I'm stuck in this bed you made
Alone with a sinking feeling
I saw through the words you said
To the secrets you've been keeping

He could only listen in pained silence as her heart wreaked havoc on her soul. Each sob creating another crack in his once-a-stone heart. But he couldn't bring himself to comfort her. Malik had done some pretty stupid things in his life, but this time he had really outdone himself. He had gotten up early that morning to start breakfast, as per the usual, when he found the letter. He crumpled the paper, nearly tearing it to pieces after he read it. He could only imagine what hers had said. He knew the exact moment she finished it. He expected to hear the crying, but he didn't expect the heartache he felt.

His little sister had been hurt. Someone would most definitely pay.

He turned his focus back to the stove. She might not want to eat but he had to try.

Anzu lay on her bed, curled into herself, as she stared at the wall through watery eyes. Her crying had reduced down to sniffles and then to silence. Why did he leave? Had she done something wrong?

She just didn't understand.

She could hear movement in the kitchen and knew that Bakura still remained. Did he know Malik left? A sudden resolve moved through her like a river current and she forced herself from the bed. Opening the door to her bedroom, she walked into the hall and followed the carpet toward the kitchen. From the doorway she spotted Bakura at the stove. His back faced her so he didn't see her as she approached the island bar and took a seat. When he finally turned, he seemed to be surprised to see her.

"Good morning." He greeted.

Anzu nodded.

He placed a plate of food in front of her before serving himself. A heavy silence hung in the air as they ate.

"Did you know?" She asked.

Bakura set his fork down and took a drink. Setting the glass down he looked at her. There was clear evidence of her tears on her face, her eyes rimmed red. Despite the red that shot through the whites of her eyes, something else lay beneath the hurt.

"No...I did not. He left me a letter on the counter. I found it this morning." He told her.

"I had a letter as well." She said.

"I know."

She looked at him in confusion. He didn't say anything but the message he conveyed with his eyes told her. He heard her tears, knew the exact moment when she woke to read it, and, judging from his look, felt her pain. She may have lost someone she would have considered a lover, but he lost a friend; someone he considered a brother. The sense of betrayal ran as deep for him as it did for her.

"Why would he really leave?"

Bakura shrugged. "I don't know. However, knowing Malik, it had to be a pretty stupid reason. He's not known for making good decisions, save for one."

"What one decision was that?" She asked.

The pointed look he gave her answered her question. Anzu looked back down at her plate, a light blush gracing her cheeks. As she continued eating, several thoughts went through her head. The main thought being where Malik could have gone. As she dwell on this thought, a burning need rose inside.

"Where would he have gone?" She asked.

"There are several places he could be." He said.

"Do you know the locations?"

A suspicious frown fell over his face.

"I do. Why do you ask?"

Anzu sat up straight, folding her on the counter as she leaned forward.

"Because I want to find him. I want to know the real reason why he left. I refuse to accept what he told me in the letter."

Bakura frowned. "What did he tell you?"

Her eyes watered as she recalled the words. As ridiculous as she found the words, they still hurt.

"He told me that he didn't want to risk my life anymore, that I would be safer if he no longer associated himself with me. I was under the assumption that with Mack and your boss no longer around, there wouldn't be anymore problems."

Bakura nodded. "There is no one else. Anyone else we were associated with hated Mack and Boss just as much as we did, only they were too scared to do anything. Now with those two gone, the group will have gone their separate ways; most likely going back to reclaim their previous lives."

"How many of you were there?" She asked.

"In the end, about twenty."

Anzu almost couldn't contain her look of surprise. In the end?

"They wouldn't want anything to do with that lifestyle anymore."

She nodded in agreement. She really didn't blame them.

"How long do you think it would take to find him?"

Bakura shrugged. "It depends on how far he went."

"How soon can we get started?"

"How fast can you pack?"

Anzu smiled as she pushed back from the bar and ran down the hall to her room. In less than an hour, they left the house.

"Order up!"

Malik rushed to the counter to grab the plates and take them out to their tables. He slowed down as he approached the table to set the plates in front of the guests.

"All right, enjoy your meal. Please let me know if you need anything else." He smiled before leaving the table side to attend to a new table.

For the past month Malik has been working as a waiter at a restaurant in a small town where he finally stopped. He felt that he had gone far enough and he didn't have to worry about running into Bakura or Anzu.

Pulling his pen from behind his ear and his order book from his apron, he came up to the table.

"Good evening, my name is Malik and I'll be your server. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"I'll have a glass of water for now."

Malik looked up, with a startled expression, at the person who spoke.

"Mike!"

The man chuckled. "It's been a long time Malik."

"Yes it has. How long have you been in town?" Malik asked.

"I could ask you the same." Mike said. "I live here actually, but I've been away on business."

"Oh. I've not been here long. I just started my job a few weeks ago."

Mike nodded as he looked down at his menu.

"Did you need a few more minutes to look over the menu?" Malik asked.

"Yea I think so. I'll wave you over when I'm ready." He said.

"Ok."

Malik tucked his order book into the pocket of his apron and slid his pen behind his ear.

As Malik walked off to tend to his other tables, Mike pulled a phone from the pocket of his jacket and pushed a button before putting it to his ear.

"Hey man, it's Mike. I found something that I think might interest you."

"It better be good, I'm a little busy."

Mike watched Malik work around the tables.

"Oh, I think you'll forgive me." He said. "I've found Malik."

"Wonderful. I'll let Boss know. He'll be very happy. Keep tabs on him, try to befriend him. Make him think you're against us and that the group has dissolved."

"You got it."

Mike hung up the phone and turned his attention back to the menu in front of him with a smile on his face.

Mack walked down a hall to Boss' hospital room to update him. He knocked on the door before walking in. Boss had been shot close to his heart and had required surgery or else he would've died. He had a breathing tube setup and a monitor at his bedside to keep track of his breathing and his blood pressure.

"Mack, I hope you are bringing good news." He said.

"Yes sir, I do."

Boss nodded. "Let's hear it then."

Mack took a seat beside the bed. "Mike has found Malik. It seems he went back home. I've told Mike to keep a watch on Malik, try to befriend him, and when his guard is down, get rid of him."

"Good. What of Bakura and the girl?"

"They've left town. I have a few men trailing them now. Once they are found they will contact me."

Boss coughed deep before speaking. "Once you find him, give him an ultimatum. Kill the girl, and we will overlook his assistance to Malik's transgressions. If he refuses, kill them both. Give him a few days to make the decision. At the same time, keep on Malik's trail."

Mack nodded. "Yes sir."

"You've done well so far, my boy. Don't make me regret taking you in when your mother died."

"I understand."

"Good."

"How have you been?" Mack asked.

Boss took a deep breath. "Once my wounds have healed, I'll be allowed to leave. The bullet was very close to my heart. The doctor said I shouldn't be alive."

"You've always been a fighter."

Boss chuckled, resulting in another coughing fit. Mack stood up and retrieved a cup of water for him to drink from.

"Go now, my boy, you have work to do." he said.

Mack sat the cup down on the bedside table.

"I'll contact you in a few days and let you know what's going on." Mack said as he walked to the door.

"You have my room number?"

"Yes, I got it from the nurse at the desk. Get some rest, you'll heal faster."

Mack hesitated at the door for a moment.

"Goodbye Father."

He turned and left.

"Now I want you to stay here while I go and meet up with my informants. I should be back soon." Bakura said as he rushed around the living room.

It had taken a few days but they managed to get a lead as to where Malik had run off to. So they rented a cabin near the city where Malik was hiding out.

"Don't answer the door. As far as your concerned, you're not even here." He said.

Anzu smiled as she watched him run around.

"Don't worry, Bakura, I promise I won't do anything stupid." She told him.

He seemed to hear her as he grabbed his jacket and, jamming his wallet and keys in its pockets, kissed her goodbye on her forehead then bolted out the door. He started the car a moment later and pulled out of the drive, then went down the road. Anzu sat down on the couch and looked around the room. It looked like it could use a bit of dusting. The tile floor looked as if it hadn't been mopped in awhile. Giving herself these tasks would distract her until Bakura returned so she set about completing them.

'We'll find you Malik and you'll tell me why you really left.'

You say that it's not your fault
And swear that I am mistaken
You said it's not what it seems
No remorse for the trust you're breaking
You run but then back you fall
Suffocate in the mess you're making