Sorry it's been so long! I've been quite busy. Most of it's not positive stuff either, unfortunately. But here's the chappie! And I already know where it's going from here...at least for the start of the next chapter.
HerTenderTouch: I thinks you're new. -tackles- Hi! Yeah, Minkah is having it rough with his revelations. None of it was as he thought. A lot of people are pining for Afika's death yet they love him at the same time. :)
blueeyedchibi: -tackles- hi there! I'm glad you are hooked on this story and its prequel. I haven't read that one in forever, though I do go back for reminders and such. ;) Ah Bakura angst, it is my pride and glory. lol (Bakura/Minkah: I hate you!) You're right, romance was pushed into the background quite a bit in this half of the story. It was focused on much more in Son of Apophis. You really like this story eh? (Malik: that's an understatement) Shut your pie hole, or you'll die again! (Malik: -grumble-) lol Works every time.
Memnoch's Heart: First off, hope you're doing okay. Haven't heard from you in a while. (Minkah: Maybe she's realized this is a load of sh...OW!!!) -holding mallet- Behave! lol Both you and peepz found that lullaby familiar. I find that funny. XD I've never used it before. Now now, no putting acid in the faucets, kana! tsk! Severa would be so proud.
XxYourXxDisasterXx: ROFL!!! That is HILARIOUS! "LOOK! *points in excitement* THE HOLE IS ALL READY!" (Afika: -pales- I dun' wanna go in the hole! -clings-) Let go! Geez! Ahaha! That whole review was just epic. XD
pride1289: lol The needles are TINY...more like flexible wire than needles. And there is skin-colored tape over them. I can push on them and can't feel them at all. S'awesome. I didn't see Avatar. My sister did but the 3D-ness made her ill. -sweatdrop-
cgflower: Ah your description of Afika is how most of the readers put it: "though I still love him... somehow... and also really really don't..." well...maybe besides XxYouXxDisasterXx. lol Severa...it's a bit of a toss up when it comes to her, isn't it? Now that Kasiya's gone there are less certainties. I wanna see how this all resolves too!!! (Minkah: O.o But...you're writing it.) Yeah, but I haven't picked an ending yet. I never pick endings until I reach them! (Malik: You mean...there's still a chance I could DIE?!) -.-;
Duckweed: "Thou art so cruel to your poor characters." Every good author is. :P Groupies? Of this story? :O Excitement!!! XD
nayades18: Yes, "Angels" is one of their masterpieces. :) Wow, one of the best chapters yet? I'm glad you liked it so much! Minkah's mother? yeah, you finally find out some solid information about her in this chapter.
Flacks: "it would be weird if she just showed up one day all like 'hey, I never really died, how 'bout that, huh?'" lol Yes it would. You made a good point that a lot of people have forgotten how dangerous Minkah actually is. He's badass. XD The only problem is that there are several people higher on the food chain than him. :P Let's do the check list: one dead Kasiya, one army-killing Kek on the loose, one angry pyro Severa, and one (recovered from hallucinogen) Afika. Oh, and one PISSED Minkah. XD We mustn't forget him! (Minkah: I KILL YOU!)
DMagic: Yess! His memories have returned!...to some degree. (Minkah: What's THAT supposed to mean?) mwahahahahaha! XD
Dragon-Tooth: Fire is wonderful. -blissful sigh- I understand what you're saying with the final scene and the memories. It was a breakthrough for Minkah yet it...wasn't. It's a bit complicated to understand. It was supposed to be a jumble of mixed thoughts and emotions rather than a straight-out scene like the Kuru Eruna scene in BTBT. The characters point out some potential flaws in Minkah's memories...and it's because of these things that I had to write the scene the way I did. At that point in the story I could only take it from his POV...and you'll see some of the reasons they give. I do appreciate the critiquing! ;)
Peepz: Chop off his head with a blunt object? O.o That sounds...painful. (Malik: I think anything having to do with "blunt object" or getting one's head chopped off would fall under the category of "painful") So true! XD Severa? Oh, she's gonna take a break for now...go burn some buildings or something until I need her again. She's taking requests. ;)
Fallin-Alone-Scared-Lost: Still like Afika? Some of you guys do. Some want him to die but still feel sorry for him. Then there are the others who have been demanding his head on a stake for quite some time now. lol
dragonlady222: Well things aren't as Minkah believed, are they? At least his mommy loved him! (Minkah: WHERE'S HE?!!) And then there's Afika...:P
Sagira98: lol Not what you meant? Still asking about Kek, eh? Don't worry. He's back...wait. That's not a good thing, is it? O.o "I'm going to end up not liking Severa aren't I?" -shrugs- That will all depend on if you approve of what she ends up doing. ;) Ah, another person wanting a POV besides Minkah's regarding the past. I haven't put it up for a reason. It shall begin soon! Not this chapter. Hope those finals went ok!
This chapter is dedicated to blueeyedchibi and HerTenderTouch. NOTE: At least two of you have been asking for POVs of the past from Afika. There is a reason I haven't put much in. ;) Hang in there. We'll get there when we get there! Sorry there are so many italics, but Niu is part of a lot of the discussions!
Somewhere there's speaking
It's already coming in
Oh and it's rising at the back of your mind
You never could get it
Unless you were fed it
Now you're here and you don't know why
But under skinned knees and the skid marks
Past the places where you used to learn
You howl and listen
Listen and wait for the
Echoes of angels who won't return
You're waiting for someone
To put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say
(Vertical Horizon)
Chapter 19: Bait
(Ryou's POV)
Everyone listens, letting my brother vent. He's hallucinating to some degree again. His revelation was not so surprising to the rest of us. To him it was heartbreaking. Afika is the one person in his life he always believed and really trusted. All of his faith was put into that one person; an individual that didn't merit trust of any kind. Pouring his entire belief system into the dark-haired assassin, he was plunged into the reality Apophis had concocted for him, Afika feeding him their 'truths' and supplying answers and schemes of revenge.
In the back of my mind I can't help but wonder if Minkah is delving into deeper ideas than there actually are facts. I don't blame my brother. It was because of the lies that Amane and my mother are dead…and so many others including Otogi. Could it have all been avoided? Was there really anything Afika could do even if he wanted to? I'm trying to rationalize the situation more. If I allow my emotions to overshadow reasoning then I won't ever know what really happened.
Niu, Mr. Mutou, and Malik lead my brother back into the bedroom to try and calm him. He's been sobbing and screaming angrily in Arabic. In addition, having all of us staring at him couldn't have been helping. Yami sighs, leaning back into the couch cushions wearily. Yugi and Marik are huddled against him; both shaken by my brother's understandably disturbing scene. Honda and Jou are sitting across from them, white-faced.
"Damn, I didn't imagine it could be so bad," Jounouchi reflects in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.
"I did," Honda growls under his breath. "Afika has been nothing but trouble from the start."
"We can't jump to too many conclusions," Yami puts in to our surprise.
"You're not defending that bastard, Yami man?!"
His face is solemn. "I'm not taking his side, Jou. But we have to keep in mind these things Minkah has told us are all based on memories that have been suppressed since he was young. What's more, they are memories of a traumatized six year old child. Those two things combined, we must not jump to conclusions. His mind may be filling in the blanks. And children absorb such experiences quite differently than adults. He's taken the knowledge of his six year old counterpart and made it the absolute truth."
With a scowl, Honda grounds out, "That does make sense. If he didn't understand it then what are the chances he would now? By the sound of it, even back then there was much information kept from him by both his mother and Afika."
"Exactly," Yami concurs with a weak nod. "Don't say things like this to him yet. Give him a little time. What we have to make sure is that he doesn't do anything irrational as a reaction to retrieving these 'memories'. I consider them just as dangerous, if not more, than his false ones."
"You think he would act on his anger," Honda concludes.
"Undoubtedly. That feeling of betrayal will drive him to seek out Afika," Yami states with graveness. "We must not allow him to do so."
We all murmur in agreement. I'm frightened. These things Minkah has recalled only raise more questions, bring out more hatred. That was the last thing he needed.
Yami's words stick in my mind. Is it possible that Afika is just as brainwashed as my brother? That he was just another child following orders? I've always strived to look for the best in everyone. Despite what he did to me personally, one cannot argue that he has protected and raised Minkah. That much cannot be denied. Whether it was because he genuinely loves him is another story. And my brother loved him so much. For his sake, I don't want Afika to be just a spiteful evil person. No one could be that cold.
Could they?
"So what do we do? Drug him so he doesn't run off?" Jou asks as he and the others continue the discussion.
"That would not help in the slightest."
"What then?" the blonde persists, panicking as this wears on. "What the hell are we supposed to do?!"
"I don't know," Yami replies with a yawn.
"If only he could speak with Afika somehow…" Yugi mumbles from next to his sibling.
"We are not bringing Afika into this house!" Honda quickly dismisses this.
"I didn't say we would," my friend retorts in frustration. "All I was saying was Minkah needs answers and maybe Afika has them."
"Even if he did, he would just spout more lies," Honda snorts while drumming his fingers impatiently on his knees.
"Maybe the army will catch him," Yugi suggests though his tone reveals even he doesn't believe it will happen.
It would be the best scenario in a way. The Apophis members would be in custody. On the other hand, that would leave them at the mercy of a world itching to seek vengeance upon them. Their horrible fate would be sealed.
"Speaking of the army," Honda suddenly says. "They haven't contacted us lately."
"You're right!" Jou scratches his head. "An' they were so 'We're gonna be checking on you all the time' and 'he leaves and we get him' type threats. Why did they stop talking to us?"
"Perhaps they're at last focusing on Apophis like they should have done in the first place," Honda grumbles while getting up and walking over to the window. Lifting the curtain a bit he peers out into the darkness. "We really need a new porch lamp."
"Should we try contacting the army on the radio they gave us?" Yugi asks, unable to hide his unease.
"Like hell!" Jou exclaims waving his hands. "Why would we do that? They're finally leaving us alone! Why would you want to stir things up again?"
"Something is off," Marik agrees with Yugi, glancing at Yami who has drifted asleep again. "I'm worried about him. They should have sent a doctor to check on his hand again by now."
Jounouchi calms at this remark. The wound is definitely taking its toll on Yami. We'll have Mr. Mutou look at it when he comes back out here. We're cut off from society due to the snowstorm. The army is our only aid. We must rely on them.
"…there…?"
All of us stiffen at the disembodied voice from an unknown source. Marik and Yugi both latch onto Yami's slumbering form. Honda scowls, shutting the curtain.
"There's no one out there."
"It could have been Mink and the others," Jou proposes while looking around the room nervously.
"Didn't sound like any of them to me," Honda comments under his breath.
We wait in silence for another sign of someone creeping about. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck rise and I shiver involuntarily. Standing, I move for the hallway.
"I'm going to check on Minkah and…"
"…anyone…all?" the voice trembles almost inaudibly.
"Shit! The radio!" Jou bursts, he and Honda and I taking off down the stairs to the basement where the radio is laying on the couch. Jou snatches it up, pressing the red button. "Hello? Hello? We're here!"
A long pause. The others upstairs are completely quiet as they wait for an explanation from us. Honda frowns at the device as if it were the person.
"You sure it was the radio?"
"Yeah, didn't you notice how quiet the voice was? How it sort of flickered on and off. It was like static!"
Honda gives an unsatisfied grunt. I'm with agreement with Jou on this one.
"Perhaps they're unable to reach us."
The brunette sends me a frustrated look. "Why? It's barely snowing. Nothing compared to before. The weather shouldn't be causing them that much trouble."
"…hello?" the radio rasps.
We nearly jump out of our skin. Excited, Jou grins at Honda.
"Told you so!" He presses the button. "Hello?"
"Good! You're…there," the person says, voice fading in and out. "Are you…there?"
Jou blinks at it in confusion. "Uhh…could you repeat that?"
"Are…all there?"
Jou's face brightens. "Yup. We haven't run off. Listen, could you send a doctor over here? For Yami?" Honda's eyes narrow. "For his hand?" Jou continues when the person doesn't respond. "Hmm. He must be asking for permission or something."
"This doesn't make sense. He called just to see if we're all here?" Honda mutters while glaring at the radio. "Why would he…?" The color drains from his face. "Jou, don't talk to him anymore!"
"What?"
"It's not the soldiers!" Honda hisses while seizing the device from our stunned friend and throwing it back onto the couch. "Why do you think they haven't contacted us in so long? And they would know we have nowhere to go!"
"Then who…?"
White noise comes from the radio on the sofa. The three of us stare at it in trepidation. When the person speaks I can hear the smirk in their voice.
"See you soon."
With a zap it goes silent. Jou gapes in horror, legs shaking as he backs away from the couch.
"Oh shit! Don't tell me that was who I think it was!"
Honda grabs each of us by the arm, herding us upstairs. Yugi and Marik are talking with Mr. Mutou who they must have called for.
"We've got trouble," Honda pants.
(Niu's POV)
This is no good. We can't have Minkah falling to pieces right now. It's not the time for thoughts of revenge. We have to worry about our own survival. This is something we stress to him, entreating him to see that it isn't in anyone's best interest at the moment. Malik lets Mr. Mutou and I do most of the talking. He's here more in case restraining the white-haired teen is in order. Minkah is pacing the room like some deranged predatory animal that has seen what it wants and is just finding a way to get to it. I sit on the bed watching him all the while, monitoring his mental condition. It's worsening rapidly.
"Let me out of here!" he snarls at us, twitching fingers at his sides itching for a weapon. "Why are you blocking me?"
"Be rational," I tell him.
He rounds on me. "I don't care about rationality! I want to kill him!"
"Precisely the reason we're not allowing you to leave," the elderly man states firmly. "You're too angry and hurt to think clearly…"
"What's there to think about?! He's been playing me the fool my entire life! He turned Um over to Apophis! If it hadn't been for him…!"
"Much would be different," I finish for him quietly. "You can bring justice but not like this. We need you here, Minkah. If you abandon these people then you'll leave them exposed to an attack from Afika and the others! His onslaught on people you care about will continue because you were too blinded by your grief to avoid it!"
"You cannot expect me to stay here and do nothing," he whispers heatedly, stilling. "This is what I do, Niu! Unlike you, I act when someone treats me this way!"
This strikes a nerve and I stand swiftly so we're staring one another straight in the eye. "Do not sink so low you use other peoples' tragedies to justify your actions," I warn him in a voice trembling with rage.
A knock on the door interrupts the argument, but the tension hangs in the air. Yugi peeks in timidly.
"Grandpa? Could you come here for a minute?" he asks meekly.
Mr. Mutou nods before turning to the three of us. "I'll be back in a moment."
Malik closes the door after them before leaning against it. "Minkah, we all have our own reasons for wanting revenge on Afika and the other Apophis survivors. Yours may be some of the greatest. But let's work out a plan and do this together, all right?"
"But…!"
"You can't take him on alone," I reason with him. "I know you want to do this yourself—that you are the most entitled to kill him, but it isn't safe. You have a family again. Don't throw that away because of him. You lost your mother due to him. Don't allow history to repeat itself by leaving them behind."
He grits his teeth and turns away from me. I'm ready should he make for the window. Instead he just stands with his head bowed, fists clenched and shaking. He's coming to the realization he cannot run off and solve this himself. There are too many people that matter to him—that care about him. He cannot abandon them.
"I just feel…I need to do something."
Exhaling, I rest a hand on his shoulder. "You are."
"You've said before that Afika is after us," Malik tries to give him some hope. "That means he's bound to show up here sooner or later. So let's make plans on what we'll do when the Apophis members arrive."
Grey eyes lighten in revelation that they will indeed hunt us down. As frightening as this fact is, it gives him reassurance.
"Afika won't run, Minkah," I remind him, letting go. "We both know that. Let him come to us."
The door opens and Jounouchi bursts in unannounced.
"Jesus, you nearly gave me a heart-attack!" Malik scolds him. "What the hell is so…?"
"Kek called us," the pallid blonde informs us, "through the army's radio."
Malik curses. Minkah and I look at one another. Damn, this is sooner than I expected.
"They're coming," Jou says hoarsely.
I nod. "Get the guns." To Minkah I say, "Want to leave now?"
(Minkah's POV)
"There are eight guns and nine people," Malik states while he and Niu pull the weapons from the case that has been kept hidden.
"Yami won't be using one," Yugi murmurs looking worriedly at his sibling who hasn't reawakened yet.
Mr. Mutou checked the wound. It has become infected. After he and Malik cleaned it and replaced the bandages he announced they'd just used the last of them. We were supposed to be able to call the army for medical aid and essentials. Judging by the fact Kek had the radio: the military has been obliterated. It's us versus Apophis. Our 'army' is greater in number but lacks the skills and training my former comrades possess. Kasiya with his lethal poisons; Severa with her fire techniques; and Afika and Kek with their brutality that is impossible to match. They are the most skilled in combat and weapon use.
"I am worried about Kasiya," Niu admits as he assembles the small tranquilizer gun that either Yugi or Marik will use. "His guns don't use bullets. They use needles coated in poison. Much harder to dodge. And if you are hit with even one…"
"This just keeps getting better and better," Honda groans while taking up a medium-sized firearm. Jou grabs the largest one.
"That is a sniper's rifle I modified," Niu tells those of us who speak Arabic. "It will only be of use if we catch them before they reach the mansion. It is unlikely but we must try for it. Is anyone a good shot?"
"I am," I say softly. Doubt is plaguing me. I will do everything in my power to protect them but…something's still missing. I can feel it…
...
"What do we do?" Nimr growled striding around the table in the meeting room at this particular base. "She won't answer a single question! Even when I threatened to off that brat of hers!"
Fenyang, a man with a sleek black beard with a tinge of silver was sitting down staring at the papers laid out before him. "This is all you were able to retrieve?"
"It was all she had."
I stood shaking where I stood. The men had already beaten me more than once. Afik had disappeared. I feared he and my mother were both dead. He seemed to know the mean men. In my young mind I convinced myself he could get Um and me out and we could be a family like we'd talked about. But I didn't know where he was. It had been several weeks since I'd been brought to this place. Screams were as common as day and night. There was an overwhelming odor of blood and other stenches I did not recognize that covered the entire area. I was kept in a small room by myself listening to the men argue over what to do with me.
The leader called Fenyang looked at me with a steely gaze that made me shrink back. "He's not assassin material."
Fida smirked. "Perhaps not in this condition. He has been bold enough to ask about his mother and Afika though."
The others turned to him. There was a gleam in those cold merciless eyes that send shivers down my spine to this day.
Fenyang rested his chin on his hands threaded together by his fingers. "What are you thinking, Fida?"
…
There is no time to reminisce. Niu and Malik are conversing in order to determine who 'fits' each gun best. I am amazed at Niu's steadfast reserve. He recently found out Afika had his family murdered. But he's not falling to pieces like I did. He's keeping his head and taking charge.
I take several deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. It's impossible with all of this rage with no where to put it. This feeling of complete helplessness only makes me more on edge. Why can't I control my emotions as skillfully as Niu?
"Minkah."
I break away from my internal strife. Niu is before me holding the sniper rifle. I reach out to take it but he doesn't budge to give it to me.
"Are you up for this?" he demands quietly. "Because I won't have you go into a fit while in possession of such a powerful weapon. Tell me now. No one will think less of you…"
"I can handle it," I vow with the confidence I can muster. "Besides, you can't afford not to have me fight."
He reluctantly hands me the gun. It is surprisingly light given its size. The real weight is in my chest as I comprehend I'll be using this weapon on Afika. Through all of the betrayal and hatred and yearning for vengeance that came upon me, it never felt this real. Now I'm holding the weapon that could end his life.
'Afika, I…I never thought a day like this would come.'
Niu notices my melancholy. "Come. I'll teach you about the modifications I made."
(Malik's POV)
"We need to fortify the place. These are no pushovers we're dealing with," Jounouchi says while turning his gun over in his hands.
"Easier said than done," Honda replies as he double-checks the front door and the windows on either side. "The fact these guys have had stealth training is going to make it all the more challenging. It's in our best interest to catch them before they can get to the house."
I clear my throat. "We also have people unable to fight that need protection."
At the moment Marik and Grandpa are taking care of Yami. My boyfriend has developed a fever due to the infection festering in his palm. He's been sleeping more and more. I am frightened for his life. He needs professional medical attention immediately. We'll be lucky if the worst is the loss of the hand. The longer this drags on the dimmer his chances are.
"Where're Mink and Niu?"
"Upstairs trying to find the best vantage point for Minkah to set up the rifle," Honda answers looking around worriedly. "I don't know how he'll do it. There are too many directions they could come from…too many ways they could get in…"
"Or they may choose to have us come to them," I mutter, glaring at the windows and door. They are both our escapes and our weaknesses. "Remember what Severa likes to do."
Jou gulps. "Setting places on fire. Capturing people inside."
Letting loose a slew of curses, Honda storms out of the room into the kitchen. I don't blame his apprehension. The battle will be horrible, that is certain. The worst part is waiting, wondering. This is the part I can't stand.
"Do you think we should get Yami an' Marik outta here?"
"I wish we could," I reply with a heavy heart. "But I'm too afraid they will expect us to send away those of us that cannot fight. We could send them straight into a trap."
Jounouchi gives me a grim look. "Malik, you and I both know we can't protect them. We can't fight and defend them at the same time."
"I know." Gods, what do we do? They'll target the weaker members of our group; those that won't be able to put up much of a fight. We have too many disadvantages as it is. Either way it will be a great risk. I walk over to the spiral stairs.
"Where are you…?"
"Stay here and make sure Grandpa and the other two are guarded," I tell Jou as I ascend to the third floor.
Two voices are chatting without pause in Arabic. I reach the top of the stairs only to have to wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. There are no lights up here. It's wise so they won't be open targets to anyone outside. Squinting my eyes, I make out the two shadows hunched over near a window looking out to the balcony. It would be an ideal place for an Apophis assassin to try and enter.
"Minkah, Niu, a word."
One of them stands up as I slowly make my way over to them, careful not to trip over anything. The other remains toward the ground kneeling over something. I'm guessing the gun. Reaching them, I find this assumption correct. Minkah is peering into what looks like a night vision piece on the top of the rifle, scouring for any of the assassins at large.
"What is it?" Niu asks.
I switch to Arabic to make certain we're all clear. "I want Grandpa, Yami, Marik, and Yugi away from here."
Minkah looks up and Niu shifts uncomfortably.
"I understand your worries…especially for your brother and Yami," Niu sympathizes. "There is no mode of transportation, regardless of whether we are willing to risk moving them from this place. The snowmobiles are gone. The cars will not work in this deep snow."
I taste blood as I bite down on my lip. I hadn't thought that far into it. There really aren't any options. They have to stay here.
Our white-haired companion is of a somewhat different opinion. "What about the army vehicles?"
"Minkah, don't even…"
"You could get one of those things to work, Niu," Minkah cuts him off. "Those vehicles could get them out of here safely."
"You're talking about infiltrating an army camp. An army, I might add, that we believe Apophis has annihilated. So basically we'd be stepping into their turf," Niu disagrees in a low voice. "It's suicide."
"So is this! No matter what we do it'll be suicide!"
Niu turns away from us, staring out into the cold night. At this very moment his former comrades could be approaching the mansion. Or maybe they called to get us in a panic and are actually going to wait a while before coming here. We can't afford to sit and fear. It's time to take action.
"Anyone who goes to that camp is risking certain death," the tech expert finally whispers before looking at us. "I'm the only one who can operate one of those things and clear it of any traps that might have been placed upon it."
"You're not saying you…!" I don't want him to feel obligated to do such a thing!
"No. But we're low on options," he states in a decisive tone. "Let me get my computer and see if there are any residences closer than the army camp. There might be something we can use at one of them."
"Now that idea I like," I sigh wearily as he takes out the laptop, moving away from the window so the light it emits won't expose our silhouettes to anyone outside.
"They've no doubt killed the soldiers at the nearby mansions," Minkah says while changing the angle of the gun.
"I opt for it over an army base full of weapons and explosives."
(Ryou's POV)
"They're trying to find a way to get Yami out of here and to a doctor," Yugi says quietly as the two of us attach the alarms Niu created to the windows in the downstairs bedrooms. I struggle to clasp one around the doorknob to the garage as he heads into the room Minkah and Yami stayed in.
"I'm sure they'll figure something out, Yugi," I reply as I program the alarm's settings as Niu taught us.
He comes to the bedroom doorway. "They'd send us away too, Ryou."
My fingers still. They would do everything in their power to get us as well as Yami and Marik to safety. While he would object, they no doubt will have Mr. Mutou join us. I get it. We would just get in the way. While I'd like to believe I could help I would just be a burden.
"Why can't all of us make a break for it?" Yugi fiddles with the homemade alarm in his hands.
"They'd come after us and involve people like before," I answer while not mentioning Otogi's name. "Let's get that last alarm up." He follows me into the bathroom as I climb atop the toilet seat so I can reach the small window.
"Why even bother with this window?" my friend ponders. "I could get through it. But someone like Kek?"
"Maybe Severa could," I shrug while twisting the wire around the window latch. "Better to be safe than sorry." Snow is blanketing the minute window, obscuring it from view for anyone outside. "At least with these we'll have a warning." I look over my shoulder. "Yugi?"
His nose is scrunched up. "Do you smell that?"
I tentatively sniff the air as I hop down from the toilet. Immediately I gag. How did I not notice it when we came in here? It's pungent, a mixture of what smells like wet dog and…
"Listen!" Yugi hushes even though I wasn't speaking.
A faint but distinct drip. More like a sluggish 'plop'. A glance at the sink proves it is not the culprit. Yugi and I turn around and look at the shower. There is a shadow floating to the top left, indistinct due to the frosted glass of the sliding door.
"What is that smell?" Yugi retches as he reaches over and yanks the shower door open.
"Yugi wait…!"
He staggers back into me and I fall against the sink. Bile is in my mouth as my eyes involuntarily become fixated upon the horrific sight before them. Mangled and hanging limply from the showerhead by a knotted tail like an old dishrag is Misa. My kitten's throat is slit, her silky grey fur matted with blood that is dripping from the deep gash. That's what I smelled before. The crimson liquid's metallic odor.
"M-Misa!"
Yugi sways, wide violet eyes fixed on my cat's corpse. Using all of my willpower I reach out and gingerly touch her. Rigor mortis hasn't begun. Since cats are much smaller than people it would happen much quicker. I'm guessing an hour or two.
"What is this…?!"
"Someone's already in the house!" I announce.
"But the alarms…!"
Wiping the blood on the edge of my sweatshirt I reveal, "They must have gotten in before we set the alarms."
"We've got to hurry and tell the others!" Yugi rushes into the hallway.
"Wait!" I call as I hurry after him. "Act normal or they'll know we…!" A blade presses against the base of my throat as a gloved hand grabs my hair roughly from behind.
"Hello there," a voice hisses in my ear.
(Yugi's POV)
"Guys!" I yell as I race up the stairs. They all turn as I enter the main room out of breath. "It's…someone's…!"
"Spit it out, Yug," Jounouchi prods as the others gather around me. "What's this about?"
"Misa…" I tremble. "She's dead!"
They blink in surprise. "Dead?"
"In all the drama we must have forgotten to feed her. Poor cat," Honda sighs making for a chair.
"No, she's dead!" My mind is reeling and the right words just won't come.
"What is all this commotion?" Malik asks as he, Niu, and Minkah appear from the upper floor.
"The cat died," Jou tells them in a bored tone.
"She didn't die she was killed!" I finally manage impatiently.
Immediately the three Egyptians are at our level.
"They're inside," Niu growls. "Everyone gather. Where is Ryou?"
My heart sinks as I slowly turn around to find my friend did not follow me. Without waiting for me to speak Niu, Malik, and Minkah dash down the stairs. Honda grabs me by the arm as I make to follow.
"Go into the room with Mr. Mutou, Yami, and Marik. Jou, come on. We've got to protect them."
The blonde hesitates. "But what if they need help down there?"
"They'll call," Honda urges him to move, not releasing me. "We don't know where the assassins are in the house or how many. Hurry up!"
Gulping, Jou picks up the extra guns and follows us. I reluctantly allow Honda to tug me along. Just as I thought: it's too late to run. And I can't help.
(Minkah's POV)
"Ryou!" I shout frantically from the garage with no door. "Ryou!"
Malik stands beside me as Niu vigilantly makes his way to the edge of the garage where the tracks begin in the snow. He kneels down while keeping his keen eyes trained on the forest for any sign of an ambush or sniper.
"One snowmobile," he mutters with a growl. "How did they get inside?"
"There's no time to wonder!" I rage while Malik holds me back from running out into the snow. "Ryou…!"
"It was when we were comforting Minkah," the former tomb keeper contemplates. "The three of us had our guards down. We are the ones that would have sensed something."
"I don't care how they did it!"
"Minkah, time is of the essence and we can't afford any more mistakes," Niu warns me sternly while rising to his feet. "The only one of them that would kill your brother is Kek. Because of this Afika would not have sent him. As long as Afika is in control of the group Ryou is in no immediate danger."
"Oh dear, then we have a problem, don't we?" a deep familiar voice chuckles.
Kek is all at once standing right outside the garage, blood soaking his winter garments. All three of us aim at him despite my gun being a sniper rifle. It will kill him no problem.
"Where's Ryou, Kek?" Niu demands in a cool tone.
His conceited grins widens, not intimidated by our weapons in the slightest. "I have no idea."
With a scream of rage I lunge only to have Niu pull me back roughly so I fall to the ground. Kek watches in amusement. Malik doesn't look away from the evil assassin.
"If you didn't take Ryou then who did?"
"I haven't the foggiest," Kek answers with a smirk. "You see, I haven't been a part of their little group for some time. My guess is the person who would have the most to gain from the boy's kidnapping or death."
"If you hurt him…!" I snarl as I pick myself up.
Kek laughs. "Are you deaf? I told you I don't have the brat. My presumption would be Afika."
I listen in disbelief. The group broke apart already?
"Are Kasiya and Severa still with him?" Niu questions stoically despite this being the person who slaughtered his family.
(Malik's POV)
The large brute rubs his chin in thought with a blood-soaked glove. "That I don't know. You're hoping to recruit those two, aren't you?"
This is bad. He can deduce too much. And we're wasting time. Ryou is out there somewhere…Or is he?
"How do we know he isn't spewing a load of crap about leaving the group?" I ask Niu in a hushed voice, the wind impeding even Kek's exceptional hearing. "Ryou might be nearby."
"There is no reason to lie about that," he replies glancing at Minkah out of the corner of his eye. "It's as I said before: Kek is the only one that would kill Ryou. Severa wouldn't dare without Kasiya's approval. He has no reason to desire such. And Afika wants to continue to lead Minkah through that alternate reality. While I wouldn't say he's 'safe' I also wouldn't say he's dead."
I'd like to think that as reassuring but it isn't really. "Why is Kek just standing there? Shouldn't he be attacking us?"
Dark eyes narrow. "Yes. He should." He raises his voice. "What are you doing here, Kek?"
The ruthless assassin sneers. "To examine the situation. And I must admit I'm liking what I see." His gaze drifts to Minkah. "I couldn't help but notice the fury boiling in your eyes at the very mention of Afika's name. I suspect you've figured at least some of it out then?"
Minkah takes a threatening step forward. "What do you know?"
"Minkah…" Niu cautions him.
Kek shrugs his wide shoulders, arms outstretched. "Everything. Why do you think Afika keeps me away from you?"
"Because you would hack him to pieces?" I grumble with a glare.
The muscular man's attention does not avert from the white-haired assassin. "It was a ruse from the beginning, kid. You think he actually has feelings for you? That he cares? Don't you know what he did to you? To your mother?"
This is dangerous to allow him to continue talking. Minkah could explode with anger again. Him having a meltdown in Kek's presence would be deadly. Yet if we try to silence the buff assassin he may decide to talk with his skills as a ruthless killer instead of words. Can the three of us take him? Minkah won't let us. Not until he's heard whatever Kek has to say. Kek is fully aware of this which is why he hasn't drawn a weapon.
"You were a little runt. I remember when they brought you in. You were clinging to Afika's arm like a leech," Kek recounts as if it were a bedtime story. "She was brought in before you arrived."
"What did they want from my mother?" Minkah shouts at him impatiently. His gun is ready to fire the moment he gets the answers he wants.
He receives a look of scorn. "You really have no idea, do you?" A satisfied gleam in those steely eyes sets Kek more at ease. "I'm sure at least one of you has heard of the Rabiya family?"
Niu's breath intakes. Minkah tears his eyes from Kek to look at the tech expert. I grit my teeth. Rabiya. That name is very familiar. We tense when Kek whips out two guns with lighting speed. The fastest I've ever seen. Minkah is no comparison when it comes to handling weapons and fighting; he himself admitted to that.
"I'm not much into storytelling so I'll allow Niu to dig up the information. Once you do, come join the rest of us if you think you're up to it. I'm sure Afika will be elated to hear you've uncovered the truth about yourself and your past," Kek muses in ill delight as he backs away. "As for me…well, I've got my own score to settle with the bastard."
Damn. I could shoot him now, but…would I pull the trigger before he did? His imposing presence and confidence breaks my own. My arms are trembling before this assassin that earlier I considered a hulk of a nuisance with the brain the size of a pea. I was sorely mistaken.
"What about Ryou?" I whisper to Niu. "The longer we take…"
"Kek's not going to let us leave until we do as he says, Malik," he informs me, anger directed at Kek. "We can choose to fight him but it will bring casualties. Remember, he will be up against Afika, Severa, and Kasiya. I believe they want Ryou alive. Therefore, they will protect him from Kek."
"He's bait," Minkah snarls as Kek continues his unhurried retreat. "Afika has made him bait for me!"
"My thoughts exactly," Kek rejoins loudly as he makes his way into the distance. "Don't take too much time now, hear? I'm not as patient as the others. You don't want to have to avenge him as well."
"…as well?" Minkah repeats stonily.
"Of course!" Kek's laughs fade as he disappears into the trees. "Don't you remember who killed her?"
(Minkah's POV)
I pace back and forth as everyone gathers around Niu in the main room waiting for the answer.
"This is a waste of time! I can find out about her after!" I exclaim motioning wildly at the door. "We need to go after them!"
"I'm with Mink on this one," Jounouchi mumbles, sweat trickling down the side of his face. "She's dead. Ryou isn't."
"If we go in there not knowing we won't have a clue what we're dealing with," Malik opposes our opinions. "Afika is either in a world all his own or he still thinks Minkah believes the fabricated 'truth'. Either way…" His eyes move to Yami's pale form slumped against Mr. Mutou on the couch. "We're running out of time."
His koi is wheezing and his fever has risen. I come to my decision. Um will have to wait. Picking up one of the other guns, I sling the rifle over my back.
"I'm going now."
"Minkah…" Malik begins.
"If I go I'll be a decoy at the very least and you can get Yami out of these Ra forsaken mountains!" I state as he moans in pain. "He won't last much longer." Yugi whimpers, clinging to his brother.
"It is as I thought."
"What is?" Honda presses Niu who is reading from his laptop.
Malik leans over Niu's shoulder and translates. "The Rabiya family was well-known in Egypt. They were experts when it came to ancient Egypt. The Rabiyas lead many excavations of large proportions that uncovered some of the greatest finds on record."
"What does that have to do with any of this?" Jou pipes up; he too growing impatient. "Did they start Apophis?"
"Quite the opposite. They were the main targets of Apophis in its early stages. The last of the family was wiped out twenty years ago…almost."
My interest peaks at the look he and Niu give me. Hesitantly I walk over to them and peer at the monitor. It's a picture of a large family. At least thirty of them. They are at an excavation site. The people are Egyptian, ranging from very young to middle aged.
"What am I supposed to be seeing?"
"Recognize anyone?"
Frowning, my eyes roam over the crowd of smiling people. A few of them have somewhat familiar physical characteristics, but the date on the photograph proves I was not born yet. I'm drawn to the man at the center; seemingly the head of the family. He stands tall with a prominent manner about him. He has a black beard and mustache. His arms are crossed over his broad chest as his grey eyes stare at the camera. Those eyes…they're like mine!
I point to him. "Who is that?"
"Siraj Rabiya…your grandfather," Malik informs me softly. "And this…" His finger moves to a girl around twelve years of age with light brown hair and deep grey eyes. "…is his youngest daughter. Her name was Dimah."
My mouth goes dry. Dimah. That face is unmistakable. That beautiful smile…the flowing hair…those eyes…
"Um," I whisper reaching out and touching the screen gently.
"They were Christian," Malik continues to read the information Niu has pulled up. "Christians do not have the same rights as Muslims and are looked down upon…even more so back then. Because of this, it was the foreigners that came to them and worked beside them."
"Like Mr. Bakura," I hear Yugi from across the way.
"Exactly," Malik nods morosely. "And it seems after her family was killed, Dimah continued leading excavations on her own…"
"Wait! They…they didn't abandon her?" I interrupt in astonishment. It wasn't my fault she was alone?
Niu sends me a pitying smile. "They had been dead a few years before you were born."
I stare at them in a new light. They were good people. They didn't shun her. By the looks of my grandfather, he would have pummeled my father into dust for ever touching his daughter. The way they're standing together, so close-knit…I don't think they would have left her. They would have supported her. They would have stayed with both of us.
"That's why they were after her," Honda assumes from next to me. "She must have known where more sites were…or Apophis believed she could lead them to some."
Clenching my fists, I understand now. Um's fate was interwoven with that of Apophis. They had been after us. That was why she was afraid to leave that village. We had been in hiding. She was protecting me.
"Can we go now?" I question them.
Niu sits back. "This is all we will get from the computer. The rest comes from Afika and Kek."
(Ryou's POV)
Growling in frustration, I claw at the edge of the window that is frozen shut. He left me in this large bedroom. It's a mansion of some sort. He'd left me restrained in a snow bank for what felt like forever. My limbs were frozen by the time he returned. Was he harming my friends? Scouting? I still don't know.
The ride on the snowmobile was not long which means this is probably the closest house to Otogi's. It was hard from me to judge, as I was blindfolded and gagged. He'd handcuffed my arms around his waist to make sure I didn't attempt to jump of the vehicle. The bitter wind chilled my fingers until they were numb making me incapable of reaching for one of his weapons. It was odd how the engine made no noise. Probably one of Niu's inventions.
Giving up on the window, I glance around the spacious room for another escape. There is a large roll top desk with a wooden chair. Eyeing the chair, I consider smashing the window with it but quickly dismiss this idea. A noise that loud would alert him instantly. It would just get me into more trouble.
I sit on the king-sized bed with its expertly etched quilt and canopy. What do I do now? I somewhat understand why he chose me—to get to Minkah. Yet it still doesn't quite make sense. Why not just outright face my brother? I replay in my mind everything Niu and Minkah have told us about him. His skills, his psyche, his motives…This doesn't quite fit. Something is wrong.
Stiffening when the lock on the door turns, I stand up. Damn, I should have searched for some sort of weapon to use against him! My heart pounds rapidly as he enters with a sick grin on his face.
"Hello little one," Kek greets.
Oh the drama! 8D
Ryou: Aaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!
I did enjoy this thoroughly. As mentioned by the characters: Minkah's memories are a bit etchy and unreliable given the circumstances. It was nice to give true information regarding his family. His mother's name has Finally been revealed! I had a long list but ultimately decided upon Dimah. It means "cloud which carries rainwater".
The part about Christians in Egypt is also true. They do not have all of the same rights as Muslims, given it is a Muslim state. It interweaves with other parts of the plotline wonderfully; such as the family working with foreigners more than fellow Egyptians.
Until later! Review!