Translating dead languages written by someone uneducated on the matter proved to be much more difficult than Malik had first thought.

While Latin was relatively straight forward, the other two languages were much trickier to translate. Malik nearly lost it when he realized that their serial killer had written his message in Cuneiform backwards, not realizing the different flow of text. Malik had to walk out and take a break after that. He thanked his elder brother for his patience on the matter where Malik lacked any. If this madman wanted to parade about as an intellectual snob, then he should have the decency to do his damn research first.

Ryou did what he could to help, mostly reading up on the history of their cultures to see if there were any parallels between the Anubis comparison to draw from. It fascinated Malik how even when the detective was out of his element, he did not waste a moment and instead threw himself into the investigation. Even with such foreign subject matter, that didn't deter Ryou from learning all he could to continue his work.

The three worked continuously through the afternoon until the sun cast long, red shadows into the office. It was only when Ryou reminded Malik of their investigation tonight that he remembered their plan. He felt both anxious and excited at the prospect. He wasn't sure what Ryou was looking for, but if it drew them closer to finding the killer, than Malik considered it time well spent.

"Leaving then?" Rishid asked, his voice a gentle murmur breaking the silence.

Malik nodded, grabbing his coat that he left hanging by the door. "We're going to investigate the crime scene and see what we can find… I'm not sure when we'll get back."

Rishid chuckled, a small smile on his face. "Stay out as late as you need. I'll do my part here to help out."

Ryou bowed slightly, a grateful smile on his face. "Thank you for all the help, Rishid. If there's a single clue hidden in these message, then we'll be one step closer to finding Isis."

Rishid nodded, his expression stern as always. "We appreciate the help… Please find her, detective."

Ryou gave a nod, a sharp glint in his eyes. Malik raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen Ryou like this before, but it almost seemed as if the detective saw this case as a challenge not to his ego but to his character. That he wouldn't let the serial killer have the last laugh and Ryou would triumph.

As Malik turned to leave, he heard his brother calling his name. He turned back, Rishid glancing away before steely eyes locked on his lavender ones. The setting sun caught the scar on his face, casting a dark shadow that seemed more threatening than his kind-hearted brother truly was. "Be careful."

Malik swallowed, his stomach coiling. He knew Rishid had his reservations about Malik getting involved in the case, but he hadn't objected. Rishid knew that his little brother was stubborn and would do what he want. Rishid held down the fort, covering for his family and making sure Pegasus didn't give them any reason to reprimand their lack of work.

Still, Rishid would still worry for him, aware of the potential danger. And Malik knew how much Rishid feared losing another sibling to the night.

"I will. I'll see you later," Malik said, keeping his voice steady. This outing felt different from the other ones, Malik aware that they were going out in the dark. They were entering the killer's territory in the hopes of catching him. All it would take was one mistake, one slip-up between victory or death.

Malik shook those thoughts, following the white ponytail out of the building as they left for the Whitechapel district.


Even though the news of the Whitechapel murders spread like wildfire across the city, Malik had no idea what the district was actually like. He had simply written off the area as a slum to avoid at all costs. His first trip down with Ryou a few days back was his first time in the poverty-stricken slum, and his other trips during the day convinced him that the corpses weren't the only thing dead about this area.

So Malik was confused by how… loud Whitechapel was.

He stuck close to Ryou, unable to keep from staring at the groups of poor immigrants wandering about, singing songs. The bars and pubs stayed open, music and smoke pouring out as liquor drenched the streets. Women stood on every street corner, winking and flirting at potential customers as they went out to work.

When he imagined a murder scene, he had thought it to be much quieter. Malik hadn't anticipated such a lively, raucous scene. Despite the depravity all around him, there was not a cop to be scene, though Malik suspected there were a few hiding about, with their eyes on the true prize.

Malik guessed that Ryou was accustomed to this scene as he showed no sign of surprise or novelty to the sights before him. Malik skipped a few steps, moving to walk alongside the detective. "Is Whitechapel always this… boisterous?"

Ryou smirked, his teeth catching his lip to shutter a laugh. "This is where everyone comes to escape from their problems. So yeah, Whitechapel can become a real riot some days. And I mean that literally. The drunks often have a bit too much and start looking for trouble."

Malik wrinkled his nose, not eager to get into a fight at night. Ryou seemed to notice his discomfort, slowing down to a stop at a corner. "Things will quiet down as the night goes on. That's when we'll want to take particular interest."

Malik nodded, tearing his gaze away from the happenings around him. "So that's the game plan then? Hang around here and circle around?"

Ryou shrugged, leaning back against the stone wall. "Pretty much. Get a sense of where, when and how the killer picks his victims and try to figure out a way to anticipate his actions. Do what it takes so we don't find another corpse."

Ryou reached into his pocket, pulling out a thin, metal whistle, handing it over to Malik. "In case something goes wrong tonight."

Malik rolled his eyes but said nothing as he pocketed the whistle. He eyed a group of Italians crossing the street, the men leering at the two quietly observing. "Well, let's hope nothing bad happens."

Ryou gave a short laugh, a smirk on his face. "Where's your sense of adventure? Everybody loves a good murder mystery"

"That itch for adventure disappeared when a serial killer took my sister hostage," Malik snapped back, temper flaring at Ryou's almost blasé attitude towards their whole stake out. The detective took too much joy and pleasure in such an outing.

Ryou shrugged, a bored look on his face. "Fair enough. I guess I can't argue with that logic."

Malik let out a loud sigh, the unpleasant crowds around them grating on his nerves. Even though Ryou let him win that argument, Ryou's entire outlook on this case continued to chip away at Malik's composure. "Sometimes you worry me, detective."

He could tell by the way that Ryou frowned and gave him a puzzled look that he had no clue what Malik was referring to. Malik didn't really want to explain, but the words came flowing off his lips before he could think of censoring himself. "Your keen interest in death and murders is a little unsettling and you seem to admire the serial killer for his… artistic approach if I dare call it that."

Ryou furrowed his brows, glancing away. He raised a hand to twirl around a lock of hair, his expression contemplative. "You know, I never thought of it that way. I suppose I do come off as a fan of this sort of thing…"

Based on the odd expression on Ryou's face, Malik suspected there was something else. Curiosity got the better of him. "What are you thinking?"

Ryou chuckled, shaking his head. A weak smile crept on to his face. "Nothing. It's just… Commissioner Kaiba says the same things about me. He's fairly certain I'm going to snap one day and when that happens, he's ready to throw me in the nut house."

The matter of fact tone in Ryou's voice told Malik that his observation was nothing new to the detective. In fact, Malik realized that Ryou was used to hearing these sorts of rumors about himself. Malik wasn't sure whether to regret making such a statement or defend his position.

Ryou turned back to Malik, a curious look on his face. "Tell me, Malik – Do you think I could kill someone?"

Malik froze at the question, but kept his eyes locked on Ryou's. He felt like a rodent cornered by a hungry, feral cat. After a few long seconds, Malik swallowed. "I honestly don't know. You seem nice enough, but just because you're nice to me in person doesn't indicate what sort of monstrosity you're capable of."

Ryou nodded slowly, his expression revealing nothing. He turned back to stare out into the streets. "That's a fair assumption. These are dangerous times and working with a morbid detective with an interest in gruesome cases like myself may not be in your best interests."

Malik let out an annoyed sigh. What Ryou was saying was true, but damnit, logic didn't seem to apply. He felt his whole position to be jumbled as it was, and Ryou's agreement with his initial accusation made him more confused. "It's more complicated than that. I want to trust you. You're my best bet to find my sister. But…"

Ryou didn't respond, letting Malik fume over his response. Malik wasn't entirely sure. Even though Ryou had a few screws lose, he felt that the detective was on his side still. He wasn't sure, but if push came to shove, he believed that Ryou would do the right thing. But he couldn't be certain. So he supposed that brought him back around to square one.

Ryou pushed off the wall, walking slowly. "Let's walk for a bit. Keep your eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary."

Malik watched Ryou walk away for a moment, sighing before he followed along. He was the last person to know what constituted as strange in this place, but he was here for the rest of the night and they would have to keep patrolling to find what they were looking for.

The two fell into an awkward silence, looping casually around Whitechapel. Malik unsure of how to continue conversation as they continued to pace around in circles. He suspected he had offended Ryou somehow, but didn't know what to do about it. He knew any attempts to cover his earlier tracks would be seen as demeaning and false. Still, he could try. Malik picked up his pace to catch up to Ryou.

Malik froze in his tracks, blinking as two women passed him. Anyone who stared longer than a second could easily tell that these were not two female prostitutes, but rather men in drag. The blonde wigs did little to deter viewing eyes from the stubble on their chin. Their height, broad chests and terrible make-up job did little hide the fact that these were men and not women.

Malik stopped gaping long enough, finally asking the question that echoed in his mind. "What the hell?"

Ryou paused, glancing back at Malik gaping at the two men in drag. It only took a moment before Ryou started laugh, a large grin growing on his face. His laughter grew as the detective struggled to catch his breath. Malik let out an indignant huff, embarrassed to be the source of so much amusement for his companion.

After a moment, Ryou finally caught his breath, grin still on his face. "I'm sorry. I forgot you didn't know about the covert operation we have going on around here."

"I'm sorry – the what?"

Ryou smirked, walking over towards Malik. The amusement gleamed in his eyes. "The police are getting desperate. Jack the Ripper is targeting prostitutes. What better way to catch a killer than to dress as one of his targets?"

Malik blinked, realizing that Ryou was being serious and not fucking with him. "Wait, that's their genius plan to catch a serial killer?"

Ryou nodded, looking like he wanted to laugh again. "Afraid so."

"They don't even look convincing!"

"I know. Everybody around here knows. Still doesn't mean they won't try." Ryou shrugged, tilting his head. "If anything, they have arrested some folks already on different charges."

"What do you mean?"

"Buggery."

"Oh." Malik blushed, glancing away. He supposed if a man was looking for particular company, they might see the officers in drag as an invitation rather than a poor attempt at catching a murderer.

Ryou chuckled at Malik's reaction, walking up to be closer to Malik. "It's not exactly a perfect case, but still, a lot of poor blokes have mistaken these particular prostitutes for exactly what you think it is."

"I don't even know what to say," Malik muttered, glancing away. "Seems like an odd way to catch criminals."

Ryou glanced around, his eyes narrowing in the dark light as he continued to scan their surroundings. "The police will do what they have to. Of course, if you don't have enough evidence, it doesn't mean anything in court. Though I wouldn't recommend spending any more time in a detention center than need be. Ba-"

Ryou stopped talking, his voice trailing off as his gaze sharpened. Malik was about to ask him what he meant when he noticed the shift in Ryou's posture. He stood up straight, glancing in the direction Ryou was staring in. Down one of the narrower side streets. He noticed someone walking away, but a door had been left ajar.

Malik felt his pace quicken, eyes darting around as Ryou quickly crossed the road. They left the well-lit road behind for the dimmer path. Malik had a terrible suspicion what they might encounter, his suspicions making his blood run cold. Why would someone leave a door open in the middle of the night?

Ryou crossed into the narrow street, Malik right on his heels as he flung the door wide open. The scent of fresh blood instantly assaulted his nostrils, Malik taking a step back. His stomach wrenched as he saw organs lined up neatly on the table next to a dissected corpse. His heart sank, his heartbeat in his ears as he froze as the horrid sight.

Malik staggered back, leaning against the wall across from the door. He tried to rip his gaze away, but he stared at the kidney next to the woman's arm, the blood dripping down the white sheets, the vacant, glassy look in her eyes. Malik flung a hand over his mouth, bile stinging his throat. His stomach wretched, Malik fighting the urge to puke in the streets, eyes and throat burning at the reflex.

Ryou broke through the spell first. He swore, turning on his heels. "Shit! He's getting away!"

Malik snapped his head around, watching as Ryou plunged into the dark alleyway after the escaping man. He forced himself to swallow, pushing himself off the wall. Malik started to run after him only to stop a few steps away from the pitch black. He glanced behind him, where the street lights stopped as the darkness started to take over. His mind screamed to follow Ryou, follow the killer, follow the man who held his sister captive.

And yet all the all-consuming black before him crippled him. He needed to run, but his legs wouldn't move.

Malik desperately tried to think of something, anything that could break him out of his stupor and run to help Ryou. This could be their chance to finally catch him. He couldn't fail now. A thought crossed his mind, a desperate hope to force him to move. He grabbed the tin whistle Ryou gave him, blowing as a shrill noise pierced the night.

As if on cue, the two officers disguised in women's clothes came rushing towards him. One carried a lantern while the other had his baton already drawn. The two gazed around, curious to see the young man before him. Malik was lucky that his guess about the police whistle would work.

The officer stared as Malik, a confused look on his face. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes. I'm going to need to borrow this."

Before the officer could react, Malik snatched the lantern from his hands. With a light to guide his way, he couldn't stop. He pelted in the direction Ryou had run, ignoring the indignant cries behind as he listened for any slight noises to indicate where his companion ran off to. While Malik was furious at his own weakness and fear of the dark; he would have to deal with it later. Right now, Jack the Ripper was near and Malik had to catch him before it was too late.

Malik sprinted down alleyways, blindly searching for any sign of motion. With only a lantern to guide him, he allowed his body to move, searching desperately. The killer was here. Malik was alone, trying to find a serial killer that Ryou had chased after without a moment's hesitation. Malik ignored how the cold air made it hard to breathe, focusing on covering more ground and finding his companion.

A sharp cry caught Malik's ear and he sped up to reach the end of the alley. He looked both left and right until he saw Ryou. The detective leaned against the wall clenching at his bicep. As Malik drew close, he could see the blood spilling forth.

"You're hurt!"

Ryou shook his head, pushing off the wall. "It doesn't matter! We can't let him escape!"

Perhaps Malik would have argued at another time and place, but with the killer so close, he found himself racing alongside Ryou. He squinted his eyes, noticing the flutter of a coat eaten by the darkness not yet revealed to them. They were still hot on his trail, and he couldn't run forever.

As they turned the last corner, both men blinked in confusion when their target vanished. Malik started forward, eyes darting around. A sudden motion caught his eye. He lifted the lantern higher, noticing the man now climbing a thin, metal ladder to ascend the building.

"Stop!" Malik screamed, realizing the stupidity of trying to command their suspect. What Ryou did was even more stupid as the detective sprinted forward, leaping forward to catch the man by the waist. Malik didn't have time to recover, swearing under his breath at his companion's recklessness. He ran to catch up to the two men, standing underneath the ladder, searching for some way he could help. Ryou and the escaping man grappled at each other, the killer struggling to hold on with the additional weight.

Before either could loosen their grip, a sharp metal twang rang through the air. Malik jumped back as the ladder fell loose, dropping the rest of the way to the ground. Ryou and the escaping murderer tumbled to the ground in a hard crash. Malik didn't waste a second, racing forward to pin the killer down. His heart raced as the man struggled against him, but it was too late. Malik had the advantage over him, a knee to the back of his neck and his arms pinned behind him.

Ryou rolled over on his side, weakly sitting up. He struggled to catch his breath, a hand returning to cover the bloody wound that still bled freely. Malik panted, keeping a tight grip as he returned his focus to Ryou. "You okay?"

Ryou nodded, his hair a tangled mess, his hair tie long lost in the earlier struggle. "I'll live. This son of a bitch stabbed me."

"The fuck I did! Let me go!" the man underneath Malik snarled, twisting violently to try an escape. Malik placed more pressure with his knee, hearing the man gasp slightly in a struggle for breath. He struggled to remain calm, but the fact that this man held his sister captive and brutalized women remained fresh in his mind.

"Like hell we will. You're under arrest for the recent homicide of a young woman off Forester Lane and as the prime suspect for Jack the Ripper," Ryou grumbled out, a harsh glint in his eyes. He struggled to stand up, glancing around as more people seemed to have noticed their struggle. Malik could hear police sirens approaching.

"And I'm telling you, you have the wrong guy!" their captive snapped, a desperate note in his voice.

"You fucking stabbed me and ran. We saw you leave her flat right after the murder-"

"That wasn't me! I don't even have a knife on me! Ryou-"

Malik felt the man twist sharply, attempting to catch him off guard. Malik tightened his grip, not letting go. He noticed Ryou's eyes widening slightly, his expression growing confused. Malik could see the buggy from the street, as several officers ran to join them.

"Wait, no… but you can't be-" Ryou cut himself off, taking the lantern that Malik had dropped to bring it closer. Malik frowned, unsure what was going on. It was only after Ryou tore the hood away from the man and Malik saw the white hair cascade onto the dirt beneath him that the pieces fell into place.

"Bakura?"