The Alternative

Chapter Sixteen

            Bakura had to know. Someone had to tell him. If Yugi didn't tell him, who would?

It was the only motivation for Yugi to slip out of his traumatized state.

He had already tried knocking relentlessly on Yami's door, but there was never a reply.

Yami only answers when Yami wants to see you.

Yugi knew that now.

Jonouchi, Malik and Honda were still out of reach. No one had any idea where they were, but no one wanted to declare them missing either.

In fact, everyone was a little difficult to reach. Everyone save for Otogi, Kaiba and Mako.

"They'll show up soon," an officer would say.

Would they? Would they really?

Yugi finally made the gesture to call Bakura, shaking all the while.

And so the phone rang....

And it rang....

And it rang once more....

And Yugi could feel himself swallowing any remaining fear...

And once more, it rang...

"What do you want?"

"BAKURA! Oh my God! You're okay? You're really okay?"

"Shrimp...calm down...."

"What happened to you?! Did he hurt you? Toss you somewhere? What happened?"

"Dude---"

"If he hurt you somehow you have to let me know. You have to tell me everything that happened---"

"Hey, wha---"

"---Everything that you know! You gotta tell me!"

"YUGI!"

Yugi was breathing deeply over the phone, tightening his muscles with every word.

"What?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Silence.

"What do you mean?" He hummed softly.

"I mean, you're freaking out like a waiter accidentally just served you hot blood instead of tomato soup."

"Bakura! Are you serious right now? This is no time for your uncalled-for perfect similes!"

"What time is it, then?" He sniggered.

"Bakura, what the hell happened today after I passed out?"

"YOU PASSED OUT?! WHEN? Fuck Yugi! What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Bakura...you're scaring me."

"How the fuck am I scaring you? You're the one with the shady health problems. Have you even tried seeing a doctor?"

"Where are you right now?"

"What does that have to do with anything, moron?"