Chapter One

"Aaaaaauuuuggggghhhhhh!"

Yugi and I dashed through the dark clump of trees and dense foliage that surrounded the mall. We were running as though the Hounds of Hades were on our trails, and I was beginning to wonder if we were both just trapped in some sadistic horror film. Steven King's something, or of that persuasion. We had Dobermans nipping at our heels! I kept thinking that since it was dark, the odds were against us, because dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell and all we had was our poor eyesight in the fading glow of the sunset. Way to stack the odds, Tea, I chided myself. I also prayed I wouldn't trip and fall.

What had happened was this: We were headed to the mall, using this shortcut we had discovered when the Centraplex was first built, and we came upon this used car dealership that hadn't been there before. It must have just closed for the evening, or the Doberman wouldn't have been where it was. Right in front of where we needed to go. There was a chain link fence surrounding the place, and as I gazed around, taking in the cars, the dog, and the run down office, I realized we were trapped. Yugi and I tried to sneak past through the lot, hoping the dog was chained. Just as he motioned it was okay, we were running for our lives. The mutt was after us like we were clothed in raw meat, and before we could even whimper two more came tearing around the side of the building. Yugi yelled and shivers ran down my spine. I looked around frantically, and spotted a low part of the fence. I made for it, and as I scrambled over it, I could hear Yugi's strangled gasps behind me. I was almost over when Yugi screamed. I looked down and saw the Doberman grab Yugi by the foot and start to drag him off the fence. "Kick your shoe off!" I screamed hysterically. Oh, please let him get away! I prayed silently. Suddenly the dog flew backwards, Yugi's shoe in its mouth. We made it over the fence and I dashed into the scrubby parking-lot-border woods, trying to rub the rust stains out of my new Gap sweatshirt. Just my luck, I thought dismally.

The dimly lit street lamps shed just enough light to cast an eerie glow over everything in the parking lot. This scene contrasted sharply with the brightly resplendent Centraplex. Yugi emerged, straightening his clothes. He hobbled around in one shoe, then glared at his foot. He kicked the other shoe into the retention pond with a shrug. "Piece o' crap Payless anyway." I stifled a giggle, and he playfully swatted my hair.

I saw two of my friends and waved. Joey's parents were New Yorkers, and so naturally he got the blonde hair and Brooklyn accent. Mai looks like a supermodel, with long, flowing, blonde hair and amethyst eyes. Don't be fooled by her looks— she could care less about boys who flock her, and she makes sure they know it. She only has eyes for her boyfriend and Yugi's best friend, Joey. Joey loves to joke, but he and Mai can be very serious when they want to. Trust me, I know.

When they saw us, Joey jokingly tried to smooth his tousled blonde hair. Giving us a goofy grin, he pulled a face. I shot him a look that said, not now. He sobered instantly, but that didn't last long when he noticed Yugi's muddy socks. He cracked up, and it took him at least a half-hour after that to stop laughing.

"Hi, Tea!" Mai said gleefully. I could see why she was grinning so widely. On her left ring finger was a sparkling crystal. "I love being a woman, don't you?" Then she noticed Joey and what he was laughing at. Smacking her boyfriend on the back of his head, she pulled a pair of Vans out of the bag he was carrying. Handing them to Yugi, she ignored Joey's cries of protest.

Joey swept open the door, and bowed so low his hair touched the floor. "It's those stupid shoes." Mai whispered. "They cost him $70, so he's not too keen on giving them up." I shot a glance at Mai. "Ooookay..." She sniffed smugly and flounced into the mall, leaving me to cock my head in confusion and amazement. Some people must be placed on this Earth to mystify others. Mai is one of them.

We followed close behind her.