Ryou tried to quiet his breath, panic growing in his chest. His prison was too damn big. There were too many stairs, too many long hallways, too many doors that didn't lead outside, too many blocked doors that were chained and bolted.

Ryou was running out of time.

He could hear Namu down the hallway, searching for him. The serial killer made no attempt to mute himself, knowing that he lacked the element of surprise in their game of cat and mouse. So long had Ryou chased down Jack the Ripper that he never considered what it felt like to be hunted himself. The case had always been exhilarating, the mystery of the century, one that would become legends years to follow.

That excitement turned to fear as he felt the shadows closing in around him. Ryou struggled to catch his breath, his pants seemingly too loud in the abandoned fortress. He was certain that if his slow pace didn't end up with his capture, the noise he was making would. He debated trying to hide until Namu passed, but searching for an unlocked door and a place to hide would be a waste of precious time.

The idea of waiting and hiding before his death was agonizing. He would rather try to escape or even fight off his captor. Sitting and praying that he wouldn't be found sounded awful and Ryou refused to let Namu gain that control over him. He would fight and scratch and claw his way to life if need be.

Ryou heard an awful cackle, much closer than previously. He swore, snapping his head around when he saw the golden crown of spiked hair from a distance. He tightened his grip on the iron rod, needing to put more distance between himself and the serial killer. Ryou twisted around, spotting a set of stairs twisting down.

He didn't want to go down, but if he could shake Namu for another few minutes, he could make the time up later. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his leg, Ryou flung himself down the stairs, struggling to keep balance as his leg threatened to give way. He just needed to get around the platform. He could slip out of sight and run the opposite way from where Namu would give chase. He could still do this.

So reliant on the space separating them that Ryou had forgotten one crucial element. The one item that started his terrible captivity. It was only after he heard a click that he realized his mistake.

Ryou threw all caution to the window, trying to rush down the stairs. Permanent damage to his body be damned, he didn't stand a chance against a gun. Ryou gripped the railing, pulling himself forward as gravity did the rest of the work. It was only the strength of his left leg that kept him from tumbling down the stairs entirely.

Ryou felt the gunshot wound faster than he heard the shot, the pain erupting from his left hip.

All attempts at a safe descent failed, Ryou unable to support his own weight with a bullet in his side. The pain was so sharp that he lost his voice, his vision blurry. Everything fell silent, Ryou unsure if he could speak or if he had become mute and deaf. All he could do was gasp for air, which felt clean and cold compared to how his body seemed to burn in agony.

Ryou barely registered his fall, certain that he was going to die. He felt the stairs breaking his fall, Ryou skidding across the landing. His head throbbed with a new pain, though it felt dull in comparison. He felt woozy, staring at the dirty floor. A rust streak caught his eye - he was fairly certain that was new.

His heartbeat broke the silence first. Astonishingly, the human body was built to survive. And whether or not Ryou was grateful for it, he was still alive despite how the pain almost made him wish for the release of death.

Then his heartbeat was drowned out by a manic laugh, unbridled and delighted.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?" Namu's voice was gravelly and harsh to the ear, though it didn't mask the anger in his voice. Ryou grimaced, glaring up from his spot at the serial killer. He tried to sit up, but he couldn't. Not with how his body screamed in pain.

And based on the cruel smile on Namu's face, he suspected that his sufferings weren't going to end soon.

"Let's see what it takes to break you..."


Malik let out an annoyed sigh as water speckled the maps across the desk. He pulled his bangs back, still drying from the downpour outside. Even after one of the secretaries had given him a towel to dry off, Malik knew that he would be feeling the cold chill for the rest of the day.

Kaiba stood nearby, reading through a set of records. They heard Yugi speaking softly on the telephone line, in touch with city hall. When Malik had returned and told them about the serial killer's means of escape, their intense search in Whitechapel served them little to no purpose. Yugi had pulled up every map of various city corners he could think of, but the thought that Namu could be anywhere made the situation more dire.

Yugi sighed as he hung up the phone. Even though this wasn't his case, he didn't hesitate to help where he could. Things had become desperate. "I spoke to my brother. He's frozen all major transports. No train, boat, or carriage can leave or enter the city."

Malik frowned. "That won't mean much if Namu can escape under our feet."

Yugi nodded, aware of this problem. "Perhaps, but it's all city hall can do. Unless we want to send the police force searching the sewers below, I'm not sure what else we can do."

Kaiba gave a growl, tossing the papers onto his desk. The three of them had been pouring over every resource they could muster. "We're not the military. Even if I muster every man on the job, we're trying to find one man in this entire city. Namu must be aware that we're on to him and he'll be hiding."

Malik pushed away from the desk, brushing back his bangs. His fingers curled into his drying locks. "We're looking at this wrong. We know how Namu escaped. We need to figure out where he escaped to. He must have some place to lay low. That's where he's keeping Ryou and my sister."

Malik could feel the eyes on him. Even before they asked, he knew the protest on their lips.

"Malik..."

Malik hated the pitying sound in Yugi's voice. He snapped his head around, anger boiling in him. "He's alive. I know it."

"He has no reason to keep him alive," Kaiba retorted, a resentful note in his voice.

"No, but we haven't found his body. And you know damn well that Jack the Ripper would make sure everybody knew he murdered the man hunting him. He's never been subtle before and he sure as hell won't be now after having caught the man trying to arrest him."

Malik could tell that Yugi and Kaiba weren't sold. They were reluctant to embrace hope. Perhaps that's all it really was - hope. Malik hoped that his sister and Ryou were still alive. That was the only thing keeping him at this task. He had no other reason now than to save those he loved.

And if there was no chance of that, then what was it all for?

Yugi sighed, looking down at the maps. "So where would Namu hide then? He could be anywhere in the city right now."

Malik frowned, trying to think. It was strange acting as the detective, speculations and facts flooding his mind. He found himself channeling his partner's quirky yet efficient analysis. If he wanted to catch the killer, he would have to think like him.

"It'll be away from where people live. He can't risk any neighbors hearing anything suspicious," Malik muttered.

Kaiba nodded, his pen scratching through several neighborhoods. "That'll rule out residential areas. Are you saying he's hiding in some sort of office building?"

Malik shook his head. "Not necessarily. If I were trying to hide away or keep hostages, I would want to make sure that nobody would dare go peeping into business that's not theirs."

Yugi raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like Whitechapel. Anyone worth their salt knows not to go sticking their nose where it doesn't belong."

"Perhaps." Malik snorted. He didn't think Namu would stay in Whitechapel. It would work to his benefit to have the police investigating a different area in the city than where he was hiding. "It could honestly be any low-income districts in the city. But most of those are residential areas."

Kaiba sighed, his eyes flicking up Malik to express his irritation. He realized that the circular logic wasn't helping his case with the commissioner. "How about some analysis that won't have me searching every area in this damned city. I need more than some 'maybes' and 'what ifs.'"

Malik resisted the urge to snap back with something sarcastic. Sure, his job wasn't at risk, but he needed to keep a level head. Tensions were running high. Kaiba's office felt small and too warm. Even the cold rain outside was tempting now.

Malik frowned. Where would people not be in a city? He contemplated the cemeteries or a nearby church, but parishioners often lived on the property and it didn't offer much cover. As thematically appropriate it would be for a serial killer, Malik couldn't see how that would work.

Honestly, the city was busy and loud all the time. Maybe Namu made his base in the sewers somewhere. It wasn't ideal though. He would need to find a way to keep his prisoners from escaping. Some sort of facility that he could maintain without any eyebrows being raised. Somewhere people wouldn't go near.

Or somewhere people weren't allowed.

Malik snapped his head up, looking at the city planner. "Yugi, you're still trying to figure out renovations from last year's fire, correct?"

Yugi's head dropped down in exhaustion. "Don't remind me. It was a nightmare trying to figure out which buildings had to be completely rebuilt and I don't even want to think of how many years this project will take."

Yugi blinked, pausing. "Wait..."

Malik frowned. "There were quite a few buildings barred off from the public. Structurally unsound."

Kaiba pulled a map focused around the Thames. "Trespassing restrictions. Somewhere the public wouldn't be allowed and no one would bother checking out."

Yugi looked alarmed. "That's everything from Victoria Bridge to the Royal Docks we would need to search! We're talking over about six miles along the piers that we would need to investigate."

"Better than the whole city," Malik murmured, watching Kaiba's face as he considered the option. It wasn't a lot to work with, but it was certainly a better option than blindly searching all of London.

A knock on the door interrupt their meeting. Kaiba glared at it before returning his attention back to the map. "I'm in a meeting. Go see my secretary." His voice was harsh, leaving no room for debate.

"Kaiba," Malik sought the commissioner's attention, feeling antsy and ready to do something.

Kaiba sighed, giving him a look of frustration. "We don't have any other options. We need to set a perimeter to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the city. How affluent is your brother, Yugi?"

"Fairly so but he's not the king or prime minister. He can't make executive orders or change legislation," Yugi replied, a note of resignation towards their desperate attempt to catch a serial killer.

"So no chance of mobilizing the military?"

Yugi snorted. "Fat chance. Unless Jack the Ripper was targeting government officials, this is considered a domestic issue. It's up to the police on this one."

Kaiba shrugged, a bitter note still lingering. "It was worth asking. It seems your brother isn't as useful as I thought."

"I'll be sure to pass on the good word to him," Yugi snapped back, somewhat testily.

Malik decided to ignore their little spat and focus on the task ahead. "So we need to create a perimeter around Inner London. And we'll need to block off the entire reconstruction zone and the buildings connected to them."

"You realize I command a police force and not the Royal Guard?" Kaiba growled as he stepped around his desk. He settled into his chair as he grabbed a pen, making notes to himself.

"Do we have any other choice?" Malik murmured. Desperation drove them to these means. What other clues did Namu leave? What else could they do?

Kaiba was about to reply when they heard a click. Malik snapped around, a sudden rush of anger. "What part of 'in a meeting' do you not understand?"

Kaiba stood up, glaring at Malik and not the newly opened door. "Now you see why it pisses me off when people come barging in here?"

Malik didn't respond, knowing he had no right to complain when he'd let himself into Kaiba's office more than once. He felt his anger melt into confusion when he saw white hair. His heart skipped a beat until he saw the harsh features and not the familiar, beautiful face of his lover.

"Bakura, what the hell are you doing here? Get the fuck out of my office!" Kaiba snapped, eyes murderous at the conman who had let himself out of custody a few weeks prior. Malik had no idea what on earth he was doing back here. He didn't think the criminal had a change of heart and was confessing to his crimes. In fact, he was certain Bakura would never admit to such a thing.

Still, his interruption was wasting valuable time. Time that could be used to save Ryou and his sister.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Calm down, commissioner. I'm here to present a piece of evidence."

Malik felt his brows furrowed, disgusted by the delighted smirk on the albino's face. "We don't have time for your bullshit! Just get out of here!"

Bakura turned his attention to Malik, his smirk softening a bit. Malik frowned, confused by this reaction. Instead of speaking, Bakura stepped back, another person coming into view.

Malik froze, his heartbeat stuttering the moment his eyes settled on the young woman. He knew that raven-colored hair, those sky-blue eyes. He recognized that soft smile, shaky yet relief still evident in her features. His voice escaped him, a hope that he had clung to so desperately filled him that he thought his chest would burst with such elation.

"Isis!" Her name was like a joyful laugh on his lips, a moment of relief in such darkness. Malik rushed towards her, wrapping his sister up in an embrace. She was soaked to the bone and Malik could feel that her frame seemed thinner. He suspected the shivering was not from the cold but from the unsteady sway of her body. She was exhausted, tired and hungry, but she was here in his arms.

Isis shivered again, her weight pressing into Malik. He realized that she was struggling to stand. He gripped her tight, everyone breaking from a trance. Kaiba grabbed a chair next to his desk, the legs screeching against the hardwood. Malik carefully led his sister into the office, lowering her down so she could rest in the seat.

She shook her head, grateful to finally be sitting. Her gaze kept returning to Malik, relief etched into her features. She trailed her fingers through her brother's damp hair, as if reassuring herself that he was really there before her eyes. "I feared I would never see you again, brother."

"As did I," Malik admitted, his voice trembling. He saw the tears welling in his sister's eyes, moving to brush them away before they fell. He felt that same desire as well, to let the floodgates open and weep in both relief and agony over the last few weeks. But he needed to remain strong for his sister.

"I missed you so much, sister," Malik murmured, his voice soft and warm with unshed emotions.

Despite having wiped away her tears, Isis gave a shaky laugh, tears running anew. Even with no words, Malik could feel the relief and joy in that breathy noise. He found himself offering a small smile, chuckling as he fought to rein back his tears. It was a tender moment between lost siblings.

But it would only remain for a moment.

"What happened? Is it true that-" Kaiba stopped talking, a sudden display of tact. Malik flicked his eyes towards the commissioner before returning to his sister.

They needed answers but his sister needed rest and a doctor. Would it be cruel to push her?

His sister's cold hand clenching his own distracted Malik. There was a sharpness to her gaze, the same intelligent glint that he knew all too well. This new harshness reminded him of before, his sister confident and assured.

"It was Jack the Ripper. He kidnapped me. Malik-"

"It's Namu, isn't it?" Malik asked, no longer reserved. He could tell that his sister had no desire to be coddled. Not when the killer was still loose.

She blinked, somewhat surprised but nodded. "Yes. I don't think he meant to target me, but it ended up being my saving grace. He kept me locked up. It's only thanks to the detective-"

"Ryou's alive?" Kaiba asked, his face growing blank. Malik felt his heart leaping into his throat. Perhaps his hope was not yet as doomed as he had thought.

A smile grew on his face when he saw Isis nod vigorously. "Yes. He helped me escape, but he's still trapped. He had gotten hurt so running proved too difficult. That's why he urged me to flee while he bought me some time."

Malik gritted his teeth, rising to his feet. Of course, Ryou would do that. That's exactly what Ryou would decide to do. Even now, he was trying to help put an end to the case, even at great personal risk. His foolhardy determination would kill him if they didn't hurry.

"Isis, do you know where they are?" Malik rested his hands on the arm of the chair, kneeling close. The entirety of the docks was too much to search.

"We were in a hospital," Isis frowned. "I'm not sure which one, but Ryou said it was the closed down one... I'm sorry, that's probably not helpful. I escaped through the sewers and I didn't have any sense of direction down there."

Malik blinked, rushing back towards the maps. His mind raced through old conversations, spotting the state hospital in the fire zone. The very hospital that had been closed because it was structurally unsound. They had been on the right track.

"Do you have a floor plan, Yugi?" Kaiba asked, keeping afoot of these new developments.

Yugi bit his thumb, shaking his head. "No, I lost them, remember? Several weeks ago - I came back to search for them here-"

The three of them looked up, exchanging a look. Malik let out a heavy sigh. "That would have been right after my sister disappeared. Namu knew that you were working on renovations and realized that would be a good holding location for his prisoner."

"He must have stolen them, knowing no one would bother going into the barred off hospital," Kaiba murmured.

Malik swore under his breath. Namu had been playing them for fools from the very beginning. He couldn't let him have the last laugh now. "We need to go. Now. He has no reason to keep Ryou alive if he realizes that Isis escaped."

Kaiba nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. He strode across the room in a few steps, barking orders as he gathered a squad to come with them. Malik gave a quick nod to Yugi, following him out.

He stopped when he felt someone tug at his sleeve. "Malik! What are you-"

Malik chuckled, giving a smile to his sister. "I have to find Ryou. After all he's done, it's only fair that I should ensure he lives through it all."

"You can't! Namu will kill you!" Isis warned, panic flashing in her eyes at the thought of her brother confronting Jack the Ripper. "Just because he spared me doesn't mean he'll do the same for you."

"I know." Malik sighed, pulling his sister in close. He felt her rest her forehead on his shoulder. Even though she was older, he often forgot that he was bigger than her now. She seemed even smaller now, like a child in his arms, though Isis would scoff at such a description.

"I'll be back. I need to do this. Please," Malik murmured, pulling away enough so he could press a light kiss on her forehead.

He could tell she wasn't happy with his decision, but also realized that the decision had been made. "You have that Ishtar stubbornness in you."

Malik chuckled. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Just come back safely." Isis pulled away, her smile brittle. It pained her to see her brother rush into danger, but Malik had to see Ryou. He had to save him from his own stupid plan made selflessly for their sakes.

Perhaps Ryou was a stubborn fool as well.

Malik passed the door, pausing when he noticed Bakura still hanging about. He struggled to find the words, not sure what to make of the criminal with a heart of gold and silver tongue. "Thanks. For helping my sister."

Bakura raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. "I can think of a few ways you could repay me."

That was the familiar bullshit he had been expecting. He didn't dignify him with a response, brushing past him. Malik could hear Bakura follow him.

"Let me help you."

"I don't need your 'help,'" Malik snapped, annoyed at the pestering. He jerked away when Bakura grabbed his arm. His anger softened at the serious look on Bakura's face.

"Ryou's in trouble, right? Let me help - he's a decent kid. You might need my nimble fingers and innovative techniques to get into that building," Bakura shrugged. His face grew blotchy in a blush, sharply contrasting how Ryou's expression would soften into the color of roses.

Normally Malik would have rejected this offer. Bakura was too shady and conniving to be trusted. But Malik wasn't about to turn help down now. He knew that the conman and the detective had some history and understanding between them. Even if they sometimes clashed, they seemed to have well wishes for the other.

More importantly, Malik didn't have the luxury to be picky about the help they got.

Malik turned back around. "Fine. Let's go."

He heard Bakura laugh behind him. "That easy? No questions asked?"

"Ryou allowed me to tag along when I didn't have any experience. Let's see if you don't slow us down."

"Gee, thanks. How do you think Kaiba will react to me helping?"

"Kaiba can go stick his dick in a cactus. He's not going to stop me from catching this serial killer."

Bakura cackled, stepping next to Malik so their strides matched. A grin grew on his face. "Shit, you sound just like Ryou."

Malik felt his face burn, but he didn't respond. He had more important things to take care of.