LIFE IS CHANGE
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh or its characters. They belong to Kazuki Takahashi.
Also, English is not my native language, so feel free to correct my writing mistakes :)
A quiet dark room is full of tension and heavy atmosphere as a weak moonlight starts to shine through the roof window. In the middle of the room, there is a bed with a single person on it. Shadows and darkness hid most of the boy's appearance, except his wild hair that can always be recognized. As the light crept in behind the clouds getting stronger with every moment it revealed a little pocketknife in Yugi's hand.
Yugi was staring into the spot on his bed. The same one where he kept his puzzle during his long conversations with Yami. Yes, his real name is Atem but in Yugi's heart, he will always stay Yami. That name is more familiar, and it made him feel safe. A soft but sad smile appears on Yugi's lips as he reminiscence about old times and how they seem better than the present. Who would have thought that he would miss all the craziness and danger, his friends never being safe? Deep inside his heart Yugi knew he is just missing them. At least, back then, they were there, with him one hundred percent. Now he is all alone. They are there but not really there.
Everything changed. Faces started to flash in front of his eyes. His grandpa ended up in the institution. Old Solomon is suffering from severe dementia. He was often so lost that Yugi alone couldn't take care of him and the shop and continue his education. It is a better option for both of them. Gramps has the best care he can get and is surrounded by nurses all the time. Yugi is glad he can afford that. After all, he is still king of games although that title brings him nothing but sorrow now. It is a reminder of terrible but happier times, at least for Yugi.
He considered giving it to Seto. The problem is Kaiba doesn't duel at all lately. He has that weird new obsession with ancient and magical things. It confused Yugi in the beginning, but soon he dismissed it knowing how far Kaiba's obsessions can go. The guy has Blue eyes white dragon jet for god sake.
"Maybe he should start obsessing over a girl…" it was a thought that suddenly came to his mind.
And of course, with that thought, the image of Tea creates in front of his eyes and makes a different kind of sad smile on Yugi's face. The one bright spot he has in life is in New York, studying dance. After the ceremonial duel, they did get closer, even shared a kiss now and then, but that is it. Tea insists on being just friends as long as she is abroad. And he understands. It is hard when somebody is far away all the time, and you can see them a couple of times a year.
Like Bakura. After the accident that left him with no family Bakura become like a nomad. He is a talented artist who claims traveling gives him inspiration but Yugi knows he is just running away from everything. The same way Tristan does. Running away to try to escape the pain is normal but his friend, well former friend, went too far. Gang won't bring Serenity back. She is with Duke now and no matter the reasons or circumstances that something Tristan needs to learn to deal with. But he can't. And Yugi doesn't blame him. After all his way of escaping isn't any better. Joey tried to bring their friend back but after so many tries, he gave up.
Yugi's best friend is tired too. He has his own problems, with family and that on and off thing with Mai. She is great but she must calm down a bit or that relationship could kill Joey. Yugi knew he is close to the edge. That, and hopes he has for the future with Tea, are the reasons why that pocketknife in his hand is standing still and just pressing lightly on the skin. Surface cuts will leave a mark and they will give him the necessary release which he craves for, but he won't be seriously hurt or with permanent marks.
As blood starts coming through the skin, Yugi sees his other half how he stands across from him and smiles softly. Tears are coming down his face as he remembers Yami. Where is he? Is he happy? Will Yugi see him in the afterlife? So many questions and only one way to get the answers. There is an idea so often on Yugi's mind lately.
"I could end it and join Yami in the afterlife."
More tears, more memories, more pain, more cuts... It is a circle that goes round and round as long as he finds the strength to get up. Completely numb and empty, just like this house he was in, Yugi gets up and goes to the bathroom. One more time, there are Joey and Tea in his mind. He would make a hole in their lives, one thing that is not an option. So, Yugi dismisses his idea for like the tenth time that month and decides to take a sleeping pill. After all, it is already 3 a.m., and he has work to do in the morning. While his eyes are closing due to sleeping pills and emotional exhaustion, Yugi's mind wanders to his other half. What is he doing now?
Authors note:
Thank you for reading. I decided to put this prologue to try and bring at least a little bit of a back story for some of the characters. This story won't follow Yugi as the main character, but he seemed like the best way to bring you into things. Enjoy your reading, and thank you upfront for all your comments and reviews. I will try to update weekly 😊