Author's Rant: Pleasssse forgive any mistakes. I have to work overtime in an hour and there's no time to proofread it fully. Enjoy!
Fuse
Three weeks later. . .
Zane Truesdale pressed his palm over the span of cool window glass overlooking Domino City's serene background. Domino City's Police Head Quarters sat nestled a mile from the city, far enough to be close for emergencies and far enough for the law enforcement to have a break from going insane with the criminal activity.
The criminal activity was what had the police chief suddenly suspect of the current lack of racket and violations. Nothing was happening. Absolutely nothing. In the past several weeks, Zane could count on one hand how many arrests they have secured . . . and none of them were those bloodthirsty low lives roaming the streets.
It was too quiet around here for him to feel comfortable. Blue Bloods not opening fire on a random Red Blood, no reports of chaos erupting across town, not even a hinted whisper of a hit being put out on someone. The businesses and homes under 'protection fees' had no complaints to make. Zane had thought to inquire Pegasus on the change of behavior but thought against it. He wouldn't give that prissy ass fool the benefit of showing his Godly authority. It was bad enough he went around prancing in his expensive rides and tossing orders like he owned the place.
Zane sighed and lifted his fist under his chin, contemplating more on this difference. He's always been a practical, logical man. Getting up in ranks took more than passing the exams and years of service. It took having to beat through the system and learning the angles in order to keep this city running like a well-oiled factory.
So, when those workers of that factory suddenly decided to make a switch around of their habits, it's difficult to ignore. "Shit," he groaned, reaching up to massage his throbbing temple. All of this gang banging nonsense used to set his blood a boil and now that it was quiet as church mice out there, he didn't know how to deal with it.
It was too silent, too harmonized. Yet, regardless of how it looked on the outside, Zane couldn't this shake this haunting feeling of something ominous happening within. Perhaps, this was the quiet breeze before the storm.
Zane dropped his hand from the window to walk back behind his desk and sat down to continue his work. He didn't bother coming in dressed in his uniform, rather wearing a grey silk button up and pressed khaki pants. The station was pretty much abandoned on the weekends. The quiet gave him a chance to get a lot of this paperwork done.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Zane ordered without lifting his head to the visitor. "Have a seat. I'll get with you in a moment."
Jaden stalled by the door, drumming his fingers on the frame.
Zane's type speed slowed. He paused long enough to cast a somewhat questioning and demanding glare at his stepbrother to do as he is told. Jaden clutched the door as if it would be his barrier from the tongue-lashing to come.
Zane finished his current project and pushed back a little from his computer monitor. "You already know why you're here, don't you?"
Jaden grimly nodded.
"If that's the case, answer my questions before they're asked."
The brunet finally entered the oversized office, closing the door behind him. He leaned against, unable to meet the recognizable disgust on his elder stepbrother's face. "I haven't seen him in weeks."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"No. . . All I have is my word, but it's true. Not since he came to the school, I haven't had any contact with Yusei. I kept it that way, just as you said." Jaden toed the carpet with his purple and black Puma sneakers, tracing the swirling Arabian patterns and flowers. "May I go home now?"
"Not yet. I have something else for you to do."
Jaden's round eyes drew up at that. "Like what?"
"You and Sirus packed a set of clothes for the next couple of weeks. I've arranged your stay elsewhere."
"What about school?"
"I'll take care of that. You can go."
To suddenly leave without an explanation? It didn't . . . it didn't make sense. "Why are we leaving?" Jaden asked moments later. "And where are we going?"
"None of your business on both questions. Go home, Jaden. Timing is of the essence. I haven't the time to trade back and forth with you on the matter."
Jaden hesitated a moment longer before relenting and shutting the door behind him. Zane released the pent up air in his lungs and picked up his desk phone. He dialed a number and waited. "Mayor . . . yes, this is Chief Truesdale. . . yes sir, I know it's a weekend. I wouldn't call if I didn't think it were urgent. . ."
Domino National Treasury
Date Description Decreases Increases Balance
02/21/2013 Withdrawal 2,000,000.00 70,236,078.12
02/28/2013 Withdrawal 1,500,000.00 68,736,078.12
03/01/2013 Transfer 5,000,000.00 63,736,078.12
03/08/2013 City Deposit 5,678,987.23 69,415,065.35
03/13/2013 Withdrawal 5,000,000.00 64,415,065.35
03/16/2013 Withdrawal 2,000,000.00 62,415,065.35
03/22/2013 City Deposit 5,678,987.23 68,094,052.58
03/26/2013 Transfer 3,000,000.00 65,094,052.58
Pegasus couldn't have staged his surprise if he wanted to, when Duke brought in the bank statements he ordered. The sheets folded in piles, stacked in neat chronically order from the first time the drastic withdrawals started, to current date. Hundreds of banks, housing his money, Atem's and Yami's were being ciphered. The strangest thing with Atem and Yami's were the precise percentages withdrawn from their accounts, but Pegasus figured it they were related to Leon at the time of his death. Some foolish symbolic relation.
The millionaire suspected something. At night, he would quietly conveyed with himself what he would do should the evidence be lain before him and silently planned what his next step would be.
For weeks, for months, for lonely nights he'd questioned his own morals for allowing this infestation to manifest as long as it has. Now, he was the victim of his own patience. Love blinded him to the truth; loneliness shunned him from acting and years of loyalty and dedication kept his Desert Eagle from being withdrawn from his desk drawer to deliver the gunshot that should have been dealt the first time this happened.
As he stood in front the window of his mansion, gazing over Domino City's slumbering darkness and naïve life, he clutched his hands behind his back, and closed his eyes. Blood seeped from the seam of his clenched teeth, baring down like locked hooks into his bottom lip.
Tape recordings played behind him, voices tossing secrets, betrayal and lies behind his back. Passionate shrieks, heated exchanges and loving coos from men unknown echoed like struck gongs in his ears. Those, perhaps, could have been forgiven; the cheating was to be expected in this type of lifestyle. The video recordings, pictures and written letters could be overlooked as well. However, what Pegasus couldn't ignore were the plans and deceit for wanting to overwhelm the city's innocence in red chaos and malicious intent.
Dates of execution had changed. Last week, they planned to strike. The week before would be the time to act. Alternatively, the end of the month would be perfect. However, none of them came to be. Though, one date did stand out more so than the others.
Friday, May 24, 2013. That date resounded between Zigfried and the Supreme, Ushio Sr., more than the others. Pegasus could not for the life of him, determine the true gain of choosing that date above the others until actually having to scour the city's event planner to see what was being held.
Domino City's Graduation 2013 would be held that date, staged outside in the Garden Park. Majority of the city's population is guaranteed to attend for family, friends and support, especially for Yugi J. Muto, brother of Heba Muto.
Pegasus sucked in a shuddering breath and let it out with a deep dread. "You're sure you've seen them together?" he spoke quietly to Duke behind him. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes sir." Duke approached with a manila folder and spread out the pictures taken. There were dozens of them, all with pictures of Yami, Yugi, Atem and Kisara together, spending time together, eating together. . . smiling together. "I kept track of 'em after you had the last meeting with Atem and Yami. Yugi's been around them nearly every day, playing at the park with the girl and everything. They're in this pretty deep."
Pegasus fiercely swore under his breath. He had told them to steer clear of that boy. Those were orders meant to be taken into consideration for a reason. They hadn't listened. Neither of those bloodthirsty animals had taken heed to his warning.
Pegasus sighed again this time, unable to shake the building anxiety. A repeat of six years ago was upon them, no question.
The date was too close for a full city evacuation. That's why Zigfried chose that day. The rest of his scheme was easy to decipher from there. So, as not to get his own hands soiled, he would pay the vengeful father of Ushio Jr. to do it for him. Ushio Sr. had his own agenda. It just so happened that Zigfried was paying him to exact that revenge. Zigfried wanted Atem to feel the pay of losing a close loved one.
Leon had been killed by a blue blood. Zigfried wanted Kisara killed. Ushio Sr. wanted Yami to suffer a loss.
No matter how many of the Mediums he summoned from all over, it wouldn't be enough to contain the fury of two scorned gang leaders. Blood will paint the streets. Fire will raise as high as the heavens.
"Dear God, help us all."
The snide remarks and comments started about two weeks ago when some of the students spotted Yugi in Galilee's Cafe with Yami. Rumors spread like wildfire, some more ridiculous than others and some polishing up half-truths into wilder lies. The small street brawl from a month ago had been the fuse, but now after more witnessed associations with the Red Eyes Leader; it was officially the talk of Domino City High School.
Yugi Muto was a traitor amongst the eyes of his peers. The crowds of students parted away whenever he entered the halls, staring, whispering and clamoring away as if he were a mobile disease. Nasty things spoke behind cupped hands, wicked accusations gossiped from one side of the hall to the other, but no one would dare lay a hand on him. So long as he held the title as the Red Eye's O.G.'S Bitch, Yugi was untouchable, but also unsociable.
The once bustling fleet of girls walked in the other direction and the people who once held the upmost respect for him, gazed at him like a spider too high to reach.
Yugi kept his head up high, ignoring the sharp glares throw his way as he made his way to his locker to pack his books away. Going into the cafeteria was old news. Everyone would purposely crowd so tight, joint hip to hip together, that there wasn't enough room for him to sit. Even his friends had trouble finding ways to hang out with other friends were trying to lure them away from his friendship.
It wasn't that Yugi blamed his friends for being unsupportive. Why would he, when they had nothing to do with his sudden exile from the public. Who cared what everyone thought of him anyway? In a few days, it wasn't going to matter. He would be heading off to school, working on his baseball career and celebrating with Atem and Yami. That's all he cared about.
"Over here Yugi!"
Yugi smiled down the hall at Ryou's waving hand. Out of everyone here, Ryou was possibly the only one who knew how it felt to be exempt from the world because of your associations. He didn't let the fact that his boyfriend and brother were in the Red Eyes gang change him though. A pity no one else could see he was still the same person.
Yugi gathered his lunch and hurried to join his friend outside behind the school. Today was his turn to bring lunches. He'd missed out on so many of his and Ryou's Friday meets, he practically begged for their final month together to be his turn bringing all the lunches.
Ryou shrugged off his blazer and sat in the grass, a sunny smile greeting Yugi when he sat next to him.
"So, what wonderful treat do we have the pleasure of sharing this afternoon?"
"Nothing fancy," said Yugi. "Me and Grandpa haven't had a lot of time to shop. The shop's been so busy lately with people buying last minute graduation gifts. I think it's edible though." Yugi passed over a red and white striped bento box.
Ryou removed the ribbon and lifted the lid. Tempura shrimp deep fried a crispy golden brown, mixed stir fry veggies, a small plastic bowl of warm udon and three compacted rice balls, all organized and set in place, sinfully welcomed Ryou's appetite to their mouthwatering aroma.
"Nothing fancy, he says," chuckled Ryou. "I'll be the judge of that." He picked up his fork and started into it. He dipped the shrimp in an odd flavored dipping sauce that had this salty rich looseness that seemed to sit well with the dish. Ryou bit into a rice ball moments later before talking.
"Are you ready for graduation?"
"Am I?" Yugi said with a huff. "I've been ready. School's been fun and all, but I'm ready to get on with life. The immaturity's enough to wear any guy out."
"I hear you. I can't wait to go back home. Mum and Dad said they'll gladly welcome me and my brother back for school until we can find our own home. I saw a few available flats online at a reasonable price. As reasonable as it can be for an unemployed college student," he said amused.
"How long will you be home?"
"For keeps this time. Can't say my stay across the pool has been entirely pleasant, but it hasn't been entirely dreadful either. I've met some wonderful people. But enough chat on me. No sense in a being mellow, right? What are your plans?"
Yugi chewed a mouthful of rice coated in soy sauce before saying, "After I sent out my ACT scores, I got accepted at a few places. Southern California and Miami offered full scholarship coverage. Missouri State and Kentucky's coaches called to schedule meetings with me and Grandpa and. . . ." Yugi swallowed a gulp of water, before surveying the area to make sure it's all clear. He turned around grinning as if he held the secret to riches. "I was approached."
Ryou gasped so loud, some of the students lingering by the cafeteria doors jerked away, thinking the worst. He waved apologetically.
"Way to be conspicuous!" Yugi hissed.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm so excited for you. Who were they? You have to share!"
Yugi looked around again. "Boston and Atlanta. Coach told me they came to the school looking to check out the competition. They talked about getting with me and Grandpa before the summer started for training camp!"
"Do you know who you want to go with?"
"Not yet. I like both teams . . . it's the distance I gotta think about." Yugi sighed. "I haven't told Yami or Atem about it."
"Oh," Ryou's excitement dulled for his friend's situation. "I'm not familiar with Atem, but Yami's very understanding. I told him I would be leaving for London after graduation. He told me to keep him posted on my whereabouts and activities at least twice a month. Seto . . . well, Seto will be Seto." Ryou gloomily returned to eating his meal.
"He doesn't want you to go does he?" Yugi concluded on his own.
Ryou shook his head. "And I don't want to leave him behind, but there's nothing for me in the states. I'm better off home. I'd like a new start, freedom away from the negativities of Domino. I wish he'd gone me. Hoping countries wouldn't be so difficult for him."
"Leaving his family would."
Yugi and Ryou both spun around at the extra voice behind them. Tristan stood there, coke in hand, blazer flapping open and undershirt untucked from his waist. His brown eyes shifted uncomfortably before he bucked up some confidence to approach the pair.
"Room for a third?"
Yugi turned back to eating his food, not saying a word. Ryou grimaced at having to be the go-between, but beckoned Tristan to sit next to him. He offered some of his meal, but Tristan declined.
The brunet reclined on his elbows, gazing up at the sky. "So, you're headin' back home, eh?" He started lightly. "We'll miss ya."
"Same here. You guys have been great."
Tristan peeked over at Yugi who was busily smashing his rice ball into mush with his stir-fry.
"I heard the buzz from the team, Yug'. Boston and Atlanta. Not bad teams. They'll be lucky to have you."
"And I heard about you too." Yugi returned coldly. "Dodgers, Tigers and Oakland came looking for a pitcher. Guess you planned to tell me after you felt like it."
Low blow. Tristan guessed there was no dodging this confrontation. "I was gonna say something."
"Before or after you yelled at me for being piss-stupid?" Yugi whipped his head around, eyes filled with fury. "You had the nerve to be angry with me for what I did and come to find out, you're doing the same thing? What kind of crappy, bull-shit logic were you going by anyway?"
"The kind that wanted to keep my best friend from making a mistake with his life!"
"I'm eighteen, not eight, Tristan! I was doing this long before you were ballsy enough to even give it a try!"
Ryou blinked rapidly between them. "Are we still on baseball or something entirely different?"
Yugi and Tristan looked away from one another, ignoring Ryou's question. Yugi lost his appetite. He couldn't deal with being around Tristan another minute. He gathered his things and stood to leave. "I'll see you later, Ryou." He started down the small hill and dropped the empty contents in a trash before heading back into school.
Tristan's footsteps rushed in fast. Yugi had little time to counter before his back slammed against the brick wall. Pain shot like wild fire up his spine, but he kept his face composed as Tristan leaned into his ear.
"Tell me to walk away right now and I promise we'll end our friendship for good. I'm tired of apologizing and I'm sick of being treated like I'm the bad guy."
"Welcome to my world," Yugi said sickly sweet. "Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it! You treated me the same way and for much longer than this!"
"Because you were being naïve, stupid and blind! You didn't know what you were getting yourself into at the time and Yugi—damn it—you were nearly killed dealing with these people! How was I supposed to react?"
Yugi's anger deflated a smidge. "So you're an expert when it comes to this sort of thing right? You know how everything's supposed to be after dating Joey, what, a month?"
Tristan backed away as if Yugi grew fangs. "We're not . . . we're not dating."
"Fucking then, whatever you wanna go with—"
Tristan's face went red hot. "Shut up! We're not doing that either! We're just friends, a major step down from the guy's you're obviously fuckin' into submission!"
"At least I can admit that I'm happily fucking men that love me!"
Tristan froze stiff as a corpse. Yugi could not . . . he couldn't believe what he'd just said. Such brave words, very strong words and yet, he couldn't say he'd heard either man say it to him. Yugi shrugged his shoulders free and stepped off to the side, dully staring at the cracked pavement.
"They love you or do you love them?"
No reply, of course, should Tristan have expected one?
The brunet calmly washed his hands over his face, suddenly too drained to carry on this conversation. He went on to class. Long moments later, Yugi filed in behind him, head bowed to the ground.
Old habits die hard it seemed. Perhaps it was just harder for some dogs to learn new tricks or break routine. Whatever the case, there must have been a reason why this red Ford Explorer was trailing behind Atem's car. He'd made three left turns and two rights and still the driver veered in each lane, staying close behind. See, here's where Atem would've laughed it off and kept the little tailing game going.
It's just that today he had his daughter in the backseat, completely oblivious to what was going on. Atem didn't have time to play car tag and he for damn sure wasn't going to get into another gunfight with his child around. He'd retreat before doing that.
Atem didn't recognize a single one of the young men following him, but he did recognize the hostile colors they were boldly displaying. Fucking red bloods, a whole gaggle of them too. Atem counted about three in the car and no doubt, there were more in the vehicles. This was an outright challenge since they weren't hiding the fact that they were glued to his rear bumper, inches away from ramming him.
Atem gave a couple of warning brakes for the fools to back off, but they were relentless.
"Daddy, when we gonna get something to eat?" Kisara asked from behind, tugging her teddy bear by the arms. "I want French fries."
"In a minute, baby girl," Atem murmured, eyes trained on the rearview mirror at the laughing scoundrels in the rear.
"We still gonna pick up Yugi, Daddy? We're supposed to play today."
That had been the plan. Not anymore.
These fools took him for someone to play with. That's the problem with young folks these days. They think they're ready to take those big bites, but when the real teeth start snapping they start acting like who did it and what for. Yuck it up while you can motherfucka's. Atem had a black .44 magnum locked and loaded beneath his seat, with six full magazines. And hell if that wasn't enough, his trunk had enough kill power to murder these fools every day for the next five years.
They knew he was a blue blood. Atem wasn't going to disguise that fact that he was what he was. His license plate clearly had BLU4LFE printed on the white tag and, being the T.O.G. meant royalty. He was the only blue blood alive who drove in anything that looked fresh off the assembly line. Everyone else kept their shit minimum around early 2012 and older. Not even his senior ranks were driving dirty like him.
Taking several deep breaths, Atem's fingers drummed over his steering wheel, contemplating his next move. These fools' death warrants were already sighed, no question about that. It's just how he was going to handle this, was the question. Kisara was only five-years-old. She wasn't quite old enough to witness the kind of work she'd inherit by her tenth birthday. She knew, but only bits and fragments. Killing in front of his child was low on his fatherly duties until she got of age. Atem has been firm on that fact with his father since it was the age he'd earned his strips.
Atem whipped down a narrow street leading to a dead end alleyway.
No sooner had the tail end of his car turned into a closed off pocket of the alley, Kisara's scream filled the car as the Ford Explorer suddenly clipped them, snapping Atem's car against the edge of a brick wall. Atem immediately put the car in reverse and shot backwards, cutting off any escape for the fools. They wanted to play hardball. That's fine. He could do that shit too.
Atem growled savagely under his breath before he whipped out his cell phone and dialed. The phone rung once before Seth picked up.
"Yeah."
Still not on the best of terms with each, but a feud wasn't going to keep them from backing each other up. This was about to get raw.
Atem shut off the engine, reached over his shoulder and unbuckled Kisara's seatbelt. "How fast can you get to Old Sage and Barton Ave?"
The urgency in Atem's voice was unmistakable. "Five minutes."
"Make it two and call Isis." Atem hung up the phone and carefully checked over Kisara's face and limbs. "Are you hurt baby girl?"
"No," Kisara pouted, rubbing over her face. "I bumped my nose. Why that person hit us? We were going the speed limit weren't we?"
Don't know. Didn't matter. It was painfully obvious they had some kind of vendetta to be this relentless. Atem sighed. Boy, if it wasn't for bad luck, he wouldn't have any. Not even five minutes after making the call, a dark blue Cadillac Escalade EXT parked in Atem's front and powder blue Corvette rolled to the Escalade's left.
Seth jumped out of his driver's side, walking and jamming in a loaded magazine. He shot a brief glance in the passenger's side at Kisara, nodded at Atem and marched down the alley to the awaiting vehicle. Isis emerged without the corvette, locked and loaded, wearing a blue bandana tied around her forehead, a bright blue crop top and cargo shorts.
"Hurry your ass!" she snapped to Atem. She slide over the hood of his car without missing a beat and fell in behind Seth, gun up and at the ready.
Atem wasn't going to be too far behind. First things first, he had to secure his little girl because the shit was about to get ugly. He flipped through the radio station, found a lighthearted kid's tune, and turned it up high. Then he grabbed her by her upper arm and stuffed her down in the back seat on the floor.
"I gotta hide Daddy?"
"Yeah, and you stay there until one of us comes get you, you understand?" Atem said sternly, voice free of slang. "I'm not playing with you. Do not open these doors for any damn body unless it's me, Seth or Isis. Daddy's going to be back in a minute."
Kisara knew the drill. It wouldn't be the first time she'd have to resort to ducking under the seats whenever her father had to deal with problem. She hugged his neck before tucking her legs to her chest, laying as low as she could. Atem kissed her forehead and reached under his seat to retrieve his magnum and two magazines. The cars automatically locked behind him, bass drumming with kiddie songs while he stomped angrily towards the back of the alley, pissed as all get out.
He locked back the gun's chamber, checking to be sure it was fully packed and slammed it back in gear, index finger easily sliding over the trigger. His thumb flipped the gun's setting to rapid fire. Seth walked ahead, Isis by his side. Atem caught up, wedging between the two, all of them not in perfect stride.
All the boys in the Ford Explorer dressed from head to toe in red, white and black, pouring from the insides like a broken faucet. About seven of these guys were packed inside this raggedy ass car. And there were going to be about seven bodies laid out for the police to wrap up. Funny thing is, when Atem, Seth and Isis raised their guns to open fire, the seven guys held up their hands. Every single one lined up in a single file fashion and positioned their arms over their heads, grinning from ear to ear.
"We suffer. Friends we are," one of the Hispanic fellows said in pathetically attempted English. "We mean no harm."
Atem's lip twitched. "You mean no harm," he said as slow as his pace toward them. "Bum rushin' my car, mind you my child is in there, tailing my ass and falling behind me all over the got'damn place, but you mean no harm? Who the fuck you think I am?" His voice had risen so high, it bounced off the enclosed space like a ping-pong ball.
The young men spared amused glances at each other and merely shrugged.
"That's funny, yeah OK." Atem turned over his shoulder. "It's funny," he said to Seth and Isis. He faced the red bloods again. "Cool, I like jokes. Make me laugh." He wagged his gun in the air.
Isis stepped up and took aim. The one her barrel pointed too changed his expression from amusement to surprise and then a frozen state of fear when a bullet ripped through his skull. Bone fragments ruptured out the exit wound, splattering gushes of blood and brain matter on the pavement. All of their expressions changed fast, none of them finding the situation as humorous as before.
The tip of Atem's sneaker toed around the puddle of blood trailing to his feet. "Still ain't laughing folks."
Seth stepped up next, gun high and aimed at a dark skinned teen, looking no older then sixteen. Seth pulled the trigger before the boy had a chance to register he was next to die. The bullet tore through his eye socket, the rush of the projectile snapping his head back hard enough to break his neck. He fell to the ground, slamming the hood of the car on the way down.
The remaining four men panicked, eyes glistening and mouths balled tight.
"Shit ain't that funny now, is it?" said Atem. He got a good long look at each of them in turn, lingering longest on the one who spoke. This one he planned to toy around with since he had the big mouth. The other three were disposable. First, he had some questions to ask. "Now, who wants to tell me what six red bloods are doing neck deep in Blue Eye lands. I mean, shit, someone must've told ya we were havin' a garage sale or somethin' 'cause you just rolled up in here like it was all good and said hey, let's fuck around with a few blue bloods and hope we don't end up messing with the wrong one!"
Atem took aim. Three precise shoots went toward the one on the left, bullets tearing through his jugular, his ribcage and thigh. Dark eyes wide with fright, shock and pain landed on Atem and slowly grumbled to the pavement in a mangled heap. The boy's scream was inhuman, more like a struck dog wobbling along the street in a broken daze. The wail was a siren's call—unbelievably stimulating—summoning an adrenaline rush that Atem hadn't felt in months. A laugh bubbled in the back of his throat before it rung out as loud as the bleeding kid's howls.
"See that?" he said. "That's funny. Definitely laughing now." He pointed his point down and pulled the trigger, taking out the other leg, snapping the bone at the knee joint.
Atem got in the Hispanic boy's face. "Take out the other ones," he said without breaking his gaze. Gunshots rang out as soon as he gave the order. The bodies fell one by one, joining their fallen comrades. "It's just you and me amigo. We can do this the easy away or the hard way." He pressed his gun muzzle in the boy's eye socket. "Please say hard, I'm begging you. You so much as breathe on me, and I'll have you fuckin' my gun like the bitch you are."
The boy said nothing. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, gulping down fear and resentment, eyes shifty, looking everywhere but at the Blue Eyes tyrant before him. Fear gripped him, Atem saw, but the young had wasn't backing down.
That put a huge grin on his face as he lowered his gun. "This one's got heart. Even I have to respect that. Don't mean I'm gonna play nice though." Atem handed his gun over to Isis and grabbed the boy by his hoodie. "Come on son, walk with me, talk with me." He dragged the youth to a corner of the alley, where the brick creased and hid away from all around them.
Atem slammed the kid's back into and jammed his foot into his stomach, planting his heel in the center of his belly button.
"Here's how this is gonna work. You tell me who the fuck has you out here playin' red blood, because as old as I am, even I know Red Eyes ain't stupid enough to jump out of the car surrenderin', thinkin' we gonna call a truce and go play tea party."
The boy coughed. "No te entiendo mi amigo—AH!"
Atem stabbed his heel deal in the boy's gut. "Inténtelo español mierda con otro necio!" He snapped fluently blending into the native tongue with ease and taking the youth by total surprise. "Yeah, how about that huh? Thought you had me? I've been playin' this damn game since you were swimmin' around your daddy's nut sack."
His foot shoved deeper.
The boy doubled over in pain, saliva dripping from his mouth.
"I swear you caught me on a good ass day 'cause you'd be laying on the ground with your boys right now. But, I'm generous. I might let you check out alive, can't promise you'll be as pretty as you are, but you'll be breathing."
Another rough cough and then a deep sigh, "Say and do what you will, Senor. Not even you can get me to betray mi familia."
"I said gimme a name, not names. Get your damn grammar right."
"You won't get that from me."
"Then you die."
"With what weapon?"
Atem smiled, autumn eyes glinting with the cold intent he was really feeling. "You think I need a gun to kill you?" Atem leaned in close, charming smile brilliant and dark. "If by exactly," Atem checked his watch. It read 2:26 p.m., "2:30, you haven't told me what I want to know, I'm gonna leave a piece of you starting here to your mama's house, cutting off that curly hair, your fingers, your toes and work my way from there. There's gonna be a bucket on the porch, full of red with your name on it. And I'll have one of my boy's paint her whole house in her baby boy's blood."
The boy paled. Atem's grin didn't fade as he straightened and flipped a glance in his cousin's direction, motioning for them to check on Kisara.
"My mama has nothing to do with this."
"Neither did my daughter, and look where we're at now." Atem pressed his foot in further, the distinct outline of thin bones stressing beneath his heel.
"Ahhh," came the boy's long groan. "I'll die if I say something."
"You'll die if you don't. Sounds like a personal problem."
"Can you assure I live?"
"I'm not the Pope," Atem answered. "Why have there been so many people faking me and Yami's colors across town? You should've known we were gonna notice eventually."
"He knew you would notice. He wanted you to see how your numbers dwindled."
"Who is he?"
"He, I shall not name, but know you and Yami's days are numbering down to zero. By next week, you'll weep buckets over your daughter's corpse and Yugi Muto's lifeless eyes."
Atem blacked out, demonically overtaken with a flash of extreme rage. His hand jutted out, wrapped like a vise around the boy's throat. Nails burrowed deeper and deeper into the skin, fingers gradually soaking in crimson. He ripped out veins, vocal cords and strings of muscle ligaments. Sputter sounds spat agonizing blood in his face. He held so much hatred for this one in that one instant, all he could think of was watching him fall to his knees, gasping for air, gaze pleading for a quicker death and mercy. Atem relished in every moment until he couldn't feel the pulse on the edge of his nails and let the worthless carcass fall on the ground.
Seth's raspy chuckle hit the back of Atem's head and the click of Isis's red bottoms halted next to him, both eyeing the body over.
"Who is he?" she questioned. "No red blood I know."
"He isn't a red blood," Atem grumbled, kneeling to the ground. Fire or something close to that type of hellish rage gurgled in his stomach as he turned the limp body over and lifted the boy's shirt, pushed back his sleeves and stared at the landscape of tattoos, all hailing stories from another family.
Seth squatted next to his cousin, using his gun as a pointer to identify all the different ink art. Kelly Stone Wallers, Kelly Compton Brotherhood, Area Boys, Sage Daddy, Catholic Crosses, three point crowns and five point stars, all baring legions to another gang; neither red or blue.
"Never heard of 'em," murmured Seth, climbing to his feet. "Probably some new cats trying to sneak into the gangs and sabotage from the inside."
Atem rose to his feet as well. "Shit was a waste of time. We should've been did this. Fuckin' Area Boys and Brotherhood. Who the fuck are they supposed to be?"
"We'd like to know the same thing, Atem." Isis touched the back of his neck. "I worry we'll find out soon. If they've infiltrated us, and managed to weasel into Yami's ranks undetected, there's no telling who we can and cannot trust."
Atem sucked in and blow out a frustrated sigh. "And Zigfried's behind this shit. Makes sense now, wanting to dethrone Yami and me. This thing," Atem kicked the dead boy's head to the side, "said I'd be crying over Kisara and Yugi's bodies. Somebody's been spyin' on us, giving feedback on what's goin' down with my love life."
Seth sucked his teeth. "Said before you shouldn't get yourself caught up."
"We don't have time for told you so's, Seth," Isis barked angrily. "We need to focus on beating the scoundrel at this game. He plans to kill the Yugi boy and my cousin. Why? To gain what from it?"
"Hell if I know. He's had it out for us since we got on the playing field. One thing's for sure, if he thinks he's gonna get at what's mine, this fool better think again." Atem pulled out his phone, dialing and walking back down the alley to his car. The bass still pounded inside his truck, doors locked tight and Kisara was still quietly sitting on the floor. Atem checked around himself and waited.
Yami picked up, voice gruff and clear. "Yeah?"
Atem lowered himself on the hood of his car. "Young Blood," Atem paused, gathering his wits and careful to keep the stress from straining his tone. "Where are you?"
"Patrolling. What's wrong with you?"
Atem felt warmth blossom in his chest. Should have known he couldn't keep anything from him. "I caught a few of your boys out here. . ."
Silence followed.
"They weren't yours. Goons dressed in your colors started tailing me with Kisara in the car."
"She's alive? You good?"
"If I am, you know she is. I read these boys' ink lines. Some pussies callin' themselves the Brotherhood, Area Boys or some shit."
"Never heard of 'em."
"Me either. I'm callin' to say you need to get Yugi and lay low for a while. These fools said I was gonna cry over his and Kisara's bodies."
Some shuffling brushed over the phone. "Where is he?"
"Already dead. Yami—"
"I'm not hiding." Yami cut in with hard finality. "I'll get Yugi and take him to the house out in West Domino, but I'm not layin' low. That ain't me."
"Figured you'd be like that." Atem smirked. "I'll see about getting Kisara out to Egypt by this weekend. Thought you might wanna say good bye?"
Yami didn't reply right away. "Take her to the house too."
"Will do."
"I just pulled into Yugi's school. He's gonna be pissed."
"Don't tell him why. The less he knows the better. I'll meet you there."
"Yeah."
"Yami."
"Yeah?"
"Stay safe." Atem meant it. "Don't let anything happen to Yugi, but keep yourself outta harm's way too, ya hear?"
Atem hung up the phone, noticing the flare in his chest more warm and relaxing. Isis and Seth were already inside their cars, waiting on him to lead the way to wherever. He ambled around to the driver's seat, unlocked it and dipped down inside.
Kisara curiously peeked to the front of the car. "I can come out, Daddy?"
Atem smiled over his shoulder. "Yeah, baby girl. Come sit in the front with Daddy."
Kisara crawled over the seats, bouncing happily next to her father. "We gonna go get Yugi now?"
"Nope."
Kisara deflated. "Why?"
"'Cause Yami's gonna get 'em and we're gonna all get to play."
"Really Daddy?"
"Yep."
Kisara squealed, clapping her hands. Atem put the car in reverse, and bad a right out the alley, where Seth and Isis's cars waited on the street. He flicked his headlights, they flashed theirs and he merged into traffic. Seth and Isis filed in, all heading off to Domino City High School.
Five cars down, a jet black Yukon blended into the background, unnoticed, unseen. Behind it, four others, all black in shade, with sage green interiors. The Supreme drummed his fingers over the barrel of his Crosman Stinger Pump Gun. The convert listening wire hooked into his radio relayed all the information he needed to know. Relocating the boy and brat to different locations simply wouldn't do. Seems the plans were going to have to be changed.
The Supreme pressed a button on his cell.
"Yes?" Zigfried's voice filled the car interior from the speakers.
"Change of plans Zigfried," Ushio Sr. said. "Atem's sending the kid off to Egypt this weekend and Yami's trying to usher the boy off to some place out in West Domino."
Quiet disbelief, "It's too soon. Do they know what's going on?"
"I believe they've caught on a long time ago." Ushio pumped his gun. "I'd suggest getting out of town by tonight. They'll be on you like bloodhounds soon."
The phone clicked. Ushio smiles turned into a malicious howl of laughter.
Zigfried hung up the phone, when a round pressure bumped the back of his head.
"You won't be going anywhere, my dear. You'll stay here and suffer whatever fate awaits us."
Pegasus's index finger slide over the trigger, tone as poisonous as miasma.
Zigfried shakily turned to meet his lover's gaze. "I wouldn't have let you die, Max. We would be long gone far away from here. "
No response. Pegasus's one-eyed glare stabbed right through Zigfried like a soldier blade. It froze the Frenchman to his core. The millionaire reached in his pocket and whipped out his cell phone. "You better pray; pray long and hard that they answer their phones," he whispered dangerously. "Or so help me Zigfried; I'll use your skin as a sheet to cover the bodies of these children if they're killed."
"You see 'em?"
"Lurkin' around the corner?"
"Yeah."
Yami parallel parked by Joey's Tahoe as soon as he arrived to the school. He spotted a dark tan Sedan trailing behind him for about six months. He'd purposely made two detours, and they didn't fail him. They waited patiently, weapons comfortable laying across their laps, anticipating anything to pop off. Yami took a drag of his cigarette and passed it through Joey's window. He inhaled the cancer stick and brown eyes narrowed on the sedan and another black car that pulled up next to it.
"Heads up," he mumbled, passing the cigarette back.
Yami checked his side view mirror. There were two cars this time, no, a third just rolled in, all of their windows tinted jet black.
"You called Thief?"
Joey checked his phone. "Thief said he and Slim just pulled in on the side of the school. They got about six runners a piece. Mahado said he's on his way and Mai's pickin' up some extra hands." He reached under his seat, coming back with a small box of ammo. "You think they're blue bloods?"
"No, not lurkin' like that. They would've acted already."
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Yami didn't take his eyes off the cars as he reached over in the passenger's seat where his cell vibrated. Maximillion's name flashed across the screen.
The school bell rung, momentarily drawing Yami's eyes to the double doors. Seconds later, the doors burst open. He looked at the phone, then the doors, exchanging his gaze between all three. Yugi appeared, chatting with Ryou. That brown hair kid Tristan followed behind. He touched Yugi's shoulder. They stalled by the door, talking.
"I'm gone," he grunted to Joey. "Stay close."
"I got cha'."
Yami drove his car to the front of the school. The phone hummed a second time in his lap. He reached down to answer, but the hairs stood on the back of his neck stood on end when tires screeched across the asphalt. Yami whipped around, gun at the ready.
Some stupid ass kid rolled around, chuckling with his friends. The air in his lungs rushed out in a single swooshes through his nose. Instincts were so electrified that when Yugi knocked on the window, Yami had a good reason for pointing his gun in the teen's face.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Yugi held up hands, backing away. "What's wrong with you? Put that down!"
Yami snatched the gun away. He couldn't speak passed the lump in his chest. Shaking his head, he unlocked the door and motioned for Yugi to get in.
"Jesus, you scared me to death." Yugi asked when he settled in. "You feelin' alright, Yami?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm good." Yami threw a sign over his shoulder. Joey caught it and rolled his car behind him. Two more cars parked in behind him.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah," Yami answered softly. "Come 'mere."
Yugi leaned in and kiss his lips, but was unable to take in Yami's affections when in the back of his mind, Yugi was worried. That look on Yami's face was enough to put fear in Yugi's heart. He tried not to think about it as Yami drove them out off the school campus.
TBC: Fair warning, next chapter's gonna be pretty graphic. Some people are going to die . . . Brace yourselves.