"God damnit I'm lost." I sighed dejectedly. I started wandering in what appeared to be the right direction. 'I forgot my compass back at my room', I thought satirically. A grumble from my stomach broke me from me thoughts. "Ugh where is the damn kitchen?"

I kept walking along the never-ending lane of doors until I noticed a faint hint of color on one of the door up ahead.

The door was a blood red. Curiosity overcame me, and I looked shyly to my right and left as I reached for the doorknob.

"Joey!" I stopped dead in my track and spin around to find…nothing. No one was there. Sighing, I followed the calls of my name to find the irritated CEO, arms crossed and glare blazing through my curious spirit like fire. "Did you get lost, mutt?" I growled, but didn't answer. "Where is the kitchen, ass-" I stopped myself, muttering a quick apology greeting a smirk from Kaiba and we headed to the kitchen.

The kitchen connected with the dining room contained a long table filled with stuffy looking men with thick briefcases and white beards. "Joey, these are the scientists that will be working on you for the break and the time you are here." I smiled politely as the scientists replied in many curt nods, simultaneously. As if rehearsed.

I felt cold. I wish I could be with someone friendlier. We went over a few parts of the contract, although it was pretty vague. There weren't details of what the experiment entailed, only legalities of injury and harm. I looked over to Kaiba for hints of reassurance, but as he stared straight ahead, I knew my attempt at comfort would be met with the unresponsive face of the CEO.

The eyes of the scientists' hid behind small glasses, each hiding their color behind blinding glare from the windows surrounding the dining room. Every now and then during the reading aloud of the contract, I could see the sharp and serious glare in their eyes, but would quickly look away before I could understand the menace behind their stares.

I signed it. I didn't care what happened to me at this point anyway. I signed using my sloppy cursive as I observed the others watching and smirking at my "commoner's scrawl," as I heard one mutter. "Don't mind that, he is simply a mutt." They smiled as a tear escaped the control of my emotion. Kaiba saw this, and with a voice only a CEO could muster, he deadpanned "This meeting is over. You will start tomorrow at six am sharp."

I was gone after I heard the word "over". Fumbling my way into the nearest open room, I realized it was Kaiba's study. I didn't care if it was all right or not; I needed to get away. I needed to be alone. Maybe it was just to relish in the sick self-pity I was feeling, but whatever the reason, it made me act like a kid.

The study wasn't very large, only a desk and a bookshelf instead of walls surrounding the space. I crawled into the large space under the desk and sat, sobbing. After what seemed like a half-hour later, I heard faint footsteps and the creak of the door opening. I stopped breathing as I heard the person walk to the other side of the desk and peer into the cave I currently inhabited.

I locked eyes with Kaiba for only a moment, and looked away, huddling into the corner into a small ball. I heard him scoff and slowly stand back up.

"I won't apologize, because you are a common mutt. Common mutts can have endearing qualities. Stop acting foolish hiding like a child and come eat. I spent money on you so you could live for this experiment." He left afterward, leaving me alone with my thoughts. After fuming for a few seconds, I sighed in defeat and response to a loud grumble from my stomach.

I stood, stretched, and walked to the door where I heard a group of footsteps and low voices passing in front of the door.

"The mutt signed it. Kaiba truly picked a loser dog." Holding the rage inside me, I kept listening to more insults of my social status. I heard them pass down the hall so I opened the door and came face to face with Kaiba.

"Hungry, Wheeler?"

"Yeah."

"Go to your room. Apparently the scientists' first day tests need you to have an empty stomach."

My stomach roared. Kaiba smirked and turned and tossed back a necklace with a pendant made out of polished wood with black square designs.

"A map. The star indicates your room. The red square is the experiment room. I will bring you meals. Don't wander. Don't explore. You are my guest. Do not disobey. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Kaiba."

Shocked slightly at my unwillingness to fight, Kaiba cocks his head and looks deep into my eyes for a few seconds.

"Goodnight, mutt."

I followed the small map back to my room and flopped carelessly on the bed.

"Nine-thirty. I guess I have nothing better to do than to sleep. I might need it for the experiment…"

Closing my eyes, the last thing I remember is Kaiba's gentle words before sleep takes over my senses:

"Common mutts can have endearing qualities."