To Protect You- A Jounouchi/Mai Fanfic
Chapter 8
She left the fallen weapon and dashed down the alley. The end seemed miles and miles away. Time seemingly stopped as she ran. She couldn't hear the rain pound against the metal trashcans and pavement. She couldn't feel the cold, harsh wind cut across her face. Horrible images poured into her mind and tortured her imagination.... Images so terrifying and real she could've screamed if her vocal cords were not paralyzed.
Mai finally reached the alley where the final fight had taken place. Her eyes frantically scanned the area for Jou. She gasped when her eyes fell on him.
He was at the right wall, his right arm laid against the brick and his head rested against his wrist. He was gasping for air, and he teeth were clenched tightly as he fought to stay standing. His left arm hung lifelessly towards the ground, the sleeve slashed right below the shoulder. Blood stained the area around the tear a dark black and a trail of similar stains traveled down to his hand. Rich, red blood dripped from his motionless fingertips and mixed with the falling rain and splattered on the ground below.
Her eyes shook, horrified at the sight of Jounouchi's flowing blood.
Eventually, Jou noticed Mai's presence, and his head twisted towards her slowly. His eyes were blank and dead. His face expressionless.
"....Mai?...." he whispered. His voice was barely audible.
She took a shaky step towards him. "Oh, god... Jounouchi," she stammered. "Just hold on.... I'll get you out of here."
Jou heaved himself off the wall and stumbled back a few steps. He gained enough balance though to stand on unstable legs before the woman he had fought so hard to protect. A weak smirk spread across his bruised face.
"Told ya...I could take 'em...."
After that last syllable, Jounouchi's vision faded into darkness and his body felt as heavy as lead. As he fell to the ground, Mai's scream sounded like nothing more than a dull buzz.