Yugi stared at the black notebook. The words stared back at flipped through it to see if they leaked through or…he just couldn't comprehend what just happened. Things like this don't happen. Sure, Yugi believed in magic, considering all of the games he played, but stuff like that didn't happen in the real world. His mind just wouldn't accept it. It was unbelievable.

This can't be happening, he thought. He looked back at the writing for proof of this fact, but the text was still there. He tilted his head to the side and sighed. This was far to advanced for any practical joke. He glanced around the park to make sure no one was watching. His gut told him that no one should know about this unless something serious happened. When he felt safe enough, he picked up his pen, only to drop it in surprise. The writing was gone!

"What?" Yugi quickly flipped through the pages, seeing if the ink leaked into the other sheets. Nothing. "Where did it go?" he pondered aloud. A sudden stillness passed over him, the park being unusually quiet. What if he really wasn't alone? He bent over and retrieved his fallen pen, crouching over the little book protectively, as if it was something super important. He swiftly scribbled something down and stared at his words.

How is this possible?

Yugi's handwriting filled the light blue line. He stared down at the line, expecting fireworks and magical things to happen, but nothing did. The text didn't even change like it had before. He blinked, confused. How could something happen and then not happen? Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him. Maybe he didn't get enough sleep last night. Yugi shook his head back and forth rapidly and looked back at the notebook. His words were mocking him now. People were going to think he was crazy, thinking that someone was writing back to him from a journal. Things like that only happened in Harry Potter, and he honestly hoped that it wasn't a spirit writing to him. That would be the only thing that would make this situation any weirder.

He squinted his eyes. Maybe they were the ones playing tricks, not his brain.

Nothing.

He felt his heart drop a little. Why was he hoping a complete stranger was going to answer him back? This was quite unusual for him. Sure, Yugi was a friendly person, but he would much rather meet people face-to-face. He couldn't believe he actually wanted Atem to reply. Suddenly, the text changed from Yugi's quite sloppy handwriting to a more sophisticated script.

I don't know, Yugi. All I'm doing is writing in a white notebook.

White? Atem held a white notebook? White and black. Light and dark. Yin and Yang. Opposites. Yugi mulled this over, tapping the pen against his chin. Weird how the journals were the yin-yang colours…

I'm writing from a black notebook. It's kinda odd how the journals are opposite colours. Any idea why?

Yugi was hoping Atem would have some kind of answer. Yugi was a pretty smart kid and an excellent gamer, so why could he not come up with an answer? Maybe he could get some answers from Atem. But, much to his avail, it said the complete contrary of what he hoped.

No, I'm sorry, Yugi. I haven't an inkling why. I only-

The phrase stopped mid-sentence, Yugi's warning bells going off in his head. Something odd was happening. Something off. The stillness of the park nagged at his mind again, so he got up, grabbing his bag and the notebook, and retreated to the little creek that ran through the park. There was a perfect spot for him that he could hide; a little hang-over next to a tree that grew close to the edge. The tree helped conceal hang-over, and it was only big enough that a child could fit through.

Fortunately for Yugi, he was the size equivalent of a child.

As he settled himself down, eyes adjusting to the limited light, he looked down at the notebook again; Atem had written something else.

I need help. Can you help me?

Well his warning bells were correct. Yugi bit his lip. Was Atem seriously asking a stranger for help? He didn't even know who Yugi was, let alone Yugi didn't know who Atem was! Besides, even if it was possible for Yugi to help, how could he? He closed his eyes and sighed. Maybe it was as simple as getting a little cat out of a tree, but even Yugi knew that he couldn't even help with that, since he was oh-so short. Moreover, Yugi knew deep inside that was not what Atem needed help with. Grunting, he scribbled his reply in messy letters.

Depends. What do you need help with?

Yugi didn't have to wait long for a reply.

My father told me something evil is after me. I have not one clue as what it may be. He gave me this journal, telling me a second one is in hiding and only the one with a pure heart may find it and answer. Others may not see the writing unless the holder wishes it so. He said that it was utterly important that the other notebook would find its rightful owner, and I could help it by writing my name over and over, guiding it toward the owner. He also said that once the owner was found and that their name was written in ink, I could trust no one but the person with the opposite notebook. So, naturally, I can only trust you.

Yugi could've laughed. He almost started to, but Atem's writing seemed...serious. He almost swore that this was a coincidence. Yugi? A pure heart? Yugi shook his head and wrote a simple sentence.

You trust a person you don't even know?

The writing didn't fade, however. It just sat. The longer he gazed at his words, the older the journal looked. He blinked, and the journal became its new and pristine self again. This went on for fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes felt like an eternity. Yugi's watch ticked obnoxiously loud in the silence. In the stillness. He waited and waited. Had Atem received the message? Did he get it, but leave? The stillness and uncertainty crept over Yugi again, and he no longer felt safe in his little hidey-hole. He slung his bag over his shoulder and crawled out, feeling a bit better in the open. The park was still empty, and it was getting late. He closed the little book and kept it clenched tightly in his right hand. As he walked home, he started questioning the reliability of the notebook. What this thing even accurate? Did Atem receive the messages right after Yugi wrote them, or did it take a few minutes? Yugi sighed. So many questions and no answers. This was just perfect.

Does it really take this long to reply to a simple question? He wondered. With every step, the book got a bit heavier. It went from being as light as a feather to feeling like he was carrying a brick. Yugi's eyebrows scrunched up in concern as he glanced down at the little book. Something dark, wet, and sticky was heavily dripping on the sidewalk. Immediately he looked at his palms, they were covered in a red type of liquid. Quickly he flipped open to the middle of the book and gasped, shocked at the sudden realization.

The book was covered in blood.