How I Used to Be

A story based on "Unwell" by Matchbox 20

Neither the song this story is inspired by or characters in this story belong to the author. Don't sue, it makes the children cry.

Author's note: Yes, this is a repost. Several characterization mistakes in the previous version, not to mention a small continuity error... and random stupidity. The second chapter will be reposted in a few days, error free (I hope), and then I'll write the third and final chapter. Please do review, and don't feel like criticism isn't a good thing, because it really is. Thanks!

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"Ugh..." A small figure raised his head from his position sprawled out on his bed. One small hand immediately fluttered to his forehead; he felt like he'd been run over by a truck. He groaned and flipped onto his side, brushing away a stray lock of straight blonde hair from his eyes. Vision no longer obscured, he looked at the time on his alarm clock. One twenty seven in the morning. It didn't seem possible, had he not only closed his eyes a moment before? The watch that he'd placed next to his clock read the exact same time, and as much as he didn't want to believe, he knew it was. He looked over at his desk where his math book still lay open from where it had been what felt like seconds before. The question that he was attempting to answer was tiring him, so he'd closed his eyes and slumped back in his chair... but he was on the bed now?

If it had been the first or maybe second time that these occurrences had happened, he'd have wagered that someone was playing a joke on him, Grandpa or Joey perhaps. But this was the third time, the third time! Even for someone with an odd sense of humor, that should be plenty. He threw himself back onto his bed, not caring that he was still wearing the same suit that he had worn to school that day. His trouble had begun about two weeks ago, and since then the number of times that he'd seemingly lost consciousness along with track of time was steadily increasing. There was a link, however, to this mystery. Yugi didn't miss the irony that a puzzle was the only clue that he had to the puzzle that he was living. Ever since he had finished the Millennium Puzzle that he had labored over for years, it seemed that nothing had been the same. As hard to believe as it sounded, sometimes the thought that perhaps he didn't know himself entirely entered his mind. He closed his eyes in a half hearted attempt at real sleep, but the thoughts that swum in his mind kept him awake. Morning's first rays filtered through a window, weaving shadow forms of whatever it touched. Squinting, Yugi got up from his bed to close the blinds, and his own shadow followed him. His shadow with glowing eyes.

"Hey Yug!" The voice of his new friend running to his side jolted him from his half-asleep state as he walked to school that morning. "Somthin' wrong?"

Yugi looked up, a smile creeping onto his face. "No, I'm okay Joey. Just... tired, that's it." The soles of his sneakers scuffed against the cement, and his gaze returned to his shoes. Being friends with Joey was still something that he needed to get used to. No, not that he didn't love spending time with him, just that he seemed like the most unlikely person. It wasn't too often that bullies turn into best friends, and truth be told, as much as he trusted Joey he was half afraid of finding out that he was being used and discarded. Several jabs to his shoulder brought Yugi to the present.

"'ey, you didn' hear a word I said, didja?" Joey laughed.

"Oh..." Yugi said , shrugging his shoulders and grinning sheepishly, "Sorry. I really am."

Joey laughed, "No prob. I was just sayin' that they found anotha one."

Yugi's eyes flung fully open, "What?! Another insane one?"

"Nutter den my Aunt Ester's fruitcakes. An' trust me Yug, those are pretty nutty if you ask me."

Yugi couldn't squelch the shiver that ran down his spine. He closed his navy jacket around him closer, and reminded himself that in a few minutes they'd safely be at school. There had been several reports in the past two weeks of people going insane at night, people who had been out late instead of safe in their houses."But all the people, what links them together?"

"All of 'em are bad apples, at least that's what the news anchors say. Bullies. Ya know da type." He trailed off, leaving an uncomfortable pause. "Well... at least I know the type. Ya know, if dey were out dat late, I'd say they were up to somethin' bad ta begin wit'."

Wincing slightly, Yugi could do nothing but laugh at that. "Then it's just assumed that they deserve it."

Joey shrugged, "Well, I figger if youze messin' with something that powerful, you deserve whatever comes outta it."

"He catches on fast."

Yugi looked up at Joey. "Who said that?"

Joey looked proud, "I did! Sounded smart, didn't it?"

"No! ---I mean, yes, it did, but after that!" He looked around at the people swarming into school. "Didn't you hear something?"

Joey blinked a couple times, obviously questioning his friend's sanity. "You're so tired you're hearing things. You can sleep first hour, kay? I'll take notes for ya."

"I don't think that'll be necessary, but thanks." But the headache that was beginning to bloom told him otherwise, and he pressed his hands to his forehead.

Opening the front door to the school, Joey shook his head, "Naw, you think about that. Offer's still open."

The school day passed in a blur, mainly because Yugi fell asleep in several of his classes. True to his word, Joey did take rather good notes, handing them to him with a wink at the end of each period. Grateful, Yugi had promised to make it up to him eventually, and Joey joked that he'd probably be the one dozing the next day.

Homework seemed like more of a chore than usual that evening. Though nothing assigned was too terribly challenging, Yugi was fighting the urge to shut his eyes. Even blinking seemed like a terrible fate. Pushing his history assignment off to the side, he looked up at the ceiling, unblinking. He wasn't going to black out again, he assured himself. There was no way.

"You're afraid of me, aren't you?"

Yugi began shaking, a hand reaching up and cradling his head once more. He pushed out of his chair, paying no mind as the pencil in his hand clattered to the floor."Who are you? Show yourself!" He paced in a circle around his room, searching for the source of the deep voice.

"There's no need to be frightened." The voice tried to reason.

But it was too late, as the last shred of bravery died and the flight side reared in. He needed to run... but where? He bolted out of his room and out the door of the house. Sucking the cold night air into his lungs, he ran aimlessly. To Tea's? No, she'd think he was going insane! Maybe Joey's, but he'd think that Yugi was on some sort of hallucinogen, and would probably end up asking for some. He weighed his options as he darted past people in the street, his own breath and heartbeat pounding in his ears. Insane. He ran faster, his stubby legs carrying him as fast as he could. That was it. He was being driven insane by whatever had caused the other two known instances. He clinched his fists and looked down as he ran, but stopped suddenly as he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.

"'ey! Ya shouldn't run that fast. Could trip or somthin'."

"JOEY!" He embraced his new friend. Joey returned the hug.

"What are you doin' out so late? You know the stories 'bout the loonies."

"The loonies? Oh please. Your people have to have a derogatory term for everything."

People continued walking on either side of him. There was no trace of any person that could be connected to the voice. Yugi squinted his eyes. "Shut up!" He moaned, covering his ears and leaning his head into the much taller boy's stomach. "Please, just..."

"Yug? What's th' matter?" The small boy was squeezing his hand, his whole body was shaking under the stress.

Two round violet eyes snapped open, shining with terror. "It's happening again, Joey. Run!"

Confused and worried, Joey patted him on the head. "Come on. We'll go back ta your house, and get some hot cocoa or somthin... bother your grandpa for some good food, watch TV..."

But the fear in Yugi's eyes depicted more than an average worry that a high school student may have. He saw fear: true and unbridled. As quickly as his eyes had snapped open, they shut, reopening a moment later, crimson and narrow. "Run."

Joey gasped as his buddy's countenance changed suddenly from that of a frightened boy to a glowering man. He ran. He had no choice but to run as those eyes glared at him with malice. He darted quickly into an alleyway, the brick walls turning into blurs. "Wait, why am I runnin'?" He asked himself as he reached the end of the ally way blocked by a brick wall and dumpster. Joey scolded himself, stopping dead in his tracks. "I must be gettin' soft or somethin'. No way, I gotta see what's up. Yug' may be in trouble." Turning on his heel, he began in the opposite direction, feeling foolish for having run off in the first place. City street lights burned brightly up ahead, sharp beams of light in the inky darkness. Faint shadows flickered down the alley, growing steadily longer the further he bolted down the narrow alleyway. Suddenly a shadow, no, a figure appeared, blocking out the lamp light. Large tufts of hair crowned the top of his head and his narrow cat like eyes shone from their slits.

"YUGI?!"

The figure didn't acknowledge nor deny the name. He just stepped forward, pulling three objects from his belt. "Let's play a game, Joey."

Joey began to back up, easing his hands in front of him in an non-threatening stance. "Sounds good ta me, Yug'. How bout chess?" The figure held his objects up to the light, and they gleamed silver. Three silver knives shining in the lamp light. "Maybe Twister?" Joey stammered as the figure stepped closer. "Parcheesi?" His back had hit the dumpster in front of the dead end of the alleyway. Trapped. His eyes finally were focusing to the dim light and he could make out the features of the man in front of him. It was Yugi, at least in appearance. It didn't feel like Yugi, instead of innocent warmth there was intense cold.

"I challenge you to a dark game." The dark Yugi chanted, brandishing the knives.

"I-- I don think I played none of dose befor'."

"It's simple enough. We each take turns leaning against that wall." He pointed at the right side of the alley. "The other player stands at the other side of the alley. Whomever throws the knives closest without actually hitting the person will win."

Joey blinked, trying to stay in control. "He can't be serious!" He reminded himself, then out loud "I'm not seein' the purpose of da game 'ere."

"I'll explain as we play." Yugi crossed his arms. "Who would you like to go first?"

Looking back, Joey tried to find a means of escape. But the wall was too high and smooth for him to scale quickly, and frankly he was afraid of Yugi tossing those knives at him while he tried to leave. He tried another tactic. "Yugi! It's me! Joey! Your best friend! Youze musta been turned nutty!"

A shadow of recognition crossed Yugi's face, but quickly left. "As you've seen, there's no excape. I'll repeat myself, do you wish to throw or stand?"

Sighing, Joey gave in. "I don know what you're up ta, but I trust ya Yug. I'll stand, you chuck."

A half smile passed by Yugi's lips. "Very well." As Joey repositioned himself across from Yugi, he tried to reassure himself. "I doubt that Yugi would try any stunts unless he waz real good at 'em." He reminded himself.

Meanwhile Yugi was rearranging his grip on the knives when he felt something inside him stir. Then a pang right across his heart, the light calling to his darkness. "What--- what are you doing?"

"Go back to rest, please. It's for your own good."

"What are you doing to Joey?! Why can't you just leave me and my friends be?"

"You wouldn't understand now. You'll see soon."

"N--no. NO!" The strained answer echoing across his mind echoed across his body as well.

Wincing, Joey opened his eyes. "Yer gonna' throw them soon, right, before I die of a heart attack?" But the cold Yugi wasn't standing there anymore. His round violet eyes snapped open, shining with fear.

"I can't control it! I--" Yugi convulsed, his palms on the ground. "It's coming out again! Run when it does. Please, just get away!"

Slowly, the pieces of the puzzle sank together in Joey's mind. "I'm not budging." he answered slowly.

Yugi slowly rose to his feet, trembling, "No, Joey, you don't understand! I can't control what I do when I black out, and I..." he paused, "And something... someone else takes over and..."

"And he's got a game ta play wit' me, Yug. I ain't backing down." He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I've got dis whole situatuion unda control."

A watery smile appeared on Yugi's face, followed by a nod. A split second later he succumbed to the darkness."We begin." He intoned, holding a single sharp knife up in the air. In one fluid motion, he let it fly, slicing through the air in Joey's direction...