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: Forgive me for taking so long with this. Competition season for Forensics and Show Choir came up, and now I have little free time. But hey, today's a snow day! Tomorrow may be also. So yeah, a short update, but an update none the less, with a chance of another soon. Thanks for reading, and remember reviewing and constructive criticism are great... and flames are tolerable if need be.

Happy reading,

Miss Matched

____

Groaning, Yugi opened one round violet eye, then another. The world was a dark blur. Eyes slowly adjusting, Yugi found himself in nearly the same position as the night before, drawn out haphazardly across his bed. Putting his right hand on the bed, he forced himself upward. A dull pain ached at his arm as he rose. Rolling up his sleeve he found a bruise circling it's upper regions, as if a hand had gripped him there. He didn't remember having been in a fight the day before. He hadn't...

The evening flooded back to him, at least the portions that he could control. He remembered the knives in his hands and Joey standing at the wall, immovable, fear mingled with unshakable trust. He could still feel the internal push his body's other inhabitant had given him, and the darkness that enveloped him soon after.

"Joey!" The name escaped his lips as a flood of guilt washed over him. Joey. Yugi had doubted his friendship only for it to be proved tenfold. He would stand there and take that abuse only because a part of his best friend's soul was the one perusing it. Tears of remorse and anger welled up in Yugi's eyes. Biting his tongue, he resisted the urge to scream. "Where is he?" Whispers shot out like knives through the empty room. Then silence reigned as he waited for a reply. Nothing. A strangled sob passed his lips. "Tell me." He hiccuped. Again, nothing. "TELL ME!"

The creak of floor boards announced his grandfather's arrival. Yugi rearranged himself quickly on the bed, placing his head down on the pillow and his feet somewhat under the covers, just enough to conceal the boots on his feet. The creaking of floorboards paused for a moment, and Yugi squeezed his eyes shut. Though he hated deceiving Grandpa, he really couldn't afford to have his sanity questioned today. His door clicked open, casting a sliver of light across the bed. Moments later, the door was closed softly once more, and the light groan of floor boards assured him that his grandfather was going back downstairs. He waited a beat before throwing his legs off the side of the bed, and the covers with them. He sat in uncertain silence for several moments, eyes shut tight and fingernails leaving half-moon imprints in the palms of his hands. Behind closed eyes he saw Joey in his regular school apparel, Joey in a playful spat with Tristan, attempting to give Yugi a piggyback ride, though nearly bucking him off in the process, Joey and... and the knives, and then seeing nothing but red.

"It's time for school, Yugi." A deep voice sounded from the recess of his mind, awaking him from the pictures covering his field of vision.

Yugi pushed himself off the bed in a frantic rush at the connection. "T-tell me where Joey is." His voice was breaking as he pleaded.

"I cannot. You would not yet understand. I'm sorry."

Yugi clinched his fists. "'Sorry' won't do Joey any good now, will it?" He paused, shaking. Anger was not a natural reaction for him, and it took a few deep breaths to bring him back down. As he did so, the dark one found himself in a bind. The happenings of the night before didn't reflect well upon himself, but it needed to come out if Yugi was ever to trust him

________

"Come on, think! I've been in worse situations b'fore." Blonde hair hung over honey colored eyes like a welcomed blindfold as Joey tried to keep his concentration and his cool at the same time. Rubbing his hands against the rough surface of the brick wall was helping him to somewhat keep his nerves in check. He wouldn't be able to stand it for much longer, he didn't suppose. The knife was still moving, still sliding through the air in slow motion.

Shing~~!

A gust of wind blew Joey's way as the knife came ever closer, and he flattened himself to the wall, preparing for the blow.

THOCK.

The feel of metal was ice cold against the right side of his neck for a slight second before it skittered to the cold cement. A half an inch more and... he shuddered to think. Fear kept him glued to the wall. In true Joey form, the only part of him that wasn't paralyzed was his mouth.

"So, who da heck do ya tink you are?" He spouted off, cricking his neck to the left before allowing it to rest next to the place where the knife had been a moment before.

The one posing as Yugi raised a questioning eyebrow. "Should I accredit your gall to bravery or ignorance?" He calmly stroked one of the knives he held as he strode closer to Joey. Wincing, Joey tensed ever muscle in his body.

'Crap, it ain't supposed ta end dis way.' He thought to himself. Out loud he snapped back another response, "I don't owe you anythin', 'specailly not niceties. Now answer my question, ya coward." 'Don't pass out, don't look like a wuss..," he chanted to himself, holding eye contact with the bloody rubies of his captor. The ruby orbs were first to break contact, and Joey shut his eyes involuntarily. A second passed, then another before he felt a dull poke on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, the dark figure swam in front of his vision, holding out the three sharp instruments. Looking down, he realized that the knife that had been thrown at him was no longer there. Amusement passed over Yugi's features, albeit a more dangerous form of the emotion, is was enough to ease Joey down slightly.

The smile grew wider as he saw the conflicting emotions on his prey's face. "It's your turn." He whispered, pressing the handles of the knives into Joey's open hand before walking over to the other side of the alleyway, arms spread to either side of himself as he leaned against the copper colored brick.

________

Yugi's now calm voice broke through his shadow's thoughts. "Who are you? What are you trying to do?" Though soft, his voice was controlled and cold.

The voice hesitated in answering. "I'll tell you that, but only when you're on your way to school. Hurry now, you're going to be late."

There was no alternative. "But why can't you tell me now? Joey's my best friend, and if you put him in danger, I swear I'll..." His voice cracked.

"Please." The voice offered soothingly, "There's something I need to prove."

Glad that he was still in his clothing from the previous day, Yugi grabbed his backpack and ran out of the house. The shoulder of his jacket flapped open as he jogged. At closer glance, a rip traced midway down his left sleeve.

"Yugi!" Solomon called out after him as his grandson left, "What about breakfast?"

"No time, Grandpa! I'll get something at school." He rushed out of the without even bothering to close the front door.

Solomon chuckled as he walked over to the ajar door. "Kids these days, always in a hurry." He smiled lightheartedly, readjusting the broom in his hands and returning to sweeping.