Talon whined for the 7th time that day as she tucked her passport back into her pocket, leaving just a little corner sticking out of her back pocket. "Why do they insist on checking out identities every time we return to our hotel? We've been here for a week, you'd think they'd know who we were by know. Kristen winced as she was forced to listen to her friend's complaints for the 7th time that day.

"Talon! I've told you 6 times today why! Do I have to tell you again?"

Talon grinned and nodded, her shoulder length dark hair bobbing up and down as she did so, up and down happily.

Kristen sighed. "Fine. There have been a rash of kidnappings, all of non-natives, from hotels recently. Though all have been returned within a week previously, it's better safe then sorry. Understand now?"

Talon nodded again as she climbed the stairs, carefully clinging to the wall. They were on the third story, so a fall wouldn't be pretty. They'd been out touring the city and surrounding areas all day, and it was nearly half past 4. Needless to say, the fiery Egyptian sun had both girls sweating like pigs.

Also needless to say, they greatly appreciated the A/C in their room.

The instant Talon reached the room, she locked herself in the bathroom and changed from her T-shirt into a cami. She didn't wear tank tops in public, but around the room was okay. She emerged and promptly collapsed- on Kristen's bed.

Kristen rolled her eyes. "You know, you have your own bed for a reason…"

Talon with her eyes closed grinned widely. "But your bed is right under the A/C vent…"

Instead of arguing, because she knew this would be pointless, Kristen simply sighed. "Whatever…I'll be outside in the hallway getting ice from the machine…"

Kristen grabbed her room key and exited. Talon would be okay, right? The ice machine was just across the hall after all. Nothing could happen in the five minutes she'd be gone…. right?

Something in the pit of Kristen's stomach was telling her otherwise.

Talon loved the feeling of wind on her face, natural or artificial. Maybe that was why she felt better on the open sands than she did while touring the pyramids. Little or no moving air could be found in those places. Not to mention they were somewhat cramped. It made her a little anxious just thinking about it. She didn't like enclosed spaces. So maybe she was a bit claustrophobic, but it didn't bother her usually. Enclosed spaces just made her fidgety.

The girls had come to Egypt about a week ago on a long anticipated vacation before starting college. Talon was majoring in Archeology, minoring in Video Game design, while Kristen was majoring in Interior design, minoring in Archeology. Well, Archeology was a very general term. The subject in particular that intrigued both girls the most was Egyptology. Since they were in middle school, both girls had wanted to visit Egypt. Of course this, this desire was only fueled by the appearance of a certain anime on TV in their sophomore year.

Yugioh.

Yup. Both girls found themselves caught up in the storyline rather quickly. Not that they had minded much. When Kristen found the Manga online, they took turns buying them. Kristen the even, Talon the odd. Right now Talon knew she had at least 7 in her bag, while she figured Kristen probably had the rest in hers. Neither could even imagine going to Egypt without them…besides, it was a very long plane ride. It never hurt to refresh their knowledge of the series…

Something didn't feel right anymore. She opened her eyes and scanned the room. No one was there. Her bright blue eyes drifted upward.

The A/C had shut off.

Within seconds, she had shot out of the room and was hanging on Kristen's arm, sobbing dramatically. Kristen was not bothered by this. Actually, she was used to it by now…

"What?"

"The A/C! It shut off! The horror! The ca-la-mi-ty!" Everything after that was only anguished sobbing. Kristen sighed.

"Talon, you should have been in theater…"

Talon sheered up considerably. Well…she stopped sobbing at least. "Really?"

"Yes...Now get back in the room...I'm in the middle of wrestling with this blasted machine…it refuses to give me the sprite I paid for. Here…your root beer came out just fine. And take the ice with you….thanks…I'll be along as soon as I…"

Kick.

"…Get…"

Kick.

"…My…"

Loud kick.

"…Drink! Ow…Baka Machine"

Hiding in the shadows of the hallway, a hooded figure flinched. "Do we?"

His companion stopped him with a hand. "No. Our orders have changed. They must mention something directly. But we shall keep an ear on them…"

Talon slid the ice bucket onto the bathroom counter and returned to the bedroom area. She collapsed on a bed again, this time her own.

"I don't know how the people in Yugioh did it…going from a moderate climate to this…"

The last word had barely left her mouth before she heard a knock at the door. As the walls and door were thin, and the bedroom not very far away, Talon yelled loudly.

"KRISTEN! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE YOUR ROOM KEY SLASH CARD OUT WITH YOU."

Kristen had all her attention focused on the machine and had been pausing for one last kick before she gave up and got a concierge. That's why she heard and yelled back just as loud. "I DID!"

"Huh?" Talon was confused, but she opened the door anyway to respond better, or that's what she said later anyway. Bu before she could say anything a heavy hand covered her mouth.

"Meep!"

The figure holding her began to pull her toward the window just a Kristen walked through the still open door holding the bottle of Sprite triumphantly over her head.

"I got it! Huh? Talon…?"

Talon meanwhile, had a hunch about who these people were. Of course…she could be wrong…she probably was…She was a fan girl at heart. Funny…here she was getting kidnapped, and she could only think of two things. Yugioh, and not going down alone. She struggled for a while to get her mouth free. When she finally accomplished it, which took a LOT of effort, she took the time to yell out. She wasn't stupid enough to try to get away.

"Kristen! Who wields the Millennium Rod and commands the Rare Hunters?"

Her speech was frenzied and she spoke very fast, because she figured she probably didn't have much time.

Kristen rolled her eyes from the doorway and started toward her friend's voice. "What is this, Trivia-Hide-and-Seek? Marik Ishtar of course!"

The cloaked figure froze for a second before indicating to his companion waiting in the bedroom.

"She knows as well. Grab her."

Kristen wasn't expecting to be grabbed from behind, so it wasn't very long before she found herself right next to Talon. Fighting slightly, she too got her mouth free.

(Geez…these guys aren't very effective…)

"You knew that was going to happen didn't you?"

"I had a hunch…"

"Why did you drag me into this?"

"Because I won't even be kidnapped without my best fri-end!"

Kristen groaned, but then both men covered their mouths and continued dragging them toward the window. Kristen looked down and winced. Two more men were waiting below. And she didn't see a ladder…or a trampoline…or even a blanket. Just two more men in cloaks.

Joy…and her afraid of heights.

Before she could fight or anything, the men holding them tossed them out the window. The men below caught them roughly and covered their mouths and noses with pieces of damp cloth. Talon's head started to spin as the scent filled her senses. She could see the colors of the buildings, tan and grey, and brown, swirling together. She passed out before she could figure out exactly what it was that was taking away her consciousness.

Kristen, however, who had paid a bit more attention in Chemistry class, (Talon had been sleeping, spacing out, or reading) recognized the smell. The teacher had waved a bottle under their noses just long enough to let them identify the smell before telling them it had been used many times for evil. What was it, he asked the now-intrigued class.

Chloroform.

Kristen had no more time to think as the chemical took effect. She passed out mere seconds after Talon did. The peaceful darkness canceled out any lingering and frustrating questions such as Who? What? Why? And Where?

But they'd find out soon enough…

Next chapter actually...Well?