Author's Rant: Enjoy!

Encounter

Since the new O.G.'s arrival here three weeks ago, I've come to realize just how truly manipulative and powerful the Blue Eyes were. No one crossed them. No one spoke to them. No one disobeyed them. Their leader, whose name I learned is Atem Hassan, has to be one of the cruelest psychopaths I've ever seen. I despised this motherfucker to an unusual extent, especially whenever he and I crossed paths in the hallways.

Atem changed the entire authority system in the school's chain of command. Teachers, janitors, and the Vice Principal went through a sudden switch in attitudes when they learned the Head Principal accepted Atem back into the school. There was no way he had a choice in the matter. Atem had gone in with about five goons and came out smirking like he won the lottery.

Little by little, I witnessed more Blue Eyes appearing in the halls, frequenting corners of the school courtyard and hanging out in the bathrooms. They practically took the school over, cackling like hyenas wherever they gathered and striking fear in anyone who didn't wear their colors the way they did. Our school uniform was navy blue, but they wore it differently from us. Their blazers were left unbuttoned, white tailor shirts untucked and whatever colored Nike Forces and Jordans they wanted when the recommended color were Dirty Buck Tan and Jet Black.

Anyone not associated with the Blue Eyes were wise to keep their heads bowed when crossing paths with them. No one walked alone anymore, afraid of being targeted and followed. Two weeks ago, I counted the ambulance having visited our school twenty-nine times for various injuries. One of the students found a freshman with his arm broken and a face swelled like a balloon. He wouldn't say who did it.

One of the girls was found badly bruised, her hair a mess and blood dripping from between her thighs. Her lame ass excuse was that she fell on her knees during a Track Meet. The janitor from Upper C Hall, Mr. Jacob Jenkins, used to clean the school during the afternoon. I haven't see that man since Atem came and I heard rumors that he wouldn't be seen again.

I hated what my school has become, the fear written on everyone's faces when they came on the school grounds. I don't think anyone was more fearful of the Blue Eyes then the handful of Red Eyes that came here. As soon as they were spotted, the Blues were on them in seconds. I watched from a crowd of witnesses as one Red Eyes Sophomore was kicked in the gut, punched in the head and thrown all over the place like a gym bag. All he'd done was try to go into the bathroom, but it was occupied with Blue Eyes.

Now, as soon as the Reds caught sight of a Blue they scattered like roaches under a flashlight. Atem got a sick thrill from it. He loved how scared folks were of him and got an even bigger kick from the lengths so many would go through just to appease him. He'd hold out his hand to whomever happened to be walking by and they automatically knew to hand over their valuables.

The strong feed off the weak and inexperienced. The innocent are only given two choices now, either to earn your stripes as a Blue Eyes or file in behind those who fall victim to their ways. The hierarchy is established and they make sure you know you're at the bottom. Anyone who isn't their ally is an immediate enemy.

Today, my limit was pushed during the period change. The bell rung for second period and the halls congested with students right away. I went down the hall and snuck into one of the shorter routes with a stairwell to upper B Hall to reach Algebra a little early. I'd missed doing some homework and hoped to copy a few answers from Phoenix.

Those plans changed when I heard a weak cry from under the stairwell and some muffled voices. I didn't pay it any attention. Everybody tried to weasel in a few quickies in here because no one took this way. Nevertheless, I couldn't contain myself when I heard the sound again. I couldn't ignore the sick chill in my gut when it came again and again, each one sounding like a strangled cat.

I knew what was going. I should mind my own business and keep rolling, but I know me. I'd heard Granddad's voice in my head forever if I didn't do something. I sucked in a deep breath before quietly shrugging off my book bag and putting it on the floor. I had to be careful coming down these stairs. The plastic liked to creak under any kind of pressure.

I went down about two, three, four steps when the skin-to-skin contact became more pronounced. Fuck it. I can't take long. I came stumbling down and hung on the rail, leapt off the side and landed on my feet, looking right under the stairwell.

I saw the torn skirt, the discarded panties by the wall and the kicked off size eleven Jordan Elite shoes. His pants were hung around his ankles, ass pumping back and forth and the girl's tan legs spasming around his waist. He had his hand over her mouth, a tittie in his mouth and his other hand locked under her left thigh.

I saw her brown eyes meet mine, a plea for help, a silent mercy call. I wanted to walk away when I saw the familiar head of wild hair, that chocolate physique and when he turned his head, I swallowed back the lump in my throat.

Atem cocked his head back, but didn't stop pumping his hips. He looked me up and down, straying as far as my crotch and staying leveled with my zipper. The way he licked his lips . . . I wanted to crawl in a hole.

"You want some of this," he huffed, voice as deep as a baritone horn. "Cause I can sho' nuff give it to ya. Just wait your turn."

I swallowed again, feeling ill at the trickle of blood leaking down the girl's leg. "Let her go."

Atem's smile vanished. "Do what?"

"Let her go. This isn't right."

"Ha!" Atem threw his head back and let out a wild laugh. My interference made the girl's treatment worst. Atem hiked her leg higher and pumped his hips like a jackhammer. "Boy, get outta here before I beat you like I'm doin' this pussy."

I suddenly felt very cold, then my skin became hot. Flashes came, hot and cold, cold and hot. Sweat bubbled on my upper lip and as I struggled with what to do, my feet acted before my brain could. I was on Atem's back and dragging us all to the tile floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck and don't know if I told the girl to ran off or if she just escape on instinct. I held on, knowing by the end of this he'd have me killed or do the job himself.

My brain was working too fast for me to decide on my next course of action. Our grunts and struggles bounced all over the walls, slamming between the stairwell and the floor. The whole time I'm hoping someone would come this way and stop this. I rolled on my back, squeezed my arms tight, but Atem's neck was thick, like hugging a fucking log.

I had the weight over him, but he had the skill. He stabbed his elbow in my stomach three times, grabbed at my hair, pulling handfuls out. I hooked my leg around his thigh, but in the midst, he broke from my arm and rolled away, jumping to his feet. I had all of two seconds to collect my wits before he was on me.

I fought like hell to get my fists up, but I moved too slowly. Atem's thighs were clamped around my waist, locking my hands at my sides. He hovered over me, hands coming down fast. I close my eyes, ready to take the impact of his punches, knowing damn well it'd hurt like a bitch. I have seen him punch straight through a brick wall during our lunch wave. Even one hit could go straight through my skull.

It was an eternality, waiting for him to finally get it over with. I kept hoping it'd come soon. The anticipation was killing me. His weight shifted around my waist, I closed my eyes tighter. I'm so worried, vomit bubbles in my stomach.

"Open your eyes."

My breath caught in my throat. My eyelids lifted against my will, and I was looking up into intense violet eyes. He was so close to my face, the smell of Cognac and foul sex grazed my nostrils. I'm stuck in this trance, taking in everything on his face, seeing things I never noticed like the slight scar above his right eyebrow, the faint hickeys near his chin and the sharp end of his nose.

Jesus, he was gorgeous. . .

"I don't know who the hell you are. . ."

Atem's backhand sweep across my face so fast my teeth clicked. Blood puddled on the bed of my tongue and after the next slap, I think my brain was bouncing off the walls. He may as well have punched me. The lap on the face was more humiliating, feeling like a helpless bitch.

My cheeks were hot as sun heated blenchers. My whole face hurt, but I didn't shut my eyes. Pissed wasn't the word for how I was feeling. I wanted so bad to drive my fist straight though his gut, but I was still caught up in the bright glare of those violet eyes.

Atem rubbed under his nose. Then he had his finger on the tip of my nose, following an invisible line to the center of my eyes and then the middle of my forehead. His thumb stood straight up and a clicking noise came from his mouth.

"But there isn't gonna be a next time, Pussy." Atem used my head to stand from the floor. He had no problem letting his junk loll every which a way while putting on his socks, shoes and buttoning up his shirt. Throughout the time he got dressed, I heard a bunch of footsteps hurrying in our direction, coming from upstairs and a stampede heading this way.

Atem didn't show concern for the group of people coming and especially showed little worry when the principal came through the door, gawking at him and then at me. Atem tossed a two-finger salute and left without a word.

I didn't say a word to anybody as my classmates, a couple of teachers and my coach surrounded me. I threw my arm across my eyes. I wanted so much to stand up and run after that motherfucker for slapping me. To be treated like some fucking hoe was the lowest fashion to handle somebody. I couldn't even fight back. My obligations kept me from acting TOO rashly, but damn it to fucking hell my face hurt.

The nurse asked if I would be able to stay the rest of the school day. Hell yeah I would. I got my ass handed to me enough this month. Why bandage my pride even further?

I was pissed the whole afternoon to the point of snapping at anyone who said something to me. Hassleberry still complained and bitched about me not having called him or yelled for help. Phoenix on the other hand knew to keep quiet as we walked to lunch.

Being known as Heba "One Hit" Muto, I had my fair share of fans in the school. Therefore, as soon as we pushed through the double doors, most of the student body was in front of me, lying about how they would have had my back if they were there or called the police. Their loyalty was proven to be all bullshit when the double doors were thrust open.

The sudden hush across the cafeteria was all the introduction I needed. For the hell of it, I looked over my shoulder anyway. Low and behold, I see Atem with his posse of flunkies . . . and Yami. Seth stood behind Yami with his arm casually wrapped around Mahado's waist, eagle eyeing the whole eatery as if someone would snatch him from under his nose. Atem had a similar hold on Yami, only Yami didn't have the same love struck confidence that came from dating a high roller like Mahado did.

Yami was just himself, bored with the scene and a lazy smirk on his face. Atem whispered something in his ear and Yami's smirk widened before he shoved Atem's head away. I'd seen Yami only a handful of times in school, but all the time at baseball practice. He was in league with the Blue Eyes, no question, but he didn't act the way they did; unnecessarily violent.

I think it was one of the few things helping my festering crush on him. I could see why Atem always had this difference expression on his face when it came to Yami. Whenever the O.G. bastard looked at Yami it was the moment he loosened his tough thug exterior.

His look changed all together when he spotted me in the lunch line. I looked directly at him—foolish of me, I know, when he's surrounded by his crew—and then Atem was saying something to Seth that had them both staring at me like I just grew wings. They were related, no doubt about it. The skin tone, the flawless bodies and blessed good looks were evidence. They were fine, both of them, but their fucked up attitudes ruined everything.

Yami was looking at me with an intensity like nothing even Atem could achieve. It made me squirm, the way he kept looking at my face. I couldn't describe it, this funny, awkward feeling growing in me.

"Come on man, move!" Hassleberry pushed me forward.

I blinked and moved to catch up in the lunch line. I turned around to see if Yami was there again, but he'd disappeared with the rest of them. I checked the back of line, but knew better. They'd just cut to the front if they wanted to eat. That meant they were outside eating whatever was brought to them off campus.

They had the right idea too. We were served some kind of bland Salisbury steak with salty gravy, string beans and mashed potatoes. Me, Hassleberry and Phoenix have a table by the window we always sit at during lunch. I prefer sitting next to the window to see what's going on outside with folks. Lately, all I ever see are Blue Eyes playing flag football and hustling with each other or other students.

My eyes went straight to Yami. Hassleberry said to leave him alone, hell my own brain was saying to stay away, but I could still look right? There's nothing wrong with appreciating fine art. Even if it was tarnished by an asshole like Atem.

A string bean popped my nose when I wasn't looking. I shot Hassleberry a look hot enough to melt metal, but all he does is grin.

"Quit it, dude. How many times I gotta tell ya to lay off staring at Yami? The guy's spoken for."

I shrug. "Ain't any harm in looking."

"There is when his boyfriend's the son of a T.O.G."

"So?" I grunt and look out the window again. Atem and Yami moved away from the group to sit under a tree. Yami's head is in Atem's lap while Atem is stroking through his hair. I shake my head. "What the hell does he see in a guy like that anyway?"

"Plenty," Phoenix said and began to name off a bunch things to make me jealous. "Namely his cash, his power, his good looks, the way he can smooth talk his way out of anything, and a fat dick. Bottom line, he has three of the four things you don't."

"Damn," said Hassleberry. "Guess that means you have a skinny dick, huh?"

I throw my empty milk carton at him. What the hell would he know?

"Excuse me."

I turned my head to the source. No one was there. I frowned.

"Behind you."

That was where I turned next and gazing down, I saw a small boy with big enough eyes to donate to the blind and they were this bright spring green. I looked around the cafeteria, glad to know I wasn't the only one taken off guard by this pint-sized key dressed in white. He had a bit of black hair all over his head and a pair of dice rotating in his palm. He couldn't have been any older than Yugi. In fact, now that I looked at him, he went to the same school as my little brother.

"Duke?" I asked.

The kid nodded.

Ah hell, a kid in a place like this. There were Blue Eyes all over the place and here he was just screaming simple and clean. I'm surprised he managed to come in here all by himself without being mauled to death . . . wait.

"How did you get in here?"

"I have it like that," he answered snootily.

Hassleberry leaned forward. "Look kid, this here is a school for grown folks. Why don't you run along before someone steals your lunch money."

"Tsk, let'em try." Duke snorted. We looked at him like he'd gone crazy. "You're Heba right? I got something to give you from my boss."

"Your boss?" What is this, Middle School Mafia? "Right, so what's this about? You want an autograph?"

"As if. I hate baseball. And you aren't that good."

Phoenix choked on his beans and Hassleberry made it his business for the whole cafeteria to hear how tickled pink he was with Duke's smart mouth. I had the right mind to pop the kid on the back of his head, but thought better of it.

"Then what do you want?" I asked.

"I just told ya I gotta give you something from my boss." Duke fished around his pocket before pulling out a sheet of paper wrapped in plastic. He handed it to me.

I held it up. There was a strange symbol on the front; a triangle disconnected at three corner points with the ends hooked inward, and three spirals flanking each side. When I turned it over there was a scripture written in cursive on the back.

Your silence will not protect you. Allow this symbol to echo your strength.

I flipped it back over. It seemed familiar somehow. The symbol was outlined in white with a black backdrop.

"That's from Mr. Pegasus and Mr. Zigfried."

My eyes got huge. The millionaire playboys? The whole town knew who Pegasus was, the leader of the Medium White Gang. They hide in the underground and operated behind closed doors. I looked at Duke because I half wondered why he'd have a little kid running errands for him and not worry about him getting jacked.

"Why give me this?" I asked, looking the card over again.

Duke sniffled and shrugged his narrow shoulders. "I don't know. I'm paid to deliver, not ask questions. You gonna take it?"

"What is it?"

Duke had the nerve to roll his eyes as if I should already know. "It's a Protection Mark. You slap it on your arm and show it whenever those guys," Duke pointed towards the Blue Eyes, "try to mess with you. I got one, but they already know me. I'm untouchable."

I lifted an eyebrow at him. "Is that right?"

"Yep, Atem knows better."

We all looked at him. He didn't look the least bit like he was kidding around. I had to take the kid's word for it. He's got guts, I'll give him that.

"Anyway, just put that on will ya? I got mail to dish out." With that, little Duke shuffled off toward the backdoor leading to the courtyard.

I got worried when Duke casually walked outside without a care in the world. He stalked over to Atem and Yami. I stood up, thinking the worst would happen. To my surprise, all that happened was Duke handing over a stack of envelopes and Atem flicking the kid away with his wrist.

And that was it. He did nothing to the kid.

Imagine that. So . . . I looked at the card. Why give this to me?

"You gonna wear it, bro?" Hassleberry asked.

Phoenix huffed. "He'd be an idiot not to. That's Maximillion Pegasus's symbol. You don't say no to him." He snatched the card out of my hand, studying the design. "I've only seen the people in his area where these. You wet it on your arm and leave it to dry. You can't be touched with this on."

"A lot of good it'll do me." I took the card back and stuffed it in my pocket. "Atem doesn't have any fear in his heart, remember? He's not gonna care about some tattoo."

"Ha!" Phoenix let loose the ugliest laugh I ever heard. "You don't get it. Pegasus is the leader of the Medium Whites for a reason. Atem may run about like a loose canoon, but he's nothing when it comes to Pegasus."

Hassleberry glanced out the window at Atem chuckling and messing round with the others. "How do you know that?"

Phoenix smirked. "How do you think Atem became the new O.G.?" We shrugged. "Pegasus put him in that position because he sent his father back to Egypt. . ."

A lot of what happened weighed on my mind since Tuesday. Atem's father was the original T.O.G. How did Pegasus have the power to force him to leave the country? Something about that just threw me. I hadn't put the Protection Mark on yet, and I hadn't had another encounter with Atem either.

"So you're gonna be gone for how long this time?"

"Probably all night."

"Pfft, you said that last time. I saw you sneak in last time when Grandpa was making breakfast."

"I got side tracked."

"You said that last time too."

"Don't you have a curfew?"

"Nope!" Yugi repositioned the balanced basketball on his feet before flipping on his stomach and while I laid out a few outfits. He'd picked out one of my tall t-shirts to lounge around while watching me move from one side of my room to the closet. "It's Friday. I don't think I need a curfew on Fridays. Seems pointless if I'm going to bed early for school and there's no school tomorrow." I didn't respond to that but my silence was a good enough answer for Yugi to continue. "Why are you always going out to the Boom?"

"Because it's fun."

Yugi rolled back on his back, feet crisscrossing in midair. "I don't think so. Grandpa says you're just chasing tail. Tristan says there's nothing but a bunch of giggling girls and boys touching your butt."

I switched out a set of black socks for some dark blue ankle ones.

"How come you like people touching you in your no-no places?"

"They don't touch me, I touch them."

"Why? Grandpa says you don't touch other people's no-no places. Can I touch Hassleberry's no-no places?"

"Treading dangerous waters, Squirt."

Yugi sucked his teeth, ping ponging the basketball from foot to foot. "You just said you touch people. Is that one of those talks' adults refuse to talk about?" Yugi flipped his head around, sneaky grin polished like a set of pearls. "'Cause I'm way more grown up then most kids. I know what a condom looks like."

"You don't say?" I did a mental checklist of everything I put out and decided to go with the Urban Legend grey shirt and black Levi jeans. My Reeboks should finish off the rest. "How do you know what a condom looks like?

"I found it in your bedroom when I was looking through your laptop. I had no idea Phoenix had a tattoo of an arrow over his butt. Why would you save that in your pictures?" The basketball balanced, rolled then bounced in the air and landed on the sole of Yugi's feet. "What's that mean anyway? Only one way out?"

"That your head's going to be shoved there if you don't get out of my room."

"That's pretty dumb you know," Yugi said, unmindful of the threat upon his life. "He'd always get his lunch money stolen if people knew about. . ." Yugi suddenly smiled so wide, his face split in half. "Oh I'm so gonna cleanup for this one. I'm gonna make Phoenix my servant forever. He'll clean my room, do my chores, finish my homework and give me baths—ouch! You jerk! Whoa!"

Yugi dipped and dodged a pack of socks, pencils and pens I threw, narrowly missing. When he found a safe haven behind my door, Yugi had the nerve to peek in and look offended. "I was kidding. I don't think Phoenix's got a thing for baby booties anyway—I said I was kidding!" Yugi has good reflexes. He missed another pack of socks. "That's mean! You almost hit me!"

"Got to make sure you're always on your toes." I finished pulling on my clothes and grabbed my wallet. I went to the bathroom, wet my hair and shook it out. I wasn't up for the blow out look tonight. "Be good until I get back, Squirt." I ruffled Yugi's hair and continued out.

Yugi was right on my heels the entire way, up to the point of where I sat outside for ten minutes waiting for Hassleberry to come down the dirt road.

"What's up fellows?" I dabbed Hassleberry and flipped Phoenix off in the back seat.

"Nothing much man." Hassleberry opened the passenger side of his red O6' Pontiac. "You ready to paint the town red."

"Hell yeah." I needed the distraction from my thoughts. All I thought about was school, the intensity of Atem's eyes and Yami's face. Being haunted with this kind of stuff was for the dogs. I had baseball, schoolwork and my family to think about.

Yugi managed to sneak up to the side of the car and prop near the window, quietly looking at everybody inside.

I poked his forehead. "Go back inside, kiddo. I'll be home later."

His eyes shifted a moment, and then he asked softly, "Can I come, Heba?"

"No way.

"You always say that," Yugi mumbled, disappointed. "You never do things with me anymore."

My hand paused where he gripped my seatbelt and faced him. You'd think someone stole my brother's toy, he looked so hurt. Yugi's shoulders deflated to slumps, loss of their spoiled humped position. I recognized that expression all too well. There was many a night I'd wanted to venture out with Dad, but the old man said he didn't have time to babysit a kid.

"Sorry kiddo," I reached out to ruffle my Yugi's hair and closed the car door. "Maybe next time."

"Sure." Yugi still wasn't convinced.

"How's about lunch tomorrow? Maybe a little baseball?"

Yugi pouted.

"How's this. Toys R' Us, a trip to McDonald's, and we'll drive to Kings Plaza Shopping Center & Marina. We can watch the boats dock."

Yugi's grin could rival the Grinch. "Alright! Bye guys!" Yugi sprinted back inside the house. I had Hassleberry wait five minutes to be sure Yugi was locked in for good before he pulled off. My blood boiled with the readiness for some hotness tonight. I hadn't had a good night in months. Hassleberry believed that's what I needed to clear my mind of Yami. I hoped he was right. Because I was starting wonder what'd it be like to have Atem ride me too. . .

TBC: Nothing but Yami/Atem/Heba hereafter.