How I Feel

# CW: Ok, I'm running rings round myself, honestly, but I'm gonna straighten things out soon. It doesn't help when you're a kinda confused person trying to write a mystery story! BTW, it's Tristan: 8, Duke: 3! #

'Mr Wheeler, you've got a visitor.' Joey stopped drawing pictures in his baked beans with his plastic fork and looked up. The cell door opened and a policeman walked in with Serenity, Joey's younger sister.

'My brother!' Serenity flung herself at him, wrapping her arms round his neck. Joey only just had time to get his beans out of the way.

'Hey, Serenity.' Joey hugged her back.

'You didn't do it. I believe you.' Serenity mumbled into his T-shirt.

'Well at least someone does.' Replied Joey.

'We all do, Joey.'

'Why did Téa and Tristan say I attacked Yugi then?' Joey folded his arms.

'They did what?' Serenity stiffened. 'Well, they never told me. I'm going to have a word with them.'

'The names of the witnesses were supposed to have been kept confidential.' Tutted the policeman. 'I don't know where that went wrong.'

'Oh, so they didn't want me to find out it was them, huh?' Joey's expression darkened. 'Those no good, backstabbing, conniving - '

'I guess they just wanted to help Yugi.' Serenity shrugged.
'Oh, Yugi.' Téa sat down beside the hospital bed, tears in her eyes. 'Who did this to you?'

'I didn't see.' Wheezed Yugi. 'He got me from behind first.'

'The police have got Joey in a cell.' Said Tristan. 'I guess that was my fault.'

'Why, Tristan?' Yugi looked up at his friend.

'I found his wallet beside you. And his jacket. I took them in because they were evidence.'

'There's nothing wrong with that, Tristan.' Téa patted her friend on the shoulder. 'You did the right thing, and that doesn't necessarily mean it was Joey, does it?'

Tristan shrugged sadly.

'They couldn't have taken Joey in on that evidence alone.' Said Yugi. 'It's way too weak. Anyone could have put those there.'

'Yeah, but we were at his house before, remember?'

'And he was already suspected of the Mai thing, and there was evidence for that, what with the bleach and all.'

'I guess he's in trouble then, huh?'
'When did Téa and Tristan tell you they saw me?' Joey was talking to Clive in the interview room.

'They called about a quarter of an hour before you were arrested.' Replied the policeman. 'Then Mr Taylor came in with the jacket and the wallet.'

'I thought forensics found them.'

'No, it seems your friend beat them to it.'

'They called, huh? Are you sure it was them?'

'Well they left their names and said they'd prefer it to be confidential because they didn't want to upset you.'

'Ok, whatever. How's Mai?'

'She's bent on finding evidence now. I don't know how you do it, kid.'

'Do what?'

'Get a girl like her stuck on you.' Clive sat back, grinning. 'PC Maun tells me she hasn't spoken about anything but you since you were arrested. The girl's head over heels, kid.'

'That makes two of us. I've been crazy about her since the first day we met.'

'It must take a lot to make it through a time like this. I wish you both the best of luck.'

'Thanks, man. I appreciate it.'
Mai sat at a coffee bar, a pen in one hand and a notebook in the other. She muttered to herself as she wrote.

'Ok, there's no evidence for anything to do with the fire. We found the star chip after the guy with the gun had gone. The star chip must mean - ' Mai gasped. She had discovered something. 'Yugi and I were in the Duellist Kingdom finals! This guy must be killing off all the strong duellists. That means Joey's in trouble. It's got to be Keith – it's got to be!'

Mai quickly paid for her coffee and hurried out of the shop as fast as she could go with one foot in a cast and the other in a stiletto heeled boot.
He waited in the shadows – something he'd grown extremely good at.

The girl knew too much. She was wrong, but she knew too much. No matter. She was the first on his list anyway. He had all but given up on killing them in order. It was only a false pattern, to lead the police down the wrong track.

He would have like to use fire every time, but that was too much of a genuine pattern.

He'd known there was something between those two when he had first seen them. Something strong, but something suppressed by a will to sustain dignity.

Dignity was one thing neither of them had left.

Mai Valentine was almost level with his little alleyway.

Before she knew it, a huge hand closed round Mai's wrist, and another on her mouth. She was dragged back into the darkness, to suffer him yet again.
'There's been an attack in an alleyway just off Main Street.'

'Blonde female in her late teens.'

'Think you're familiar with her, Clive.'

'LET ME THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!' Joey roared.

'Shut up, Wheeler!' there was a clang as a policeman kicked the door of his cell.

'IT'S MAI! I GOTTA SEE HER! LET ME OUT!'

'This is a police matter, Wheeler. It's got nothing to do with your pathetic love life.'

'PLEASE!! PLEASE! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!'

There was silence, followed by a wailing siren fading into the distance.

Joey sat on the floor, his head bowed. Mai was hurt. Mai could be dead.

He wanted to be there, to hold her hand, to tell her everything would be Ok.

Mai couldn't be dead.
'Jerk.' Mai brushed herself off and touched her lip. There was blood on her fingers.

'Can you describe your attacker?' The cop took out a notepad.

'He got me from behind. All I know is that he's got massive hands.'

'How did you escape him?'

'I just broke free and got out into the street. He obviously didn't want to be seen because he didn't follow.'

'Did he say anything?'

'He said: 'I did it once, I can do it again in reality.'.'

'Does that mean anything to you?'

'No.'

'Are you in need of medical attention?'

'No.' Mai touched her lip again. 'I've had worse.'

'I think there is someone at the station who would like to see you.'

Mai smiled. 'Joey.' She nodded.

'Oh, one more thing, did your attacker take anything?'

'It was definitely a mugging. He took my bag, but he didn't show a definite intention on killing me.'

'Ok. We'll give you a lift to the station where you can make a proper statement and see your friend.'
There was a soft knock on the cell door.

'Mr Wheeler, there's someone here to see you.'

'Go away.'

'I think you'd really - '

'I said go away. I don't wanna see anyone!'

'Suit yourself.' Said Mai.

'Mai!' Joey ran to the door. 'Mai, you're Ok!'

The door opened and Mai wandered in.

Joey grabbed her and pulled her into a passionate kiss. He pulled back suddenly. He could taste blood.

'Oh, don't worry.' Said Mai. 'It's nothing. I saw the guy off easy.'

'I never doubted you would.' Joey gazed at her.

'Then how do you explain this?' Mai ran a finger down Joey's cheek and showed him his own tear.

'I was worried.' Said Joey. 'I was worried sick and I was ashamed that I couldn't protect you.'

'Aw, Joey.' Mai embraced him tightly. 'I'm a big girl. I can look after myself.'

'I know.' Said Joey. 'I know, I just wanna help you.'

'I don't need help, Joseph.' Said Mai. 'Hell, you need help. Look at you in here. I'll get you out no matter how many times I'm mugged!'

'Damnit Mai, I love you.'

'I know, Joey, and I love you too. I just wish we could be together properly without me having to run backwards and forwards to this damnass station to see you locked in a cell for something you didn't do. It's just cruel.'

'Tell me about it. Shit, I hate feeling so helpless.'

'What'll they do if you're taken to court and found guilty?'

'It could be death row, Mai.'

'You're kidding!'

'Seriously. They might execute me.'

'That's just wrong, Joey! They can't kill you! They can't take you away!'

'Ok time's up, lovebirds! Break up the balcony scene!' The policeman opened the door for Mai.

Mai held Joey tightly and kissed him.

'I'll get you out, Joey, don't you worry.' She whispered, then she took up her crutch and left the room without a backward glance. The cop followed, closing the heavy door behind him.

'Thanks, Mai.' Joey sat down on his little bed in the corner and gazed up at the ceiling.

Mai would do it. He knew it.

# CW: Aww! More mushy stuff! Wasn't that sweet? puke! Anyway, next chapter coming soon. I'm trying to straighten things out. PS, I may have made it really obvious who the guy is in this chapter, but DO NOT mention it when you review. I want it to be a surprise. You can say you know who it is BUT NO MORE!!! #