Disclaimer: I hereby state that I do not own any of Yu-Gi-Oh characters. Whether I like it or not… it's not mine… warghh…
Hey people, I may not be the best writer alive but I know I do write… hahhaa bear with me and go easy with the reviews k : just ignore my grammar and spelling mistakes….for now… if anyone wanna offer some help with them, just msg me ok ;) I'll be glad to have someone beta-ing my fic. And erm…. Suggestions on the plot will also be appreciated. My first attempt at Yu-gi-oh fic. :P
Sorry… I'm just reposting this chapter using HTML… :) just ignore me… hehe
Note:
\\ \\ = Yami mental voice
\ \ = Yugi mental voice
Consuming Darkness
Chapter 1: The Wooden Box
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Everyday I'll wade through the same route and there're always the beating, the abusing and one hell of a drunken father to be taken care of. Since mom died about 2 years ago, live hasn't been easy on me, or dad for that matter. He wasn't like this when mom was around, the dad I used to know was a responsible, kind, understanding person… not like who he is now! He still can't get over the fact that mom had died, constantly blaming himself and getting himself drunk just so he could forget. It obviously isn't working, to make things worse he's now sampling on other alternative, that is I.
I got my first lump last year, just when I was entering the house; someone hastily punched me in the eye. I didn't get the chance to even defend myself. He was drunk… I could tell judging from the heavy smell of alcohol his mouth produced, when he threw strings of curses at me. The next day, he apologized. Once is acceptable but two days after that he went back drinking and it never did stop. He decided to keep his new habits.
I never had any trouble in school before. I was one of the top 10 students and the teacher never complained anything about my having bad behaviors. I had quite a number of friends back then… but then again let me rephrase that…'acquaintances'. They weren't actually my friends whom I could consult my problems with, more like they were consulting me, asking advices and tips on studies. I didn't mind much back then but now it seems to get on my nerve.
With the amount of stress life has been offering me, I don't think I can continue on living my life any longer. I'm not being self-center, I know there are people out there who suffer more than I do and I pity them….I do, but I'm not sure I can nurse my own feelings of hurt, distress, loneliness anymore. For two years I've been enduring all these and it's affecting my life. School days hasn't been the same, my marks keep on decreasing to the point of me almost being kick out of school. To tell you the truth, I don't care but surprisingly, dad told me to write an appeal letter. He wasn't drunk at that time.
I just wish Mom were still alive but that's too much to ask. People who died can't be revived can they? At the brink of loosing myself, the only thing that keeps me standing is Yami … our own little black cat; accept that he's not little anymore. Mom used to love the cat very much. As crazy as it sounded, I really care for the little guy and to me he's the only family I have other than dad. Cats can't talk nor do they laugh at your jokes but Yami seems kind of different. He make up to all those things he lacks by just being there for me when I needed someone…or 'some cat' to listen to my problems. He would just lie there quietly on the bed or sometimes on my lap and sort of didn't move…not until I finish my rambles. Yami was a present from grandpa on my 12th birthday, a year before Mom's departure.
Strangely that wasn't all that grandpa gave, there were three presents. Somehow, I sense that they're all connected but I can't put my fingers on it. Yami had always worn this black collar with a mini pyramid sticking to it. I had always been curious as to why grandpa gave away such precious looking thing to be worn by a cat. And there was this aged wooden box with ancient carving all around it saves for the top where there's a small square gap. Until now, I still can't seem to open the box. Judging from it's exterior, it must be from Egypt or something. I know there's something inside of it, till now I'm still figuring out ways to crack it open. Hammer… knives…screwdriver… You name it.
"Yugi? Are you up there?" Suddenly I heard father calling, bringing me out of my trance.
He sounded calm enough, I hope he's sober cause I don't think I'm ready to face any beating, not tonight…not this soon. I hide the 'box' inside my drawer and locked it just incase. The other day when he was drunk, he came up to my room and almost wrecked the door if I hadn't opened it on time. I could have just stayed inside and be a coward. Initially, I did but then it doesn't matter anymore. The punching and beating are like a part of my daily event and I'm weary of it. Let it come, I don't even care anymore…
"Yeah."
"Come down will you… I bought us dinner!" He said in that fatherly tone of his, seemingly fill with warmth. I don't buy that and he knows but he still does it.
Afraid that his good mood will turn foul, I've decided to entertain his requests as per usual. He greeted me with a smile, which I ignore and go straight to the dining room. I sit quietly and start to devour the Big Mac he bought for me.
He seated himself opposite me and began unwrapping his double cheeseburger but he's not eating it, " Yugi…"
"Yes?" I took another bite of the burger and look up to meet his eyes.
I try to look impassive and it works, he regards me guiltily with a hint of remorse grazing his features. It seems that he's studying my face… my bruised face. Living with him for 2 years isn't for nothing…I'm very well aware of what's coming. He's going to apologize… then he's going to say, ' Yugi, I'll make it up to you…I promise'. He and his 'promises '
He was having a tough time telling me so, seeing me put a blank expression isn't helping. He squirms slightly and then sighs. "Yugi… I…" He let out a heavy breath, obviously thinking of a proper way to send across his message. "Yugi… I'm soo sorry. Last night, I was drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. I'll…. I'll make it up to you somehow… I promise. Really promise!" He said almost desperately.
I merely shrug signaling that 'it's fine with me' but the truth is, it isn't …it is not fine at all!!! " Yeah… that's ok Dad. Thanks for the burger." Then I quickly run upstairs and lock the door, leaving him all alone to ponder on the stuff he said.
That does it; I'm not the type of person who's good at hiding my emotion. The uncaring 'wall' that I built just now, was merely an act. I was actually, having a hard time listening to some recorded apologies moreover it's from your own father. I knew he didn't mean what he said… I knew he'd just go back to drinking and then keep on beating me to the bloody pulp. I once suggested that he go see a shrink to tend to his stresses and all but he didn't go even after he said he would. I don't fancy crying so much, but lately my heart couldn't take it anymore. I could actually feel the changes in me. The person I've become, the introvert…pessimistic…. Self-blaming… idiot! I can't seem to stop the tears. They're now flowing freely down to my cheeks.
In the room, through my clouded eyes, I could see Yami quietly regarding me from where he was comfortably resting – my bed. I continue on crying. Then suddenly, I felt something soft and furry against my thigh, it was Yami. He had jumped down from the bed and is now placing his right paw on my thigh, regarding me quietly. It's uncanny the way he would look at me with such eyes. I have a feeling like he's trying to console me, to tell me that everything will be all right. He's pretty smart for a cat.
"Oh..Yami!" I scratch his ears lightly, the tear still presents but I can't help but to feel a little better and give the cat a smile.
Then he brings himself up onto my leg and licks the tears right below my eyes. It surprises me, but then he just head for the drawer and scratch it. I look at him strangely.
"Meaow…" He scratches it again.
"What is it Yami?" I pulled myself up, wipe the remaining tears and gather enough energy to crawl to my drawer.
He looks at me. "meaow…" and continue on scratching.
"What do you what boy? There's nothing there…" I said pulling out the key I have in my pocket and unlock the drawer. "See… nothing in here!" I smile at him.
"Meow….!"
"Huh… there's only this box Yami. Do you want me to bring it out?"
"Meaow…"
"Oh…ok then." Am I pampering this cat too much? I place the wooden box in front of Yami and somehow he seem to be having on a very satisfy cat face on him. I chuckle slightly.
"Yami… I'm going to the bathroom for a while ok. Be good and guard this for me." I said getting up and before I go, give him a good rub on his head. He's enjoying that.
The bathroom is connected to my room, so it's easier for me. I don't have to share Dad's bathroom. I wonder what the cat is up to. Was it really the box that he wanted to see so much?
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~ In the room ~
The cat regards the wooden box carefully. There's a glint in his eyes as he carefully lowers his pyramid-like collar onto the box where the square gap is.
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Blinding light… I'm greeted with luminous light as I reenter my room. I shield my eyes with my hands, trying hard to see what's going on from between my parted fingers. I couldn't see nor hear anything except for a low moan. Then it suddenly clicks on me. MOANING??
The blinding light has lessen a bit and eventually gone. I can't believe my eyes; there in front of me lay a person whose hair similar to mine. I can't make up his features though. He was facing the other end with his back to me. Probably it's just the hair but most importantly how did he end up in my room? It doesn't make sense at all. The windows to my room are wired. He can't possibly go through there could he? A rush of uneasiness fills my guts and all of a sudden scary thoughts forming in my head. What if he a ghost with no face? What if he's the devil himself? People say devil can disguise as human. Reading too much ghost story had me thinking for a while.
"He… hello?" Still keeping my distance away from the figure.
Strangely he's not moving but just now, I'm quite sure I heard him moan. I just stare at him unmoving, and then I heave in and gather enough courage to crouch next to him and … poke him in his arm. I still can't see his face.
"Hey…wake up…" It's not working.
Somehow I'm afraid to turn him around and take a good look at his face. I let my eyes wonder and notice that he's clad in somewhat weird clothing. I've seen it before… in the museum. If my memory doesn't fail me, this is what a pharaoh would wear during the ancient Egypt. And there's the golden armlet. This is very weird, why would a pharaoh be in MY room? At…at this century? Couldn't be the…g…g...g…
\\ Yugi? \\
" Wahhhhhhhhhh!!! " I back away almost abruptly until my back is touching the cold hard wall.
\Where did that come from??\ I frantically look around, searching for the mysterious voice who called me.
\\ Yugi… \\ there is was again but I couldn't make out where it came from.
"Wh…who are you??" I said aloud.
\\ I'm, Yami… \\
to be continue…
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Hope you guys enjoy that much…. :) I'm going to sleep now… gud night … * hugs her teddy bear *