Hey guys sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Ive been busy and was working on it as much as I could. Now its finally done and I have Ch 10 already on the way so I promise a quick update following this one. Thanks for reading and being patient!
~Sheila Wolfe ^~^;
9
In the living room, everyone was seated in a tense circle listening to Joey finish his tale of the thug chase. Sadie quietly took a seat next to Miho while Bakura stood against the wall.
"I can't believe you let them get away," Tristan sighed from down the sofa.
"What was I supposed to do? I chased them five blocks! I would have caught 'em, too, if they hadn't had a car waiting," Joey shouted, slamming his fist against the wall.
"You don't think they're after all of us, do you?" Miho shrieked, grabbing at Tristan's arm. "What if they come for Miho next?"
"It's probably cause you saw them at the museum and if they managed to find Sadie, they'll probably find you too."
Tristan shot him a warning glance but it was too late. The purple haired girl gave a frightened wail. "Miho doesn't want to die!"
"Way to go," Tea muttered to the blond.
"There now, calm down," Bakura chimed in. "I doubt they want to kill anybody. I mean, they didn't harm Sadie when they found her."
"But how did they manage to find her in the first place?" Yugi pondered from his chair. He was back to his normal self again; the same innocent purple eyes and sweet disposition that had Sadie had come to know. It was like he had never changed.
She glanced curiously at the others but no one commented on his bizarre switch; had they not noticed? Was she the only one? Was her mind playing tricks on her? Confusion ran round her head until she finally concluded the 'other' Yugi had to have been some sort of strange hallucination brought on by a migraine.
"How ya feelin'?" Joey asked, bringing her back to the conversation.
"Fine now. Thanks," she smiled, "Good thing you guys showed up when you did."
"No prob. What are friends for? Sorry I couldn't really save your stuff, though," he admitted, gesturing to her bag, jacket, and rain soaked school supplies piled in the corner.
"Did those guys tell you what they wanted?" Tristan asked, cutting to the question that was on everyone's mind.
Sadie considered telling them about the bracelet but a voice stopped her. It was the woman from before, quiet and earnest with her orders.
Do not tell them just yet. A dark presence watches. Who knows what evils may be unleashed to take the bracelet. Wait until a safer audience is assured. With that, the voice was silenced.
"Yo, Sadie," Joey called, waving his hands in front of her face. Her contemplation was broken and she just shook her head.
"No, sorry. I don't remember them saying anything. They just chased me down and you guys showed up," she summarized, careful to leave the bracelet out.
"Maybe we should call the police," Tea suggested. The others nodded but panic gripped Sadie. If the cops found her with the stolen bracelet they might blame her for the robbery. She'd rather return it to the museum and have a chance to explain what happened before being blamed.
"Good idea," Joey agreed, crossing the room to pick up the phone. Before he could make the call, though, Sadie's fear got the best of her.
"No, wait!" she cried, drawing everyone's curious gaze on her. Flushing red, she stared at her shoes and continued in a quieter voice. "I mean, the police are already after these guys so calling won't make much of a difference. Besides, they probably just wanted to scare us so we keep quiet. Bring the cops back in will just get them even angrier at us."
"But what if they come back?" Tristan asked, trying to follow her reasoning.
"I doubt they will," Sadie answered, unsure of own words.
Yugi wasn't convinced. "I don't know, it seems too risky. We may not be as lucky if they decide to come back."
"But if they do then we'll call the cops."
There was a tense moment as her argument sunk in. Finally, Joey hung the phone back up. The girl sighed in relief.
"Fine but until we're sure those creeps ain't comin' back, no one goes wanderin' off alone. It'll be harder for them to catch us off guard if we stick together."
"Speaking of which," Tea interrupted, glancing at the clock. "It's getting late; we should probably go before it gets dark."
Everyone stood to gather their things and slip on their shoes. Sadie's jacket was still damp but she didn't hesitate to slip it on after returning Bakura's towel. The rest of her stuff was tossed in the bag for later salvaging.
"Do you want me to walk with you guys?" Bakura asked as he showed them the door.
"Nah its fine. We all don't live too far apart and we'll walk Sadie home before we leave," Joey declined. The look Bakura gave him seemed more irritated than disappointed but it was quickly shrugged off.
"Okay then. I can walk to school with you tomorrow if you'd like, Sadie," Bakura offered.
The girl gave a faint smile as she followed everyone outside. "Sure, thanks."
"Thanks for coming by to check on me everyone even if it didn't turn out as expected. See you tomorrow!"
"Good night, Bakura!" everyone chimed as the British boy closed the door. Once alone, he smiled in the dark.
"The museum, huh?" he chuckled to himself. "Seems rather intriguing. Perhaps I should take a little field trip of my own."
...
"Thanks for walking me home guys," Sadie said for the hundredth time as she unlocked her apartment door.
The sun was set just below the horizon, blazing orange and pink streaks across the heavens in its last brilliant moments. Gray shadows stretched longer and longer, eager for night to fall. It would be dark soon but still her friends had insisted on walking Sadie to her front door before returning home themselves.
"Don't worry about it," Joey laughed, giving her an encouraging pat on the back. The momentum sent her off balance but she caught herself and chuckled along.
You sure you'll be alright?" Yugi asked again, still bothered by their decision to not call the cops.
"Yeah," Sadie answered, forcing a weak smile. "I'll be fine, don't worry."
"Well alright," he relented with a sigh. "Just let us know if something happens, okay?"
"I will."
"Come on! Miho wants to go home before it gets dark," the lavender haired girl whined, dragging Tristan by the arm towards the stairs.
"Hey wait up!" Joey shouted, charging after the couple. "Night Sadie!"
"We'll see you tomorrow!" Tea called, following the others around the corner. Yugi gave a small chuckle.
"Well I guess I'd better go too." He waved as he turned to catch up.
"Yugi!" Sadie suddenly said, stopping him in his tracks.
"Yeah?" he waited, curious purple eyes watching her. "What is it?"
"Well I just…" she trailed off unsure how to explain. The voice had told her to wait but she wasn't sure if the 'dark presence' was still around. She wasn't even sure if there was a dark presence. As a matter of fact, she wasn't sure there was even a voice.
"Something wrong, Sadie?"
"I just uh…thanks again for helping me earlier," she muttered lamely.
"It was nothing," he blushed before turning to the stairs. "Well uh, see you tomorrow!"
"Bye," she sighed, sure her decision to leave her friends out of the mess was the right one.
As soon as the door was closed, Sadie stripped off her blazer and attempted to pry the bracelet off.
"Why won't you just get off of me!" she hissed at the piece of jewelry.
Calm yourself, Sadie. It was the voice again, sweet and soothing. Neither it nor I mean you any harm.
Sadie clutched her temples unsure if it was echoing around the room or in her head.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she cried, starting to question her own sanity. "Is this real?"
There was a gentle chuckle. Yes I am very real. My name is Safiya; the spirit of the bracelet and a friend to you, Sadie James.
"Safiya? Spirit of the bracelet?" Sadie repeated, her mind whirling in confusion. She plopped down on the sofa, cradling her head in her hands.
Yes. I was trapped here but you released me, Sadie, and for that I am eternally grateful.
"How did you get trapped in the bracelet? How did I set you free? What dark presence were you talking about earlier? And how do you know my name?"
Be at peace, Safiya spoke softly. All of your questions will be answered in time but for now, rest and be well. It is late and tomorrow is a new day.
Sadie tried to argue but exhaustion made her tongue heavy and eyes unfocused. In tired heap, she curled up on the couch and let the weightlessness of sleep carry her away to a place without chases, thieves, and possessed jewelry.
...
"Knock"
"No, you knock."
"Someone just knock already!" the thief snapped.
"Be our guest," the skinny one retorted.
The argument was cut short when the door swung open on its own accord.
"Do you plan to argue outside my chambers all night?" a cool voice asked from the dark. With nervous glances, the three men stepped into the gloomy office.
The only light source was a dim lamp glowing on the desk. Sitting in a chair behind it was Dr. Evans, admiring the snarling cobra head of his staff.
"Did you find the bracelet?" he asked, holding out his hand without glancing at them. The thief dropped the ruby into the waiting fingers with an anxious nod.
"Yeah we did. We found the girl."
"And?" he asked, returning the red gem to its place onto of the snake's head.
"Well we did find it but we don't…have…it…" the thief trailed off.
Dr. Evans tensed for a moment but relaxed and turned his full attention to his hired men. The shadows on his face caused all three to shiver.
"And why ever not?" he breathed quietly, the sound barely carrying past the desk.
There was a tense, deafening silence that followed until the skinny thug couldn't take it anymore.
"That bracelet is possessed! We had it but it suddenly jumped onto her like it was alive. We tried to get it off but these punks found us and-"
"WHAT!" their boss shrieked, jumping to his feet. His eyes were tinged with fury and madness. "I told you not to let the girl put the bracelet on! Now Safiya's spirit will be set free! She will ruin everything!"
"We're sorry. We didn't mean to sir," the thief tried to apologize but the doctor turned on him fiercely.
"Hold your tongue! You imbeciles were told to follow one order and you failed! For that, you must be punished!" Seth raised the snake staff in the air and the red jewel began to glow.
"No! Please!" But it was too late. The eerie light flashed over the thugs, growing brighter and brighter until it filled the room. Then suddenly, it was gone.
In the place of the thugs were sat three salamanders, glancing at the room around them in confusion.
"Next time, my orders are to be obeyed," Evans lectured the amphibians. As he turned to reclaim his seat, a dark chuckle floated out of the dark.
"Impressive. Very impressive." From the shadows of the room appeared a white haired young man, a wicked grin on his face and a circle of gold hanging from his neck.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Evans asked, taking his seat behind the desk.
"Just a thief here to offer my services," he answered, giving a small bow.
"And what services would you have to offer, thief?" Seth leaned forward, interested in what the young man had to say.
"The girl you seek is a friend of my host. With my help you will be able to lure her out and reclaim your bracelet."
"Ah so you are a spirit of the items as well," the staff's spirit chuckled, eyeing the circle of gold against the other man's chest. "Your offer interests me, thief, but what would you get in return for your deeds?"
"The bracelet once you are done with it," Bakura explained. "I have a hobby of collecting Millennium Items. My ring has the ability to track them down when I am near."
"You're able to find other items?" Seth stood slowly, his gaze studying the Millennium Ring. "Would you be able to track down a puzzle for me?"
"So you're looking for the Pharaoh as well," the thief concluded, crossing his arms with a smug grin.
Dr. Evans was shocked by this. "You have seen it?"
"I know where it is. My host is also a friend of the boy who possesses it. Do tell me, were you the one responsible for erasing his memories?"
Evens scoffed. "It had to be done. It was the only way to reverse the damage that Safiya did. As long as his memories are gone, though, my plan can continue." Evans smiled at his staff, the cobra head sneering back at him.
"So do we have a deal?" Bakura asked, watching Seth with clever eyes.
Evans waved his staff and the three forgotten salamanders on the floor returned back to their human states. Each of the men looked bewildered and slightly sick.
"Take these men and use them how you will. Lure the girl and the Pharaoh to me and you shall have both the bracelet and the puzzle once I am done with them."
"Done with them?" the thief pondered curiously.
Evans didn't reply. The venomous sneer that curled his lips was answer enough.