Yet again, I'm back. Why so soon? Why not take all eternity? After all, I only have a gazillion other stories to finish up…well, it just so happens that this got bumped up on priority.It's about time, anyway. My "Sarah" stories are ancient and impatient.
Story dedicated to: Divey-gaaaaaal:3
Chapter dedicated to: You're not gonna believe this, but I'm dedicating this chapter to "Rebecca Hawkins." No, for real. I mean the bratty girl with the teddy who has a crush on Yugi. Yes, I'm well aware that I don't like her. Not many people do.
It'll make sense in a minute.
Oh, darn. I forgot. I didn't do the Light-Dark scene, did I? Oops. Okay, okay, compensation time.
"My powers are weakening…" The heavenly being murmured, examining its weakening aura. "It has struck again. A dark night to make others appear bright."
"I see, my brother, that your memory hasn't faded with your strength." The embodiment of shadow stepped forth, smirking. His aura was thicker, darker…stronger. "What a wonderful night. Your reign weakens…"
"The dawn will come again. Day must die, but it will always come again." Light found this retort sufficient. He did find these threatening nights disturbing…but the cycle had never been broken. Life itself depended upon it.
"One day, even light will be dark." Dark countered, sneering. He was not afraid of dawn's glorious salvation. "Soon, it won't be enough."
"Don't presume that I'll just sit back and watch. I've been fighting you since time began, I'll never stop trying!"
Dark laughed, a mocking chuckle. "But they will. That's the whole point. Eventually these days of peace will be merely a fading dream. You can't fight forces as strong as death."
Silence fell over the two for a lingering moment.
"You will never understand…" There was a soft sigh, very soft and almost weary.
Dark scowled. Understand? Understand what? He rolled his eyes and stormed off, uninterested.
Back within the mortal realm, where darkness gathered beneath the star-struck sky, several forms gathered together in the most frightening and fascinating display of creatures. Though it was a crowd of hundreds rather then thousands, no one would dare to call this assembly small.
Every creature there wore a hood, cloak, a robe or perhaps some other sort of dark covering. There were many, many colors…some were frightening scarlet, majestic purple, deepest blue, emerald green, earthen brown, countless black and even a few wore purest white.
Which was, admittedly, quite rare. Vampires almost never wear white. For one thing, it stands out against the night, making them easy to see. And another, red and white makes pink. No vampire has ever liked pink.
From this glittering assembly, you could hear the crystal tinkling of glasses, which no one with a weak stomach should ever examine the contents of. Vampires aren't prone to chatter, but there were many voices.
There was a stone stage which had two velvet crimson curtains that closed out prying eyes. Behind the stage was a hall and a circular room, also made of cold stone.
Blood was everywhere in this area: Splattered on the walls, smeared on floors, it had splashed on the floor and stained the chains found in various places on the walls.
Anyone with any sense or luck would be far away from this place. Fortunately, our hero and heroine lack both.
Yugi winced in the face of the screaming winds. Their destination was beginning to seem unreachable. "You weren't kidding about this place being far."
"Not really, we're almost there." Sarah dropped to the ground as she said this, and with the force they should have hit it with, you'd think the vampiress to be the weight of a feather. (A very biiiiig feather.)
"This is vampire country?" Yugi faltered. This didn't look a thing like what he'd been expecting.
It looked just like normal houses.
"No," Sarah corrected, stepping into an alley, "This is."
Yugi followed her into the alley and there, at the back wall, was a portal. It was round and purplish-green, swirling in indiscernible patterns. The portal wavered from time to time, like a TV screen that was having trouble coming in clearly. As Yugi followed Sarah's steps, he felt the strangest wind blow around them…beckoning, entreating…a sweet whisper from such a chill wind.
Sarah turned back to Yugi, once again regretting bringing him along. She saw that his face was pale from fear… "Are you really sure you want to do this?"
Yugi hesitated. True…what he was doing wasn't even questionable because it was so crazy…but he trusted Sarah. She had told him earlier that no one would be able to notice one more human if they didn't make a spectacle of themselves.
Besides…truthfully, he had this feeling that he should come. Yugi didn't understand why, so suddenly, he felt as if he had to be near Sarah. He couldn't understand why in heaven's name he should think it was safer to waltz into a den of lions then to keep his distance…
But something, whether it was his heart or his gut, compelled him to come. Yugi found himself nodding…it was reluctant, but there was no turning back now.
Sarah smiled at him, a sad sort of smile. It was Yugi's choice. But she knew she would blame her overconfidence and foolish impatience if anything happened.
"Let's not waste time then…" She murmured, motioning for Yugi to follow.
Get in, get out, was the plan. The only question was, will it work?
"So who's the unlucky mortal this time?" A guard appearing seventeen asked the man standing watch beside him. Their silvery cloaks fluttered by as boredom had settled over both minds.
"Another little brat." His partner grumbled back, shrugging.
"And tell me again why a little kid needs seven guards?" The rookie ventured.
"Because somebody might try to steal 'em."
"What for?"
"I don't know."
"Well, someone should."
"…Save it for someone who cares."
"I'm someone who cares."
"Oh, you would. Man, why do I always get stuck with the annoying ones? I'm gonna have a talk with the boss about this and—ugh."
The rookie stared as his associated made the instantaneous decision to study the inside of his eyelids. "You okay?"
"Well, judging by the growing lump on his head, junior, I'd say that's a no. But, hey, if it makes you feel any better…you can find out."
Thud
"You know, Sarah, that wasn't very nice." Yugi told Sarah as she strolled out of her hiding place and examined the unconscious guards.
"Mm hmm…" Sarah hummed absently as she dug in one's cloak pocket for keys. She held up a silvery prize in the moonlight with a smirk of triumph. Then she shook her head and 'tsk'ed. "How come they never get smart enough to get a better lock?"
Yugi sighed, seeing his breath in the air, and shivered. "Can we skip the sarcasm this time? It's creepy here…"
"Hey, this is my home, yanno." Sarah muttered, finding the key to the great gray door and jamming it in the lock. With a turn and a click, the scent of blood assaulted their noses. Sarah ran her tongue over her dry lips and started forward. So far, so good.
"So, this person is in here?" Yugi whispered, following the vampiress, only a step behind. He looked at the walls and grimaced. Red was everywhere. The floors were even worse.
"Don't pay them any attention if you can help it." Sarah murmured, anticipating his thoughts. "If it helps, focus on me. And yes, they should be here. We must be quiet now, though."
Sarah led the way solemnly, grimacing herself occasionally. The human side within her shrank back at this vile place. Even what was vampire in her was disgusted…and yet…
As anticipated, another guard awaited them near the inner chamber. Puzzled for a moment, Sarah considered her options. It wouldn't be easy to get him away from there…or to knock him out.
Hiding away and sneaking up on somebody was one thing. But when there's nothing to hide in and only one entrance, it's not quite the same. Sure, she could attack him. One guard, no big deal. However, it would be a little hypocritical with that whole "no spectacles" speech.
And one guard can always yell loud enough to get a legion running. There was her speed, of course. But unlike back in human country, this guy had the same speed.
But…the "entertainment" would start soon. Sarah didn't have time for a brainstorming session. And she had gone to all that trouble to get the keys. 'The keys! Of course!'
Sarah carefully reached into her cloak and pulled out the keys, being as quiet as demi-humanly possible. She grinned. 'Perfect.'
The keys had a special mark on them, which marked the left hand of Marik's officials. Absolutely perfect. Now, if she could forge the mark…ooh. Problem. She didn't exactly carry a pen. Nooo…but she did carry a dagger. Oh, darn. She scowled.
With an inward sigh, she pulled out her dagger, making Yugi raise an eyebrow and mouth 'What are you doing?'
She shrugged and mouthed back 'you'll see.' She handed him the keys and motioned for him to let her see them. Then she tapped the mark on the keys and motioned to her hand. He eventually nodded, grasping the vague concept.
Taking the dagger, she carefully cut into the back of her hand. Yugi's eyes popped. 'Oh. So…that…yikes.'
Biting her lip in concentration, Sarah finished the mark and looked it over. She had been extremely careful, because…well, because she only had one left hand.
Quieting her voice to a low hiss, she whispered "Stay here. When he leaves, follow me. If anything goes wrong, run."
Sarah walked around the corner to the door where the guard stood and she trained a vicious glare on him, then strode up to him purposefully, squared her shoulders and barked "What do you think you're doing, just standing around here!"
The guard looked startled, but after his silence, fought back with an equally withering glare. "Just who do you think you are?" He demanded, scoffing.
She rolled her eyes and held up her left hand like an FIB agent holds up a badge. "I think the question, buster, is who you think you are and how dare you ignore the command of your superior! Master Marik will hear about this…"
The man in front of her blanched a fascinating salt white color, making him seem pale even for his race. "I-I-I…my sincerest apologies." He stammered, coming to attention at once.
Sarah snorted, eyes narrowing like snakish slits. "Save your apologies for our leader. He's summoned you! Get moving on the double!"
The guard sprinted out the door so fast, he didn't even see Yugi. Sarah had to force herself to bite back some laughter of relief. She motioned for Yugi to come with her. "Quickly…he'll be back all too soon." She whispered and held out her hand for the keys.
Yugi nodded and returned them. Grabbing a hold of them with a jingling sound that was now unavoidable, but inconsequential, the vampiress slid a small brass key into the slot with pleasant familiarity and the door swung open.
A black swirling mist covered the floor and Yugi could just make out a few lights dancing through holes in the stone walls. This room was so dark…so cold, so old…so lonely. It made you sad, somehow, just stepping inside it. It gave you this sense of hopelessness.
"Can't we get some kind of light in here?" Yugi whispered softly, taking a cautious step forward.
"Believe me, you don't want to be able to see in here." Sarah grimaced…she had a headache now. Too many scents. Too much…everything was too much. It was too dark, too cold. 'There!'
There, at the end of the room, bound and gagged, was a small figure, still squirming around while perched atop a crate. Sarah stepped past a couple of rows of chains and reached out to the child who recoiled angrily, despite the obvious fear. Sarah grabbed the kid, murmuring an explanation that she was only here to help. It took a moment, but the…ten year old, Sarah guessed, calmed down enough to be carried.
Taking her back to the entrance, allowing Yugi to see the rescued prisoner in the moonlight, they both saw that it was a she. And she was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, freckled-faced kid. Sarah wasted no time in pulling out her dagger, making the girl recoil from fright. Yugi knelt beside her, since she was on her knees, and tried to comfort her.
"It's okay…" He whispered. "She just wants to help. You'll be okay."
She nodded, reluctantly, and stayed still. Sarah cut the ropes, then removed the gag. "There, now. I'll bet that feels much better, huh, kiddo?"
"Don't call me kiddo, my name is Rebecca." The girl huffed. "But, yes, it does feel better. Now, you said you came to get me out of this horrid place…so please do."
"I wasn't trying to insult you." Sarah muttered, rolling her eyes. "And that's next on the list." She set the keys by the door. "Do you mind if I carry you, Rebecca?"
Rebecca looked over Sarah, raising an eyebrow. "Uh…no thanks, I can walk."
Sarah shook her head. "Oh no you can't. Walk through that crowd? Not happening. I don't think you can run that fast."
"Like you can while carrying me?" Rebecca demanded, scoffing.
Yugi stepped in. "She can. Let's hurry, though." He turned back to Sarah. "You said he'd be back soon."
"Mm. Now, if you'll just let me pick you up…" Sarah took a step towards Rebecca. Rebecca backed away skeptically. Sarah rolled her eyes. "For heaven's sake, I'm not gonna bite you, come here."
"This is degrading." Rebecca mumbled, but again, reluctantly did as told. Sarah picked her up, cradling her gently, and then turned to Yugi.
He looked concerned. "Are you sure you'll be okay with both of us?"
"Yup."
"Really?"
"She's light as a feather. And you're not so bad either. Come on." Sarah motioned for him to get on, though feeling a bit like a pack-mule, and patiently waited as he did.
"What? Can't he walk?" Rebecca asked, blinking.
"Faster this way." Sarah explained…Rebecca stared. And after a momentary thought, a brief kindly pause, and a couple more analyzing blinks:
"You're crazy."
Sarah smiled. "Why else would I be here?"
On that note, Sarah sprinted out of the hall, through the doors, out into the fresh air…they could finally breathe again. They darted through the shadowed places and behind any kind of covering Sarah could find. Rebecca, meanwhile, was recovering from whiplash.
"Maybe you were right about this being faster." She muttered, almost getting motion sickness. "I don't feel so good."
Sarah eyed her warily for a moment, and then remembered to look where she was going. "Warn me before you do anything…I mean it."
"You're not human, are you?" Rebecca asked, looking up at our heroine with the curiosity of a child and the eyes of a scholar.
"Excellent observation. No, I'm not. I'm what they are, with the exception that I'm on your side. I'm not allies with them." Sarah's eyes scanned the area for the portal, as she carefully combed the air with sensing. It was clear. That was easy. A little too easy.
Rebecca looked back at Yugi. "What about you?"
Yugi shook his head. "Nope. I'm just a normal human."
Stepping through the portal, Sarah breathed another sigh of relief. Wonderful. Another successful mission. "You know, I expected that to be a lot worse. How anti-climatic."
"Well, I don't know what you were so worried about in the first place. Everything was okay." Yugi added cheerfully.
"So, Rebecca…where do you live?" Yugi asked with a polite smile, anticipating Sarah's need for directions.
"138, Elm Street, Sky Lane." Rebecca instructed. She smiled back at Yugi. "So…what's your name?"
"Yugi. And the person carrying you is Sarah."
Sarah nodded and though having another far-away look in her eyes yet again, she did remember her manners. "Nice to meet you."
It was a ten-minute trip, in which Sarah concentrated on the road, and Rebecca started chatting with Yugi about why he was here with quote "her," and if he had a girlfriend. Sarah snickered…it was hard to help finding that last question amusing. Quite a forward little kid.
Finally, though, all good things must come to an end, and even if this falls nowhere near that category, this did too. "Rebecca, which one?"
"It's the big, white house with the blue trim." Rebecca pointed to the corner house, which had a rather large yard, and a lovely fence, a garden, and various other luxuries.
Sarah dropped down to the sidewalk in front of it noiselessly and whistled. "Nice place."
"Well, I must go. My grandfather will be worried about me. It was nice meeting you, Yugi…oh, and you too Sarah. Good night." She waved and smiled as she went inside, and then winked at Yugi, who didn't even notice.
'Oh, brother.' Sarah shook her head and shrugged. "Yeah, well, now that this whole mess is over…let's head home, shall we?"
Yugi smiled and yawned. "Great idea."
The journey home was uneasy. While Yugi felt they'd got away with everything intact, Sarah felt…like something was wrong. Yeah, it was this creepy "oops" feeling, that sinks in your gut and tugs away any smile until you realize what's really wrong…and either fix it, or sit down and have a good cry.
Still, the night was young. And the winds had calmed down to a gentle playful breeze. Yet…Sarah looked up to see the moon, gentle patron of the sky, and instantly the weak smile she had attempted dissolved. She stopped. Yugi turned to see what she was looking at.
What a strange sky. It looked so gloomy…
The clouds were gray and dark purple. The normally bright and silver ruler of the night was a dark golden color and it was crescent-shaped. The moon had been such a color before, but never so dark as this. The normally only slightly slanted crescent was lower in form tonight…as if it were eclipsing from the top, instead of the side. It was almost an ominous sight…and made her tense at its dark aura. (1)
"Something wrong?" Yugi asked, now observing his friend instead of the vast expanse.
"No…I guess not." She admitted, feeling a bit foolish. "Superstition, I guess…I don't know. It's just, is it just me, or does that sky give you the creeps?"
"Kinda." Yugi agreed. "But it won't bother you once we're back at Malik's house."
"Yeah. You're right." Her smile eased back into place and she resumed her jump-happy flight. "We'll be there very soon."
Very soon happened to be about thirty more minutes, and the whole while, Sarah couldn't shake this sinking feeling in her stomach. It just wasn't right. Something just wasn't right.
'What is this feeling…?' Sarah clenched her fists. 'Why? Why do I feel this way?'
Malik's house had appeared on the horizon. And it was funny…the closer she got to it, the heavier her heart felt. Shrugging it off, she jumped the last six roofs and perched on the balcony. Her mouth dropped. Yugi flinched. There was a trail of blood on the floor.
"…No." Sarah hissed, fists clenching, fangs visible. As soon as Yugi got off, she flew down the stairs, Yugi in tail. She stopped to glance around the room. It was absolutely ransacked. The wallpaper was torn and hanging off the walls. The door had been reduced to a pile of splinters.
All the windows were shattered…everything beautiful and nice had been destroyed. Everything that had been clean and tidy was a wreck. Sarah felt her heart being slowly ripped out of her chest. She shook her head. "No…"
Yugi's eyes were a picture of sorrow, pity, and concern. "Sarah…where's Malik?"
"I…I don't know. I have to find him." She murmured, tensing. Sarah shook herself and went through the rooms. She wanted to call out Malik's name, but what if the thing that made this mess was still here? Not that she wouldn't love to tear it to shreds…but what if she made things worse?
Yugi tried to keep up with her frantic pace, but it was little use. She darted in and out of rooms…too frantic to scan for life, too forgetful in this moment to use her brains or her nose. 'Malik…'
Four rooms left: Malik's bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, and his study.
Malik's bedroom looked dreadful. The door had been broken off its hinges. The navy curtains had become confetti. The bed had claw marks all over the mattress. The windowpane was a pile of shards on the floor. And everything that couldn't be broken had been flipped over or tossed aside.
Malik's scent was everywhere in this room…but Malik wasn't here.
The kitchen was the scariest yet…blood was smeared on the floor, and on various knives that lay strewn about it. Broken dishes littered the floor like toys in a child's playroom.
This place didn't smell like Malik. It smelled like…evil creatures. This blood wasn't Malik's…that was a relief, and yet, a concern. A battle? The room closest to the kitchen was the bathroom.
At this, she snorted. The bathroom was clean as a whistle. It was always the bathroom! Whatever happened to the good old days?
Lastly, the study. The door had claw marks all over it…red ragged cuts slid deep into the wood's surface. Sarah shoved the door open…to see what had become of her dearest friend. Bookshelves had been turned over. Books lay everywhere…countless pages, countless poets' greatest works, countless writers' memoirs, discarded like trash.
Red trails covered the floor. A cloak here, a broken nail there, more pages…Malik favorite chair torn, another pile of books, another trail. But…Malik. No Malik. She felt relieved…almost. If that was the case, maybe they captured him for questioning…or bait. Well, then she'd just…rescue him.
She had to! Malik would be all right, and then…then she could breathe again. Yugi stepped into the room, panting, and risked a wary, weak smile up at Sarah. "Any luck?"
"No…I think they kidnapped him and I—" Sarah's sentence was cut off, as she felt something. That sinking feeling. She turned, not sure why. There was…something…she cautiously approached Malik's desk.
And felt her heart shatter.
How could she have missed this? Wishful thinking? After such a raid…who would have survived?
There, behind his desk, was Malik. He was dressed in pajamas…obviously, he was attacked while asleep. His clothes were bloody rags, his body limp and lifeless…two streams of blood marked his neck. Claw marks torn through Malik's chest and bruises were visible in the rare places where blood wasn't. He lay, as if sleeping, a picture of peace…of solemn silence. Almost as if to spite the wretched condition his body was in. His hair, wonderful platinum blond, was matted with red.
Sobs choked Sarah's throat and she sank to her knees. She bowed her head, biting her lip till it bled. She clenched her fists until the nails broke her skin. She gently reached out and, trembling, held Malik's hand…it was so cold.
Yugi came up behind her, eyes filling with tears. Poor Malik…only this morning, were they talking and laughing. Now…gone, was another light in this world. He knelt beside Sarah, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry…" He whispered, his own voice choked.
Sarah nodded, unable to speak. Needing just this moment…this moment to accept that he was gone…she reached down and lifted up Malik's body. Yugi watched her carry him.
"I…I can't leave him like this." She murmured in response to Yugi's questioning eyes. She spoke with the tone of a small child, voice cracking with pain. She couldn't even bare to look at Malik's face again. Just carried him, carefully, down the stairs.
It is customary to bury the dead in respect…in vampire culture as well. Even enemies were buried, to show that, if nothing else, they were worthy foes. She couldn't leave Malik like this…
She put a white sheet over Malik's body, then placed him on the couch, and with an expression that looked like she had died with him, Sarah dug the grave of her best friend.
Yugi curled up in a corner, just thinking, allowing some tears to fall…waiting. He knew Sarah needed to be alone…and he felt bad about it…but being with someone who was dead…it made him shudder.
Sarah came back inside quietly, picked up Malik's body with more care then she had ever used in her life, and gently put her child-hood friend to rest. She remembered Malik's journal…his own book…and placed it in the grave with him. Tears fell on the leather-bound cover as she did so…
Next, she covered the grave…Yugi had seen her carry Malik's body outside and followed. He handed her some flowers to put over the earth, which covered the young scholar. Sarah smiled at his kind gesture. A smile like looked like it would make her face break, with all the tears it held back.
There was one thing left, though. A marker for the grave. Yes…a cross. So that everyone who saw it would show respect for the dear soul that had fallen to this world's evil. Unfortunately, such a thing wasn't a household item. She'd have to make one herself. But…it was the least she could do. She had to do anything, everything she could.
The two mourners went inside, and Sarah began to search for the necessary materials to make such a marker…but fate was not with them. All luck and kindness had forsaken them this night.
Sarah grabbed Yugi before he stepped through the door, and to keep him from making any noise of surprise, she put a hand in front of his mouth. She heard voices through the door…laughing, mocking voices.
"Hey, ya think the boss is right about the half-ling chick bein' here? I mean, after having fun with that wimpy little human, this house has been pretty dead."
A second voice snorted. "You mean the owner of this house has been pretty dead. Kinda dull now that there's no screaming. And stop licking your arm, it's gross, man."
"What? I don't taste that bad! And besides, the stupid human stabbed me! Man…that hurt…" The first one whined.
"You big baby! You're not weak like him…and you're a soldier! Besides, if you're that put out, why don't you just punch him again? I don't wanna fly home with you bein' all moody like last time." The second voice sounded like he was rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, well…there's one down side to that. It doesn't hurt him anymore!" He sulked, whining.
Sarah's eyes flared and her voice was reduced to a violent hiss. "That…that…I'm gonna kill him. I'm gonna kill him." Her fists shook at her sides.
"Sarah…wait, I know you want to avenge Malik, but don't you think we should---" Yugi wasn't even heard. Sarah's blood was boiling now. Her fangs bared themselves and gleamed crazily in the hazy light.
Sarah shot into the room and slammed the first vampire up against a bookcase, hissing in his face. "Don't like knives, huh?" She hissed, shoving her sword into his gut. "Too bad."
"HEY! It's her!" The second shouted, coming up against her with claws extended, ready to strike. She gave his hand a swift kick and swept his legs. Then, quick as summer lightening, she pinned him to the floor, murder in her eyes. Her dagger was stuck in his heart, causing him to let out a shrill scream.
Yugi looked away, unable to watch the display of his broken-hearted friend's rage. 'Sarah…'
Sheesh. Another scarring moment. Poor Yugi. Heck, poor Sarah. No, no, poor MALIK! ;; What aaaaaam I doooing? Weak smile
"And the world heals a little…" Sarah murmured, eyes still ablaze as she sliced through the vampire's chest, and with a terrible shriek, he fell limp. Not bothering to wipe off her blade yet, she turned to the first vampire, who's heart had also failed to beat on as it would have for many years to come…
Sarah pulled her blade out of his stomach and let his body drop with a heavy thud. The anger in her eyes cooled and her rage was no more. She felt sick again…
She cast another disgusted glance at the creatures on the floor, and stooped to grab some things that the second vampire had been carrying. With a heavy sigh, she slipped them into her pocket, and abandoned the room for the original reason for coming inside. Yugi lingered outside.
Sarah's POV
I can't hear my heart beating anymore…it was pounding in my ears before, but now, it feels like it's just stopped. A splintered piece of a door slowly becomes a cross with the use of a knife…Yugi's still outside.
I keep scanning the area, over and over, making sure that he'll be okay out there. Yugi's just…standing there, I think. He hasn't moved. I feel horrible…I know he didn't want to see that.
It was like…I couldn't stop myself.
Malik…
First mom, now you.
I remember the day we met, you know? I remember…it's such a clear memory, now…they say when you die, your whole life flashes before your eyes. Maybe, when other people die, it's the same thing. Only…it's their life you revisit.
Do you remember, my friend? Do you remember the little girl you knew, long ago?
End Sarah's POV
Flash back
"What's the matter, kid? Don't wanna play?" A large twelve-year-old gangster wanna-be and his team of thug-tykes shoved around an 8-year-old. He was thin and pale, with the most curious violet colored eyes and a wild head of bright blonde hair.
"Leave me alone!" The kid yelled, tears in his eyes. He stood up, trying to run away, only to trip and fall to the ground again. It hurt…the hard, cold stone of an abandoned building. He just wanted to be left alone…alone, like he always was.
The boy assaulting him sneered, laughing in his face. "Aww, what's wrong?"
"Just go away…" He murmured, tears running down his cheeks. "Just go away and leave me alone."
"Why should we?" Another kid piped up, laughing.
"Because it would be nice." A soft voice offered. A girl, no more nine years old, stepped into the ring surrounding the boy. She had bright eyes, wore no smile, but did not frown. She stood in front of the boy on the ground.
"Oh, so now the freak has a girl fighting his battles for him? Oooh, I'm so scared…we could get cooties!" They all broke off in their taunts to laugh.
The girl's eyes burned brighter then before as she held her ground. "Go away." She repeated quietly.
The 12-year-old scoffed, and wound up, about to punch the obstacle in his way…she didn't even flinch. The punch stopped, an inch away from her face, halted by her own hand clenching around his. Slowly, she twisted his arm. Not enough to break it, but enough to get the message across.
"Oww…that hurt!" The old shook his hand out, wincing, and the others laughed. "Hey, cut it out, you guys! It's not funny!"
Everyone promptly stopped laughing…but not because he'd told them to, rather, because the girl who they'd thought so funny had now grown two black wings, almost as long as she was tall. They all turned around and ran away screaming. Then, she smiled.
Retracting her wings until they vanished into her back, she turned around to face the dirty looking child on the floor. She bent down, and saw him flinch. "Don't hurt me!"
"I won't." She assured him, making a horizontal and vertical line across her chest. "Cross my heart, I won't. What 'cha doing way out here by yourself? Where are your mom and dad?"
The boy sniffed, eyeing her warily. "I'm an orphan…" He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and sniffed again. "My parents were killed by monsters with black wings."
The little girl's face twisted into strange study of sympathy, pity, guilt and sorrow. This poor soul…all alone. The girl made a decision. "I'm sorry." She murmured sincerely, voice full of understanding. "So, you're all alone?"
The boy slowly nodded, tears still stinging the back of his eyes. "Yeah."
"Then…wanna be friends?" The girl broke into a brilliant grin, extending her hand to him to help him up. Her friendly grin faded after a moment of hesitation.
"Friends?" He asked, blinking up at her, surprised. "Really?"
Her smile easily returned. "You bet. I never get to meet kids my own age…it'll be cool having someone to hang out with. And if any one ever wants ta bug ya, they'll have to get through me first! So…friends?"
He grabbed her hand and smiled, his sorrow slowly melting away. "Best friends."
"Awesome!"
End flash back
Sarah had changed since then. After all, change is part of growing up. But her friendship with Malik had only gotten stronger since that day. "Best friends" they promised. Forever.
Sarah's eyes slowly filled with fresh tears, which unstoppably tumbled down her cheeks yet again…her lips drew together in a bittersweet smile, and her eyes sparkled, just a little bit.
Sarah's POV
The cross I made for Malik is finished now. It's not very pretty…but it'll do. I cut a cross-shaped hole in the middle of the bigger cross and slid a silver necklace cross inside it. …That's better.
I can't stand it…
Even though I got the revenge I wanted, it doesn't make the pain go away. It numbed…only a little.
This feeling is like a monster inside of me, ripping through my heart…it hurts so much.
I sheath my dagger thoughtlessly…everything feels surreal right now. I walk outside, Yugi looks up at me and I look back at him. It's hard to look him in the eyes right now, even though I try. Giving up or moving on, I walk to the fresh mound of dirt and place the red cross with the silvery center at the head of the grave.
It's…finished.
Good bye, forever, my friend.
I'll never forget.
End Sarah's POV
"Yugi, it's time to go." Sarah called monotonously, voice just strong enough to reach his ears. She walked back, heart and shoes both feeling heavy. Her voice sounded hoarse from crying. "We…can't stay here any longer."
Yugi nodded, wiping his eyes. "Where should we go?"
"I…I don't know. I can't think of anywhere safer then here, but then, that's not saying much right now." She sighed, gazing up at the sky.
Yugi licked his lips thoughtfully. "I think I know of a place."
"You do?" Sarah stared at him incredulously, pretending to be shocked.
"Well, yes. You always get to pick where we go, so now it's my turn." Yugi's smile slowly returned, lightening the heavy mood with whatever consolation it could give.
"Fine, anywhere but here. Anything you want to get before we go?" Sarah managed another weak smile in return and motioned up at the towering house.
"Uh…to tell you the truth, I'd…rather not go in there." He shifted uncomfortably, eyes sliding to the floor.
Sarah couldn't help sympathizing with him. She didn't want to go inside either…seeing Malik's blood again and all…but then, she was more used to this then Yugi was. "I'll get your bag then. Wait here."
Yugi nodded, waiting by the door again for his friend's return. Sarah took as little time as she could. The more time she stayed in this place, the more she was reminded of vampiric needs, and the more she thought of that, the more disgusted she was with herself for thinking of "food" at a time like this.
But, another problem arose, as problems are prone to do, and with the cosmic forces being on a roll here and all, it was inevitable.
Sarah and Yugi had barely gotten off the ground…when…well…
"Oh, no." Hissed Sarah, who felt she had already dealt with more then enough tonight. This was a bad time to mess with her. A very bad time indeed.
Yugi sighed…why? Why did it always happen this way? "Who is it?"
A low growl rose in Sarah's throat. "Who else? Marik. Bad news and worse news. Which do you want first?" She carefully glided across the rooftops, trying to pick out a safe route. "Duck!"
"Bad news." Yugi ducked underneath a metal pipe on the roof of a building.
"The bad news is that Marik's definitely following us." Sarah reached one of the taller buildings, which had a sign on it that she didn't care to try and make out, and surveyed the surroundings.
"And the worse news?" Yugi tried to follow her line of sight in curiosity.
Sarah's brow furrowed in concentration, but eventually, she relaxed and jumped to the next rooftop. "The worse news is that he isn't alone."
"Oh, boy."
"Yup." Sarah chuckled. "You know, I think I'm rubbing off on you."
"I wouldn't be surprised. Do you know how many people he has with him?" Yugi asked, once again keeping his concentration on not falling off.
"Fif…hang on…yeah, fifteen." Sarah nodded. "Sixteen including Marik. Hmm…if we don't make it to this place that you were talking about, we're going to need a plan B. Now…if I could just…ah—oh!" Sarah faltered, stopping suddenly, nearly making Yugi fall off.
"Gaaah…warn me before you do that!" Yugi yelped, casting a fearful glance at the ground below and flinched. That would have given him such a headache.
"Sorry…it's just, I just got an idea." Sarah said as she slowly started to grin. "Yeah…you see that cemetery over there?"
Yugi did not like the sudden topic change. At all. No body wants to hear about cemeteries when they're living a horror flick. "Yeah, so…?"
Sarah changed course, still grinning. "Couldn't have been in a better place."
"Is that so?" Still not liking it. "I'm afraid to ask, but what does a graveyard have to do with anything?"
"Well, I hate to say it…but my biggest liability while fighting right now is you. No offense, I'm just too concerned about them going after you, which means I'll start worrying instead of concentrating. A graveyard would be a perfect place to fight in."
"You know…it's always a graveyard. So, why a graveyard? Just…why? What is the attraction of fighting on top of dead people?"
Sarah laughed. "Yugi, don't you see? Okay, pop quiz: what do you find in a graveyard?"
Yugi frowned. "Dead people."
She rolled her eyes. "No, I mean other then that."
"Graves."
Sarah shook her head. "Getting warmer. What's on the graves?"
"Head stones."
She sighed, so close. "Okaaay…what else do you find on the graves, besides head stones?"
"Cr…ohhh!" Yugi's eyes almost popped out of his head as he realized what Sarah had been getting at. "Crosses!"
"Bingo!" She nodded enthusiastically. "Graveyards have crosses…and, strangely enough, it's extremely hard to 'sense' other creatures in there. A human's aura stands out less then a vampire, so, me they'll notice…but you? Probably not. And speaking of our pals, I don't think out maneuvering them is an option with the directions you gave me."
"Wait, wait, wait. Hang on a second…they can still smell me, right?" Yugi asked, skeptic. Sure, it sounded like a good plan…
Sarah's eyes couldn't have sparkled any more if they had extra strength batteries. Her grin was absolutely wolfish, especially with her fangs showing. "Nope. Hehe…the other thing that graveyards are notorious for keeping is flowers. There are so many different smells there, that it's like finding a needle in a mile long haystack."
Yugi relaxed, a little bit. "So…tell me why vampires hang around places like that if they make it so difficult to fight?"
"You'll have to remember that you guys have a pretty skewed idea of what we're really like…and last I checked, there are no history books on vampires in the library. But…though I personally don't, maybe they think like I do." Sarah suggested. Finally, she sighed. "Yugi, I hate to say it, but…we're going to the graveyard. My apologies for the little detour."
"It's better to be with dead people then to be dead people, I guess." Yugi mumbled "optimistically," as he locked his sights onto the flowery battlegrounds ahead.
An illuminated figure swayed, in a dizzy sort of way, but maintained his focus. He drew in a shaky breath.
"Isn't the bloody little angel cute, brother? Oh, dear…he's all dirty now." Dark laughed, aiming a sinister grin at his lighter half.
"You can laugh. But your laughter will turn hollow soon enough. You see little and think you know much." Light resigned himself to his thoughts. Everything was slowly going downhill, and he knew. Soon…soon, a time would come…where he would be tested.
Soon, he would see if it was possible…
Light and Dark…
1: If this sounds "out there," wrong again, people. That came straight from personal experience. It was pretty creepy. And I've seen a golden moon many times. At least five times in memory. They look best when it's a full moon.
In fact, to tell you the truth, I saw another one Wednesday 14th, this month. Man…it was pretty, but, I like silver more then gold. (Boy, now that's a rare opinion.)
By the way, now you all know why Yugi had to come! Huzzah! Also, I have decided to never tell anyone my plot points ever ever EVER again. Because I absolutely despise the feeling I get when I end up changing them. I keep struggling with plots nowadays. It's…annoying.
This…whole thing…makes little to no sense.