Chapter 3: The Truth

The weekend passed uneventful. Yami returned home to spend time with his grandfather and brother, finding himself anticipating the time when he would see Joey again. Not that he didn't enjoy being with his family.

"You seem distracted." Grandpa noted Saturday night, as they ate dinner.

Yami nodded. "I'm just thinking about my roommate."

"Ah. What's his name?" Grandpa asked, knowingly.

"Joey." Yami answered, casually.

"And how long have you been going out?" Grandpa continued, ignoring Yugi as the teen choked in surprise.

Yami blinked. "How did you know?"

"Yami, a grandpa's job is to know his grandson. I've known since you were five and you cried when that girl kissed you." Grandpa explained.

"But doesn't every five-year-old boy cry?" Yami frowned.

"No, they blush or say it's gross. But you were always different, and I love you for that. I don't care who you love, as long as you are happy. And you bring him over some weekend."

"When he's ready." Yami promised. "You're kind of an overwhelming presence, Grandpa."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Grandpa grinned.

"He seems to be keeping a secret." Yami frowned.

"Let him tell it on his own time. Don't sweat it." Grandpa advised.

"Thanks, Grandpa." Yami smiled.

Yami returned to the dorm Sunday afternoon and waited for Joey. Finally, the door opened and Yami gasped as Joey appeared. Joey was only recognizable by the mop of blond hair. Bruises covered his face and collarbone and his T-shirt was torn. He was favoring his right leg and he was holding his side. "Joey?" he gasped.

"Yami…" Joey's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed in a heap.

"Joey!" Yami leapt out of bed and ran over, pulling out his cell phone. He called 911, kneeling beside Joey. "I need an ambulance at Hiddeko College. A student was beaten badly." He hung up. "Stay with me, Joey."

Paramedics arrived and took Joey away.

Joey woke up slowly and could palpably feel the anger in the room, cringing from it. He turned his head and met Yami's furious gaze. "Uh oh, what did I do?"

"Tell me who beat you up so I can take care of them." Yami ordered, his eyes cold.

"Don't you dare hurt him, Yami. I can't stand if you go to jail because of me." Joey pleaded.

"Then tell me the truth, Joey. I want to understand." Yami demanded, his voice fierce.

Joey sighed, wincing as pain pierced his ribs. "My dad did this. He's a drunk. He beats me often."

Yami's expression darkened. "I'll kill him." He snarled.

"No! He's not worth it." Joey's eyes pleaded for understanding.

"Why do you stand up for this monster? He put you in the hospital and he will do it again if he got the chance." Yami snapped.

I can't leave him, Yami. He's family. I know it's messed up, but would you give up on your family if they were like that?" Joey shook his head, wincing again.

"I'll be right back." Yami stood and strode out of the room. He made two phone calls, one to the police and one to Grandpa.

"Hello?" Grandpa answered the phone.

"Grandpa, it's so good to hear your voice." Grandpa's voice was a balm to his anger, calming him.

"You sound off, what's wrong?" Grandpa asked, concerned.

"Joey is being abused by his dad and he needs somewhere to stay when we go home for the weekends. He will die if we don't, Grandpa. His dad put him in the hospital." Yami's anger rose to the surface, threatening to overwhelm him.

"Calm down, Yami. He can come with you when you come home. Any friend of yours is welcome here."

Yami smiled, relieved. "Thanks, Grandpa. You are the best." He said goodbye and hung up. He went into the room. "When I go home for the weekend, you'll come too. My Grandpa offered you a place to stay."

Joey's eyes lowered, and Yami's heart broke. "I can't do that." He murmured.

"Why not?" Yami was confused and angry again.

"He will find me and hurt you, too." Joey's eyes met his and he saw the pain in those brown eyes. "I couldn't live with that."

"Let us take care of that." Yami went over to the bed, touching his cheek. "You'll find out anyway, so I might as well tell you. I called the police on your father."

Joey looed appalled. "How could you? He'll really come after me now."

"I won't let him hurt you." Yami promised. "He'll have to go through me."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Joey muttered.

"You need to recover. Take it easy." Yami spotted a detective in the doorway. "Any news?"

"Mr. Wheeler is drying out in a cell in Domino jail. We found him very intoxicated, resisting arrest and denying the charges. He had scratch marks, so while you were asleep I had a nurse take a sample from under your nails, Joey. You had defensive bruising and your father's DNA under your nails. You fought like hell." The detective nodded.

"I had had enough and I knew he wanted to kill me." Joey said quietly. Yami squeezed his hand sympathetically.

"Good thing, too. With his history, he's going away for a long time."

Joey smiled sadly. "That will just piss him off. He'll get back at me when he gets out."

"Not if he gets what's coming to him." Yami growled fiercely. "If there is karma, he will be beaten in prison."

"Remind me not to get on your bad side." Joey smirked.

"Sorry." Yami apologized. "I just hope if I ever need a knight on a white horse, you'll be that for me."

"Always." Joey nodded.

The detective let as a nurse entered. "Are we in any pain?" she asked, holding up a syringe.

"Yeah, my ribs are killing me." Joey groaned.

"This will help." The nurse injected the medication and left.

Joey was fading fast. "I'll let you get some sleep." Yami murmured, and kissed his forehead. "I'll be back to see you."

Joey did not answer. He was already asleep. Yami squeezed his hand and left the room.