A/N: I really appreciate all the reviews, and Kill-stealer, I gotta say, you got me right here holding hand over heart. I like my Bobby, so when telling me he fits and everything makes me so happy. Don't ask guys, but I have a soft spot for Joey's dad. Why I created them so I made myself HATE his mom and like his dad I'll never know. Anyway, this is the second last chapter and I think it's really short. I tried to beef it up, but it seemed to ruin it when I did. BUt i mean, it's really short, I'm so sorry. I'll post the last chapter really soon. I just wanna make it perfect for you guys! :)

Disc: irritated with having to do this I'm not saying it! I'm NOT saying I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, cuz I'm sick of having to do this over and ever! Everyne knows already, that I don't own this! blinks aw, cripes I said the disclaimer without realizing it.

Chapter 8

It was a sticky and hot night, and Tristan was thoroughly irritated by it. He was walking home from his Grandmothers (who was sick and he wanted to visit her and clean her house a bit) and wished he hadn't wore such a heavy t-shirt. Even though the sun was setting, it was still humid. He looked up from his feet, and noticed up ahead of him was a person who seemed to be slowly staggering towards him. The person was so far up ahead, he couldn't tell what their age or gender was. He debated on whether or not he should go up and see if they were ok, or turn to go down his street and forget about it.

Naturally, being the caring guy he was he ran up to the person. He stopped and gasped when he realized who the person was.

"Joey!"

Joey was staggering because he seemed to have a twisted ankle. His left eye was swollen shut, and his face was cut up and bleeding. His shirt was ripped to the point that it was only hanging on his by a few threads on one side, revealing several bruises and cuts on his chest and stomach. He had a strange ring of bruising around his neck and one arm hung lame at his side (like his shoulder was dislocated) and the other was against the wall helping him to stay up. How long had he been walking around like this?

"Hey man, are you ok?!" Tristan tried to take Joey's good arm, but Joey made an aggressive growling noise, and tried to attack him. He swung his arm angrily, and fell into the wall.

"Get away from me! I'll kill you!" Joey screamed, being very hostile. Joey reminded Tristan of a wounded animal that still had some fight left in him. His breathing was labored and he leaned against the wall, and Tristan realized Joey couldn't see him.

"It's me! Tristan, calm down! I wasn't going to hurt you..."

"Tristan?"

"Yeah!"

"I...I can't...my vision is blurry...I need to go home..." Joey muttered allowing Tristan to take his arm this time. Tristan had no intentions of taking his friend there. He walked Joey to the nearest medical center in order to get something done about his cuts. Tristan was ordered to hold an ice pack on Joeys eye, since Joey was too out of it to do so himself. The blonde's wounds were dressed, and he even needed stitches for a deep cut in his leg that Tristan hadn't noticed before. Tristan didn't question what had happened to Joey until well after he was tended too.

"Who did this to you?" Tristan demanded, sitting beside Joey, who was supposed to be resting until his father came for him. "Was it Him?"

"No." Joey looked at Tristan, almost bitter. "I quit and this is what happened!"

"Oh Joey... I'm sorry." Guilt pierced right through Tristan's heart. He was the one pushing Joey to quit and he felt it was his fault his friend was beaten so terribly

"Da killer is I won. I'd be dead right now if I didn't." Joey looked at his lap, wincing. It hurt to move his neck (and everything else for that matter). He remembered the beginning clearly. He had approached the leader and explained that he wanted to leave the gang and the reasons why. He even told them he'd be an on call guy, so that if they ever needed him he'd be there. It was just he didn't want to commit to the gang anymore. The leader abruptly slapped him across the face and told him NO one could leave the gang. Joey started yelling and it broke out into a fist fight- like usual. He and the leader were always getting into fights like this, because Joey didn't like to follow. From behind a guy took a chain of some sort and got Joey off guard with it around the neck. He was pulled to the floor and dragged as the chain choked him like a dog choker. He didn't remember how he had gotten out of that, but he remembered being kicked by the other guys as he was dragged across the floor.

He also recalled the leader knifing him in the leg- missing the intended spot completely. He had meant to stab Joey in the heart, but Joey jumped or something at the last minute. It really was all a blur to him now.

"I'm so sorry. I wish I had of been there for you."

"It don't matter." Joey shrugged. "Let's go... we both know my old man ain't commin for me." Joey stood and left the room, followed by Tristan. Tristan admired his friend. He could be beaten down over and over again, and he would still be strong enough to keep going- like it never happened. Tristan sometimes wished he could have Joey's guts and will. He was tough, sure, but wasn't like Joey. He was stronger then Joey but his friend had endurance that Tristan only dreamed of. He supposed there was a cause for Joey to be the way he was; it was the only way to survive in a life like his.

END of 8

Oh man- I just poured salt on a canker, and god it hurts- you all better review REALLY nice cuz I'm kinda bitter about this PAIN I'm experiencing! Or else I'll hold back on that last chapter!!!! :(..... ok.... The pain has subsided a bit... I was just joking; I wouldn't hold back the last and final chapter on account of... well anything. Ha-ha.