Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Things Change ❯ Hospital Blues ( Chapter 23 )

Happy New Years to ya all, and for my New Years Gift, I give to you this chapter, finished at 3:00 in the morning. That shows how much I love you guys. Plus, I've been working on my version of R.Kelly's “Trapped in the Closet” but with a Yugioh Twist. Right now I'm thinking if I should post it or not. Anyway, enjoy this chapter.

 

Chapter 23: Hospital Blues

 

It was a hard time tonight, as at the Domino City Hospital, friends were all gather together for this troubling time. For some reason in some way, Joey had been shot. But they all knew one thing. It had to do with the underground duels that he went to. And worse of all was that Yugi was with him! He could've gotten shot himself or worse, but miraculously he was okay.

 

Tristan sighed to himself. Out of all the idiotic things Joey has done in the past, getting into fights with Kaiba, walking into fights with the entire gang, just to name a few. But this topped them all. It was bad enough that he had to get involved in underground duels where you're basically putting your life on the line. But the fact that Yugi also could've gotten shot didn't help at all. And now look where that idiot ended up? He's in the room while trying to examine the wound. His next concern was Serenity! As overprotective, ridiculously anyway, as he was, he really cared a lot about her! And Serenity? She basically shown that she could be independent opinionated and he had a huge crush, but let's face it: Serenity lived for her brother. And if he had to die… he didn't think what would happen then.

 

Duke was worried as well, but his thoughts were more on Serenity. He knew that Joey could walk up from this. After all, he got struck directly on the head by a lightning bolt at Battle City. But what if he didn't wake up! Serenity would go crazy! He last thing he needed was to have a sweet girl like Serenity go crazy. Speaking of her, she wasn't here. She called her mom to tell her the news. She said that she'd be right there, but that was 45 minutes ago! She called her at work again, but they said that she had left 30 minutes ago! Feeling that something was wrong, Serenity rushed home. For a girl her age, she did not need to have this much stress.

 

Téa sat on the bench, legs crossed. Right now, if he wasn't unconscious, she had the right mind to go into that room and smack Joey a few times! They all knew that the duels that he went to were dangerous, yet he just had to go there, and then he brought Yugi with him? Two of the guys she cared so much about, risking their life for some duel. But she had to admit, it wasn't the first time. There was Battle City… and Duelist Kingdom! Damn it, why is it the more-dangerous duels that attract them. But this time, the fate of the world wasn't on the line.

 

Téa blinked, now that she was thinking about it, where was Yugi? Didn't he went with Joey inside of the ambulance? She turned towards Yugi's grandfather. “Mr. Moto! Do you know where Yugi's gone?”

 

Solomon shook his head. “No Téa, but I'm sure he'll be here.”

 

“But where is he?” Arisa asked. “Wasn't he with Joey when he got shot?”

 

“Yeah…” Melody crossed her arms. “For someone who's supposed to be his friend, Yugi's making himself scarce since it's happened.” She looks around. “And hasn't Serenity come back yet?”

 

“Her and her mum are probably having trouble with Traffic.” Bakura suggested. “It can be hectic at this hour.”

 

“So, did they say anything?”

 

They all turned around to see a girl with red hair in pigtails approach them, like them she was just as worried.

 

“They said that he's lost a lot of blood, but it wasn't infected thank god.” Melody explained. “Er…so who are you anyway?”

 

“Name's Syd. A friend of Joey's.” She explained as Arisa raised an eyebrow. Was she a friend, or was she a friend with benefits?

 

“So, `Syd?' What's up?” Arisa asked.

 

“It's been better…” She sighed, “I can't believe that idiot tried to shoot him…”

 

“What do you mean tried to shoot him?” Téa asked. “He tried and succeeded in shooting Joey, right?”

 

“No, Joey just got in the way.”

 

“So who did this punk tried to shoot? Yugi?”

 

Syd shook her head. “It was Kaiba. Tyrell, that fucking dumbass… He tried to shoot Kaiba and Joey pushed him out the way, taking the bullet for him! From what was said before he went unconscious, there was a lot of tension between the two.”

 

“Tension is just saying it mildly!” Tristan scoffed, “Figures Kaiba would piss someone off. Just what the hell was he doing there anyway?”

 

Arisa narrowed her eyes. “I knew it! I could just feel that Kaiba had something to do with this! And for what? To get Joey to duel him? Bastard…”

 

Syd looked around. “Say, where's Yugi?”

 

“We were going to ask you? Did you know where he went?” Téa asked.

 

“Not at all!” Syd explained. “When they were loading Joey in the ambulance, Yugi just disappeared. Anyway…” She reached down into small black case, a case that usually held her deck as she took out a card. “When you see him, could you give him this? He sorta forgot it when he left.”

 

Téa took the card from her and looked at it. It was his Dark Paladin monster card.

 

“We were dueling and it got interrupted by what was happening downstairs with Kaiba.”

 

Téa looked back at the girl. “Thank you Syd.”

 

She nodded. “No problem. Now I gotta go! If my parents found out that I left, I'd be in even more trouble. I'm supposed to be grounded for staying out past curfew. “

 

Tristan nodded, “Thanks! We'll let ya know how Joey's dong!”

 

“You mind your parents now, Young Lady!” Solomon said to the redhead.

 

Syd nodded before turning away to head home. “Don't die on me Joey Wheeler! You still have to put your Horus on the line against me!” She said softly. While it was true that she did care about him, but she was owed a duel with her Elemental Mistress Doriado and his Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8 on the line, and she was going to make sure that she got it. But not to the same extremes Kaiba used…

 

Wheeler's Residence

 

It was a long walk from the hospital, but Serenity made it home. Maybe she should've waited for that cab, but she had to get home quickly. What if her mom hadn't had made it yet? Or worse, did something happen to her? But her red Toyota was there, so she had to be home, right? As she slid the key through the slot on the doorknob, the door opened…

 

As the auburn-haired girl walked in, she looked around. “Mama?” She called. “Mama where are you?”

 

“I'm in here, Serenity!” A more mature voice called from the office of the four-bedroom apartment. It was quiet, so Serenity could hear the typing from a computer.

 

She entered the office, and much to her shock, she saw her mother typing away on the computer! Shouldn't she have been the first one in the hospital. “Mama, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at the hospital?” She asked.

 

“I'm swamped with work Serenity!” The older woman explained. “I have an important case tomorrow and I can't be distracted right now!”

 

“But Mama, Joey's in the hospital! Why can't we go!”

 

“Serenity, what I'm doing is helping Joseph!” She said, but Serenity had a different opinion. “I'm defending a victim of a robbery which resulted in her daughter being shot. If we win, the murderer would be sent to prison for around 20 years, and there'll be another murderer off the streets.”

 

Serenity was getting annoyed with this, the fact that her mother's lack of concern didn't make her feel any better either. This was ridiculous! Her son had just been shot and instead of going to the hospital, her mother is at home working on her damn computer! “I don't understand you! I mean can't this wait until later?”

 

Mrs. Wheeler sighed, “Look Serenity, I'm sorry but I just can't deal with this now! I can't just drop everything over something as ridiculous as this! You know that your brother's always getting into these fights! Maybe his attitude, or his mouth rather, got him in a situation where he'll actually learn something for once!”

 

Serenity couldn't believe what she was hearing! Not only doesn't she apparently care about her own son's health, apparently she's actually glad that he got shot and could possibly! She was about to lose it! “How could you say that, Mother!?” She began to feel teary-eyed. “Your own son is in the hospital right now, fighting for his life! And instead of acting like a mother and at least worry about him! You're at home typing on your computer worried about your fucking case!”

 

“Don't you talk that way to me, young lady, especially in that tone of voice!” She snapped at her. Serenity was starting to act disrespectful, using those obscene words. Just like her troublemaking pain-in-the-ass brother, just like that deadbeat bum of a father of hers. And she for one didn't like it at all!

 

“Why shouldn't I? You're supposed to be the mother here and you're acting like a spoiled brat! Your own son is in the hospital and you don't care! You don't fucking care at all!”

 

“WELL HE'S NO SON OF MINE!” She screamed, as Serenity gasped in shock, in betrayal!

 

`So the truth comes out…' Serenity began to shake, if one didn't knew any better, she was about to began foaming at the mouth. `The truth finally comes out… Joey was right…' Everything Joey said about his so-called mother. How she didn't really care about him, how she just took him in because he felt sorry for him. He felt justified in his feelings and now, Serenity saw for herself that “justified” would more than an understatement. That was when she decided to let it out. “IF HE'S NO SON OF YOURS, THAN YOU'RE NO MOTHER OF MINE, YOU BITCH!”

 

-slap!-

 

Tears began to pour from her eyes as Serenity felt a red mark on the side of her face. At that moment, her mother saw how hurt her daughter was. She didn't even knew what came over her to slap her like that, but it was all too late. “Serenity… Serenity, baby I'm sorry…” Far too late…

 

Serenity shook her head as she turned around to run away, but her mother grabbed her arm.

 

“Don't you run away from me young lady!”

 

Serenity slapped her arm away. “I hate you… She sobbed, “I HATE YOU!” She walked towards her room and locked the door. This woman…no…this she-devil couldn't have been her mother! Not at all!

 

She grabbed her backpack as she began to gather a few clothes to wear. Shoes, skirts, pants, shorts, shirts, anything she could use for the next couple of days. Or was it weeks? Just as long as it'll last her, just as long as she could go anywhere, anywhere but here!”

 

“SERENITY WHEELER YOU OPEN THIS DOOR THIS INSTANT!” Her mother called out, but it was all in vain. Serenity wasn't going to open the door for her. No matter how much she screamed and shouted, it wasn't going to erase the heartbreaking revelation she just had. That she didn't care about Joey at all, and apparently she didn't care about her either.

 

After she was done packing, Serenity swung the door open, but did it hit her mother? She didn't really cared as her goal was to leave this place and not turn back. As she made it to the door, she felt the hand. That same hand of that so-called “mother” who have betrayed not only her brother, but now her as well! She narrowed her eyes. “Get your hand off me!” She hissed.

 

“Serenity, please don't go! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry!” Her mother sobbed. “I'm so sorry… please forgive me…”

 

Serenity managed to calm down. After all, if Joey, of all people, could lately, why couldn't she? With a sigh, she said. “Do you remember when we left seven years ago?” She nodded, as Serenity continued. “You told me that Joey would've been ok with Daddy when we left. When you basically drove away as far away as possible from him! I realized now that that was just a lie. Lately, you've been telling lies to me…” Serenity tried to fight it, but she couldn't help but break down as tears began to pour from her eyes. “How do I know that this is not just another one of them?” And with those words, Serenity opened the front door and left. Leaving her mother behind as she headed back to the hospital where her friends, and the only true family she had left, were.

 

Back at the Hospital

 

Time was going by, but it was hardly noticeable as Tristan and company just sat there in wait. Joey was still unconscious as Serenity didn't come back. And nobody knew where the hell Yugi was through all of this! Some of them began to worry, while the others were annoyed. His best friend was at the hospital and he at least could've had the decency to show up for a few minutes.

 

And now Serenity was gone for about an hour! It was bad enough that one friend was in the hospital and another was God knows where, the thought of another suddenly going missing was too much to take for one night. It was as if someone was either playing a cruel joke or cursed them.

 

The door opened, but it wasn't from the room where Joey was currently at but from the main lobby, as the person who walked in was not Serenity or Yugi, but someone who one could say would probably be the last person at least one person wanted to see…

 

Arisa turned to see who the arrival was and her eyes narrowed at the sight of him. The reason why Joey got shot in the first place! Why the hell was he here anyway? `Probably came to gloat and make fun of Joey…' She thought bitterly.

 

“How's Wheeler.” Kaiba asked coolly.

 

“We're not sure, not that you actually care or anything.” Tristan replied, resentment noticeable in his voice.

 

“He's lost a lot of blood.” Téa explained. “We're not sure if he'll make it.”

 

Kaiba closed his eyes as he let out a scoff, “Served him right.”

 

Melody glared at the CEO, “That's a mean thing to say!”

 

Kaiba didn't even bother to look at the violet-haired girl. “If I wanted your opinions, I'd asked for them…what was your name again?”

 

Melody rolled her eyes. `He's not worth it…' She mentally said to herself repeatedly to calm her down.

 

Kaiba looked around. “Looks like his family didn't even bother to show up. I wouldn't blame them. I'd be ashamed too if I was related to a chump like him.”

 

“Kaiba, how dare you!” Téa glared at him. That comment was more than just uncalled for. She wanted to just smack him, especially since it was all because he wanted to save his life! However, someone else took that liberty as Kaiba was nearly tackled down by an enraged blonde.

 

“FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!” Arisa screamed at the CEO as she continuously punched him. “YOU'RE THE FUCKING REASON JOEY'S IN HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!”

 

“Arisa, calm down!” Tristan said to the blonde as Kaiba glared at her. However, there was no way stopping Arisa now, as Kaiba's comments had made her lost it.

 

“JOEY FOR SOME REASON DECIDED THAT YOUR LIFE WAS WORTH SAVING AND NOW YOU'RE STILL INSULTING HIM? YOU'RE STILL MOCKING HIM? IT SHOULD'VE BEEN YOU THAT GOT SENT TO THE HOSPITAL! IT SHOULD BE YOU THAT'S IN THAT ROOM RIGHT NOW!” Her punches became weaker and weaker as she soon broke down in uncontrollable sobs. “It's not fair… I want my Joey back…”

 

“Damn…” Tristan and Duke both mouthed silently, but was it because of how nuts Arisa became, or was it because they secretly wanted to be the one to jump Kaiba. Needless to say, Joey better wake up from this, otherwise they would have a 5'4+” emotionally-unstable girl on their hands.

 

Kaiba pushed the blonde off of him, “I never asked for that chump to save my life! I told him once and I told him again, even though death I'll never ask for his help and as far as I'm concerned, I'll never need it. Especially knowing whatever “help” he oh-so “generously” offers me, it'd be backhanded anyway! Ever since day one he's made smart assed remarks about me! He always talked a lot of shit, and never been able to back it up! And besides, if the roles were reversed Wheeler would feel the same way about me.”

 

“And how would you know that?” Melody asked.

 

“You want to know his last words before he dropped dead? He called me an elitist piece of shit before he went unconscious all because I didn't thank him for saving my life, when I didn't even ask him to! Yeah, that really shows he cares.”

 

“And you still didn't thank him, huh? Figures…”

 

“Even if I did, it's not like he'd hear me anyway!”

 

“Bullshit…” Arisa rolled her eyes. “You wouldn't thank him for anything if he was the last man on earth. For as long as I known you, you always had something against him!”

 

“Whatever, I'm leaving!” Kaiba went to walk away, not wanting to take anything more from this pint-sized halfwit. But turned to her for one last time. “Oh, and if you want to blame anyone, blame the chump who's laying in the bed right now. Just think about it, if he would've just duel me like I asked, none of you geeks would even be here right now.”

 

As Kaiba took his leave, Arisa went to unzip her platform boot to throw it at him but Téa stopped her.

 

“He's not worth it…” She said to him, but silently admitted, `But it doesn't seem like a bad idea to do to him…'

 

Kame Game Shop, 10:45PM

 

It had been a long night at the hospital. Joey was still unconscious so visiting was out of the question. Everyone else had gone home. As much as they were willing to stay the night, they still had school the next morning and a friend in pain wasn't a good enough reason to be behind of a day's worth of schoolwork.

 

As Solomon Moto, dressed in his pajamas saved for his nightcap, prepared to go to bed, his thoughts changed to Yugi. Since the news of Joey being shot, Yugi had more or less disappeared. He worried greatly for his grandson as walked towards Yugi's room.

 

The door was closed as Solomon knocked on the door. “Yugi, are you in here?” He called but no answer. “Yugi!” He called again, but still no answer. He then place a hand on the doorknob as it doesn't appear to be locked. Usually he didn't invade into Yugi's room, but do to these circumstances, he had to make an exception.

 

As the door opened, the only light that was in the room was the moonlight from outside. However, much to his relief, dressed in his sky blue, star-print pajamas, Yugi sat on top of his bed, knees brought close to his chest as dried tears can be seen on his face.

 

“Yugi,” His grandfather said to him as he walked closer to him. “We've been worried sick. Where have you been?”

 

It was questionable if he even heard what his grandfather had said, as Yugi just said repeatedly, “…It's my fault… It's all my fault…”

 

 

Next chapter the angst continues as Yugi talks to his grandfather. Also, what will become of Serenity, she's basically run away so where will she go?