Why Me?

Chapter 3: Threatened

(Continuing at Joey's Apartment)

I dropped the phone.

I can't believe they know where I live.

"Joey I…" my mother said cheerily as she re-entered, "what's wrong?" she asked upon seeing my face.

I could feel myself shaking.

"They called," I told her, "I don't know they got our number," I said still in shock, "but they called."

It took my mother a moment to realize what I meant.

"Oh God," Ms. Wheeler said in shocked disbelief, "Joey, baby," she said and hugged me after putting down what she had carried, "what did they say?" she asked him.

"They asked how my…" I started but was unable to say it, "they threatened you, Yugi, Anzu, Mai, and even Seto," I revealed tearfully, "Seto's not even my friend!"

"Oh God," Ms. Wheeler repeated panicked, "go sit over there, I'll call the police," she said and helped me over to the couch.

"Wait," I said before I sat down, "if I talk they'll harm my friends," I said immediately, "they'll harm you," I said even more upset.

"I won't tell them anything more than necessary," Ms. Wheeler told me and made me sit down, "just let me call the police," she said and hurried over to the phone.

I sat there absolutely worried.

What if they call back? What if they want me? No. NO, NO, NO, NO. I'd rather DIE than go back. I'd rather DIE than let them touch me again.

I listened to my mother tell the authorities that I got a threatening call. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as my breathing got heavier and heavier. Images drove into my mind of those monsters dragging everyone they had threatened to hurt one by one. But when it came to Seto I saw someone running after him. Clawing and fighting their way to get to him. Crying and screaming as Seto disappeared into the darkness like all the others.

"Mokuba!" I cried suddenly and dug into my pocket for my cell phone.

Then I realized something.

My cell phone was with me that night.

"That's how they got my number," I realized, "oh no," I said as my eyes widened, "if they have my number…."

(15 minutes later at Kaiba Corp)

(Normal POV)

"WHAT!" the front desk receptionist shrieked, "hold on I'll tell him right away."

Less than half an hour later a limousine rushed into the parking lot of Kaiba Corp. Out of it came Mokuba and seven well armed guards.

"What's going on?" Mokuba asked confused.

No one answered him. He was quickly taken to Seto's private office.

Mokuba saw Seto sitting behind his desk looking the more serious than he ever saw him.

"He's been delivered just like promised Kaiba, sir," one of the guards said.

"Good," Seto said, "now get out."

"Huh?" the three guards who had followed Mokuba inside the office said in unison.

"Get out," Seto snarled.

The three guards quickly fled Seto's presence.

Mokuba watched the guards leave then turned to his brother.

"Mokuba," Seto said seriously with eyes closed, "sit down."

Mokuba carefully moved and sat in the seat across from Seto's desk.

"Sit closer," Seto instructed.

Mokuba who was still feeling scared sat in the chair in front of Seto's desk.

"Joey was attacked," Seto said calmly his eyes now open, "they raped him," he told Mokuba.

Mokuba's eyes widened in horror.

"They called earlier today," Seto revealed, "they weren't happy that Joey had talked to the police."

"Um, did he tell them who they were?" Mokuba asked fearfully.

"No," Seto responded, "he was planning to," he continued, "but the threatening call he got earlier scared him into not doing so," he concluded.

"Did they threaten me?" Mokuba asked in a tearful voice.

"No," Seto told him.

"So why did you take me from my friend's birthday party?" Mokuba asked.

"Because they threatened me," Seto revealed.

A horrified Mokuba was struck silent. The only sound being made was heard from his body shaking.

"They threatened to harm several people if Joey talked," Seto said formally, "my name was among them."

"Are…are…are…" Mokuba started to ask but stuttered too badly to finish.

"No," Seto said firmly, "they'll never lay a hand on me," he told Mokuba, "or you," he added.

"I…" Mokuba tried to speak but couldn't.

Seto got up and walked up to his brother.

Mokuba immediately grabbed Seto's pants and cried.

Every sob tore deeper into Seto's heart. But like the ruthless businessman he was, he couldn't show weakness. He stood still and let his brother cry wantonly into his clothes.

(Meanwhile at the Taylor's Residence)

"Mom there's a letter for you," Tristan said and dropped the letter in his mother's lap.

Mrs. Taylor glared at him. She knew her son was being odd for some reason. She guessed it was because Joey was in the hospital for some injury. No one seemed to want to talk about it. It worried her a bit.

"Thank you," Mrs. Taylor said and opened it.

In it was a bunch of photos.

Mrs. Taylor started to look through them. Then she froze.

One was of her talking to her neighbour earlier today.

She carefully turned it over.

Glued to the other side was another photo. One of Joey unconscious.

"What is this?" Mrs. Taylor wondered noticing that Joey was wearing the same clothes he wore when he last came to their house, "Tristan come here," she called.

Tristan trudged into the room solemnly.

"Did you team with Joey for a prank when he made this?" Mrs. Taylor asked holding up the photo of Joey unconscious.

Tristan froze. His eyes turning into saucers upon seeing the photograph.

"It came with a bunch of other photos," Mrs. Taylor said testily, "including one taken of me this morning," she added.

"What?" Tristan asked immediately.

"Don't try playing…" Mrs. Taylor started.

"Where'd you find those photos?" Tristan demanded loudly.

"They were in the letter you gave me," Mrs. Taylor said softly.

Tristan suddenly started crying.

This alarmed Mrs. Taylor.

"Darling what's wrong?" Mrs. Taylor asked as she knelt beside her son.

"They raped Joey," Tristan revealed tearfully, "that's why he's been at the hospital," he told his mother, "why I won't go see him."

Mrs. Taylor's eyes widened in alarm.

Oh God, if they raped Joey and are sending me a bunch of photos including him being unconscious and me talking to… Mrs. Taylor thought

"Oh God," Mrs. Taylor said in a panic, "they know where I live, where we live," she realized.

"Mom, don't panic," Tristan said carefully aware of her heart condition.

"I'm calling your father," Mrs. Taylor said and headed for the bedroom.

"Mom," Tristan said and Mrs. Taylor turned around, "we'll be okay," he told her.

"I wish I could believe that," Mrs. Taylor said honestly and walked away.

Tristan closed his eyes and sighed.

First they rape my friend, now they threaten me. What the hell's going on here? Tristan thought

End Chapter 3