Next time…"

The words Jack had said rang in Bruno's head. Next time… There was going to be a next time… And there was nothing he could do. If he told Yusei the truth, Jack would either kill him, or turn everyone against him. But if he didn't do something… Bruno had a bad feeling about what Jack had planned for him in the future. More than just a kiss.

Much more.

"Y-Yusei… please…" the blue haired amnesiac sniffed, "D-Don't leave me again…"

"Bruno…" Yusei said with a pitiful smile, "Sorry, but I can't always be here. I have a job, and so does Crow. But Jack doesn't, and he's the strongest out of all of us, so he'll protect you."

No he won't! Bruno cried in his head, his heart beating with fear.

"N-No…!" he pleaded, "Jack will just leave me again! He won't protect me! I need you!" He felt ready to burst into tears again.

"Don't worry," Yusei assured his friend, "He won't being leaving you again, mark my word. When he gets, he's getting a piece of my mind!"

Bruno gulped. He had a terrible pain growing in his stomach. No matter what happened, he was in danger.

A half hour later, Jack returned. Bruno had somewhat recovered, and was working his computer again. He froze upon hearing the door open, knowing who was entering the garage.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" came Yusei's voice, and Bruno flinched, wishing he could just disappear.

"I went out for tea. So?" Jack snapped, "What's got you all worked up?"

"Because while the great Jack Atlus was out wasting money on tea, someone broke into our garage, attacked Bruno, and stole our engine program!"

There was silence.

"…. What?" Jack finally gasped, as though he were utterly shocked. Bruno wanted so bad to just scream.

"I-I wasn't even gone that long!"

"Well, it was long enough!" Yusei snapped, "And now Bruno is freaked out and injured, thanks to you! You know he doesn't fight back!"

Jack crossed his arms. "Hmph! It's not my fault he can't take care of himself!"

"Jack, you know very well he doesn't like violence! Just because you talk with your fists doesn't mean everyone does! You should respect Bruno's pacifism! Now go apologize for abandoning him!"

No, really, it's okay! Bruno thought desperately, Please don't let him come near me!

Jack made a face and grunted. "Fine…" he muttered. The blonde haired duelist made his was down the stairs to the basement.

Bruno's heart practically stopped. He dove under his desk and pulled the chair in front of him to his himself.

"Bruno? Where are you?" the blue haired pacifist heard the dangerous one say. Bruno remained as silent and stiff as a stone. But Jack wasn't stupid. He knew which desk Bruno usually worked at. He yanked the chair away, making Bruno squeak with fear and his eyes met violet ones.

"Hey, Bruno, whatcha doing down here?" Jack said smoothly, smiling an almost evil smile. The color drained from Bruno's face, and he was unable to say anything back.

"Look, I'm sorry about leaving you alone earlier. I had no idea someone was just waiting to break in. It won't happen again, Ipromise."

Bruno remained silent, choked up with fear. Jack's smile vanished and his eyes narrowed.

"Aren't you going to say something?" he hissed under his breath so only Bruno could hear. Bruno replied with a small squeak and pressed his back to the desk, wishing he could move through solid objects.

"He doesn't have to say anything if he doesn't want to!" came Yusei voice from up the stairs, and Bruno immediately felt safer, "Now get your ass up here, Jack! You're cleaning the house as punishment!"

"Hmph…" Jack grunted, standing up, "Who died and made you queen?"

"You did!" Yusei said, referring to how he was now the duel king, and Jack wasn't, "Now get up here and leave Bruno alone! He's had a rough day!"

Jack scowled, then mouthed, "Next time, just you wait!" to Bruno. Then he left back the way he came.

Bruno curled up into a ball again, shaking and taking deep breaths. Jack had gone mad, crazy, and he was the only one who knew. And he would be the only one who ever knew, because if he said anything, Jack would turn everyone against him. There was nothing he could do. His only hope was to try to stay as far away from Jack as possible, and to never let himself be alone with the crazy blonde. But as long as they lived under the same roof, he was in danger. And Bruno had nowhere else to go… With no memory, he was stuck. And he couldn't just up and leave… not while his feelings for Yusei continued to grow.

So what could he do?