KT: Thanks to Miko102, littleslg, tavi, DarkandDaisuke, cheeky-eyes, moonlit-leaf, kingleby, cosmic tomato, Atemu Yugi Lover34, Yami-Yugi3, Godell, Angel's Nocturne, child star, anon, and Crystal F. Flowright for reviewing. Here's the next chapter.


7: Last Pages

"Can we go any faster?" Tea asked worriedly.

"I'm already driving thirty miles over the speed limit," Tristan replied. Since he was the only 16-year-old present, he got to drive. "I don't want to crash."

Joey leaned in from the backseat. "I appreciate da help, Tristan, really, but I thought you didn't like Yugi."

"I don't care too much for him," Tristan admitted as he flew past a car driving the speed limit, "but teasing him at school is one thing. His life and his parents' lives are in danger right now."

"Well, thanks for comin' through now," Joey said.

"We can save the sentiments for later," Tristan told him as he ran a red light.


When they made it to the hospital, Joey kicked open the door and jumped out. Tea climbed out after him while Tristan drove off to find a parking space.

"Oh, I hope Yugi is all right," Tea said worriedly.

"So do I," Joey replied. His face was grim.

They hurried through the double doors and up to the receptionist's desk.

"Can you tell us where Yugi Moto's room is?" Tea asked.

The receptionist turned to her computer and tapped a few keys before turning back. "He's in room 307," she told them.

"Thank you," Tea said as she and Joey turned and ran down the hall.


Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Yugi's eyes opened slowly. He felt a dull ache in his head. Was he lying down? There was a bright light shining in his face, and he squinted. What had happened?

"Yugi?"

Yugi looked over to his left and saw his grandpa leaning over him worriedly. Solomon's face melted in relief when he saw his grandson looking at him. "Thank goodness," Solomon said. "How do you feel?"

"I..." Yugi considered. "My head...hurts a little. My legs are stiff. My leg...feels funny. What...what happened?"

Solomon sighed. He suddenly looked years older. "You were in a car wreck, Yugi. All three of you were brought to the hospital." He looked down. "Fortunately, you had the least serious injuries. Nothing broken, but your ankle was sprained and you have a mild concussion."

"Where are Mom and Dad?" Yugi asked.

"Your mother is in surgery," Solomon said. "Your father...is...gone. He died on the way."

He's dead... Yugi felt a coldness inside himself. "Is Mom going to make it?" he asked.

"I'm hopeful, but the doctors aren't," Solomon said. "They're doing everything they can, but they say she's lost too much blood." He held something out to Yugi. "Here. You've been unconscious on and off for a few hours. They gave you some painkillers, and you woke up a few times and kept asking for your book. You were holding it to your chest when they pulled you out of the car."

Yugi reached for the book with his safe arm. "What's going to happen?" he asked.

"They want to keep you overnight to ensure that you'll be all right. If your mother makes it, she'll need care for a while. The two of you will stay with me."

Yugi didn't say anything else. His grip on the book tightened.


While waiting for news, Yugi didn't cry. When they told him that his mother was dead, Yugi didn't cry. He was an orphan now. Solomon would of course take him in. When his friends made it to the hospital and expressed their sorrow for his loss, Yugi didn't cry.

At the hospital, Solomon kept his mind off of losing his son and daughter-in-law by discussing plans with Yugi. He would have to take the bus to school, instead of walking, and he could have the bedroom he used whenever he visited Solomon. Until his ankle got better he would be confined to crutches. "Things will be different, of course, but we'll make it," Solomon said.

Yugi said nothing, but simply looked down at the book in his lap. "Will we have a funeral?" he asked.

"Well...of course," Solomon said. "We'll have to keep it simple, so I can pay for it--"

"Can I have a little time alone?" Yugi asked suddenly.

Solomon looked a little surprised, but he nodded. "Yes, of course, Yugi," he said. He headed for the door. "I'll be right outside if you need me." He closed the door behind himself.

Yugi waited a few seconds, and then turned on his side and hugged the book to his chest. He felt tears welling up and fought hard to hold them back. Tears never did anything for anyone, he told himself.

Yugi stayed in that position for a little while. When he felt he was ready, Yugi sat up and looked down at the book in his lap. He reached over to the small table and picked up the pen that had been lying on it. He opened the book and flipped to the correct page. He had stopped writing in midword when the car accident occurred, and Atemu had responded underneath.

Yugi? Is something wrong? What's going on?

Yugi pushed down the top of the pen, which made the point come out, and started to write.

Sorry about the interruption.

Yugi, what happened? Is everything all right?

Everything's fine. I just saw something...interesting.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

All right.

So, you were asking about windows, right?

Yes. Yes I was.

Oh, yes, the cars. Like I was saying, I'm not tall enough to drive a car without a pillow.

Yugi's fingers felt numb as he continued to write.


For a week after, Yugi neglected to write in the book. He and Solomon moved all of his things to his new home, and they sold most of the other things. Solomon decided not to press charges against Keith Handelson because he wanted to help Yugi put the whole thing in the past. They had the funeral the next Sunday--just them, a few of Mr. and Mrs. Moto's friends, Joey and Tea there for Yugi, and a pastor to read from the Bible. Very short and simple, and inexpensive.

Yugi didn't cry then either. The general happiness he had finally become accustomed to was snatched away in an instant, leaving what appeared to be an emotionless shell in its place. No laughs. No smiles. No twinkle in the eye. It was like a year ago, only ten times worse.

I wish I had never been born, Yugi thought often.

Yugi didn't want to tell Atemu what had happened. He feared if he revisited that again he might lose control and try to kill himself. And what could Atemu do anyway? He was a spirit in a book. All he could do was write.

Solomon let Yugi take the week off from school, and he called in and informed the principal of the situation. The principal agreed that a week off from school would be for the best for Yugi. Some of Yugi's classmates sent him condolence notes. Miss Mai sent him a three-page letter. Joey and Tea came over often to hang out with him, and see if they could pull him out of his depression.

Nothing worked.

Solomon began to wonder if they would need help. He asked Yugi if a psychiatrist was in order, but Yugi said no, he preferred to keep his thoughts to himself. Solomon had agreed not to go against Yugi's wishes, but he secretly spoke to Joey and Tea and asked if they could help. They said they would try, and did, but Yugi wouldn't tell them anything either.

Things were looking truly, truly bleak.


On Sunday evening, Yugi made his way slowly over to the desk and sat down, looking down at the book sitting on it. He had avoided talking to Atemu for so long. It was finally time to talk. He felt his head was level enough that he wouldn't try to slit his wrists if he mentioned the car wreck.

He opened the book. Atemu had written him a note on the last blank page.

Why are you avoiding me?

Yugi sat on his bed and picked up a pen. He hesitated before beginning to write.

Things aren't going well.

What's the matter, Yugi?

Last week, when we were going to Grandpa's, we got into a car wreck. That means another car hit us. Car wrecks are very dangerous and often fatal. Dad died on the way to the hospital. Mom died in surgery. I'm living with Grandpa now.

There was a pause. Yugi, why didn't you tell me?

I thought I might commit suicide if I brought it up again.

What! Yugi, this is serious. Are you feeling all right?

Oh, sure. Both of my parents are dead. I'm an orphan, Atemu, how do you THINK I'd feel? Yugi felt tears rising. They're both gone. I'm never going to see them again. I mean, do you think I'd feel anything besides utter devastation?

Atemu didn't say anything. Yugi dropped the pen and put his face in his hands. He burst into tears. All the grief and pain he had bottled up for over a week came flooding out of him. Several tears hit the pages and sank in. Not only were both of his parents gone, but soon he would lose his best friend. Life wasn't fair to him at all.

Yugi was so upset that he didn't notice that the book had slid off of his lap and fallen to the floor. He saw a flash of light through his hands and thought absently that Solomon had turned on the hall light. Finally he collected himself enough to pick up the book. Atemu had responded, taking up the last line in the book.

Don't cry, Yugi.

Yugi felt even more tears brimming at that sentence. Atemu really did care about him. He didn't want to lose Atemu yet. But how did I he know I was crying...?

There was a footstep near him. Yugi's head jerked up, fresh tears on his face, thinking that Solomon had let himself in. Instead it was a young man, staring at him in amazement. His face seemed vaguely familiar to Yugi, but he knew he had never seen this guy before. Inspiration dawned on him when he realized they were both staring at each other with the same amazed expression.

"Yugi?" Atemu said in disbelief.

"Oh my God," was all Yugi could say.

Atemu got down on his knees so he could look Yugi in the eye. "It is you," he said. He reached out and wiped one of Yugi's tears away with his thumb. "And you were crying."

Yugi sniffled. Atemu immediately reacted and wrapped his arms around the 12-year-old. "Don't cry," Atemu said. "It's okay."

Yugi rested his head on Atemu's shoulder. "How--how did you get here?" he asked, not bothering to wipe the rest of his tears.

"I don't know." Atemu didn't even seem to care. His main concern was the crying 12-year-old in his arms. He rubbed Yugi's back. "Let's worry about that later, okay?"

Yugi sniffled and nodded. "D...Does this mean you won't cease to exist?" he asked, fearful that Atemu was going to vanish any second.

"I'd think it would," Atemu told him. "I had to escape the book to escape the danger of ceasing to exist. Whatever happened, it freed me, so now I'm alive for real."

"Thank God!" Yugi cried, throwing his arms around Atemu's neck. "I couldn't bear to lose anybody else."


Taku: So, the old spirit finally popped out of the book.
KT: Yep.
Juni: Does that have something to do with the weirdo poem?
KT: Uh-huh.
Taku: Are you going to tell them about the previews?
KT: Yes. Listen up, everyone. After The Book I plan to write another story. But I haven't made up my mind on which one will come first. So if you would kindly peek into my profile at some point, and tell me which one sounds the best, I'll take your word for it. Thanks in advance.