Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Letter To My Lover ❯ Letter to My Lover ( Chapter 1 )

Letter To My Lover

Dear Malik,

I'm at Tea's house. Her parents are on vacation. Tristan is sitting across from me. "Why won't you talk?" he asks me. His voice surrounds me. It's an unpleasant feeling.

I say nothing.

"Please," he begs, "say something. Joey's worried."

I sit in silence.

"If it's Malik you're worried about, he's not coming back. The cops have him. We made sure of that. If you like I can call them up, just to check."

I don't even look at him.

He switches subjects. "What are you writing?" he asks.

I'm writing this letter, and it's none of you business, I think. Just fuck off.

The sad part about this is that he means well. They all do. They all think that you are a monster who controlled my mind and took advantage of me. We both know how far off from the truth that is.

Tristan leaves the room, and I'm glad. He has always annoyed a nerve deep inside me. I don't know why. I hear him telling Joey that I 'haven't improved.' No you idiot, I think. Of course I haven't improved. I'm in a prison, and you're my jailer. Leave me alone and I'll get better.

I've been sitting at the same spot for the past three hours. It's two in the morning now. I'm next to a window, and through it I can see a lighted window. If I stare at it for too long, It doubles and triples into several windows, and finally into a yellow light that fills my mind. My thoughts drift back to that night when I first met you.

~

The streetlight shone brightly through the dark night. The trees hid the empty benches of the park in shadow. Serenity sat on one of these benches, staring out at the small patch of sky she could see.

She sighed.

What is wrong with me? she wondered. My brother and his friends are wonderful, but I can't stand them. She glanced at her arms and flinched at the scars she saw there. All of them were her own doing. The short ones across the tops of her wrists that were barely perceptible had been done with a razor in the shower. The long one that ran up her lower arm to her elbow was an actual knife. She'd bought it for Joey as a birthday present a few months earlier. Joey's birthday had long since passed, but Serenity had kept the knife and given him a couple of CDs instead.

My entire life is fucked up, she thought. And if it doesn't fuck itself up, I help it along.

She was Serenity Wheeler. Always perfect, all the time, to everyone she knew.

No one knew her well enough to see that she was living in a hell.

Sure, Joey's friends seemed happy and loyal to each other, but Serenity knew that it wouldn't take much to drive them apart.

A figure was visible through the trees. Serenity found herself watching despite herself. Obviously male, even with his shoulder length hair, he sat in the grass smoking a cigarette.

He probably thinks he's being daring and rebellious, she thought. Idiot.

She still felt uncomfortable with a stranger looking on. Serenity stood up and pulled her coat tight around her chest. It was cold. She knew there was bench near the other side of the park. She would go there.

But at the other side of the park, a party was going on. Probably the same party smoker back there came from, she decided, and turned to find herself face-to-face with the smoker.

He was tall and slender, with platinum blonde shoulder length hair. The cigarette, almost finished, was held in one graceful, long fingered hand.

"Excuse me," she said. Smoker was blocking her path.

"Of course." His voice had an Egyptian accent to it. He stepped aside and Serenity walked by.

A shout rang out, cutting through the night air. Serenity turned.

Someone-Serenity couldn't see his face-had jumped at Smoker, who blocked the blow. She watched the fight, unable to tear her eyes away, as the attacker swung his arm wildly.

Smoker grabbed the arm and twisted it behind the attackers back. The attacker screamed in pain, and Smoker pushed his opponent into a tree and held him there.

The assailant lashed out, trying to kick. His struggles were in vain as Smoker pulled out a knife and held it up. Serenity saw the blade gleam in the soft moonlight and had a sudden image of cutting her wrists with it. Both of them, for the last time.

Then the attacker was on the ground, blood shining on his shirt.

Serenity turned, and started to run. She didn't see where she was running, but the image of the man lying dead in the grass was burned into her head. She bit her lip so that it bled.

It didn't take long for a hand-a hand with long, tanned fingers that Serenity had noticed earlier-to grab onto her arm so tightly it hurt. She was jerked back, and one again was staring Smoker in the face.

"You didn't see that," he said. His voice was a hoarse whisper with a hint of urgency in it.

"I won't," she said. "I won't tell."

"I knew you'd say that," he said. "I don't trust you."

She shrugged. She was already halfway suicidal, and didn't particularly care what happened to her.

"Come with me then," he said.

There was nothing she could do to stop him. She followed, and sat behind him on his motorcycle.

~

Joey's coming in right now. He's seen the cuts on my arms and always taken my word for it that the cat scratched me or I scraped myself on an exceptionally sharp tree branch. Now he's in here, to lay the blame on you.

"Did that bastard do this to you?" he asks, holding my left arm and fingering the long scar.

I'm not talking. Not for Tristan and not for him.

"Please, Serenity, Sister," he says, pleading in his eyes, "You're so quiet it's scaring me. Just tell me you're all right, or what happened."

I jerk my arm away.

"Tristan says you're writing something. Can I see it?"

No. I don't say this, but I hold the paper tight to my chest.

"Guess not," he says.

My mind is back to you now. The wind in my face as we rode on the motorcycle that first night . . .

~

They stopped at an apartment building. Smoker pulled her off the motorcycle. "Come on," he said.

He dragged Serenity up the stairs and through a door. She was in his room.

He tossed her into the bathroom and locked the door. "Stay in there," he said, "and don't make any noise or I'll kill you."

When he came back, Serenity was sitting calmly on the side of the bathtub. "Are you going to kill me now?" she asked.

The blonde man looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "You're not normal," he said.

She shrugged.

There was a long, awkward silence. Serenity met his violet stare with her own.

"Come into the room," he said. "I'd can tell whether or not you're going to betray me, and I'd just as soon do it in comfort."

Serenity followed him out of the bathroom. He gestured to a couch, and she sat down. The couch was comfortable, and she forced herself to relax.

He took an armchair and picked up a metal rod from the coffee table. "This might give you a headache," he warned. The rod glowed, and Serenity felt something indescribable in her head. Then it disappeared, and the man was looking at her.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" he asked, his voice soft, almost inaudible. He stood up and walked over to her. He picked up her scarred arm gently. "Why?" he asked.

Serenity didn't say anything.

"Being inside someone's head gives me a certain amount of sympathy towards them, but it's limited. Don't expect me to be so nice next time we meet," he said. He grabbed her roughly and flung her out the door.

She stood there in the empty hallway and stared and the closed door. Serenity didn't have any way to get home. She knocked on the door.

He was there almost immediately. "What is it?" he asked.

"How am I supposed to get home?"

He cursed briefly. "Damn rare hunters, never around when you need them." He handed her some money and told her to take a taxi.

~

Joey is still here. He's scared for me, and I feel almost guilty not talking to him. He's my brother, and I do love him.

"Serenity, you have to tell us what happened," he says. "The police will want to know."

A sigh almost escapes me. I hold it in. Can't he see that I want to be alone?

~

Three days later, Serenity was quietly walking home from school. She was a senior, with perfect grades, and had been accepted early decision to a prestigious college. She almost looked forward to it, since she knew no one else who was going there. This would be a chance to start over again.

She'd purposely avoided Joey and his friends, as she had done so many times in the past. The sun beat down on her. She rested at a bus stop.

A bus pulled up a few moments later. She ignored it and the people who got on and off. Except for one.

The blonde smoker from the night she saw a man murdered.

He saw her, and his violet eyes met her green ones. A few seconds later he was sitting next to her. "Still in school?" he asked. "How old are you anyway?"

"Eighteen."

"Scarred for life after you saw me kill him?" he asked.

She shrugged.

"You're strange, you know that?"

This time she gave a short laugh. "You were in my head last night, trying to find out whether I would report you to the police, and you call me strange?"

He laughed as well, with just a hint of bitterness. "You're strange in a different way than I am," he said. Then: "Strange people should stick together. Meet me at the park, at the bench where you were sitting when I came to smoke."

The next bus came by. He stood up and climbed on it.

~

"How did it start?" Tea asks. She's in here now, standing behind Joey. I can see Yugi-or Yami, I can't quite tell them apart, and right now I don't care-by the door frame.

For a moment I consider telling her. The story is pretty simple, when it's boiled down. Maybe if I tell them they'll go away, I think, but I know that they won't. Once I tell, they'll want details. I don't want to be pestered for details.

So I stay silent.

Tea says, "Are you hungry? I can cook."

I shake my head.

~

Serenity didn't know what made her go to the park that night. He was already there, his slender form draped over the bench.

"So," she asked, "since I'm here, can you at least tell me your name?"

"Malik. Yours?"

"Serenity."

She sat on the bench. "Any particular reason you wanted me here?"

"Like I said, strange people should stick together."

There was a long silence. Then he asked, "Care to have a little fun?"

Moments later, she was behind him on the motorcycle as they sped through deserted streets. Serenity was halfway enjoying herself, which was strange. She didn't know what Malik's idea of fun was, but she didn't care. What she was doing was something Serenity Wheeler didn't do. But he didn't know her last name, or at least she didn't think he did. She was just Serenity here, and she could do anything she wanted.

They stopped outside a building with a bright neon sign. 'Dark Rose Club,' it proclaimed. Another, smaller sign said '21 and older only.' Malik ignored it and led her in.

"One word of advice," he whispered to her. "The guys here will do almost anything to get some. Stay close."

No one IDed her. Malik ordered two beers, and handed one to her.

Is this a date? Serenity wondered. She didn't date. She hadn't dated for a while, even though Tristan had asked her once or twice, and several people had told he that she needed to 'get out more.'

Well, I'm out, and who can complain? she thought, and sipped her beer.

A man suddenly sat down at the table. Serenity took an instant dislike to him. He had oily black hair and beady eyes. His clothing hadn't been washed in a while.

"Hello Vee," Malik said calmly. "How are you tonight."

"Is she a hooker?"

"No."

Vee looked embarrassed. He stood up and walked away.

Noting Serenity's shocked expression, Malik said, "That's just Vee. He's harmless. Too stupid to cause any damage. But he gossips like an old woman, so soon everyone in here will assume you're with me, and no one will bother you."

"Good."

A few hours later, Serenity and Malik left on his motorcycle. She had enjoyed herself, although she was still confused by Malik. He probably likes being confusing, she thought. I think I like it too.

"Same time next week?" he asked.

"Sure."

And so it was. The second week they went to the Dark Rose again, but the third time they saw a movie. Serenity's arms became oddly devoid of new cuts, and she acquired a wardrobe filled with low rise jeans, cargo pants, and belly-baring tops to wear on her weekly outings.

One night at the club, after so many visits she had lost count, a slow song came on. She rocked silently to it, mouthing the words. It was one of her favorites.

"You like that song?" Malik asked, sipping his beer.

She shrugged. "I listen to it on the radio a lot."

"Care to dance?"

"Love to." Serenity stood up and put her arms around Malik's neck. His hands went around her waist, and they rocked back and forth to the music.

She was dancing pretty close, and enjoying it. Malik is gorgeous, she found herself thinking. I'm dancing with a guy half the girls I know would kill to meet. She smiled and thought, and I'm the one dancing with him.

When the song ended, they sat down again, and Serenity regretfully realized that it was around the time they normally left.

"Do you want to go home now, or shall we stay a bit longer?" he asked.

"A bit longer," she said. "I'm not tired yet."

~

Tristan is going around to the Mexican take out place. "What do you want?" he asks me. He's hoping for an answer, but I don't give him one. I'm not hungry.

Joey orders an insane amount of food, trying to make me laugh. I appreciate it. I can hardly blame him for not understanding why I'm mad. He only knows you as the evil leader of the Rare Hunters. Do I even have the right to blame him?

I see Tristan's car drive past the window. Can I blame him? He's just as clueless as Joey.

They've stopped asking me about you, and they're just making small talk. "Do you want to see X2?" Tea asks. "It looks really good."

I just continue writing and saying nothing.

~

A few weeks later, they went to see a movie. It turned out to be horrible, and they weren't the only ones to walk out. Outside the theater, they wondered whether to stay and see another movie.

"There's nothing good here," Malik said. His platinum blonde hair was falling in his eyes.

He looks amazingly cute that way, Serenity thought. She was wearing a new green halter top and jeans. Her hair was down. "You're right," she said. "It's not to late to get our money back and go to the Dark Rose."

Malik nodded.

A woman came up behind him. "Malik?" she asked.

"Isis?"

"What are you doing here?"

He didn't take his time answering. "Walking out of a crappy movie that I subjected my friend here to."

"'Friend,' Malik? What kind of friend?"

"Why are you so suspicious? She's a friend of mine."

She turned to Serenity and pulled a piece of black hair out of her eyes. "I'd stay away from him if I were you. I'm his sister, and I know him pretty well. Unless he's paying you, I'd leave."

She left.

"Why does everyone think I'm a hooker?" Serenity asked rhetorically.

He shrugged. "Isis is one of the most suspicious people I know," he said, "She always has been, and since we don't get along very well, a lot of that suspicion is directed at me."

"Sisterly love," Serenity said.

He laughed, then asked her, "Are we dating?"

She blinked, surprised. "Are we?"

"We hang out once a week, dance together when the mood takes us, and even we don't know what to call it," he said.

There was a long silence.

"Shall we go get our money back?" he asked.

"Sure." Serenity was leaning against the wall. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her leaning position. She stood up, face to face with him like she had been the night they met.

"I think we are dating," he said softly.

"So do I," Serenity said. Her heart was thumping wildly, and her legs felt as if they were turning to jelly.

He kissed her, and she found herself kissing back.

They pulled away. "Shall we go to the club?" he asked.

"Let's."

At the club, they danced together, close this time. "Can you tell me your last name?" she asked.

"Ishtar," he said.

"Malik Ishtar. Sounds nice," she told him, pulling a hand from around his neck and running it down his chest.

"Fair's fair. Tell me yours."

"Wheeler."

"Well, Serenity Wheeler, shall we go somewhere more private?"

~

Tristan's back with the food. He and Joey are having a Sprite drinking contest in front of me. Tea and Yugi are laughing, but it's strained. This is all for my benefit.

I'm halfway grateful to these overly happy people. They're trying to cheer me up, and I'm glad they've stopped asking me about you. They won't even refer to you by name.

I'm not saying anything. I don't want to speak because if I do, I'll cry, and then they might get me to tell them something.

"You guys are stupid," Tea says, jokingly. "That's sick."

This is how they act around each other, and they're trying to make me feel like I'm one of their tight little circle, like I'm not alone.

It isn't working. I feel more alone than ever.

~

They did sleep together that night. Serenity was a virgin, and almost didn't believe it when she woke up buck naked next to Malik. She pulled the covers around herself and woke him up.

He sat up and smiled lazily at her before kissing her on the cheek. He got out of bed (Serenity blushed) and pulled on some jeans. He handed her the halter top and pants of the night before.

She found her bra under the bed, and walked into the kitchen to find him making breakfast. "You like bacon?" he asked.

"Love it. Anything I can do to help with the cooking?"

"Make sure I don't burn this stuff."

Serenity chuckled and took over the cooking.

An hour later, as she and Malik were washing the dishes between kisses, she froze. "Omigod! My brother was coming by so I can show him how to burn a CD!"

"It's eight on a Saturday morning. How early could he have been planning to come?"

"Eight fifteen."

"Come on."

As they stood impatiently in the elevator, she said, "I'm Serenity Wheeler, straight A student, going to Harvard next year. He'll be freaked if I walk into my apartment in a rumpled halter top."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"Do I want to be tied to a chair in his apartment until I promise to move in with him and never go anywhere without an escort he trusts?"

"I see."

They pulled up outside her apartment building a few minutes early, but she spotted his black convertible outside. "You'd better go back to your place," she said.

Malik scribbled a number on her hand. "Call me," he said. "Now go before your brother gets there, and think of a good excuse!"

Serenity kissed him quickly and ran.

She was too late.

Joey had let himself into her apartment with his key and was sitting on the sofa when she walked in. "Where were you?" he asked. "Your bed hasn't been slept in, and-what the hell are you wearing?"

Serenity blinked. She'd known Joey would react this way, but she still hadn't thought of an excuse. She thought of one quickly. "I woke up at six, made my bed, and went garage sailing."

"But-the halter top."

"I decided to try something new. I wasn't sure it would fit me, so I put it on, and no one had ironed it for a long time. I just made it back in time to teach you how to burn CDs. Shall we get started?"

Joey still wasn't placated. "Where is the other stuff you bought?"

"I didn't buy anything else. This was all that fit me, and it's still tight."

"Okay then," he said reluctantly. "Teach me."

Serenity turned on the computer, counting the minutes until she could call the number on her hand.

~

My captors are back to questions about you. "How long did this go on?" Tristan asks.

That depends. Is it how long I've know you for, or how long we've been sleeping together? Or even how long have I been in love with you? There is no answer to that question, and if there was, I wouldn't give one.

Tea ushers them out. Maybe she thinks that since we're both girls, I'll be more comfortable around her.

"Serenity, we're there for you. You know that. You just have to believe in it. We'll support you no matter what."

Silence from me.

"Did he rape you?"

More silence. It's not rape if both parties are over eighteen and both consent to intercourse.

"It's not your fault."

No. It's not. It's the police's fault, and Joey's fault, and your fault for making me love you.

~

Four weeks later, they were at Serenity's apartment on a Sunday. Still wrapped in a sheet, Serenity asked, "Do you mind having tacos for breakfast? I haven't been shopping in ages and the leftovers from last night are the only things I have left."

"Those tacos were good last night and they should be good now," he answered. "Bring them out and we shall dine." He laughed, and Serenity laughed with him.

A knock at the door. "Who's in there?"

It was Joey.

Serenity and Malik stared at each other, and the doorknob turned. The door swung open before Malik could hide.

Joey stared at the sight of a half naked Malik and Serenity dressed only in the white sheet.

"Sis? What the fuck is going on here?"

"Uh . . ."

"He made me into a mindslave!"

"That was my yami!"

Serenity stared. She turned to Malik. "Why didn't you tell me you had a yami?"

"Er . . ."

"He has a criminal record!" Joey shouted.

"I don't doubt that," Serenity answered. Then, to Malik: "You messed with my mind, didn't you? I saw the millennium rod when I first met you!"

"Er . . ."

"You're under a mindslave spell, aren't you?" Joey asked.

"No!" Serenity said.

"There is no way in hell my sister would have sex if she wasn't under a spell!"

Serenity sighed. "Joey, I'm eighteen. You're nineteen, which isn't much older than me, and you've been sleeping with Mai for the past two years!"

"That's different!"

"Stop yelling. How is it different?"

"You're not like that!"

"Did you just call your girlfriend a slut?"

That shut Joey up. He stared at Malik in sullen silence. "I'm going to get some clothes on," Serenity said, and went into her room. Before shutting the door she looked at Joey. "If I hear any shouting, you are never coming to my apartment again," she said.

When she came back out, Joey was gone.

"Sorry," Malik said. "He muttered something and left. And about not telling you-sorry about that as well."

Serenity took another deep breath. "I don't blame you. If I didn't know about the millennium puzzle and ring, I probably would have thought you were crazy."

Malik walked up to her and put his arms around her. "I still should have told you," he whispered in her ear.

She pulled away. "Please . . . I need some time to think. Go to you apartment. I'll call you later, I promise."

Malik didn't kiss her. He gave her a tight hug and left.

She flopped down on her couch and buried her head in her hands.

~


Tea's still alone with me. She's concerned, I can tell.

"Please, just nod and shake your head. Did he rape you or not?"

I shake my head. I can't keep up the silence much longer. I'm not as strong as you are.

"He didn't?"

I nod.

"Tell me the truth, please. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

I'm telling you the truth, dammit! I'm tempted to spit the words at her, but I don't.

She takes a deep breath. "Tell me again, and this time I swear I'll believe you. Did he rape you?"

I shake my head again.

~

Serenity lay on her couch deep in thought.

I have every right to date Malik, she thought. Joey can't stop me. He's my brother, not my mother. Even she can't stop me, since I'm eighteen. Emancipated.

Another part of her was wrestling with the fact that Malik had a yami and that he'd dared to make her forget that he had a millennium item. She spent a few moments of silent fury thinking about this before she remembered that Malik hadn't known her then.

Then why didn't he-I don't know-unmess it once he knew me? Even before we started to be boyfriend/girlfriend we were friends. Didn't he trust me enough?

Well, he should have known I'd react like this, but he should have told me anyway, and after that night at the movies, there was no excuse for not telling me! she thought angrily. But still, I do love him, and I can forgive this. He's just a person like the rest of us, and he's allowed some mistakes.

As for Joey, he's also a person, and I can't blame him for being worried and acting so rude to Malik. That was inexcusable. I should apologize, Serenity decided. She picked up the phone and dialed Joey's number.

He wasn't there, and there had been more then enough time for him to get home. She sigh, and called the game shop.

Yugi picked up. "Moshi moshi!" said.

"Hey Yugi," Serenity said. "Is Joey there?"

"No . . . wait! I think he's coming up the road."

"Thanks. Could you put me on the phone with him? I need to apologize for something."

"Sure. Just a moment." Yugi put the phone down. Serenity held her breath, feeling guilty. The sooner I say I'm sorry, the better, she thought.

"Serenity?" Yugi's voice was apologetic. "Joey says he doesn't want to talk to you. He seems pretty mad. What happened?"

"I'm sure he'll explain it to you in a moment," Serenity said. "I'm coming over, but don't tell him, okay?"

"Okay . . ."

"Thanks, and good bye."

Serenity hung up the phone, grabbed her car keys, and ran out the door.

She drove her old, silver convertible into the game shop parking lot, going around the block to make sure Joey didn't see her through the window. She got out, locked the car, and walked into the game shop.

Joey was raging at Yugi by the counter. "And she acted like it was all my fault!" he said. "I don't know what Malik's done to her, but I swear I'll-" Then he saw Serenity.

Before he could say anymore, she ran up to him. "I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have been so awful to you this morning. I was kind of embarrassed, and I didn't mean to be that cruel-"

Joey looked at her coldly. "You're not Serenity," he said. "Malik's got you under some sort of mindslave spell."

"He hasn't!"

"My sister is going to Harvard next year. She doesn't sleep with guys like Malik. She doesn't sleep with guys at all."

"It was Marik who put the mindslave spell on you."

"How do we know that?" he countered.

"How do we know that it's Bakura who kills and mutilates the neighbors dog for no apparent reason?" Serenity asked.

"Because Ryou doesn't kill small animals."

"Then trust on me on this," Serenity said. "You don't know Malik. Whatever his yami does, he doesn't put mindslave spell on people. That's as likely as Ryou banishing us all the the shadow realm!"

Joey turned away. "This is to the real Serenity," he said. "I'm going to break that bastard's neck, and you'll be free, and we can talk. See you then."

That was a dismissal. Serenity walked miserably out of the shop and swore at the bright sunlight.

I'm going to see Malik, she decided. He'll be more understanding, even if he doesn't like Joey. She climbed into the car and drove to Malik's apartment. She walked into his living room. He was waiting for her. He hugged her tightly, and she sobbed on his shoulder.

She didn't see the black truck parked outside the building.

And she didn't see Joey, dialing the police on his cell phone to turn in the leader of a ring of duelmonsters card theives.

When the police came and tore Malik out of her arms and into handcuffs, she screamed. Silent tears trickled down her face.

"I'll take her home," Joey said. He was the one who had reported Malik and was now talking with a female police officer.

"You should take her to the hospital sooner or later," the cop said. "See if she's picked up any STDs or if he's beaten her in any way."

"I will," Joey said.

Joey led his sister down to the car. She followed woodenly. "I had Yami send off some sort of mental bomb that should have broken the spell," he said. "I'm glad to have you back."

~

Now here I am, with Tea. I still haven't said a word, and I haven't played the nodding-and-shaking game since the rape question. Tea doesn't believe me about that. I'm sure of it.

The door cracks and Yami creeps in.

"Did he cut you?" Tea asks, fingering my scarred arm.

Yami looks at us both. "Tea, Malik didn't do that."

"What?" she asks.

"She did it. She hasn't cut herself for a while, but if Joey's right, that could be because she was a mindslave."

"How did you know?" The question bursts out of me.

"I pick up on things. Sometimes I read minds by accident" he tells me. "You were pretty depressed for a while, and I figured out that you were cutting yourself. You stopped though, and you haven't for a while."

"So this isn't Malik's fault?" Tea asks.

"No," I say. I've broken down and talked, so I might as well defend you.

Tristan walks in. "Hey Serenity, hey guys," he says. "I'm going to call the police to make sure Malik's still there," he tells us.

He picks up the phone and turns the speed dial. Tea's parents are paranoid, so they have the Domino City Police on the speed dial. "Hello," he says when someone answers. "I was wondering about someone you arrested a few hours ago, name of Malik Ishtar . . . Oh . . ." His face goes white.

~

"He's gone," Tristan told the three. "He escaped as soon as they put him in the holding cell."

Tea looked worried, Yami seemed neutral, and Serenity grinned. "Good," she said. "That's the best news I've heard all day."

"Serenity, he raped you," Tristan said, a light blush covering his tanned cheeks.

"He didn't," Serenity said. She looked at Tea. "Remember?"

"She says he did no such thing," Tea told him.

She says? Serenity thought angrily. You said you'd believe me when I told you he didn't.

"Who's there?" Joey called out from the hallway next to the room the four were in.

Tristan and Yami jumped up and ran to the living room. Tea followed cautiously, but not before turning to Serenity and telling her, "Don't move."

Serenity ignored the command and followed quickly. Standing in the living room by the open door was the person she wanted to see more than anything else in the world.

Malik.

She fought off Tristan who was holding her arm and ran to him, just as Joey pounced.

Malik threw Joey off. He fell on the ground and stood up almost immediately. Tristan rushed Malik as well, but the blonde boy threw Tristan into the hallway. Tristan stumbled back, knocking Yami down and falling into Tea.

Serenity ran at Joey as he prepared to punch Malik and sent him sprawling. Please forgive me, she thought as Joey started to stand up and she pushed him into the hallway.

Malik shut the door and Serenity helped him push and armchair against it to block it.

"This won't hold for long," Malik said and he pushed the chair harder. "But at least I can say good bye." He reached for Serenity and pulled her to him, giving her one last passionate kiss.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"The States. I have a friend who can get me there."

"Can you take me with you? I have to go to Harvard anyway, and finals are over, and I can get my diploma by mail. Please?" she begged.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

She kissed him again. "When do we leave?"

THE END