Chapter 33

Jail Time

It was around 8 or 9 in the morning. The sun was just now peeking over the horizon and the air was crisp and clear. Now to anyone this would be a perfect start to morning but alas, it was not for Marik.

The Egyptian boy awoke to the sound of shouting and with an annoying pain in his lower back. Clearly, sleeping on the cement floor had no advantages.

Over the past five weeks, Marik received two jail cell "buddies", Bruce, an older man from the U.S. who was charged with manslaughter, and Junichi, who was actually a boy Marik knew from the 7th grade. His charge was still unknown because no one ever asked.

Marik slid closer to the gray bricked wall rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and yawning quietly. He noticed his roommates were waking up as well.

"Well, what do ya know, another day in the clink." Bruce muttered. He had ordered Marik to sleep on the floor and since the man was three times his size, he did not decline.

The American man stood at a whopping 6 foot 10 and had deep green eyes that reminded Marik of his future spouse. His russet-colored hair fell over his forehead in stringy ribbons shadowing his unique visage.

He spoke with a sense of carelessness and seemed valiant towards the other men of the jailhouse.

Marik admired his bravery but wanted nothing to do with him. In fact, he wanted nothing to do with anyone. He wanted to stay secluded, isolated from everyone else but sadly, Marik found that dream to high to reach.

Bruce gave Marik a questionable look then stretched and turned his head to gaze at Junichi, who was carving words with a utensil not into the wall but into his very own arm.

Marik's violet eyes widened watching blood slowly slither down the boy's pale arm.

Bruce stood up and snatched the pointy object away. "What the hell do you think you're doing!"

"What did it look like!" Junichi raised an eyebrow then turned his head away. "I rather die than stay here for the rest of my life."

"Well killing yourself ain't the answer." Bruce looked at the pointed object. "Just where did ya get this from anyways, kid?"

Junichi tensed and bit his lip. "Kid? Don't call me Kid."

Bruce bent down to the boy's level and smirked, playfully punching Junichi's shoulder.

"Hm. You're a little feisty aren't yeah? A little freak like you must of done something really psycho in order to end up here."

Junichi shifted his eyes to the floor following the thin crack that creped through the gray stone. It led him to Marik's dark, inactive body.

"And what are you looking at Marik Ishtar?" He emphasized on the Egyptian's name. He had heard of what Marik had done and never once thought of not reminding the boy of it.

Junichi was cocky but smart and was heir to a billion dollar inheritance if he ever got out in time. Deep inside, Junichi was a gentle soul; shy and was often looked down upon. His exterior resembled Marik's. Lean, fit, and especially attractive that unknowingly caught the eye of other jailbirds.

His eyes were a deep teal color that seemed to shut the windows to his soul which was undoubtedly sinister. His skin held a glowing hue of alabaster which was clearly angelic.

He and Marik held not sense of respect for each other. From day one the two had fought both physically and verbally, a battle that often ended in a momentary separation produced by Bruce.

Marik had learned to keep his mouth shut no matter how bad he wanted to tear a guy apart.Junichi,on the other hand, learned that pestering your roommates ended in silence.

No one actually attacked Junichi because they were all too busy messing with Bruce.

As all jail mornings go, the boys, as well as the other jailers, walked straight to the lunchroom.There, Marik and Junichi stood in line with plastic yellow trays and orange jumpsuits.

They were served what was going to be eating for the rest of their jailtime; Rice and water.

Marik sat near the window that displayed the downtown hustle and bustle. It made him dream of the life he once had before all this stuff happened. Love, humor, happiness, and they were all his for just that one moment. It amazed him how fast he lost it all.

A familiar small shadow crept over his tray. It belonged to the rebellious Junichi.He had no one else to sit with and was afraid to for that matter but of course he would never admit that.

The boy sat across from Marik quietly sipping his water and clearing his throat. He sunk peeks at Marik expecting the tanned boy to respond to him. Junichi sighed in defeat and looked back at his rice.

"So, how long are you in here for?"

Junichi raised his head surprised that the boy spoke.

"Uh?"

"You heard me didn't you?" Marik kept his head down concentrating on his meal.

He had adopted an image of a wise man that came out of nowhere.

"Uh?Yeah."

"Then answer my question."

Junichi cleared his throat again and copied the pose of his associate.

"I…killed someone."

Marik swallowed quietly. "Who?"

"A..a guy."

"What was his name?"

Junichi turned his head and replied, "I-I didn't known him."

"So you killed a random person? Some random guy for no good reason?" It was now Marik's turn to burn mocking words into the boy's personality.

"I-"

"You're sick you know that."

"Hey! That doesn't make you any better!"

Marik's violet eyes dimmed in comprehension.

"You're right it doesn't."

"But you must have had a reason?" Junichi scooted closer to the table.

"Yes. Wait a minute, why should I tell you anything?"

"Because you have to. Eventually the guilt is going to drive you mad and I don't want to see you go through that Marik.I have and it's not a walk in the park I'll tell you that."

Marik leaned back in his chair and thought. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yeah.I do."

"I killed Seto Kaiba because I believed he was hurting my sister, Ishizu.Now for some time I also caught him bothering my girlfriend-"

"Wait a sec.Marik Ishtar has a girlfriend?"

"Your point is?"

"I remember you preaching how much you loathed women." Junichi was referring to the memories they shared but in grade school.

He was the outcast and Marik was the bad boy. They both continued to speak in a low mystifying tone of voice.

"Well, you have to remember I was young then.Anyways, I got so sick and tired of him messing around with the people I cared about so I-"

"Blew him away. Never thought you had it in you, Ishtar."

Marik raised an eyebrow. Even if these boys were getting along, Junichi was becoming very annoying.

"You're lonely aren't you?"

"Lonely? In what sense? It's ridiculous to say but everybody needs someone to talk to, even criminals like you and I."

Junichi folded his arms and glanced at Marik through his silky black hair.

"Hm."

There was an eerie silence between the two. Only the sound of silverware clinging and mixed conversation filled the atmosphere.

It wasn't long before the jailers were announced their daily chores and jobs.Junchi, Marik and practically everyone else was graced with the job of gardening which was clearly not a male hobby.

They stepped outside in a line from shortest to tallest for no particular reason.Marik and Junichi found them standing together spread out along the wired fence being checked from head to toe.

A rather large man, who was indeed the bailiff, handed the boys two shovels.

"Since you two are apparently the strongest of the group, I think it would be best if you start digging over there."

The man laughed afterwards watching the two walk over to their position which was in the corner of the garden near the open road.

The view was incredible and allowed them to see almost all of downtown.

Marik gazed in a trance-like state thinking of no one else but Keket and her whereabouts.Junichi observed his cell mate's actions and shook his head before beginning his work.

"Hey Ishtar!"

Marik jumped turning around only to find his face in a pile of cow manure. Bruce had tripped him and stood with victory and humor.

Marik lifted his head letting the clumps of fertilizer drop of his head.

"Wow Ishtar, you almost blend in." And with that, Bruce walked off with his newfound jail buddies.

Marik stood spitting the dirt out of his mouth and glaring at the childish American.

Junichi propped an elbow on the end of his shovel and watched as well.

"You know there's nothing you can do."

"I know."

An Eastern wind blew slowly through their hair and gathered the dust around them.This was going to be a long day.

"Do you have any 5's?"

"Ah,let's see."

"Since when are we playing Go Fish?"

"Keket!" Joey shouted in frustration. "Great now we have to start all over again!"

It was a cheerful morning.Keket, Joey, Bakura, and Yugi all decided to spend a day together outside a French-styled café.

They settled on playing poker but with the way Keket was acting, no one was progressing.

Keket sank in her chair playing carelessly with her cards. Her expression was descending as the days went by and her energy was tempted to follow after.

Bakura looked at her with concern. He knew this day would come.Sadness, meanless speech, loss of appetite, and lack of memory; Keket had it all.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Keket? Are you alright?"

"Alright! Who's ready for round two?" Joey shouted completely unaware of Keket's depression.

Luckily, Yugi noticed and quieted the blond down.

" What's the matter with Keket,Bakura?"

"I think she's thinking about you-know-who." Bakura whispered.

"You mean Marik? Didn't he kill Kaiba and go to jail and stuff?" Joey blurted.

Keket's green eyes began to water and a tiny squeak rumbled in her throat.

"Joey,please!" Yugi begged.

Keket suddenly stood up and went back inside the café.

Bakura sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I like I should take her home now. Thanks for everything guys."

"Sure. Anytime." Yugi nodded. "Call me if you need us."

"Will do." Bakura waved goodbye and followed Keket through the café and out the door.

He was surprised to see she was walking past his car. He was even more surprised he could barely keep up with her fast pace.

"Keket? Keket, wait?" He grabbed her arm only for her to snatch it away.

"What! Bakura!" She shouted with tears sliding down her face. Her nose and eyes were turning pink with emotional pain.

"What happened back there?"

"What happed back there! Are you deaf! Joey was speaking about Marik as if he were some criminal mastermind or some-some serial-killer!"

Keket turned back around and continued her fast pace. Her hair bounced with every step.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it-"

The girl turned around again. "What the hell is wrong with the world Bakura! Everyone is thinking that Marik is some evil offspring from Hell!"

"I know but-"

"They're wrong, Bakura!" Keket pressed her finger to her chest. "I know Marik better than anyone else! I do! They're wrong!" Keket buried her face in her hands and wept.

Without hesitation, Bakura approached her and wrapped his arms around her allowing her tears to seep into his jacket.

"It's going to be okay, Keket.I promise."

Keket lifted her head and blink feeling their noses meet. Their voices were nothing but a whisper as the traffic drove on and the people past by.

"I want to see him again, Bakura.I really do. I can't smile and laugh knowing he's rotting in jail."

"Then you will have that wish. I'll make sure of it."