Here's the second chapter, in which Kaiba's day gets even more miserable. Also, the Yamis and siblings of our lost heroes decide to get involved! And Kaiba buys a sweet, new ride…
"A purple minivan," Kaiba said dully, staring at the offending vehicle parked before them.
"Yes! Isn't it awesome?" Yugi gushed at his side as Ryou and Malik clambered happily into the car, with Joey right behind them.
(After trekking for several hours along the empty road, the five of them had come across a conveniently situated motor dealership. Deciding that driving would be much faster than walking, they'd seized the presented opportunity and had entered the business. The haggling and stupidity of the salesman left Kaiba ready to pull his hair out. And despite his best efforts, he'd been overruled by the rest of the group and was now the proud owner of a secondhand purple minivan, much to his irritation. What aggravated his nerves even further was the fact that the salesman, already identified as one of the top ten stupidest people to ever live, couldn't even tell him directions to the nearest town. The dealership's phone was out of order, so calling for someone to pick them up was out of the question. This meant that he would be forced to drive for who knows how long with four of the most annoying people he had ever had the misfortune to meet.)
"Alright, everybody in," he sighed, climbing gingerly into the driver's seat. Yugi clambered into the passenger seat beside him and the other three were already strapped in, in the back.
Time passed smoothly for several hours until hunger overpowered them.
"I'm starving!" Joey complained over the loud grumbling noise of his stomach. Ryou nodded in agreement and Malik poked Kaiba in the back of the head.
"Can't we stop for some food?" he demanded. Kaiba scowled but didn't reply, keeping his eyes firmly on the road in front. Grumpy at the lack of response to his request, Malik poked Kaiba again.
"If you touch me again, Ishtar, I'm stopping this van and throwing you out," Kaiba snapped, still not looking around.
"As long as you throw me out at a restaurant!" Malik snapped back.
"Hey look! A donut shop!" Yugi exclaimed, pointing ahead. Sure enough, there at the side of the road stood a little café, and beside it, a seedy-looking motel.
"Unbelievable," Kaiba muttered, ignoring the cheers coming from the passengers behind him. Staring up at the darkening sky, he made a decision and turned off of the road. It was late and they needed food and rest anyway. There might even be a phone he could use to get them home quicker.
"What do you mean 'They're Missing'!?" Bakura demanded through clenched teeth. Mokuba frowned.
"I mean that they disappeared from the helicopter on their way home!" he snapped back, clearly not intimidated by Ryou's psychotic Yami.
"Five people can not just vanish!" Marik interrupted, ignoring the fact that those sort of things happened all the time when he was around.
"The pilot rolled the helicopter, we think they fell out," Mokuba explained in exasperation. There was a moment of silence.
"They…Fell…Out!"
"Who is this pilot? We must find him and tear him limb from limb!" This violent remark came from none other than Serenity, earning her a high-five from Atemu.
"Much as I'd love to watch you all torture him, we don't have time to waste on him. He's already been fired. Let's concentrate on finding our friends and family instead," Mokuba suggested, trying to remain the voice of reason in this bloodthirsty crowd of outraged Yamis and siblings.
"Very well," Atemu sighed in disappointment. "Where do you think they could be?"
"How can you all be so calm?" Bakura shouted. "What if they're hurt? What if they're dead? What if they lost their decks?" He was brought back to his senses by Marik, who slapped him through the face.
"Get a grip! If something that terrible has happened to them, they need us to remain focused!"
"Right, sorry," Bakura mumbled, rubbing his now-red cheek.
"We need a plan," Serenity announced and they nodded.
"I feel much better," Joey said, patting his now full stomach.
"Do you think we should stay at the motel for the night, or keep going?" Ryou asked, looking at the others.
"I vote motel, I'm exhausted," Malik groaned.
"Seconded," Yugi said.
"Okay, I guess we're staying here for the night," Ryou sighed.
"How can he only have one room left?" Kaiba asked in fury. "Ours is the only car in the parking lot! And who else is desperate enough to stay here?"
"Hobos," Malik answered promptly, "'cause they don't have cars and will crash anywhere for the night."
"Oh, how stupid of me, I should have realized that paying customers would take second place to hobos," Kaiba grumbled sarcastically.
"What number is the room again?" Yugi asked. Kaiba looked down at the grimy key dangling from his hand.
"Number thirteen," he said.
"But there are only four rooms here," Yugi said, looking confused. Kaiba stopped walking and peered closely at the key. He suddenly dropped it with a yell, wiping his hand on his pants in disgust.
"What's the matter now?" Joey demanded, picking up the key.
"It's not a one in front of the three," Kaiba said tersely, "It's lizard poop."
"Eew," Yugi groaned, pulling a face.
Joey snorted and wiped the key off on his trousers before leading them to the room.
"Okay, here we are guys, let's get a good night's sleep and I'm sure we'll all feel better in the morning," he announced confidently. The door swung open and five heads peered inside.
"You've got to be kidding!"
What have they gotten themselves into this time? Read chapter three to find out!
DeadFoxy