Author's Note:

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone online.

My new year's resolution is to not let the fear of failure prevent me from doing the thing I love most: write. I know many have felt this same fear. Know that writing is simply a vehicle for thoughts. Where imagination is ever-flowing and expressive, writing frees many from the limiting confides of our human mind. If someone connects in the way you wanted him or her to: perfect. However, know that the vehicle may malfunction; there may be flaws. However, there will always be the people who support you and your writing and those people will hold a connection with you forever. You will have changed their life, for writing never dies.

Waking up in my current room did not calm me anymore. I was a rat in a maze, and I knew it. If it was in Kaiba's plan to torture me to death, he will succeed. I feel it.

I looked around for the camera I had heard. I searched for hours only to find the room now had small red dots bordering the top of the walls. I soon deduced to make a trip downstairs before my experiment started. It was December 24. 5:30am now. In a half an hour, I'd have my first session.

The tray of food was still not there, the maids probably cleaned it up.

You didn't see them clean it up, a voice sounded.

I was in the bathroom!

Well, if you want to believe something so foolish…

I do! What do you kn- … I'm hearing things now… Terrific.

I remembered the current time: 5:30am. Having a half an hour to myself before the experiment, I put on a pair of shorts I found in the dresser. Strange that Kaiba would have my size, he has always been so skinny.

Opening the door, I stepped right into the group of scientists. "Good morning, Mr. Wheeler. Are you ready?" I cowered at their smiles, to which they responded in genuine concern.

"Do not be afraid, Mr. Wheeler. It's simply breakfast time."

"I'm afraid I am too weak to walk right now. I feel rather sick." I emphasized my discomfort, to which they replied in soft and gentle smiles.

"No problem Mr. Wheeler. We will help."

I recognized the one who called me cute in the group of scientists. He came up to me and picked me up bridal style, sporting a sickeningly sweet smile and carried me to the dining room, holding me as one prepared breakfast.

My confusion of their sudden kindness and generosity toward me was clear to them as one whispered to another. "Subject is confused, is still unaware."

My confusion turned to fear.

"Unaware about what?" The doctor smiled and whispered again, "Subject's hearing has been enhanced, more aware of his surroundings." The scientist holding me breathed in my scent in the crook of my neck. I wiggled out of the scientist's grip.

"No excretion, he's not reacting to the chemicals in a negative way." Frantic, I looked for the current exit. My escape route was in reach: The front door. Elbowing out of the scientist's grip I started bolting, but as soon as I started running, my legs went numb.

I looked behind me and watched in horror as the scientist plunged another needle into my body. "Now, be a good boy, Joey. Or," he whispered sweetly, "Would you like us to tell Mr. Kaiba the feelings you're starting to have for him?"

No.

Yes.

Hearing this, my body tensed in fright once more,

How do they know something that's only in my head?

.

No. The needle was starting to take effect. No! Don't fall asleep! Don't… fall…

I was becoming a shell. Something lifeless. Nothing surprised me anymore, and as the experiments and dates never came, as time itself ceased to exist, I began to give up on everything. Moral order, love, life…everything.

My ears and eyes sensed everything now; my brain was running on its survival mechanisms, my body fueled by what I assumed they were feeding me with when I was sleeping. The holes in my arms I woke up with suggest they probably feed me through tubes. I didn't care anymore. I just wanted this nightmare to be over. I wanted life to be over, if this was life at all.

I hear footsteps. A rustle of fabric. Hiding behind the door, I waited for the knock. They were coming in earlier and earlier, I noticed. However, this time, the footsteps stopped outside my door. They waited for a few minutes, and kept moving.

Toward the red room, the other voice thought. I need to know. I don't care what happens now. I need to know what is in that room.

I approached my current room's door and touched the handle with just the tips of my shaking fingers. The cold of the silver handle sent a wash of cold water through my system. Slowly pushing down the handle, I peered out the door.

No one.

Emitting a breathless sigh, locking my jaw and looking toward the red door, I moved toward the room with cautious, careful steps.

I stood looking at the door for a few seconds. I didn't want to get caught, but the importance of stealth became lost as I marveled at the opportunity before me.

This is it.

This is it.

I grasped the brass handle and turned. Almost… Almost…

A muffled scream escaped my lips as a cloth covered my mouth and I passed out.

Big blue eyes stared at me from an unidentified room as I started to come to.

"How long have you been here?" The familiar voice of the figure asked.

"I really don't know"

"Hm. I was afraid of that. Something is happening to you Joey. I want to help you."

Relief washed through me as I looked up at him from the ground, "Really? Oh thank you… Who are you?"

Silence. Then, from behind the large armchair in the middle of the room…

Mokuba Kaiba emerged.