The Alternative

Chapter Six

            "Yugi! Is that you?"

Yes, it was, and just by the sound of that light voice, Yugi had knew it was Ryou.

The gamer turned his head to see Ryou peacefully sitting on the edge of a water fountain with a book in his grasp. He smiled and waved for Yugi to come over.

"Why are you up so early?" Yugi smiled softly while approaching his new friend.

"Oh, I have class at 9. I'm a bit of an early riser, so I decided to come down by the fountain and read this novel," he gestured. "I suppose you have class too?"

Yugi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I have a history class for my major."

Ryou jumped to his feet, grabbing his backpack from the ground and slinging it on his right shoulder. "Same here! I never got the chance to tell you, but I'm a psychology major with a history minor! Isn't that cool?"

"No way! I'm really glad someone else appreciates it as much as I do,"
he beamed.

"Tell me about it. I've taken lots of classes throughout my time here, and the one I'm scheduled for at 9 is on Ancient Egypt. Doesn't that sound fun?"

Yugi widened his eyes. "Me too! Oh, that is such a relief! HI-202-03?"

"That's the one!" Ryou chuckled. "We've already got a class together, this will be wonderful!" The white haired boy gestured his hand forward to initiate their journey to class.

"Tell me about it! I'm just really relieved I'll know someone from the get go."

"It'll definitely be of comfort, though part of the fun is making new friends!"

Yugi simply smiled in response as the two began walking towards the classroom buildings.

"So, I hear you used to be a commuter. How have your first couple of nights been at Domino?" Ryou casually brought up as the two meandered through the crowds of early birds attempting to get to class.

"Strange," Yugi answered honestly while biting his lower lip. "I've been having some weird nightmares."

Well, that's one way to put it. Perhaps "weird experiences" would have been a better phrase.

"Really?" Ryou turned his head to face Yugi. "I had some weird ones too when I first started living here...but I think that happens when people move somewhere new. It's not a familiar place, you know?" He shrugged softly. "That's how I see it, at least."

"Funny that you mention it," Yugi mumbled, changing his point of view towards the ground. "Honda and Jonouchi told me they had weird dreams too." He looked up. "What were yours?"

Ryou waved his hands to excuse himself. "Couldn't remember if I tried. I just know they were disturbing. They had me tossing and turning all night."

Yugi narrowed his eyes in confusion as he reached for the door to open the building. It all sounded too convenient. Was it normal for everyone to get nightmares like that? Why could no one seem to remember?

"What were yours about?" Ryou indulged him.

Yugi shuffled his bag to hang a little tighter on his back. The thought of it all made him grow hot and stiff. "The first night it was all about darkness. Just...thick, black clouds of darkness when it was supposed to be morning. It was very realistic. I thought I was awake."