I could barely believe my eyes. I had told myself many times that it was only an illusion created by a hysterical mind, but the longer I stared at it, the more I grew to believe that it was indeed real. I ran my fingers over the smooth texture of the upside-down pyramid and almost wept in joy.
Yami! I called out to him with my mind. There was no response. I tried again, but there still came no reply. My hopes faded, but I tried one last time anyway. Seconds passed before I heard a voice. It was faint, but it was there.
…Yugi…
Are you okay, Yami?
…I think so.
What happened? Where did you go? There was a noise, and then you just…vanished!
Let's not talk about that right now. There were things in there that I didn't want to remember…all that matters is that we're together again. I'm sorry.
It wasn't your fault; you couldn't have known that we'd be separated. If anyone should be sorry, it's me—
No. I dragged you into matters that don't concern you. I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to leave me here. I think it would be for the best. Just go while you still have the chance. They'll be here shortly, and if Runihura discovered that you were in his room, there would be trouble. For now, I want you to go along with whatever they tell you to do. The next time they leave, return here. I can tell you of a secret path out of this manor. You must remember: don't let them know that you were in here. It's of vital importance. Do you understand, Yugi?
…Yes.
I'm glad. I'll see you again soon. Don't worry about me, just head back to your room and pretend like you never even saw the Puzzle.
Can I…tell you something before I leave?
Of course.
My hand strayed to the puncture marks on my throat. I was hesitant to tell Yami, but he had a right to know. Runihura bit me.
Yami inhaled a sharp breath. I was afraid of that. There isn't much we can do about that right now. Try your best to deal with any pain it causes. If you can do that, you'll be just fine. I'll be able to help you if you manage to keep your pain within a reasonable threshold.
Thank you. Goodnight. With a diffident glance backward at the golden pyramid, I left the room and walked back down the hall. I was beginning to feel fatigued and tired and I just wanted to sleep until my next meeting with Yami.
"So…this must be where you guys live, huh?" Leticia asked, trying to make friendly conversation. It didn't seem to be working very well, but it was worth a shot anyway.
Runihura's voice was unyielding and unfriendly while he answered her question. "This manor serves many purposes. We do come here to rest, but this is also the place where we take choice victims to give them our famous…hospitality."
Tea did not like the way he emphasized the word "hospitality" and the way he smiled as he said it. "So you take people there to…kill them?"
"Don't be absurd. We don't just kill them. Sometimes, we chain them to the wall and slit their wrists fiercely and let them bleed to death…other times, when we take them in groups of three or more, we torture their friends to death in front of their eyes and listen to them cry in sadness and fear…and they also prepare quite a nice meal," Khentimentiu said while throwing open the manor doors. "But don't worry. We have something much better planned for you. Especially you," he said to Tea.
"Me?" Tea squeaked, throwing a quick glance Leticia's way, who only shrugged and turned her eyes toward Tristan's limp form. Although she could hear his breath coming in labored gasps, which was a good sign, she was still worried that he would die.
Khalid's face turned darker than it was before. "All those years of friendship speeches…it's enough to drive one crazy! Don't you realize that no one was even listening to you?"
"Joey—" Tea began.
"My name is Khalid!" he interrupted harshly before dropping Tristan on the floor of the manor carelessly.
Tea desperately turned to Yami for help. "Yami?"
"Set."
"What?"
"I am Set. And I don't want to hear anymore of your pathetic whining! It's time you grew up and faced the harsh facts of life. No one cares about you or anything that comes out of that rat hole on your face!"
"That was uncalled for!" Leticia snapped, attempting to break free from Khentimentiu's grasp. "You'd better take that back you--!"
Anubis snarled at her, his eye still clouded with pain. "Don't get yourself in any more trouble. I want you all to myself tomorrow for what you did to me!"
Leticia waited until he was a few feet away before yelling out her retort. "You deserved it, you psycho blood-sucker!"
Khentimentiu shoved her into the manor and then entered himself, followed by Tea (who was being forced along by Anubis), Set, and Runihura.
Then the manor doors slammed shut, trapping the girls and Tristan inside of its bloodstained walls.
Author's Note: Kind of a boring chapter, I know, but that was intentional. It's going to start getting creepier from the next chapter to the end of the story, but hopefully nothing that won't be too much for you guys! ^_^ Oh, if you want one of your characters in this story (need a description of the character and if you want them to be sided with the vampires or with the heroes((there aren't many heroes, I know, but evil is more fun!!)).), or have an idea for one of the chapter, just tell me, and I'll be more than happy to put them in here! I LOVE having people give me ideas or characters for my stories! It's so much more fun, don't you think? Well, until next time, Iahsakana out!