Winning Without Gods (A Yu-Gi-Oh Fanfiction)DONE!

Chapter 4: In A New York Minute

Keynote: Anzu and Satiah dialogue is just like Yugi and Atem. Atem is bold while Anzu is just in italics.

America

Anzu kept her eyes alert. She had to get home from work, but the sun had already gone down. She had to stay longer to keep her boss happy or she would be looking for a new job and that wasn't an option. Anzu's car had broken down and she had no means to get it fixed, looked at, or to even buy a bike yet. Until she got better money saved, it was walking. Not so bad in the day, but she hated the night.

She stopped and reached into her pocket, looking at her Dark Magician. It wasn't the real thing. She kept a copy of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and The Dark Magician, to help remember better times. She didn't keep a real deck anymore, nor could she ever afford the original cards she once had to sell. If only she had waited a little longer to sell those precious cards. Life would be a little more different.

After duel monsters only gained in popularity, the prices just kept going up and up. Even copies marked copy on them cost twenty dollars. They were glittery and more foil so no one could be deceived of their value. Something for those running non-legit games with just friends. She pocketed them again and kept going.

It was getting into the colder season. Some Christmas lights were already adorning so many houses. It also helped the cold journey home. People loved to decorate many of their own homes with such full light displays.

Happy thoughts. Those were hard to come by, so she concentrated on them. Bright and warm twinkling lights. It helped but when she tried to say something, the illusion had been destroyed. "P-pretty l-l-lights." She could even see her breath in the direction she spoke.

They adorn the houses with a cheerful glow. Does it help to warm you up?

Not really but they make me feel better. Anzu didn't stop and speak to anyone she saw, tried to stay on the main roads, until she was almost home. It was not that bad either, always having someone to talk to. Over the years, she had grown used to hearing Satiah. It felt like another person to talk to.

She heard a scurry behind her. Barely caught a shadow. Paranoid, Anzu? This is nothing, a bump in the road. She had to stay positive. She was still in her twenties, and something would come up for her, if she just kept looking and going. The only thing? Age, maybe. Being separated from friends for so long. That peppy girl she once had been, a cheerleader spirit that felt like anything was possible . . . that felt like it was ages ago. Like she'd been a whole other person. Growing older and growing up. People always changed so much.

Now, she doubted she could ever stop to listen to herself long enough before running away. Impossible dreams. Impossible goals. You make friends and lose them. You make dreams and break them. That's reality, Anzu. Face it. You'll be lucky if you ever get that car fixed.

"Anzu, Hey!"

Anzu looked just ahead of her. Someone from her new place of work called out to her, stopping with their car in the street. He'd been there for about two weeks now. "H-hi." Lame, and it was supposed to be.

"You want a ride home?" He insisted. "I've got extra room in my car."

It almost felt like a relief, but then again, Satiah didn't seem comfortable with it.

You hardly know him. Do not enter his car.

On the other hand, I work with him. Everyday for two weeks.

Bagging groceries. You hardly know him, so do not enter his car. Do not be foolish.

Anzu smiled politely. "I'm a-almost th-th-there, it's fine. Th-th-th." Oh forget the thanks, she already sounded like a chipper.