On one side of Domino, Joey opened his front door and stepped out.

His right foot moved and something, paper-like in sounding, crinkled.

He looked down at the now slightly wrinkled paper -his eyebrows rose in surprise- that had his name on the front.

He retrieved the paper and unfolded it, pressing it against his door and smoothing out the wrinkles.

He blinked at the neat handwriting for a few moments before actually focusing on the contents of the letter.

Dear Joseph Wheeler,

We are aware that you are the brother of one, Serenity Wheeler, and must be informed of your beloved sister's impending death.

In three days' time, as the full moon rises in the sky, your dearest sibling will be dead.

To save from her this tragic fate, you must obey all orders and do exactly as you are told, got it?

Joey nodded vigorously as if the ink and paper would recognize this as agreement.

At exactly midnight tonight you will be at the decrepit water well behind the Domino Marketplace, failure to comply with this demand will result in your sister's loss of a finger.

When you arrive at the previously mentioned location, a distinctly recognizable man will be present. Any harm that comes to him will be reciprocated tenfold to your dearest sibling.

The third loose stone will guide you to the dragon's lair . . .

Joey rubbed his eyes and read the letter three more times before sniffling.

A ransom note.

He'd heard about things like this. Some people take other people's loved ones and demand money so the loved one will return unharmed.

But Joey didn't have any money.

At least, not a lot; he had a little bit of money from helping Yugi's grandfather with some things around the game booth.

I was saving it to buy some new cards but . . . I'd do anything for 'Ren.

Joey spun on his heel and ran back into his house, straight to his room; hell-bent on saving his little sister.

On the other side of Domino, Seto stretched as he stood up. He was finally finished with the last book that Gozaburo has given him to read.

The last one for today, that is. Tomorrow he'd have another thirty.

He sighed tiredly and walked down the hall towards Mokuba's room.

He'd promised the boy at breakfast that, after he finished his lessons, he would spend the rest of the day with him.

"Mokuba?" He raised his hand to knock but stopped when he realized the door was already open.

Almost hesitantly ('almost' because Seto never hesitated about anything) he pushed the door open.

He stepped inside, cautious of a surprise attack by his sibling but froze when he realized no one was in the room.

His heart began to beat quickly as a thought flitted through his mind: what if someone took Mokuba?

But no, that was impossible. There were guards everywhere; no one would be able to sneak him out of the palace.

What if a snake infiltrated the guards? A trusted guard could have easily weaseled him out of the palace.

"Mokuba!" he said sharply, hoping to God that his little brother was just playing some sick joke on him. But when he got no response, he began to roam around the room, furiously ripping apart the room in search of his brother.

He ten minutes he stopped and sighed, finally realizing that his brother was not in his room.

He breath hitched in his throat when his gaze locked onto a starch sheet of paper with his name written on the front.

He lifted the paper and unfolded it, his expression unreadable.

He read the contents of the letter with a grim frown:

Prince Seto Kaiba,

We have your brother, Mokuba Kaiba, and if you follow our orders, we will spare his life.

Tonight, at midnight, you will be at the abandoned well behind Domino Marketplace; alone.

Don't even think about running to the guards or your dear father or there will be consequences.

A blonde boy will come to the well after you arrive, and I suggest you don't make enemies.

You have three days before your brother is gone.

I would move quickly if I were you.

Seto read the note once more then let out an enraged growl.

He walked to his room quickly and grabbed a cloak, planning on hunting down his brother's kidnapper(s). But then he froze and something hit him:

Midnight was still several hours away and even if he did go to the well earlier than he was supposed to, how would he know what to do next?

He let out a frustrated snarl and rubbed his eyes, pressing his fingers in agitatedly.

There was only one option left: he had to wait until midnight.


Yay! I got it out. And on my birthday too! :D

Hope you liked it; tell me what you think.

Oh, I got my kittens: Ivy and Bane. :3

-Eamarat