Chapter Sixteen-Espa's Advice

Two weeks went by without anyone besides Christien,Jon and Mokuba really knowing where Victoria was. They all spent time with her, trying to help her cope with what she'd caused to happen. Mokuba really wanted her to make ammends with the Ishtars, but no one really forced the issue until one day in July. Christien,Jon and Victoria were returning to the Robas' after a particularly grueling rehearsal for Phantom of the Opera, when Espa flung the door open, looking really mad. "I knew it!"

"E-espa....." Christien opened his mouth to explain what they'd been trying t do,but the elder Roba didn't wanna hear it.

"Victoria, how could you?! Marik would rather you be at home hiding in your room than hiding here! It's not like we can support you...."

"But we have been....." Jon began, but he shut up at Espa's glare.

"I'll deal with you two later." He grabbed Victoria's arm, and yanked her into the house. "It's well known how I feel about you, but you just proved me right!" He pushed her on to the couch. "You call me your idol, well now you're going to listen to me.

Victoria's eyes were wide. She'd never really seen Espa upset before, and part of her wondered if his psychic powers would go mad too. "Espa,I....."

"Shut up. Everything you've ever said lately has been rediculous. Now,let me tell you what's going to happen. You're going to stop hiding, and face the Ishtars like a teenager would. First, you're going to call, and talk to Marik. You owe him explanations. Next,you're going to stop feeling sorry for yourself,and go over there and deal with his siblings. Those Ishtars love you so much, and you hurt them! Granted, you might try and plead insanity, but it's not going to work. You just wanted the wealth,which is truly disgraceful!"

"Espa....it's not true....before I had a chance to say no, Duke had already adopted me."

"You shouldn't have gone away with him in the first place!! And when you saw my brothers in your little play lot,you should've told them Duke was holding you against your will, but instead, you defended him!"

"You don't understand!! If I told on him, and went back to the Ishtars, they would've been in jail. He has papers, Espa!" Victoria looked at her lap. More than anything, she'd have loved to get away from Duke, and his endless snares. But it just wasn't going to happen. That's why she'd run away with Christien and Jonathan. Duke wouldn't think to look for her there. She'd just needed time to think about how to deal with the current situation.

"Duke repented, Victoria......" Jonathan spoke up now, breaking into her thoughts. "He knows you're here."

"He will come back for me. He's got papers." Victoria replied miserably.

Christien smirked. "Not really. Mokuba took them, and had them shredded." He walked over, and sat next to her on the couch. "Espa's right. The time for hiding is over. You need to face Marik and your other siblings."

Espa nodded, crossing his arms. "You can stay here if you like, but not in a hole that I can't fit in. Sleep on the couch." He handed her the phone. "But first, you call Marik." He walked out of the living room, and into his own room, with a deep sigh. He knew his brothers would make sure Victoria complied.

Marik answered the phone when it rang a while later. "Hello?"

"M-marik......." Victoria's voice replied on the other end. "H-how are you....?"

Marik was stunned. For almost two weeks, he hadn't heard anything from or about Victoria. Now there she was on the phone, just when he was thinking about her. "Victoria.....I'm as well as can be expected. I'm still a little sore, but it will pass...." He wondered what had made the girl call him. He was certain one of the Robas was in on it. "How have you been?" He asked after a minute.

"Miserable...." She replied honestly, before breaking into tears. "Marik,I want to come home. I don't wanna stay here anymore,but,I don't think I can face Ishizu and Rishid."

Marik wasn't sure how to reply to this. Instead,he said, "You may return whenever you're ready,Victoria." He spoke softly. He'd learned the hard way forgiveness was almost always better than holding a grudge. "Things will take a while to return to normal, whether you move back now, or a week from now."

"I understand.....can we....meet somewhere and talk?" She ventured to ask. "Will you come alone?" Marik wanted to know.

"Yes." Victoria just needed to see her best friend face to face. "Let's meet at Bakura's store. Before rehearsals tomorrow."

"I'll be there...and,Victoria?"

"Y-yes?" Victoria held in her breath, wondering what last Marik would say to her.

"Thank you for calling." Marik hung up, sighing in relief. His suspicions had been correct. Victoria came to them first.