Slowly I look up at Rishid, my disbelief and alarm surely showing in my eyes. I can't believe this!! Ishizu, taken prisoner by this madman?!
"We have to get to Egypt immediately," he says grimly, echoing my own thoughts. I know that that is the most important thing to do right now.
"Maybe we can get Kaiba to take us in one of his private jets," I suggest. "The airport would be too slow!"
Rishid agrees and we turn to find the door. The nearest one to us is beyond the India exhibits—and past several sarcophaguses.
My eyes go blank. No . . . not more sarcophaguses! If I try to walk past them, something horrible will come out. . . . Something will try to hurt me . . . something will try to molest me and rob me of . . . of. . . .
I can't move. I'm frozen to the spot. I want to move forward, but my legs will not obey me.
Now I'm being surrounded. . . . Every single one of the coffins open and a monstrosity comes out. They're all surrounding me . . . they're all reaching out for me. . . . One of them pulls me close to it, stroking my back and along the wretched tattoo scars. . . . I struggle to free myself, but their supernatural powers are too strong. I'm bound here, forced to fight in vain for my freedom and my . . .
"LET GO OF ME!!! STOP!!!!" I kick out frantically, refusing to be submissive.
Another hand touches me and I slap it away. "LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I WON'T BE YOUR PLAYTHING!!!"
"Marik!! It's alright, brother!! You're safe!!" Strong arms try to envelope me. "Nothing is here to harm you. The only ones here are you and I."
Rishid's voice penetrates through my tortured mind and I slowly relax into his embrace, shaking. The treacherous images I was seeing vanish now and I realize the truth. What I was seeing isn't real. I was hallucinating. But . . . if I'm hallucinating . . . doesn't that mean that I'm . . .
"Rishid?" I whisper now, voicing the question that is now plaguing my mind. "Rishid, am I crazy?!"
He holds me close. "No, Marik!" he says emphatically. "Of course you are not crazy. It's going to take you a while to heal from this. That does not make you crazy." Quieter he adds, "We'll just go out a different door."
I look at him gratefully. Dear Rishid . . . always so understanding and kind. . . . Gently he steers me around in the opposite direction and we head out to rescue our sister.
****
Kaiba listens to our story grimly. Rishid and I have decided to leave out the account of what happened to me. Ishizu is who is in danger now, and I don't especially want it getting around about what I went through.
"So you need a private jet to get to Egypt?" he says at the conclusion, leaning forward and lacing his fingers together.
"That's right!" I reply urgently. "Please, can you oblige us, Kaiba? Ishizu's life is at stake! You know how you'd feel if it was Mokuba!"
Kaiba looks down, studying a pencil on his desk. "I'll come with you to my private airport," he says finally. He doesn't need to say more.
Young Mokuba runs into the room then, wide-eyed and cheerful as usual. "Hey, big brother! Hey, Marik and Rishid!" he greets. "What's going on?" He quickly takes in our worried expressions and knows something isn't right.
Kaiba stands up. "Ishizu has been taken prisoner," he tells his brother, heading for the door. Quickly we follow after him.
"Hello, Mokuba." I return his greeting now as we walk down the hall, realizing that I didn't say anything to him when he first came in. I am so worried about Ishizu . . . and in the back of my mind, I'm still terrified of horrible creatures emerging from the shadows and coming after me. Will I ever be normal again? I wonder in despair, jumping in fright at an ominous silhouette on the wall.
"What's wrong with you today?" Mokuba asks, blinking at me.
I realize how absurd my behavior must have just looked. "It's nothing," I reply, managing a weak smile. I talked about it once to Rishid. . . . I can't relive it again! I can't! And yet . . . I am reliving it every time I turn around. Why do I have to behave like this?! Why can't I just shove the experience into the dark recesses of my mind and never think or speak of it again?!
And . . . what if Ishizu has been harmed the way they tried to harm me?! The thought keeps coming back to me, but I can't deal with it. I close my eyes tightly, trying to block out the images coming to me. Ishizu can't have to suffer that!! She simply CAN NOT!!
"Seto, we're gonna help them get Ishizu back, aren't we?!" Mokuba exclaims as we all climb into the limousine. "We've gotta go with them to Egypt! Remember all those times they helped us when we were in trouble?!"
Kaiba looks down at his brother as he continues to plead. At last he nods slowly and crosses his arms. "Very well," he says. "We'll go to Egypt." Perhaps he has a sense of owing us something. Or maybe he honestly wants to help. I can't tell.
Rishid looks at him seriously. "It could be very dangerous," he warns. "This . . . person who has abducted Ishizu is a madman." He hasn't explained that the abducter is his birth father. I suppose he doesn't want to get into that the way I don't want to get into what happened to me.
"I've dealt with those types before," Kaiba grunts.
"We don't want to put either of you in any unnecessary danger," I say quietly.
"Friends stick together!" Mokuba objects. "Remember, Marik? We've gotta come!"
I give him a stronger smile this time, touched. "If anything happens to you or your brother I'll never forgive myself," I reply then.
"I gave my word that we would come, and I don't go back on my word," Kaiba returns. "And though I would rather Mokuba didn't come, I know I won't be able to keep him away."
Mokuba glares at him. "Seto, you don't have to treat me like a baby!" he snaps.
"Mokuba, the fact is, you are only ten," Kaiba tells him. "And people have a tendency to want to use you against me, the way this person is using Marik and Ishizu against Rishid."
"But that guy's not gonna care about what happens with me!" Mokuba retorts. "That's the point, Seto—he's after the Ishtars!"
"You never know what psychos like him might decide to do," Kaiba replies.
"I'm not gonna get kidnapped," Mokuba growls. "You worry too much!"
I close my eyes and lean against the back of the seat. Mokuba has been rather crabby of late thinking that Kaiba treats him like a child unnecessarily, and I can tell that now another shouting match between them is eminent.
Either that or stony silence, which can be worse. Kaiba gives Mokuba a stern look, obviously wanting to address things but then thinking different of it. He turns to face the window and refuses to say more, as does Mokuba, who crosses his arms and pouts. The uneasiness hangs in the air, making it almost unbearable to stand. Will the brothers start yelling at each other?
I try my best to ignore them and the deafening silence. Unfortunately, as soon as I close my eyes the images start coming to me again. First they are of myself—trapped on the floor with the zombie above me, sneering wickedly. Then the scenes change. Ishizu is being accosted by Rishid's malevolent birth father, who slaps her and causes her to fall back into the corner. Then he's standing over her . . . grabbing for her . . .
I can't stand it!!
I do not realize that I am screaming out loud, but then Rishid is taking hold of me firmly, assuring me that all is well and that Ishizu will be alright. Vaguely I hear Mokuba making what sounds like a rather snide comment—as he has worked himself into quite a Mood by now—but I do not pay much attention. I concentrate solely on Rishid's voice, trusting him to bring me out of the insanity I am afraid I am descending into.
~Rishid~
I hold Marik's emotionally broken form close to my heart, whispering softly to him with what I hope are comforting words. How could anyone delight in harming his strong, brave spirit? How could anyone take pleasure from tormenting him and Ishizu?
And . . . deep in my heart, I worry. Will Marik recover from this? He's trying so hard to be his usual self, but he cannot deceive me. I see past the facade he's tried so desperately to erect. I see the frightened, terrified child he tries to hide. And I know that as long as he tries to pretend it didn't happen, as long as he struggles to be all smiles and courage, he will never be able to put it behind him.
Hatred rises within me for my birth father. He is just as terrible—or possibly worse—than the "father" I grew up knowing. And what of Halima? Was her story true, or could she be working with her husband, as Marik has feared?
And where in Egypt is Ishizu?! Could Marik's abominable, dire worries actually be the truth?! If she is violated so horribly, I will feel responsible in some way. It is my father who is doing all of this.
I already do feel responsible for what happened to Marik. We shouldn't have become separated! I should have seen to it that we stayed together. At the time we were both so concerned about Ishizu that we hadn't stopped to see where we were headed. And then we had wound up in two different corridors.
At any rate, why couldn't the creature that attacked Marik have gone after me instead? I would have been able to handle it better than my poor brother is doing! Why did Marik have to be tormented so atrociously?!
"We're here," Kaiba says coldly, breaking into my thoughts. I can tell he wonders what has gone on with Marik, but he doesn't ask.
Kindly I look down at my dear brother. "We are at the airport," I tell him.
Almost mechanically he gets up and exits the limousine, letting his long blonde bangs fall over his eyes and conceal the pain within them.
The Kaibas get out as well, Mokuba still scowling. He has been in a foul mood ever since his brother's remarks back in the limousine, and I am afraid it will continue over to Egypt. He made a very rude remark himself when Marik was so upset, but I chose to ignore it while I tried to comfort my younger brother. Perhaps I should have addressed the comment, but I did not.
We manage to get into Kaiba's private jet without incident and begin the flight to Egypt.
What will it be like to return to the place where Marik, Ishizu, and I were raised? Marik always says he can't stand Egypt now because of the many bad memories he associates with it. He has never wanted to have to return. But now, with Ishizu captive there, he is so willing to plunge back in and save her, even in spite of the painful recollections of Egypt—and in spite of what just happened to him back in the museum. The man I inherited my unusual eye color from greatly underestimates us all. Despite coming through such a living nightmare of nearly having his virtue stolen from him and still being so very terrified by it all, Marik still thinks first of others. His naturally selfless quality cannot be stilled.
****
Nearly as soon as the wheels of the plane hit the ground in Egypt, Kaiba's cell phone rings. He listens for a brief moment, narrowing his eyes, and then shoves the phone at me. "It's for you," he announces.
Wondering how on earth my birth father got Kaiba's cell phone number, I take the phone and hold it up. Before I have a chance to demand to know where Ishizu is, the wicked voice begins to speak.
"Hello, Son," the man greets, only angering me all the more. "I see you've made it to Egypt safely. And you've brought the Kaibas. I thought so."
"How do you know so much about us?!" I thunder.
"Research, Odion—excuse me, Rishid. Much research!" I have the feeling that he gave the wrong name at first on purpose, for the reason that he wants to drill it into me that he truly is who he says he is. "I am keeping constant tabs on all of you. In case you're wondering how I can accomplish such a feat, the answer is simple—I relieved your dear sister of her Millennium Item. I know it can grant glimpses into the near future, among other things."
My eyes narrow considerably. Ishizu would never allow the Millennium Tauk to be stolen! The only way such a thing could happen would be if she was hurt so terribly that she couldn't protest. But even if someone else did manage to get it, they wouldn't be able to suddenly use it unless they were very trained with such things. "And what have you done with Ishizu??!!" I yell.
Next to me, Marik has perked up in concern and is gazing at the cell phone and then into my eyes. He has already guessed who is calling, but this question of mine confirms his suspicions.
"Well, I suppose now I do need to give you the next clue," my father is saying now. "I did promise it, after all. Get some means of transportation and come to the well. You know the one I mean."
I clutch the cell phone so tightly that it seems it should be crumbling in my hand. "We will come," I vow dangerously. "We will come, but if Ishizu is not still safe you will sorely regret ever having made my acquaintance."
A chuckle is my only response, and then, "Be there." The line once again goes dead.
"Rishid?"
I look down at Marik somberly.
"How could he be using the Tauk?!" Marik cries, having heard all of the conversation.
I hand the cell phone back to Kaiba and shake my head, not offering a reply. He and I both know the only ways that could be possible.
"Don't worry about the transportation problem," Kaiba says now, going to a door that I hadn't noticed before. "I make sure to have a Jeep on hand for just such emergencies."
Masking my surprise, I watch as he lowers the gangplank and then drives a green Jeep with the KaibaCorp logo on it out onto the sand. Quickly all of us climb on board.
"I'm assuming you know where he wants you to go," Kaiba remarks.
"I know the approximate location," I reply, knowing that the well is right near where Marik, Ishizu, and I used to live. I do not know how Marik will handle having to return there, especially since he is under so much additional stress. Now I exchange a silent glance with my younger brother, searching for the answers in his eyes.
He smiles at me, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "I can handle this," he whispers. His skin is so clammy. . . . I wonder if he truly can handle it. I know he would never admit it if he thought he couldn't. And I also know that he will do his best to be brave and face the past in order to rescue Ishizu.
"We have to get to Egypt immediately," he says grimly, echoing my own thoughts. I know that that is the most important thing to do right now.
"Maybe we can get Kaiba to take us in one of his private jets," I suggest. "The airport would be too slow!"
Rishid agrees and we turn to find the door. The nearest one to us is beyond the India exhibits—and past several sarcophaguses.
My eyes go blank. No . . . not more sarcophaguses! If I try to walk past them, something horrible will come out. . . . Something will try to hurt me . . . something will try to molest me and rob me of . . . of. . . .
I can't move. I'm frozen to the spot. I want to move forward, but my legs will not obey me.
Now I'm being surrounded. . . . Every single one of the coffins open and a monstrosity comes out. They're all surrounding me . . . they're all reaching out for me. . . . One of them pulls me close to it, stroking my back and along the wretched tattoo scars. . . . I struggle to free myself, but their supernatural powers are too strong. I'm bound here, forced to fight in vain for my freedom and my . . .
"LET GO OF ME!!! STOP!!!!" I kick out frantically, refusing to be submissive.
Another hand touches me and I slap it away. "LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I WON'T BE YOUR PLAYTHING!!!"
"Marik!! It's alright, brother!! You're safe!!" Strong arms try to envelope me. "Nothing is here to harm you. The only ones here are you and I."
Rishid's voice penetrates through my tortured mind and I slowly relax into his embrace, shaking. The treacherous images I was seeing vanish now and I realize the truth. What I was seeing isn't real. I was hallucinating. But . . . if I'm hallucinating . . . doesn't that mean that I'm . . .
"Rishid?" I whisper now, voicing the question that is now plaguing my mind. "Rishid, am I crazy?!"
He holds me close. "No, Marik!" he says emphatically. "Of course you are not crazy. It's going to take you a while to heal from this. That does not make you crazy." Quieter he adds, "We'll just go out a different door."
I look at him gratefully. Dear Rishid . . . always so understanding and kind. . . . Gently he steers me around in the opposite direction and we head out to rescue our sister.
****
Kaiba listens to our story grimly. Rishid and I have decided to leave out the account of what happened to me. Ishizu is who is in danger now, and I don't especially want it getting around about what I went through.
"So you need a private jet to get to Egypt?" he says at the conclusion, leaning forward and lacing his fingers together.
"That's right!" I reply urgently. "Please, can you oblige us, Kaiba? Ishizu's life is at stake! You know how you'd feel if it was Mokuba!"
Kaiba looks down, studying a pencil on his desk. "I'll come with you to my private airport," he says finally. He doesn't need to say more.
Young Mokuba runs into the room then, wide-eyed and cheerful as usual. "Hey, big brother! Hey, Marik and Rishid!" he greets. "What's going on?" He quickly takes in our worried expressions and knows something isn't right.
Kaiba stands up. "Ishizu has been taken prisoner," he tells his brother, heading for the door. Quickly we follow after him.
"Hello, Mokuba." I return his greeting now as we walk down the hall, realizing that I didn't say anything to him when he first came in. I am so worried about Ishizu . . . and in the back of my mind, I'm still terrified of horrible creatures emerging from the shadows and coming after me. Will I ever be normal again? I wonder in despair, jumping in fright at an ominous silhouette on the wall.
"What's wrong with you today?" Mokuba asks, blinking at me.
I realize how absurd my behavior must have just looked. "It's nothing," I reply, managing a weak smile. I talked about it once to Rishid. . . . I can't relive it again! I can't! And yet . . . I am reliving it every time I turn around. Why do I have to behave like this?! Why can't I just shove the experience into the dark recesses of my mind and never think or speak of it again?!
And . . . what if Ishizu has been harmed the way they tried to harm me?! The thought keeps coming back to me, but I can't deal with it. I close my eyes tightly, trying to block out the images coming to me. Ishizu can't have to suffer that!! She simply CAN NOT!!
"Seto, we're gonna help them get Ishizu back, aren't we?!" Mokuba exclaims as we all climb into the limousine. "We've gotta go with them to Egypt! Remember all those times they helped us when we were in trouble?!"
Kaiba looks down at his brother as he continues to plead. At last he nods slowly and crosses his arms. "Very well," he says. "We'll go to Egypt." Perhaps he has a sense of owing us something. Or maybe he honestly wants to help. I can't tell.
Rishid looks at him seriously. "It could be very dangerous," he warns. "This . . . person who has abducted Ishizu is a madman." He hasn't explained that the abducter is his birth father. I suppose he doesn't want to get into that the way I don't want to get into what happened to me.
"I've dealt with those types before," Kaiba grunts.
"We don't want to put either of you in any unnecessary danger," I say quietly.
"Friends stick together!" Mokuba objects. "Remember, Marik? We've gotta come!"
I give him a stronger smile this time, touched. "If anything happens to you or your brother I'll never forgive myself," I reply then.
"I gave my word that we would come, and I don't go back on my word," Kaiba returns. "And though I would rather Mokuba didn't come, I know I won't be able to keep him away."
Mokuba glares at him. "Seto, you don't have to treat me like a baby!" he snaps.
"Mokuba, the fact is, you are only ten," Kaiba tells him. "And people have a tendency to want to use you against me, the way this person is using Marik and Ishizu against Rishid."
"But that guy's not gonna care about what happens with me!" Mokuba retorts. "That's the point, Seto—he's after the Ishtars!"
"You never know what psychos like him might decide to do," Kaiba replies.
"I'm not gonna get kidnapped," Mokuba growls. "You worry too much!"
I close my eyes and lean against the back of the seat. Mokuba has been rather crabby of late thinking that Kaiba treats him like a child unnecessarily, and I can tell that now another shouting match between them is eminent.
Either that or stony silence, which can be worse. Kaiba gives Mokuba a stern look, obviously wanting to address things but then thinking different of it. He turns to face the window and refuses to say more, as does Mokuba, who crosses his arms and pouts. The uneasiness hangs in the air, making it almost unbearable to stand. Will the brothers start yelling at each other?
I try my best to ignore them and the deafening silence. Unfortunately, as soon as I close my eyes the images start coming to me again. First they are of myself—trapped on the floor with the zombie above me, sneering wickedly. Then the scenes change. Ishizu is being accosted by Rishid's malevolent birth father, who slaps her and causes her to fall back into the corner. Then he's standing over her . . . grabbing for her . . .
I can't stand it!!
I do not realize that I am screaming out loud, but then Rishid is taking hold of me firmly, assuring me that all is well and that Ishizu will be alright. Vaguely I hear Mokuba making what sounds like a rather snide comment—as he has worked himself into quite a Mood by now—but I do not pay much attention. I concentrate solely on Rishid's voice, trusting him to bring me out of the insanity I am afraid I am descending into.
~Rishid~
I hold Marik's emotionally broken form close to my heart, whispering softly to him with what I hope are comforting words. How could anyone delight in harming his strong, brave spirit? How could anyone take pleasure from tormenting him and Ishizu?
And . . . deep in my heart, I worry. Will Marik recover from this? He's trying so hard to be his usual self, but he cannot deceive me. I see past the facade he's tried so desperately to erect. I see the frightened, terrified child he tries to hide. And I know that as long as he tries to pretend it didn't happen, as long as he struggles to be all smiles and courage, he will never be able to put it behind him.
Hatred rises within me for my birth father. He is just as terrible—or possibly worse—than the "father" I grew up knowing. And what of Halima? Was her story true, or could she be working with her husband, as Marik has feared?
And where in Egypt is Ishizu?! Could Marik's abominable, dire worries actually be the truth?! If she is violated so horribly, I will feel responsible in some way. It is my father who is doing all of this.
I already do feel responsible for what happened to Marik. We shouldn't have become separated! I should have seen to it that we stayed together. At the time we were both so concerned about Ishizu that we hadn't stopped to see where we were headed. And then we had wound up in two different corridors.
At any rate, why couldn't the creature that attacked Marik have gone after me instead? I would have been able to handle it better than my poor brother is doing! Why did Marik have to be tormented so atrociously?!
"We're here," Kaiba says coldly, breaking into my thoughts. I can tell he wonders what has gone on with Marik, but he doesn't ask.
Kindly I look down at my dear brother. "We are at the airport," I tell him.
Almost mechanically he gets up and exits the limousine, letting his long blonde bangs fall over his eyes and conceal the pain within them.
The Kaibas get out as well, Mokuba still scowling. He has been in a foul mood ever since his brother's remarks back in the limousine, and I am afraid it will continue over to Egypt. He made a very rude remark himself when Marik was so upset, but I chose to ignore it while I tried to comfort my younger brother. Perhaps I should have addressed the comment, but I did not.
We manage to get into Kaiba's private jet without incident and begin the flight to Egypt.
What will it be like to return to the place where Marik, Ishizu, and I were raised? Marik always says he can't stand Egypt now because of the many bad memories he associates with it. He has never wanted to have to return. But now, with Ishizu captive there, he is so willing to plunge back in and save her, even in spite of the painful recollections of Egypt—and in spite of what just happened to him back in the museum. The man I inherited my unusual eye color from greatly underestimates us all. Despite coming through such a living nightmare of nearly having his virtue stolen from him and still being so very terrified by it all, Marik still thinks first of others. His naturally selfless quality cannot be stilled.
****
Nearly as soon as the wheels of the plane hit the ground in Egypt, Kaiba's cell phone rings. He listens for a brief moment, narrowing his eyes, and then shoves the phone at me. "It's for you," he announces.
Wondering how on earth my birth father got Kaiba's cell phone number, I take the phone and hold it up. Before I have a chance to demand to know where Ishizu is, the wicked voice begins to speak.
"Hello, Son," the man greets, only angering me all the more. "I see you've made it to Egypt safely. And you've brought the Kaibas. I thought so."
"How do you know so much about us?!" I thunder.
"Research, Odion—excuse me, Rishid. Much research!" I have the feeling that he gave the wrong name at first on purpose, for the reason that he wants to drill it into me that he truly is who he says he is. "I am keeping constant tabs on all of you. In case you're wondering how I can accomplish such a feat, the answer is simple—I relieved your dear sister of her Millennium Item. I know it can grant glimpses into the near future, among other things."
My eyes narrow considerably. Ishizu would never allow the Millennium Tauk to be stolen! The only way such a thing could happen would be if she was hurt so terribly that she couldn't protest. But even if someone else did manage to get it, they wouldn't be able to suddenly use it unless they were very trained with such things. "And what have you done with Ishizu??!!" I yell.
Next to me, Marik has perked up in concern and is gazing at the cell phone and then into my eyes. He has already guessed who is calling, but this question of mine confirms his suspicions.
"Well, I suppose now I do need to give you the next clue," my father is saying now. "I did promise it, after all. Get some means of transportation and come to the well. You know the one I mean."
I clutch the cell phone so tightly that it seems it should be crumbling in my hand. "We will come," I vow dangerously. "We will come, but if Ishizu is not still safe you will sorely regret ever having made my acquaintance."
A chuckle is my only response, and then, "Be there." The line once again goes dead.
"Rishid?"
I look down at Marik somberly.
"How could he be using the Tauk?!" Marik cries, having heard all of the conversation.
I hand the cell phone back to Kaiba and shake my head, not offering a reply. He and I both know the only ways that could be possible.
"Don't worry about the transportation problem," Kaiba says now, going to a door that I hadn't noticed before. "I make sure to have a Jeep on hand for just such emergencies."
Masking my surprise, I watch as he lowers the gangplank and then drives a green Jeep with the KaibaCorp logo on it out onto the sand. Quickly all of us climb on board.
"I'm assuming you know where he wants you to go," Kaiba remarks.
"I know the approximate location," I reply, knowing that the well is right near where Marik, Ishizu, and I used to live. I do not know how Marik will handle having to return there, especially since he is under so much additional stress. Now I exchange a silent glance with my younger brother, searching for the answers in his eyes.
He smiles at me, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "I can handle this," he whispers. His skin is so clammy. . . . I wonder if he truly can handle it. I know he would never admit it if he thought he couldn't. And I also know that he will do his best to be brave and face the past in order to rescue Ishizu.