Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Apocalypse ❯ Breathless ( Chapter 45 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Breathless

Seto burst out of the limo, followed closely by Ryou. The CEO raced past the guard,who called after him to stop.

Ryou ran past the guard. “Sorry, sir!”

Seto raced for Joey's room as fast as his legs could carry him. He ran to the elevator and

held it for Ryou. “Hurry up, Ry!”

Ryou ran into the elevator, panting. He arrived in the elevator and rubbed his chest. “Seto…I…

can't run….like that ….anymore.”

The CEO rubbed Ryou's back. “Sorry. I can't wait to see Joey….I hope he's okay.”

The hikari leaned against the wall of the elevator. “Dr. Zira's a very good doctor.”

Seto nodded. “He's been my doctor for years. I knew he'd do all he can for Joey.” The CEO

looked at the elevator floor numbers lighting up one by one. “Hurry it up…..”

“Patience, Seto. Joey's not going anywhere.”

“No…..I'm just glad my Puppy is okay….I want to see him.”

“We're finally going to get some answers as to what happened.”

Ryou put a hand on Seto's shoulder. “You can't assail him with questions so soon, Seto. He

just woke up. Remember when Aten woke up after his heart attack? He could be confused

and disoriented. It's best to give him a few days before he can tell us anything about what

happened.”

Seto narrowed his eyes at the elevator panel. “This thing better hurry up.”

The elevator rose to the top of the hospital, despite Seto's efforts and threats to make it go

faster.

When the elevator doors opened, Seto walked out quickly and raced for Joey's room. His

mind ran as fast as his legs.

He ran to Joey's side as soon as he entered the room. “Joey…..”

Joey opened his eyes weakly. “Seto…..”

Joey reached for Seto's hand and gave it a slow squeeze. “I…..love……..you.”

Seto's eyes filled as he looked up at Katie. “Some privacy, please.”

Katie left as Ryou walked into the room, panting.

“Close the door, Ryou.”

Ryou closed the door and Seto gathered Joey into his arms as carefully as possible. He

buried his face and his eyes in Joey's soft, blond hair.

Ryou saw the CEO's body shaking, his hands trembling as they cradled Joey in his arms.

Joey reached up and put his hand on Seto's arm. “It's going…..to be…..okay, Seto.”

“I was so worried……”

Joey smiled. “I lived……I'll be okay.”

Ryou couldn't see the tears pouring from Seto's eyes as they were concealed by the soft

golden strands of Joey's hair. Seto spent a long time holding onto Joey. No matter how hard

he tried to pull himself away, it was a futile effort.

Ryou walked over to Joey and smiled. “We missed you, Joey. I was very worried about you.”

Joey smiled and leaned against Seto tiredly. “Didn't mean…to…..worry…people.”

Seto pulled back from Joey reluctantly and kissed him on the cheek. “There was nothing you

could have done to prevent what happened.”

Joey turned his head to Seto with a look of surprise. “Hayden! Is Hayden here?”

Seto and Ryou exchanged uncomfortable glances.

“Joey, we'll talk about that when you get a little stronger.”

“Tell me what happened with…Hayden.”

Seto pulled a chair beside the bed. He held Joey's hand and sighed. “Hayden and the

Crusaders stormed KaibaCorp. They held the employees and us hostage for about two

weeks.”

“The kids?”

“They were being held captive with us. Only Jaimen and Ceres were out at the time.”

Ryou rubbed Joey's arm. “They stayed with us.”

Joey sighed. “It's good they were safe….”

Seto ran his fingers through Joey's hair. “I'm taking good care of those in KaibaCorp, Joey.

I'll handle everything. Just try to get better.”

Joey nodded. “I will……Seto.”

The blond's eyes slowly closed and his head fell limp to the side. Ryou and Seto's heads

turned alarmingly towards the heart monitor. It continued beeping, Joey had simply fallen

asleep.

Seto held his blond lover with teary eyes. “Joey's back to me….”

******************************************

Aten applied the next coat of red onto his painting. Taking a step back, he cocked his head

to the side and smiled at his masterpiece. With a deep sigh, he inhaled the cinnamon smell

of the candles burning on his nearby alter to the Egyptian gods.

He heard a knock on the door and turned sharply to see Daniel standing at the door. "Hello,

Aten."

"Hello, sir. Just putting the finishing touches on my next painting. What do you think?"

Daniel stood beside the Egyptian teen and looked at the painting. An angel with golden wings

was flying away from a dark space in the bottom corner of the canvas. A belt of red and gold

cloth was wrapped around her waist. Her long white hair flew behind her.

"Very nice, Aten. But why is the angel crying?"

"Because. Look at the title....and look where she is flying away from."

Daniel looked at the title of the painting at the top corner. "Aten, I can't read heiroglyphics.

What does it say?"

"Freedom."

Daniel looked at the dark space in the lower left corner. "What is she escaping from?"

Aten gave an uncomfortable look to the bottom corner of the painting. "A dark basement. A

pit of hell. Anything you want her to be flying away from...."

"It looks very nice. You're a good artist."

Aten smiled. "Thank you. It helps me forget about what's bothering me....and it helps me to

express myself. Painting and sketching.....I still have the first sketch I ever made of Robbie

and I when I was young."

Aten put down his paint and brush and walked towards his altar. He reached below the altar

and pulled out a cedar box. "Mr. Morgan.....should anything happen to me. Can you see

that Robbie gets this?”

“Nothing's going to happen to you, Aten. You're a young kid yet.”

Aten gave him a small smile. “Well….you know that I have a terminal illness.”

Daniel nodded.

“In case anything happens to me, can you give Robbie this? It has some of my most

treasured possessions.”

Aten opened the box and pulled out a locket. He opened the locket slowly and inside was a

black lock of hair. “This is a lock of Robbie's hair that I got a long time ago. Robbie has a

locket with my hair, too.” Aten pulled out a picture that Robbie had drawn when they first

entered school. Aten and Robbie were stick figures and holding hands. `Frends' was scribbled

in the top with blue crayon. The teen smiled at it and put it aside. “Here is my first drawing of Robbie and I.”

Aten opened up the yellowed piece of paper. Aten and Robbie were cuddling in bed together,

a white, sheet draped over them. The two boys looked around seven years old. The Egyptian

blushed. “This is a good picture. I really loved this one. I kept it hidden from my family.”

“Why? I mean, your parents are gay. So, why would you hide it?”

Aten shrugged. “I was afraid of what they may think. I was shy…..I still am.”

“Then why are you showing this to me?”

Aten laughed. “When it comes to my artwork, I have no shame. I'm not shy at all. I paint

what I want and feel. I'm not shy about my paintings anymore. I like them. I choose to keep

these in the box. It's my special box. Please see that Robbie gets this.”

“I will.”

Aten replaced the box's contents neatly inside and tucked it under the altar. “You came in

here to see me, dad?”

Daniel nodded. “Can you go upstairs and see Robbie? I think something's wrong with him.”

Aten looked at the empty couch at the side of the room. Robbie liked to sit and read on the

couch while he painted.

“I wondered why he wasn't here. I just assumed he wanted some time alone.”

“He's feeling very…..upset. He's not himself. Maybe you should go speak to him.”

“Okay,” he said as he struggled to his feet. “I can do that. It's not like Robbie to be upset.

He must be still upset about the KaibaCorp incident. Well, I know something that may help

him relax.”

With an evil chuckle, Aten left his studio.

******************************

Robbie's POV

I stood by the window looking outside. My arms were wrapped around myself. Thank god my

shoulder didn't hurt as much as it once had.

Hayden was dead.

He didn't deserve to die.

He was a good kid…..just….confused.

It was the fault of all those people who hurt him.

They turned him into a savage killing machine. Those men…..and those freaks, the

Crusaders.

Too bad Eric and Jason got away….I know I shouldn't say that, but still…..they will live to plan

another attempt on Seto's life….and KaibaCorp.

When I heard that bombs were planted around KaibaCorp, I honestly thought that it was over.

So many people died and were injured…..

Why did Hayden have to die?

Alex's funeral was hard.

I don't like funerals…..who does? Nobody.

Hayden's funeral is going to be harder. He used to play with Aten and I. I never knew he had

a past like Aten's….

Aten was able to cling to someone….me.

Hayden didn't have any friends besides Aten and myself.

If Aten didn't have me….would Aten have ended up the same way?

He was a good kid….just confused.

Poor guy.

Normal POV

A knock sounded on the door and Robbie turned. “Come in.”

Aten stepped into the room and gave his husband a small smile. “Hello, Robbie. I just came

up here to see what you were doing.”

Robbie shrugged. “Just lookin' out the window. Nothing much.”

Aten sat beside Robbie on the bed. “You're upset. I can tell.”

“Aten, it shouldn't have ended with Hayden's death!”

Aten took Robbie's hand. “I know. It's not an easy thing to accept. Death never is easy to

accept. But Hayden isn't suffering anymore. He's up in heaven, watching his rapists burn.”

“How could he have gone to heaven? He killed people…he hurt people.”

“Robbie, Hayden suffered enough. I'm sure Ra was forgiving to him.”

Robbie shrugged. “I'm not so sure.”

Aten rubbed Robbie's hand. “Robbie, it does no good for you to mope around. Why don't

you go out and do something you enjoy?”

Robbie shook his head. “I don't want to.”

“You haven't been to the library in ages! Why don't you go and get yourself something to

read?”

Robbie shook his head. “I don't want to leave the house.”

“Robbie, you like going to the library. If you go out and do something nice for yourself, you'll

feel better.”

Robbie sighed. “Well………..”

“Go on, Robbie. I know you'll enjoy yourself.”

Robbie raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

Aten nodded. “Go on, Robbie. Go spend some time by yourself. You always felt right at home

in libraries. I think it will help your mood. When you come back, we can snuggle on the

couch and read a book together.”

Robbie smiled. “Okay then.” He gave his husband a kiss and grabbed his cane. “I'll be back

soon.”

Aten smiled. “Sounds good. I'll be painting.”

Robbie kissed Aten again. “I look forward to our snuggle tonight.”

“I always do, too,” Aten said with a final kiss. “Go on. See you for dinner.”

*******************************

Aten applied a new coat of red to the angel's belt. He stepped back and gave the painting a

smile.

“Freedom. It's so beautiful. It needs something else…..what can it be?”

The door to Aten's studio opened and he turned his head sharply. The door creaked open

slowly and hit against the wall.

“Hello?” Aten called to the door. “Come in.”

Nobody was standing in the doorway.

The teen put down his paints and paintbrush, walked over to the door and looked outside.

Nobody was in the backyard.

Aten closed the door and heard the teapot whistle in the kitchen. He walked into the kitchen

and poured himself a hot cup of tea. He returned to his studio and shut the door behind him.

He put his tea down and went to reach for the paints when he felt a hand cover his mouth and

an arm wrap around his neck.

Aten's eyes widened in terror as he struggled to release himself from his captor's grip.

The teen screamed into the hand covering his mouth and he backed against the wall, making

his captor collide with the painted mural on the wall. The captor growled and turned quickly,

pinning Aten against the wall with his body.

“I told you that you belong to me,” a familiar voice said.

`Kadin!' Aten screamed in his head.

His assailant removed his hand, but the arm around his neck remained.

Aten tried to scream to his in-laws for help, but he found breathing increasingly

hard. “Kadin….can't…breathe….”

Kadin tightened his arm around Aten's neck and covered his nose and his mouth with his

hand.

The room spinned as Aten's lungs were deprived of oxygen.

His assailant grinned as he felt his victim grow weak. “That's it……….”

Kadin looked over at the sofa and dragged his victim over to it. His victim was becoming

purple in the face and his lips were turning blue. “While you're dying, I may as well have my

fun.”

Aten felt a hand tug at his pants and one hold him down. “Stop…..Kadin,” Aten whimpered as

he tried to pull himself up.

Aten's face was knocked into the couch as a fist collided with the back of his head.

Aten's arms fell limp on the couch and he gave a groan.

“I told you that you would belong to me, Aten. You belong to me, understand?” Kadin

growled, punching the back of Aten's head again.

The teen bent over the couch and whimpered.

“You belong to me! Me! Me! Me!” Kadin growled as he squeezed Aten's neck tightly.

The teen gagged and struggled for breath as the fingers dug into his windpipe.

“Don't you dare tell Robbie about this!” Kadin growled again as he punched Aten's upper

back, his heart skipping beats and becoming irregular.

“If you tell Robbie, I will fucking kill you, do you hear me???!”

The hands were replaced around his neck and they pushed his face into the couch.

Kadin grinned as he saw Aten's body slowly stop moving. The teen's arms fell limp. His skin

had turned color.

The boy's chest stopped heaving in fear.

Kadin pulled back and let Aten's body fall to the ground. Aten's eyes were wide open staring

at the ceiling….his chest hardly rising.

Kadin smiled down at his work and grinned. “I'm not done with you yet, Aten Ishtar.”

*******************************

Robbie pulled a book off of the shelf and flipped through the pages. He read a random page

and smiled.

“This looks good.”

He turned his head and looked at the microfilm machines. “I should catch up on the news. I

was out of contact with the world for two weeks….”

Robbie walked over to the newspapers sitting on the shelf. He signed out the Domino

Chronicle, The Domino Herald and sat in a comfortable chair by a window. He took a deep

breath and sighed.

On the front cover was a picture of KaibaCorp and the headline read `No End In Sight for

KaibaCorp Hostages.'

Robbie shuddered. “Note to self: next time look at the headlines before signing them out.”

The teen dropped the paper on the table in front of him, intending to read it later.

“I may as well start from the beginning. This one is dated….a month ago? Note to self: next

time look at the dates before signing them out. Oh well….maybe I missed something that

wasn't on the news.”

Robbie opened the paper and read the press releases on new policy passed by Federal and Local Governments. He read stories about the highly-publicized triple murder in Center City.

Robbie's eyes came to the local headlines. `Fifth Teenager Found Murdered.'

“Oh, I didn't read about this one.”

Robbie's eyes widened and he rubbed them. “What's this???????? `Kadin Vorhees, a sixteen

year old senior from Domino High, was found dead today in Pennypack Park. The teen was

found skinned and his vital organs missing.' What's going on here? `The police have stated

that the Crusaders are not claiming responsibility for the murder. `We will bring this boy's

murderer to justice,' Sgt. Barnes told The Domino Herald.' Article continues page 25….”

Robbie turned the paper to page twenty five. His jaw dropped when he saw the picture of the

murder victim. “Oh my god! That's Aten's friend!”

Robbie looked at the date of the paper and ran to the newspaper shelf. He grabbed another

paper from that date and turned frantically through the pages. “Here it is too…….'Teen Found Dead in Pennypack Park.' `A sixteen year old senior was found dead today… Evidence

suggests that the teen was skinned and his heart, liver, and lungs removed from his body

while he was still alive.'” Robbie swallowed hard. “'The teen has been identified as Kadin

Vorhees.'”

Robbie hobbled away from the newspapers and out of the library as fast as his legs and cane

could carry him. “Aten! I'm coming!”

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