Chapter 2:A Heavenly Interference
Morning light filtered in through the shades, illuminating Atem's now tan complexion. Yet this did not stir him. What finally did was a hand grabbing his elbow jerking him up. His eyes flew open, now wide awake. A tall male, taller than him, with brunette hair was glaring at him, a death-grip on his elbow. "What are you doing in my house?" the man demanded, shaking him slightly.
Startled, Atem didn't speak for a moment. He was thankfully saved by a voice on the stairs. "Uncle David, let go of him! He needed a place to stay! So he slept on the couch!"
David let go of Atem's arm, causing Atem to plop down on the couch, looking stunned at the rude awakening. "Why didn't you tell me this?" he demanded of Hali.
"It was late and he didn't have anywhere else to go." Hali half-lied, giving a worried glance at Atem. "Can he stay until he finds a place?"
David glared at Atem, who didn't flinch. "Is there anything going on between you two?"
"No, David. He's a friend from school." Hali lied, rolling her eyes.
David sighed. "Fine. Just until he gets his own place. And he better do chores around here."
"Thanks, David!" Hali said, hurrying over to hug her uncle.
David went back upstairs just as two girls headed downstairs, already dressed. "What was all the commotion?" the brunette girl asked. She was a little shorter than Hali but she looked a lot like her.
Atem looked over and his mouth dropped open at the sight of the girl. "Hali, who is this?" he asked her.
"These are my sisters of sorts." Hali said. She pointed to the brunette. "She's Hailey. And the blond is Luna."
"Who is he?" Hailey asked, curious. "He looks a lot like Yugi."
"Yeah he does." Luna piped up, staring at Atem.
"He's my guardian angel." Hali said, sitting down next to Atem.
Hailey and Luna burst into laughter. "Yeah right!" the chortled.
"No, I'm serious!" Hali said, surprised they didn't believe her. "C'mon, Atem. Show them some of your powers."
"I-I don't think that's such a good idea, Hali." Atem said, unsure. "I'm still a little shaky from the last one. And the wake-up call."
"C'mon, show them a little. That won't hurt, will it." Hali pleaded.
"All right." Atem said, finally. He closed his eyes and vanished. He reappeared behind them, staggering a little.
"How did you do that?" Hailey asked, awestruck. They were staring from where he was to where he was standing now as Hali hurried over to help him out.
"He's an angel." Hali said firmly. "He's here to protect me."
"From what? The boogeyman?" Luna cracked.
"Something much worse…" Atem panted, leaning against Hali. The mist that was visible the night before was oozing out of him again.
Hali gave him a worried glance. "You going to be all right?"
"Yeah, just give me a bit." Atem said, his breathing slightly ragged.
"I've got to get ready for school. Will you be all right by yourself?"
Atem's eyes widened and he shook his head. "I've got to be with you."
"I'll be fine. You need to take care of yourself." Hali said firmly. She set him down on the couch and went up to get dressed with Hailey and Luna. They said good-bye to Atem and David and headed out the door.
After school, Hali, Hailey, and Luna walked home. Hali got the strangest feeling that she was being followed, but when she turned, no one was around. "You're paranoid." Hailey observed, after her third time looking around.
"Am not. Remember what Atem said? I just have the feeling someone's following us." Hali retorted.
"You're afraid that what he said is right. He isn't. There's no such thing as monsters." Luna said, as they arrived at the house. Hailey and Luna headed up the walkway, but Hali hesitated, looking behind her. A blond pale figure was behind her.
"Who are you?" Hali asked, frightened.
The boy grinned, showing pointy white teeth. "Marik. I'm here for you."
"Over my dead body." A voice said suddenly from the porch. Hali turned and saw Atem on the porch, looking furious. He was wearing just his white slacks, his bare chest bronze. "I expected you would come."
"Oh really?" Marik asked, surprised. "You usually can't predict me."
Atem vanished and reappeared behind Marik, grabbing his neck, pulling him down. "You better get out of here before I kill you."
Hali stumbled back frightened and Atem gave a nod to her. "Go back in."
Marik took advantage of Atem's distraction and grabbed his wrist. "You're coming with me!" he growled and both disappeared.
"Atem!" Hali cried, hurrying over to the spot where they disappeared.
Hailey and Luna hurried over. "Who was that guy?" Hailey asked.
"A vampire." Hali said. Even though she'd blurted it out, she knew for certain that she was right.
"What?" Hailey and Luna asked, startled.
"Did you see how his teeth looked?" Hali asked. "They were pointed, like a vampire."
"Where did he take Atem then?" Hailey asked.
"I dunno, but I'm worried about him." Hali murmured, staring up at the sky.
In the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, a white and black light appeared in the air, landing on the sand. Marik landed lightly, Atem staggering some. "Why did you bring me here?" Atem demanded.
"I will defeat you once and for all!" Marik growled. He whipped out a knife, the blade flashing in the sun.
Atem's eyes widened at the sight of the knife. "Marik. Don't you dare go after her."
"Oh, I will once I destroy you." Marik snarled. With the quickness of a cheetah, he was upon Atem, pinning him to the sand, raising the knife.
The sun glinted off the knife as Marik plunged it into Atem's chest. Atem gave a loud gasp and a cry of pain, white mist issuing from his body. Marik jerked it out, getting to his feet, leaving his enemy lying on the ground. "See you in hell, Pharaoh." He cackled and disappeared.
Atem couldn't move as he lay gasping for air on the sand. Is this the end…?
No, my loyal subject. Use your powers to get home. I will give you enough strength to get there. Hali's in danger. A deep voice issued from within his head. You will be rewarded for your faith in Me.
Atem closed his eyes, feeling his powers drain with every passing second. But within moments he disappeared. When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing on the porch of Hali's house. Marik was approaching, he knew. He had to get Hali into the safety of the hosue. "Hali…!" he croaked.
Hali turned and hurried over. "Atem, are you okay?"
"No, just get into the house, now!" Atem groaned, eyes squeezed shut, leaning against her as she offered.
Hali helped him inside where he collapsed onto the couch. "What happened?"
"Stabbed me…" Atem whispered. Mist seemed to be surrounding him as he lay there, growing weaker.
"What will happen to you?" Hali asked, horrified.
"I'll disappear…" Atem asked. His body suddenly relaxed, his body going limp on the couch.
"Atem?" Hali asked sharply, shaking him. "Atem, wake up, talk to me!"
Atem felt himself fading away. As he lay gasping, the deep voice from inside his head said again, My son, as payment for your service, I will give you the one thing in the world back. The chance to be with your love.
Hali stumbled back, startled, as Atem's body began to glow white. "Atem!"
Atem felt himself coming slowly back, the pain intensifying. The glow faded, his eyes wide open as he arched his back, crying out in pain. Blood appeared, bubbling up from the wound, dripping down his chest.
"Atem! You're-you're bleeding!" Hali asked, awestruck. She hurried out of the room, only to return moments later with a wet towel. "Hang in there, Atem."
"Doctor…" Atem gasped, before passing out.