Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
Just a Whisper of Smoke
By Lucky_Ladybug
Notes: The characters are not mine and the story is! This takes place in my post-series verse and Kalin is close friends with his former boss Radley. Since I've explored Kalin's reactions to Radley being dead, I wanted to see what would happen in the reverse scenario. Radley's reaction to alcohol probably goes against all common fanon depictions of him, but I decided to go with it both because it's different and because I don't think diners ever even serve alcohol, so he canonically likely never even consumes alcohol to begin with and there's nothing to say he likes it, lol. The haunting song Ghost in This House, especially the Alison Krauss version,provided partial inspiration. I'm also using the 31 Days prompt for April 29th 2021, A ghost to haunt your house.
The side door of the quiet house slowly opened as one of the occupants went inside. His hands shook as he fought with the key, wiggling it back and forth until it came out of the doorknob at last. He pushed it shut behind him but neglected to lock it; he was in far too much of a fog to think about that.
He flicked on a light beside the door, but only the low nightlights to show him where to walk without bumping into the furniture. He caught sight of some Duel Monsters cards scattered on the kitchen table and he choked on a dismayed sob. Kalin had left those there earlier that day, sorting through some of the new packs the general store had got in.
He felt numb as he passed through the kitchen and into the living room as silently as a spectre in the night. He felt about like one. All the way home and coming inside, he had just been going through the motions. He wasn't really here; he had left his heart and soul back on the mountain.
This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.
His legs wobbled and he sank into a chair, staring off at nothing as he gripped the glass bottle in his hand. He fumbled as he took up the bottle opener on his keychain and tried to open it. It was stubborn and the opener kept slipping, especially with his bandaged fingers. But he kept trying until the lid was off and clattering to the floor. He barely noticed.
His hands still trembling, he brought the bottle to his lips and tried to drink. One desperate sip and he lurched forward, coughing and gagging. With a groan he set the bottle on the table next to the chair and then just sobbed, digging his hands into his dark hair.
Over the sound of his choked cries, he could still hear the roar of the weakened mine tunnel, could still feel the rumble of the floor under his feet. His head was still throbbing from where a beam had glanced him, but he didn't pay much attention to that. He could still feel Kalin's arms around him as the younger man threw him clear of the danger. Then everything had gone dark until Klaus had tried to awaken him, pouring brandy down his throat.
He had woke up coughing and gagging then too. Ironic . . . his family was in the wine business and he couldn't abide alcohol at all. He hated the taste. He gave off the image of a smooth bad boy, but that was the opposite of who he really was.
He was also trying to think about anything other than what Klaus had told him. But no matter how he tried not to think about it, the words and the horrible pronouncement were always echoing around him. He had tried to drown it out by taking a bottle of liquor home from the saloon, to the barkeeper Fred's immense concern. But obviously that wasn't going to work either.
"Radley . . I'm so sorry. The tunnel completely collapsed. Kalin was caught in it."
"No!" Radley had screamed. "No, he got out . . . or he's alive but trapped! We have to get to him!" He had ran back to the spot in spite of his dizziness, still refusing to believe it. He had started digging through the debris, frantically throwing splintered wood and rocks aside until his gloves had tore and his skin had become raw and bleeding.
Then he had seen the bloody and tattered corner of the familiar coat. He had tugged and pulled, and had struggled to remove more debris, but it had all been to no avail. Instead it had only triggered a second collapse, forcing him to run.
He slid out of the chair and to the floor on his knees, his body still wracked with sobs. It had all been so sudden, without a chance for even a Goodbye. Now Kalin, who had long ago become his dear friend, was just gone.
It had been impossible for him to drive back to town after what had happened. Klaus had refused to let him try and had driven him back in his pick-up truck, transporting the motorcycle in the flatbed. There hadn't been room for Kalin's too; Radley would have to go back for it later, or Klaus would bring it, whichever happened first.
In town they had encountered West and Nico and Radley hadn't known how to ever tell them what had happened. They both idolized Kalin to the nth degree. But in the end he had felt that he had to be the one to tell them. He had also looked after them for a time and they regarded him rather as an uncle.
"Mr. Radley? What's wrong?" Nico asked in concern. It was obvious something was. He was visibly ashen and shaking, his eyes haunted with the depths of grief and despair.
". . . Where's Kalin?" West demanded. "Wasn't he with you?"
Radley nearly broke down right then. "Yes, he was," he said. "Kids, I'm so sorry. Kalin is dead. There was a cave-in and . . ."
"No!" West interrupted. "No, it's not true! Kalin isn't dead!" He blinked back forming tears.
Nico was paling now. "You're really sure?" she gasped. "There couldn't have been a mistake?!"
"There's no mistake," Radley said. "He saved my life, but . . . he couldn't save himself. I tried so hard to get through the debris and find him, but all I did was start a second cave-in." He passed a hand over his eyes.
"No!" West screamed again. "It's not true! You just didn't look hard enough!"
"Look here, son, we did all we could!" Klaus gruffly told him.
"No, you didn't!" West turned and fled.
Nico looked to them with regret. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Radley, Mr. Klaus. . . . I know you both must be hurting too. . . ." She choked on a sob and turned to run after her brother. "West!"
Radley just resignedly watched them go before opening the door of the pick-up. ". . . Thank you for the ride, Klaus," he said. "I'm going to walk the rest of the way." He went around to the back to get his motorcycle.
"Are you sure?!" Klaus frowned. "You're really in no state to be roamin' around! Don't forget that you were injured physically as well as emotionally!"
"It's fine," Radley insisted. "Home isn't far."
"Yeah, so I should just take you," Klaus retorted.
"I . . . I'd rather walk," Radley said.
"Well . . . just don't ride," Klaus said gruffly. Some sympathy and understanding flickered in his eyes. He knew what it was to lose loved ones. And he knew that sometimes, the mourner needed to be alone.
"I won't," Radley promised.
He waited until Klaus had driven on before slipping into the saloon. He didn't want Klaus to see what he was going to do. He hated alcohol, but if there was ever a time he wanted to see if drinking would help him forget, it was now. He wanted to forget everything—the pain, the horror, the anguish in the children's eyes . . . the loss of his friend. . . .
Fred was very worried too. It wasn't really done to let customers take bottles away from the saloon, but it was a small town and Fred could see the torment Radley was going through. Reluctantly he gave Radley a bottle of whiskey. He soon left, pushing his motorcycle towards the house.
It wasn't home now.
He was still kneeling hopelessly on the floor, lost in his memories, when the front door flew open and the Bunch ran in, surrounding him in alarm and horror. "Radley!"
Radley looked up, the tears streaking his face, his hair a disheveled mess, his hands bandaged at Klaus's insistence. He was sure he looked pathetic, nothing like the smooth persona he liked to present. The Bunch had seen him at various stages of his worst before, although this particular worst was new.
Normally reserved ever since what had happened when Malcolm had tortured Radley as a prisoner in the mines, Billy was the first to kneel beside him, gently touching his shoulder. It hurt to see Radley like this, especially when he normally put on a strong front for his friends. He just couldn't now.
"Radley, I'm so sorry," Billy said softly. "We all are. . . ." Hesitant at first, not feeling worthy, Billy finally abandoned his feelings of self-hatred for the time being and drew Radley into a firm hug. He knew Radley had forgiven him, even though he couldn't forgive himself, and Radley desperately needed comfort right now, not Billy isolating himself.
Radley threw his arms around his first real friend and just clutched him, still shuddering. Scotch and the others joined the embrace, enveloping Radley in their warmth and love.
"We've been trying to find you ever since Klaus called us," Scotch said. "Then Fred found us and said you actually got a bottle of whiskey!"
"We got really worried then," Biff said. "You never drink!"
Radley gave a weak, choked laugh. "It didn't work," he said. "I can't drink it. I still hate it."
"We'll all stay here with you, Radley," Scotch said. "You shouldn't be alone. Not now."
"Thanks, guys," Radley said softly. He had never liked being alone. He still didn't want to now. He didn't like showing how broken he was to the Bunch, not wanting to put a burden on them, but they were proving very capable at handling it. They wanted to be there for him.
It was a long night. He didn't talk a lot but was grateful for the Bunch just being there with him. Scotch and Billy fixed him some food and he ate slowly and absently, not really hungry yet wanting to show his appreciation for their kindness.
"It's funny how we got so close," he chuckled without real mirth. "Kalin really didn't like me, oh boy. But I kept trying anyway."
"Just like you did with all of us," Jimmy said.
Marty nodded. "We didn't always know what to think of you either. After we'd been betrayed and let down so much in our lives, we weren't so willing to trust again."
"But you showed us it was worth it," Scotch said.
"And finally Kalin knew it too," Biff said.
"It took you dying to make him see that, though," Billy muttered.
"No, that wasn't really it," Radley said. "Kalin wasn't well. You guys understand that, right? He was depressed and he hated himself. I slipped into some of that myself that night, so I understand at least a little what he was going through. His mind just wasn't clear."
"Yeah, but even after he got his mind clear, he didn't think about you," Jimmy said.
"He did in a way," Radley said. "He wanted to free everybody in the mines, including me. Just like you guys, he didn't think I'd really be killed."
Billy looked away. He got Radley's point. He, Clint, and Virgil had all been forced to work for Malcolm and had found Radley suffering in the mines. They hadn't known how to remove the shock collar, and they had been so terrified of Lawton that they hadn't wanted to even be seen talking to Radley for fear of being made prisoners too. They had all abandoned him in spite of his agonized pleas and had later found him dead. Billy especially could not get over what he had done.
Radley laid a hand on his shoulder, seeing he understood. "It's true that finding me dead really made poor Kalin realize what he'd done, or not done, just like with you guys. He never gave up on getting me back. And when I finally started breathing again but wasn't sure life was even worth living anymore, Kalin stayed by my side and kept fighting for me all the way."
"If we'd known . . . we would have been with you too," Scotch said softly.
Virgil nodded. "We still thought you were dead."
"I know that now," Radley said. "It's okay."
Billy averted his gaze. Everyone had been chasing him to try to stop him from committing suicide. Radley still didn't know about that. This certainly wasn't the time to tell him.
"It makes sense that you guys got so close after that night," Clint said. "And . . . Kalin finally became our friend too. . . ." He looked down. They were all sad and reeling from the suddenness of Kalin's death, although none of them had been as close to him as Radley had become.
Biff nodded, staring forlornly at the floor. "He'd jam with us on his harmonica . . . and he'd think of stuff we could all do with the kids. . . ."
"He actually liked being with us after that. . . ." Scotch blinked back tears and then tried to angrily brush them away when they kept coming. "I'm sorry, Radley. . . . We all wanted to stay strong for you, but . . ."
Biff finally sobbed. "We all miss him too!"
Radley sadly smiled, touched. "Hey, it's okay. We can all be sad together."
They sat up for a while longer, talking and mourning their loved one. Eventually Radley fell asleep on his bed, or he must have, as he found himself sitting at the kitchen table with Kalin, and of course that was impossible now.
"Kalin . . ." He stared at his friend. Kalin looked as he had the last time Radley had seen him, alive and well. He was looking through the cards he had left there that day. But after a moment he looked up, and his eyes were sad.
"Radley . . . I'm so sorry. I didn't want things to be like this."
"I know," Radley said. "But . . ." He leaned forward, gripping Kalin's hand. He still could, here, on this plane. "Kalin, I . . . I don't want to let you go. . . ." His voice caught in his throat.
"I don't want to go," Kalin said. "I wanted to stay here with you and the kids, and still visit with Yusei and the others. But . . . I made a stupid decision and got us into that mess, and now we both have to pay for it." He got up and came around to the other side of the table. "I guess . . . death has always been calling for me, hasn't it? This is the third time. It must be getting pretty impatient."
Radley stared up at him. "No . . ." He stood, hugging Kalin close to him. "I won't let you go! I won't . . ." But he was helpless and he knew it. He sobbed, clutching his friend for the last time.
Kalin encircled Radley in a warm embrace. From the way he also held tight, he was also desperate to stay. "Then I won't go," he whispered. "I'll stay, somehow. . . ."
Radley jumped a mile. Now he was laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. His face was wet; he had been crying in his sleep. And . . . he really was being hugged. . . .
He looked down. Billy and Scotch were sprawled on the edges of the small twin bed, each hugging him as they dozed. The rest of the core group was draped throughout the room, with the other members in the hall and the living room.
He managed a weak, sad smile. They all loved him so much. It really felt like he was part of a large family, with his younger brothers all gathered around to comfort him. That had been what he had longed for most of his life. He certainly appreciated it now, but he wished with all his heart that the circumstances weren't so devastating. It was hard to really enjoy the sweetness when he was so heartbroken over the loss of one of them.
"Kalin," he whispered. "If only it were true. . . . If only you could defy death and stay here. . . ."
A soft, chilling breeze swept through the room and he started, looking to the window. It was closed. But a blue-haired phantom was standing there, looking back at him.
"Kalin?!" Radley cried.
Billy jumped and turned to look. The color drained from his face.
The ghost walked back to the bed and reached out, resting a translucent hand on Radley's shoulder. It felt cold.
Radley felt the tears coming back. "Kalin, I . . . oh God, you're really gone. . . ."
Kalin gave him a sad smile and passed through the wall to his room next-door.
Radley leaped up, disturbing both Billy and Scotch. "Kalin, wait! Wait!" He ran out of the room, soaring over Biff sleeping in the doorway without even looking down.
Scotch fell backwards off the bed to sit down hard on the floor. "Ow! What just happened?!"
Billy drew a shaking breath. "Kalin came back," he said. "But . . ."
"What?!" Biff was up like a shot. "You mean . . . a ghost?!"
Billy nodded. "He sure was."
Radley ran into Kalin's room, letting the door bang against the wall. "Kalin?!"
The room was empty. But a chill still filled it; Kalin had been there. Radley stood there, shaking, gripping the doorframe with one hand. Then, through the window, he caught a glimpse of his friend in the backyard, just standing and staring off into the distance, his hair gently blowing in some mysterious, ethereal breeze.
Radley threw the window open and climbed out. "Kalin!"
Kalin was looking towards the mountain. He still didn't speak.
Radley caught up with him. "Kalin, I'm so sorry," he choked out. "I told you things weren't sturdy in that part of the mine, but . . ." He trailed off. They had needed to investigate that part of Malcolm's old mine and Kalin had insisted. It was Radley's now, but Radley hadn't done much with that particular sector. Several accidents had happened when Malcolm had ran it and it hadn't been put back together well enough. The men had kept insisting that any attempt to fix it always failed because of the restless spirits inhabiting that part of the mine. Radley could believe it now. "I'm going to seal off that section," he said bitterly. "I should have done that before."
Kalin kept staring off at the mountain in that same, eerie manner.
"Kalin, why are you acting like this?!" Radley finally burst out. "Talk to me!"
Kalin looked back to him and silently shook his head, then looked back at the mountain.
". . . What are you trying to tell me?" Radley rasped. "I don't understand. Please . . . help me understand. . . ."
Kalin pointed at the far side of the mountain, above the old cemetery from the Old West days of the town.
". . . You want me to go there?" Radley said in surprise. "Why?"
Kalin looked back at him and smiled. Then, as Radley watched in shock, he faded into the night wind.
". . . Oh Kalin . . ." Radley stared at the empty space. Not so much as a footprint. Of course, that was normal for a ghost. . . .
"Radley!"
He turned as the Bunch all ran outside and gathered around him.
"Was that really Kalin?!" Scotch exclaimed.
"What'd he want?!" Virgil cried.
Radley drew a shaking breath. "It was really him. He wants me to go to the far side of the mountain, over by the old cemetery."
Biff recoiled. "No! Not there!" Terror shone in his eyes. He had fallen in a sunken grave one time when they had been exploring out that way.
"You don't have to come," Radley said understandingly. "But I'm going." He laid a hand on Biff's shoulder as he walked past, heading for the front of the house.
Billy ran after him. "Then we're all coming with you," he said firmly. "We'll never abandon you again. I promise."
Radley smiled. "Thank you."
The ride was long and tense. Why would Kalin want him to go there? What could possibly be important about that area? There was an old entrance to the mines above the cemetery, but it wasn't ever used. Could it lead to that cursed tunnel?
Radley caught sight of Kalin's ghost again as they approached and started up the mountainside. He was indeed standing at the old entrance, and he walked inside and disappeared once he knew Radley had seen him.
"This whole area's haunted!" Clint exclaimed.
"Maybe, but it hardly matters if it's someone we know," Radley retorted.
"What bothers me is who else is here," Clint replied. "There must be ghosts from 170 years ago all congregated around here!"
Radley kept his eyes on the entrance up ahead. "As long as they leave us alone, I don't care." He parked and got out, pushing aside the tumbleweeds and other debris that had collected over decades of the entrance never being used. "Kalin?" He took out his flashlight and stepped over a living bush to get inside.
The Bunch quickly parked and came in with him, moving close to him to protect him. "There's a lot of dust in here," Virgil coughed.
"We must be close to the collapsed tunnel," Radley said. And Kalin's poor body, buried under all that. . . . He slowed and swayed, gripping the wall.
Marty steadied him from behind. "Radley . . . are you really okay with doing this?"
"No," Radley rasped. "But . . . I have to. . . ." After a moment he drew a shaking breath and pushed himself forward.
When he turned the corner and his flashlight hit upon a lifeless, bloodied hand on the floor, he couldn't help it. A scream choked from his lips.
Biff stared in horror. "Is that . . . ?!"
"Severed?!" Clint gasped.
Radley forced himself to shine the light around the area. When he did, he could only stare in disbelief. The hand was most definitely not severed. Kalin was laying on the floor in front of him, whole except for his coat torn on one side. The debris from the collapsed part of the tunnel was several inches beyond him; he had barely missed most of it. A heavy wooden beam was laying near him—it was probably the instrument of death.
Shaking even more now, Radley ran over and knelt next to him. He had thought he would have to leave Kalin here, the mine his grave. Now he wouldn't have to do that. But . . . seeing him so still, and dead, was almost more than he could bear.
"Kalin . . ." He sobbed, laying a hand on the other's back.
His hand rose slightly, through nothing he had done. He gasped, his breath catching in his throat. "Kalin?!" He bent down, holding a hand in front of Kalin's nose.
"What is it?!" Scotch exclaimed.
". . . He's alive," Radley said in disbelief. He looked up, quickly snapping to as he processed the impossible situation. "He's been laying here unconscious for hours. He must have been hit on the head like I was, only worse. Get an ambulance out here, now!"
Billy pulled out his phone, his hand shaking as he stepped out of the tunnel to get a clear signal.
Biff was still bewildered. "But . . . we saw his ghost! If he's alive, then how . . . ?!"
"It must have been some kind of astral projection to let me know he's alive," Radley said. He didn't really get it either, but he didn't care. All he cared about was that Kalin was, indeed, alive—and no matter what, Radley was going to make sure he stayed that way.
"Kalin . . ." He gripped the limp hand he had seen first. Cold, but solid, and there was still some warmth to it. "Stay with me, Buddy," he implored. "Stay with me. I am not losing you!"
Kalin didn't respond, but Radley could feel the gentle pulse in his palm. He was still hanging on.
Radley hesitated, then said a quiet but sincere prayer in his heart. He had only rarely prayed for years, bitter and hurt about his family's teachings of a cruel and judgmental God Who would send him to Hell for how he dressed, but many of the recent events they had gone through had started to soften his heart and convince him that his family was wrong.
God, please save him. . . . Please let him live. He wants to live now, and I . . . I want him here with me. I need him.
He reached into his pocket, taking out a clean cloth and tenderly wrapping it around Kalin's cut hand. Kalin stirred slightly, brushing his fingers against Radley's hand, but didn't awaken. Still, it definitely gave Radley hope.
"I'm here," he said. "And I'm going to stay right with you, Kalin. It's going to be alright."
He refused to believe otherwise.
xxxx
The next hours were an intense whirlwind. The ambulance arrived, with the paramedics having to carry a stretcher up on foot down the narrow pathway. Kalin didn't appear to have any neck or back injuries, to Radley's relief, but still being unconscious was a grave concern. They took him down the mountain with care, Radley and the Bunch following.
Waiting at the hospital was torture. Radley paced, unable to hold still. Some of the Bunch paced too. Others raided the vending machine to have something to do. It wasn't long before the doors opened and West and Nico ran in, in the company of their father Jordan.
"Mr. Radley!" Nico hurried over to him. "Is it really true?! Kalin is alive?!"
Radley gave a genuine smile. "Yes, he is."
"I told you you didn't look enough!" West exclaimed. "He couldn't be dead! Can we see him?!"
"Not yet," Radley said. "I'd be right with him if it was possible."
Jordan laid his hands on the kids' shoulders. "Do they know yet how bad it is?" He didn't want the kids to have any false hopes.
Radley sighed. "It looks like he has a bad concussion, but he's still being examined," he said. "He must have been unconscious ever since the cave-in."
Nico bit her lip. "That's bad. . . ."
"He's still going to make it!" West insisted. "Kalin won't die!"
Radley smiled again. "I don't really think he will either. He wants to live."
Yusei had been called too, of course. He arrived with all of Team 5Ds around the time the doctor was finally coming out with information.
"What's going on?" Yusei demanded of both Radley and the doctor. "How is he?"
The doctor sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Well, he definitely sustained a bad concussion," he said. "But thank God there's no bleeding on his brain."
"So, he'll be okay, right?" Crow asked.
"I certainly hope and pray so," the doctor said. "Of course, with any prolonged lack of consciousness such as this, there's always a danger. He may not wake up."
"He's going to wake up," Radley insisted. "Things are different now than they were. He wants to live." He looked pleadingly at the doctor. "Can we go to him now?"
". . . Well, some of you can," the doctor said. "You know there's a limit on how many people can be in the room at once. . . ." He stared at the large group.
"This is just a small hospital in a small town, and Kalin is both the sheriff and the mayor of said small town," Radley replied. "Forgetting the standard hospital rules for a moment, what do you think Kalin would personally want?"
The doctor passed a hand over his face. "No," he said in exasperation.
"Aww, come on! We'll be quiet!" Scotch protested. "He'll probably wake up sooner if all his friends are there!"
The doctor still shook his head, but it looked like a small smile emerging. It warmed his heart to know that Kalin had so many friends.
Radley smiled too. "Where is he?"
"Room 131," the doctor finally said. "But you'll have to go in waves!"
"Hey, that's the same room you were in, Radley," Crow commented.
"You remember that?" Radley said, quirking an eyebrow.
"It was a pretty eventful night," Crow said. "Kinda hard to forget where it all went down!"
Radley headed down the hall and into the room. Kalin was laying in the bed, very silent, but alive. The sound of the heart monitor was so welcome and amazing after the evening's earlier events. Radley hurried over to the bedside and gently took Kalin's bandaged hand.
"Kalin? I'm here with you. And I'm going to stay right here, just like you did for me. I know you want to live. Somehow you guided me to find where you were laying hurt. I know that doesn't make much sense, but . . . oh Kalin, please keep fighting." His voice caught in his throat. "I thought you were gone and it was Hell. Please wake up. Please come back. . . ."
Yusei, Jack, and Crow all entered and gathered around the bed as well. West and Nico quickly came in too, although Jordan opted to stand in the doorway. The Bunch slipped past him until they were all inside. The rest of Team 5Ds stayed in the doorway with Jordan.
". . . Wow, it really is crowded," Akiza remarked. "The doctor's really going to be mad. . . ."
"Hey, he said 'waves,'" Scotch cheekily replied. "He didn't say how big the waves could be! Wave One is in here and Wave Two is you guys in the doorway! Of course, Radley and Yusei have dibs to stay no matter who else is in here. Jack and Crow too."
Yusei smiled a bit. "Thanks."
Radley resolutely stayed, talking to Kalin and encouraging him throughout the long hours of the night, as did Yusei, Jack, and Crow. West and Nico wanted to stay overnight. Jordan didn't really want them to, but they had been so devastated when they thought Kalin was dead that he didn't have the heart to refuse them now. They curled up on the other bed in the room and eventually fell asleep. Jordan covered them with a quilt, smiling tenderly at them both.
"This is sure familiar," Crow remarked at one point.
"How do you mean?" Radley blinked.
"Kalin and we watched over you when you were hurt in the mines," Crow said. "Now you're watching over him. And we're here again too."
"And he's going to recover, just like I did," Radley said fiercely.
Yusei smiled. "Of course he is." He still looked worried, but he also looked confident. He was sure it was true.
". . . So what really happened here?" Jack asked. "I've got the feeling we don't have the whole story. Yusei got a call that Kalin had been injured in the mines, but judging from what we've heard you and the doctor saying about how long he's been unconscious, it doesn't seem like we were notified as soon as this happened."
"It probably just took a while to dig him out or something," Crow said. "Right?"
Radley gave a heavy sigh. ". . . At first it looked like he was dead," he admitted. "I tried to dig him out and only caused a second cave-in. . . ." His voice caught in his throat. "I had to leave him. . . ."
The others who hadn't heard the rest of the story gasped and many started to talk at once. Yusei paled.
"What?!" Jack and Crow yelped.
"That's awful!" Luna exclaimed.
"How could you stand to leave him?!" Leo said in horror.
"I couldn't stand it," Radley said. "I didn't have a choice."
Jack snarled. "So you thought he was dead for hours and didn't bother to tell us?!"
"Jack." Yusei laid a hand on his shoulder. "Radley cares about Kalin as much as we do. He would have been devastated. Of course he wouldn't immediately think of calling us."
"No, I should have," Radley said tiredly. "I'm sorry."
Jack growled, not placated. "Radley, you . . . !"
It was Billy who grabbed Jack by his shoulder and spun him around. "You should've seen the state he was in tonight! He . . . he completely fell apart to lose our friend! You don't really know the significance of that. Radley always tries to be strong for us, no matter how he's suffering! But tonight, he . . . he just couldn't." He looked away, blinking away tears at the memories. He wouldn't cry here, in front of someone he scarcely knew, but it broke his heart to remember how Radley had looked.
Jack frowned and looked away too. Normally he might grab or punch someone who seized him in that manner, but under the circumstances he wouldn't.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Yusei said to Radley. "When I lost Kalin during the fight with the Dark Signers, it completely tore me up inside. I couldn't even really take time to mourn him because we were in the middle of a war and the world had to be saved. The same thing happened again later when I lost Bruno."
"I can't imagine having to go through it more than once," Radley said in horror. "I felt so completely lost and alone. Even after the Bunch came to try to comfort me, there was still that hole in my heart and my life that couldn't be filled."
Yusei nodded. "Of course."
". . . So . . . how'd you find out Kalin was actually alive?!" Crow exclaimed.
"I'm still trying to figure that one out, actually," Radley said. "It's very confusing, because Kalin came to me as a ghost and pointed to where I needed to go. When I went there with the Bunch, we found another entrance to the mines—one that's never used—and Kalin was laying in there, not buried and not dead."
"You mean he didn't say 'Hey, Radley, I'm not dead and you've gotta come get me' or something like that?!" Crow exclaimed.
"He didn't say anything at all," Radley said.
"It was freaky," Biff shuddered.
"I know it was him, but I really don't understand it," Radley said. "I guess it doesn't matter, though. He's alive and with us and that's all that matters."
Yusei managed a smile, pushing aside his shaken feelings. "I agree."
xxxx
The rest of the night slowly passed as the vigil continued. Some people dozed, but Radley and Yusei resolutely stayed awake, talking to Kalin and sometimes to each other. At some points, they were the only ones present who were fully awake.
"I really am sorry I didn't call you sooner," Radley said. "You were Kalin's friend long before me. You deserved better."
"No, it's okay," Yusei insisted. "It was probably better this way, honestly. I already lost Kalin more than once. I'm not sure how I would've dealt with losing him again, even for a few hours." He looked seriously at Radley. "I'm just sorry you had to go through it too."
Radley sighed. ". . . I guess it's strange . . . to be that deeply affected when we haven't known each other anywhere as long as he's known you. . . ."
"I don't think time matters that much," Yusei said. "What matters is what you've gone through together and how you've bonded because of that. The stuff you've experienced in months is probably more than most people go through in a lifetime."
Radley managed a weak smirk. "Well, I can't deny that's probably true."
"I know Kalin cares about you a lot. He told me how much he enjoys living with you." Yusei smiled. "I'm glad."
". . . I thought you might be jealous," Radley admitted. "I don't think Jack likes me very much. . . ."
"I'm not jealous at all," Yusei assured him. "I'm happy for you both. As for Jack . . . well, I think Jack's just being Jack. It's not personal."
"I hope it isn't," Radley said. "I don't mean any harm."
"He knows that," Yusei said.
Radley didn't look as sure. "Maybe he's never forgiven me for agreeing to the duels in town and getting Kalin into that mess. . . ."
"Once the whole story came out, he was forgiving," Yusei assured him. "He snarled a lot about Malcolm's cruelty in backing you into a corner and making you feel you had to agree to stop him from terrorizing the townspeople."
"Really," Radley said in surprise.
Yusei smiled and nodded. "Jack's in your corner. We all are."
"Thank you," Radley said softly. ". . . Kalin talks about all of you a lot. You're all very special to him."
Yusei smiled. "Kalin will always be one of us. And I consider that you are too."
Radley stared at him. "Because I'm Kalin's friend?"
"That, but I want you to be our friend on your own merits," Yusei said. "You fought by our side and proved you're a loyal, protective person who will fight for what's right no matter what. And even though the Crimson Dragon took back our marks, that's still what Team 5Ds is all about."
Radley smiled. "I'm honored."
"Any time you need anything, just let us know," Yusei said.
"That goes for you too," Radley said. "You can count on us."
"I know," Yusei said.
Towards morning, Kalin finally rallied. He groaned, turning his head to the side.
Scotch hugged Biff in relief. "He's waking up!"
West ran over to the bed. "Kalin?!"
Nico was right there too. "Kalin, can you hear us?!"
Radley perked up. "Kalin?! How are you feeling?"
Yusei also leaned forward in relief. "Kalin . . ." He would let Radley talk to Kalin first, after the trauma he had gone through the past night, but he was overjoyed to see his old friend stirring. Crow and Jack and the others certainly felt likewise.
Kalin slowly opened his eyes. "Yusei. . . . Kids. . . . Radley . . ." He managed a weak smile as he looked to Radley. "You're alright. . . ."
"Yes, thanks to you!" Radley exclaimed. "Kalin, I thought . . . I thought you were gone!"
Worry filled Kalin's eyes. "Radley . . ."
"And he was real broken-up!" Biff said. "He tried to drink!"
Kalin stiffened. He liked alcohol himself, but he knew Radley didn't. Radley had always vowed he would never drink, even though his public image made some people think he not only did, but was wild about it.
Radley gave a weak laugh. "It was just a sip. I still hate it." He looked at Kalin in concern. "Kalin, do you remember anything that happened?"
". . . I saved you," Kalin rasped. "Everything started falling on me. I tried to get away, but I was caught. I had to tear my coat. . . . I . . . must have got hit with something. . . ."
"Oh, you can say that again!" Radley exclaimed. "Kalin, you've been unconscious for around twelve hours or more! You were really hit hard!"
". . . If you thought I was dead, how did you even find me?" Kalin wondered.
"I . . ." Radley looked to Yusei and back to Kalin. "It's a long story." He bent and hugged Kalin close. "One that can wait for now."
Kalin hugged Radley in turn, then smiled at Yusei. "So, I needed saving again, huh?"
"You were in good hands," Yusei smiled back. "Kalin . . . welcome back."
Kalin gripped Yusei's hand. "I'm glad to be back," he said sincerely.
Yusei hesitated, then hugged Kalin as well. "You really gave us all a scare," he said.
"That's an understatement!" Crow exclaimed.
"Just don't do it again," Jack said sternly.
Yusei's grip tightened.
Surprised by the unusual gesture from his oldest friend, Kalin slowly hugged back. There was definitely more that had happened that he didn't know about. But if they wanted to wait to talk about it, he would respect that.
xxxx
Radley didn't bring up the full story of what had happened until Kalin was released and allowed to recover at home, where he could really relax. Yusei and the others stayed to visit but left at night so Kalin could rest.
"We'll be at the hotel in town," Yusei said with a smile.
"You're staying?" Kalin said in pleased surprise.
"For a while," Jack said gruffly.
"Rest up now," Crow said with a thumbs-up and a grin.
Kalin smiled and returned the gesture.
Radley lingered after they left and just sat next to the bed. He was still marveling at all that had happened. Kalin was really here, and alive. . . . It still seemed incredible, impossible. Last night he had come in feeling like his entire world had caved in. Tonight, it had repaired and renewed itself. Everything was alright.
Kalin turned and looked to him. "Radley . . . ?"
"Are you feeling alright, Kalin?" Radley asked. "Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm fine, but . . ." Kalin frowned. ". . . I feel like I remember coming here after the accident. . . . Only I couldn't have. . . ."
"You did," Radley rasped. "That's how I knew where to go to find you. I had a vivid dream where we talked in the kitchen and you said you'd find a way to stay. Then I woke up and you came in and acted like you were saying Goodbye. You went through here and outside and I followed you. You kept looking at and pointing at the mountain, so I knew I had to go there. And we went and found you. . . ."
"It's all so vague in my mind." Kalin frowned more. "I think I remember talking at the table. . . . I thought death was calling my name and I'd have to go. . . ."
Radley paled. "Yes . . ."
"It really happened?" Kalin looked as stunned as Radley felt.
"I guess . . . we met on another plane," Radley realized. "But . . ." It still seemed so incredible, so unreal.
"Then you woke up and I was still here. . . . You mean you saw me as a ghost?"
"Yes," Radley said. "But it wasn't like when I died and interacted with people, or tried to. You never said anything. It made it all even more eerie and strange and heartwrenching."
". . . I'm so sorry," Kalin said in dismay. "I only remember it like a wispy dream. I must have thought I was dead too, at least at first. . . ." He frowned. "Only . . . I can't believe I wouldn't say something more if I really thought that was it. . . ." He shook his head. "Maybe it was so unreal that I couldn't believe it myself. . . ."
"Kalin . . ." Radley's voice cracked and he shook his head. "I just couldn't take it. I couldn't take losing you after everything we've been through and how close we are now. . . . I shattered to pieces."
". . . That's what I was afraid would happen," Kalin sadly admitted. "You didn't seem like someone who would get outraged and vengeful like I did."
"I might have later," Radley said. "I was upset with myself that I didn't just insist on us not investigating that part of the mine. Something felt wrong about it."
"I shouldn't have been so stubborn," Kalin said regretfully. "You couldn't have stopped me, Radley. I thought that part of the mine wasn't being used because of foolish superstition."
"I'm boarding it up," Radley vowed. "Even if there's more dyne in that part, it's not worth it. Every time a mess in there is cleaned up, something happens again and someone dies . . . or almost dies. You were so lucky, Kalin. I'm not risking your life or anyone else's."
Kalin smiled a bit. "It wasn't luck. I had a lot to live for. The kids, and the town, and Yusei and Jack and Crow . . . and you." He reached and squeezed Radley's hand.
Radley smiled too. They had come so far. And thankfully, they still had a chance to keep going.