Beast's Blood Bath (by Bailey Sparks and me

Chapter 2

The sound of a song bell tinker was heard as the local bookstore owner and librarian Kathleen looked up her eyes sparkling.

"Oh good morning Yugi. How did you like the book I recommended?" She asked, happy to see her favorite customer.

“It was amazing Kathleen. I couldn’t put it down. Grandfather had to take it from me so I would go to bed.” Yugi said as he looked around.

"Well you're in luck Ryder just bought some new books over from the neighboring town. Since you are our best customer and since your birthday is coming up take as many as you want." She said with a smile as her husband Ryder walked in with yet another stack of books.

Yugi blushes lightly and smiles. “Thank you but you don’t have to.”

"Nonsense we insist. After all, you don't turn 17 everyday. Besides seeing a youth as happy as you to be reading something that puts fire in our hearts. You're basically a son to us.”

Yugi smiles and places a few books in his basket. “Thank you very much. This is a great gift.”

Kathleen and Ryder smiled as they continued with their work. They had watched this little boy grow up and he was quite dear to them.

Suddenly Ashton Kathleen's old world viewed brother and the mayor of the town stormed into the shop, his eyes narrowed at Kathleen. "Why do you keep on with this useless pastime? No one wants to read anymore. Besides women have better things to do with their time than sit in a dusty old shop full of moth eaten old books."

Yugi frowns staying back knowing the Mayor too calls him weird and he would make the situation worse.

Kathleen stood up her skirts brushing the ground as her eyes narrowed behind her glasses. "I'll have you know there is nothing wrong with a woman working besides if more children read books you would realize that would be a better way then teaching them to fear the world...uh."

The sound of skin hitting skin was heard as Kathleen holds her now throbbing red cheek.

"This town has every right to be fearful especially since there's a demon who feeds on the blood of our children!"

Yugi gasps lightly. “Mayor Ashton! You know it is wrong for a man to hit a woman.” Yugi snaps standing in front of Kathleen.

Mayor Ashton's eyes narrowed at Yugi. "Stay out of this. You’re a child who doesn't know better. Do you see Kathleen? You've been filling this child's head with nonsense."

Yugi flinches as he steps back. “No she hasn’t. The books are amazing. They give you thoughts and imagination.”

"Do you want to know what I think of these books?"

Ashton then whistles as several men enter the bookshop each grabbing several books as they begin to rip them to bits.

Kathleen bit her lip as Ryder rushed out only to have one of the rough men shove him back into a wall.

“No! Stop this Mayor Ashton!” Yugi yells in fear.

Soon the entire book shop was destroyed, pages mixed together, book spines torn...

"That's just a bunch of garbage fantasy that you were living in. The real world is cruel… something you would learn soon enough when the blood offering is at hand."

Ashton and his possy exited the now torn book shop.

Yugi picks up a page of a book and held it tightly. “D-did he just say…” Yugi whispers.

Kathleen was tending to her husband when she sighed softly. "Yes child….he did." Kathleen said softly as she stood up. Ryder thankfully only had a few bruises as he also stood up.

Kathleen sighed softly. "Yugi…. Do you know what the blood offering is?" She asked, her voice barely rising above a whisper.

It was a rule that no child was to know about the blood offering until a certain age, however Yugi had learned about it through books and stories that he read from the library.

“Yes… I’ve read about it… Kathleen… am I…” Yugi couldn’t finish his sentence

Kathleen bit her lip. "There has been talk ...Not very many pure young individuals are in our town unless it's an infant...….. we didn't want to believe it was true…. However, now that the time for the offering is at hand… we fear that it is the truth ..." Tears fell down her cheeks.

Yugi gripped the sheet tighter before taking a deep breath. “I guess I have to do it then…”

Kathleen and Ryder's heads shot up. "I would sooner lose my own life before I let anything like that happen to you. There must be a way... Anyway…" She then moved closer wrapping her arms around Yugi in a motherly way.

Ryder joined them and Yugi felt comforted. He may have not known his parents but these two had been the best.. however, his mind was made up.

Yugi shakes his head. “No… I know it will hurt but I would rather me than an infant.” Yugi said before pulling away.

Kathleen and Ryder both felt tears sting their eyes, however they smiled sadly at Yugi. They knew he was doing this out of the kindness of his heart.. it pained they're very souls to know such a beautiful pure young person… would soon leave this earth at the hands of a bloodthirsty demon.

Yugi smiles sadly before picking up his basket and leaving the destroyed shop. 

He wished his destiny was different but he would rather die than have an infant be declined the right to live and grow.

Markus smirked as he watched Yugi leave the store. He had always hated that stupid shop and was glad that it had been destroyed...in fact... now that he thought about it he would rival a mob to chase those fools out of town.

Tucking that thought away he quickly made his move stepping in front of Yugi.

"What a beautiful day it is, then might I say not as beautiful as you Yugi."

Yugi jumps back slightly. “Oh Markus. I didn’t see you there.” Yugi said as he straightened his posture.

"So I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to a party tonight? I know a place that has the best food and booze…."

Yugi raises an eyebrow. “I can’t. I’m helping my grandfather with his new game. Sorry.” Yugi said, walking around Markus.

Markus however was not about to be denied as he grabbed Yugi's wrist. "Can't it be put off? I mean that old man of yours is always making new games. Why not take a break for once?"

“I enjoy helping him Markus, so no. I will not go with you now let me go.”

Yugi pulled free and walked away leaving Markus standing there dumbfounded while Anzu, Catherine, and Thalia were completely miffed

“What’s wrong with him?” Thalia asked. "Probably his grandfather's craziness is rubbing off on him." Anzu sneered. “Markus is gorgeous.” Cathrine sighs.

Markus was still in the same place he had been before when Ushio walked over. "Well better luck next...Sir..ack!”

Markus turned around and slammed Ushio into the side of the building. "If you think I'm giving up that easy you're sorely mistaken. I will make that boy my bride. Even if I have to use any means necessary."

“T-The blood s-sacrificing. The boy doesn’t know…” Ushio struggled.

"Well looks like I'm going to be his knight in shining armor." He let go of the taller man making him gasp for air.