PS sorry for typos. I don't have a Beta, and I wanted to get this chapter and the next one out as soon as I could. Sorry again for the delay!
Chapter 10 – The Game Has Started
He could hear them laughing in his head. The Shadows drifted lazily over his arms and caressed him, but they kept deep in his mind. At the ready, but not active enough to take over.
Yami groaned, opening his eyes, only to hiss and close them again against the onslaught of the fluorescent lights. He sucked in a sharp breath, slowly opening his eyes again to glance around the room he was in. The cot he laid on was uncomfortable and hard, but it felt like feathers after Yami had spent years on a hard floor and molding couch.
He slowly inched himself up, wincing when he felt a sharp pain on the inside of his elbow. He glanced down to his right, raising his brow when he saw an IV in him, covered by a thick piece of tape. Yami touched the IV tenderly, feeling a strange clench in his gut.
His eyes followed the IV tube to the box next to his bed. The machine beeped occasionally and Yami noticed the numbers read his heart rate.
Yami reached his hand to his right, slowly drawing back the white sterile curtain that surrounded his bed. He saw three other sets of curtains, presumably covering 3 other bedmates. Yami slowly closed the curtain and lay back down, wincing at the pain that shot through his body.
'I'm not used to having my body work all on its own...no wonder my muscles never gave out before. It was the Shadows...speaking of...' He trailed off, closing his eyes and searching deep within himself. 'Shadows, where are you!' he yelled within his mind. 'What are you playing at? I know you could have all these people killed by now, what are you waiting for?' Yami had never felt this confidant in front of the Shadows before but...this was a new game. With brand new rules. And he had to get some answers.
They laughed, trailing themselves around Yami's mind, caressing his soul Pretty host, we are just playing a game, we have come to be SO BORED with just eating, and we want to PLAY. We are to be patient, and PLAY come now host, PLAY WITH US
Yami growled, brows knitting together, but he didn't answer, he would not give them the satisfaction. The Shadows laughed, inching themselves farther into Yami's mind as footsteps approached his bed. The curtains were drawn back, revealing a stern, 50-some year old man in a white doctor's coat. He had short, brown hair, the hairline receding, with thick black rimmed glasses on his nose. He adjusted them, reading a clipboard in his hand.
"Good to see you awake," he said, voice raspy and rough. "I'm Doctor Ruger. How are you feeling today, anything off? Feverish, sore, any odd aches?"
Yami felt his mouth go dry, staring up into the doctors grey eyes. He wet his mouth, trying to get out a word, but somehow he felt afraid to even speak a word to this stranger. "I..." he started, before falling silent. "I a...just feel...sore?"
Doctor Ruger made a check mark. "Alright, any specific place?"
Yami wrung his hands in the sheets, just now noticing he was adorned in a simple hospital shirt and pants. "I...mostly my chest," he half whispered, half choked out. Yami felt heat rising to his face. Yugi was never this hard to talk to.
His eyes widened at the mention of the boy and he felt his heart clench. 'Yugi...' He trailed off, wondering where the boy was now. Was he safe? He should have gotten back alright; Yami knew he had been able to keep the Shadows back long enough for him to get away.
...right?
Doctor Ruger noticed the change, and he leaned forward, putting himself in Yami's vision. Crimson eyes flicked up to meet his gray ones, sending an icy chill down the doctor's spine. Never had he met someone with crimson eyes. He did not even believe them to be scientifically possible to have such vibrant, shining eyes.
"Sir, are you feeling alright. You zoned out there for a minute, and I am still a bit wary if you might have a concussion." Doctor Rugar stated. He pulled himself back, before taking one more step back away from the bed for good measure and bringing the chart back up to his eyes. "I forgot to ask, what is your name?"
Yami stared up at him, sucking in his bottom lip. "Y-Yami..."
Doctor Ruger jotted down the name. "Last name?"
Yami shook his head in answer. Doctor Ruger nodded, writing an X next to Yami's name. "Alright then. A nurse will be in soon to check your vitals, weight and see how you are doing. So you are aware, we have you on fluids to get your body back up to speed. You were severely dehydrated and emaciated, so it will take some time for your body to recover." he clipped the board at the end of Yami's bed. Reaching up, he made to draw the curtains closed before stopping. "Also someone from The Force will be here soon to talk to you. It's common procedure, for anyone who comes from the city to get a short briefing, make sure they're safe. But until then, make sure to get some rest," and with that, the doctor pulled the curtains shut.
Yami watched the empty area the doctor left to the sound of his shoes slowly dying away. His body stayed still, ridged and hyper alert.
He needed to get out.
Now.
Yami slowly maneuvered himself to the side of the bed, laying the balls of his feet down hesitantly. The cold floor sent a shiver from his toes all the way to the crown of his head. He ground his teeth together, placing his feet firmly down and using his bed as a crutch, lifted himself to stand.
His knees wobbled, before suddenly giving out. Yami yelped, throwing his body to the right so he fell back onto the bed instead of the floor. He winced, the IV getting tangled around his arm and pulling slightly at his skin. Yami slowly readjusted himself, untangling the IV and placing a hand over the insertion.
He was beginning to realize.
He really did not like needles.
-Break-
Yami gave the nurse a nod as she left, felling a sobering sense of guilt boil inside of him.
All these people.
None of them knew...
Yami pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around his thin thighs. They were all so kind, and willing. No one questioned him, no one even would think...
Yami flexed his arms, pulling his legs closer and burying his face into his knees. He couldn't tell them either. If he did and they tried to kill him, that was it. It was over. The Shadows, even for their game, would not let him die.
The curtain was suddenly pulled back, and a man in a dark suite with two soldiers flanked each of his sides towered over him. The man pulled out a tablet, flicking his fingers across the screen as he pulled something up. Yami slowly raised his head, giving the men an even stare.
The one in the suite spoke first. "Yami, I am here on behalf of The Force to ask you a few questions, to make sure you are not a threat. You understand our need for this, being that you came from within the cities center correct?" he asked, raising his eyes to meet Yami's. At Yami's nod he added "Answer with a verbal yes or no, please."
"Yes, I understand," Yami said, lowering his legs and let his hands rest on his thighs.
The man nodded, going back to his tablet. "Yami, do you have a last name?
"No."
"Do you have any family, any emergency contacts?"
"No..."
"Is your immediate family alive of deceased?"
"...Deceased..." Yami muttered, not at all liking these quick questions.
The man nodded. "Alright. So Yami, how long were you out in the city?"
"...A...two weeks. I got lost," Yami lied, knowing he would be facing far more trouble if he said years (he didn't even know how long he was there for, he lost track ages ago). He had to get out of here as quick as possible.
"I see. Where did you live before getting lost?"
"I..." Yami mulled it over, trying to think of a good excuse. "I...I was homeless. I didn't and don't have a home."
"Did you ever run into the Shadows during your time in the city?"
Yami visibly twitched, feeling them stir in his mind. "...Once. I saw them but ran. I was able to get away, somehow..."
"Alright. One more question. Do you know of the man Yugi Motou? He was MIA for three weeks and was found a few hours before you were picked up. Did you happen to meet him out in the city?"
Yami was silent, thinking. Would telling them be wise? Would that get Yugi in trouble...if he said yes, could he see Yugi again? His eyes narrowed. 'No. No I have to leave as soon as possible, if they knew that I know Yugi...there is a chance I could be forced to stay.'
"No, I have never heard of him."
The man nodded, but it was slow. He pressed the tablet, before quickly typing an extra bit in and raised it up to face Yami. Yami blinked, confused. The man pressed the screen again before turning off the monitor, sliding the device into his bag. "Thank you for your time Yami. I wish you a full recovery. Please, if you do feel there is anything you can tell us about what you saw, it is vital. Every piece of information counts."
Yami nodded, his eyes following the men as they left. "Of course."
-Break-
Yugi groaned, turning onto his side.
He was bored.
SO
bored...
Yugi glanced up at the window, watching the clouds lazily wander by. He was so happy to see the sun and blue sky again, but he was beginning to feel the effects of being in a hospital. Jounouchi could only stay so long, and he was being smothered by Anzu and his grandpa.
Not to mention he felt a strange knot in his chest. He asked the doctors about it, to make sure he was not sick, but they said he was just under stress.
Yugi rolled onto his back, laying his right hand over his heart. No. No it was different. It was...something bad. Something really, really bad was going to happen.
But he couldn't figure out what. Nothing bad was happening.
Yugi sighed. "Hopefully nothing happened to Yami...that could be why I feel this way..." his fingers clutched around his T-shirt, a frown marring his face.
He just wanted to go home...
The door opened, knocking Yugi out of his daze. He sat up, greeting the man. "Hello, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Motou, I just came down to ask a few questions for you. We just met with another male who was found not long after you near the outskirts of the city. He says he has never met you, but the doctors say he may have a concussion, so he could have some memory loss." he took out the tablet from his bag. "I took a picture. Yugi Motou, do you recognize this man?"
Yugi already felt the knot in his chest grow as he slowly took the tablet, turning it so the screen faced him.
His eyes widened, and breath hitched. 'No...he's here...if he...is here...why did he follow me, he said he wouldn't!' Yugi tapped the picture, zooming in on the side of Yami's face.
He could see it. The slight darkness around the edges of Yami's body. The Shadows were there but...why would they let Yami be in a hospital? Why would they not act? What was their plan...?
Yugi shook, realizing he had held the tablet for far too long. He gave himself away. Shit.
"You have seen him before then." the man stated, taking the tablet from Yugi's hands. Yugi swallowed, mind buzzing for an excuse.
"Yes I...I did. I saw him in passing but...I was so afraid at the time, I didn't think to stop to talk to him."
The man narrowed his eyes, seeing right through Yugi's lie. "Mr. Motou, you are regarded as a highly intelligent man. You more than anyone knows the value of information."
Yugi nodded. "I do indeed sir. But I can't say anything more, I just remember him in passing. I was just so surprised to see that he was here, that's all." He smiled. "Anything else? I'm feeling the effects of my pain meds, and I think I may need to take a nap."
The man nodded, waving his hands to the soldiers next to him. "Thank you for your time Mr. Motou. We will be in touch."
Yugi watched him walk out, only releasing his breath when the door had closed. He then quickly reached over to the bedside table, picking up the hospital phone and dialing a number he knew all too well. After two tones, his best friend picked up
"Hey Yug, what's up?"
"Jounouchi, I need you to come to my room. Now. I have some...thing I really need to do, and I need some help getting there. Please Jounouchi."
He heard a sigh on the other end. "Yug, you ain't supposed to be leaving your room till next week let alone walkin'! What do you thin-!"
"Jounouchi please!" Yugi cried. "I need to find someone, if I don't! ...if I don't something-something terrible might happen..." Yugi trailed off. He told Jounouchi about Yami...what if the blonde knew he was in the hospital?
"Alright, alright Yug. I'll be up to see you in about 15 minutes or so. Can it wait that long?"
I hope so...
"Yea Jounouchi, that's fine, thank you." Yugi put down the phone, laying back in wait for Jounouchi to come.
It didn't seem long till Yugi heard Jounouchi's footsteps outside his door. He walked through, leaving the door ajar behind him. He had no idea what Yugi wanted, but the man had sounded urgent.
Something was wrong.
He could tell it wasn't just Yugi's either. Since a few hours prior, everything in the air felt thick. Apprehensive.
Jounouchi walked over to Yugi, shoving his hands into his uniform pockets, giving him a friendly smile. Yugi swung his legs over the bed, standing slowly. He wavered, leaning forward to grasp Jounouchi's arms. "Thanks for helping me Jounouchi."
"You gonna tell me what's going on?" Jounouchi asked, wrapping an arm around Yugi's shoulders and helping him out and down the hall, Yugi's IV stand trailing alongside them.
The shorter shook his head. "I can't Jounouchi, and I need to make sure of something. Then I can tell you."
Jounouchi rolled his eyes. "I really wish ya tell me Yug. I don't like it when you are all secret."
Yugi hobbled next to him as they slowly moved down the hallway. "I know Jou. Just help me find a nurse, I need to find someone in the hospital, he-"
BRRRRRRRRRRR
Both men jumped, Jounouchi clutching Yugi and pushing them both to the wall. It was the alarm. "What in da hell is the alarm going off for?" Jounouchi swore, pressing his body against the siding as doctors and nurses scattered about, some taking off in near sprints to phones to see what was wrong.
Yugi felt the knot in his chest tighten. Shit…Yami....
Shouts filled the hallway, and soon the whole floor was crawling with soldiers. "Get everyone out of here, now!" one soldier ordered to the nurses. "We need to evacuate the building immediately, common go GO!" He turned, eyes meeting Jounouchi's.
Jounouchi let go of his friend, giving a formal solute. "Sir, what's going on?" He asked, forcing down his accent. The other shook his head, grasping Jounouchi by the shoulders and giving them a forceful squeeze.
"Seems hell decided to come to us instead this time. I need every able body to help clear this floor. We don't have much time." He turned, giving Yugi a nod before making his way towards the other soldiers.
"Sir, what is going on? Why do we have to evacuate?" Jounouichi yelled. The man stalled, keeping his back to him. He looked like he was about to answer, then shook his head.
"Clear this floor soldier, I don't need to tell you twice!"
AN: Hope you like! I'll try my best to get the next chapter up ASAP!