Chapter nine; 'Twas The Nightmare Before Christmas

                I ran into the forest, Running past leaves and branches. I got switched in the face and felt blood trickle down. I gasped for breath. My heart pounded out of my chest and veins surged with pain. My breath was quick and sharp. It hurt my lungs terribly. I winced and tore through some brush before tripping over a tree root and stumbling onto the ground. I took in a sharp breath as I skidded upon the ground. He was after me and I had to get away. I heard his chuckle, His wicked laughter. I cringed and grasped onto some bark to prop myself up to run. I swallowed hard, Ran into some more bushes and finally stopped at a lake. It seemed to spread for miles. I whipped my head back and forth, Trying to find a place to go. The sun was setting fast and it’d soon be dark. My heart started to race faster than before as his whispers came into hearing distance again.

 

“No.” I whispered. I closed my eyes to think and then jerked off in one direction. ‘Maybe I can lose him.’ Horrible thought. That was the last thing from truth. I knew how he hunted. I darted off in another direction, Heading around the lake towards an old cabin. The wind blast past my hair like time travel as I grew closer towards my goal. Safety was in plain view. Just a few hundred yards. He was getting closer. I could hear his footsteps chasing behind me, Almost right on my heels. I looked behind me to see nothing and stared ahead, Too afraid to look back. The cabin was closer in my sight. Just a few more yards. I jolted, Running out of breath.

 

It was getting cold and the sun was almost gone. The grass was starting to get damp beneath my feet. Everything looked the same except for that cabin. Clouds were rolling in and started to make everything darker. I shook my head and picked up the pace. I could hear my heartbeat thumping out of my chest. Rain started drizzling down as lightning flashed in the distance. I ran up the few stairs the broken porch had and grasped onto the door and swung it open. I slid inside and closed it just to notice Bakura a few feet away with a butcher knife in hand, Ready to strike, An evil grimace slid across his sinister face.

 

I jolted awake, Sweat pouring down my forehead. I gasped and looked around, Breathing a sigh of relief. My hands shook violently. I took in a deep breath and looked out the window at the falling snow. Nothing but darkness. Why did he have to haunt my dreams as well as real life? I looked at the closed door and let my head fall back into the pillow. I could feel a massive headache coming on.

‘If only I could escape this hell.’ I thought to myself. I heard a laugh as I rolled over onto my side. I winced in pain and gently touched my bruise. I ached so much. I had bruises and scratches, Fresh of wound, Upon my skin. I needed sleep desperately. I tossed and turned for hours before I finally slipped back into slumber. This was the reason I didn’t sleep much. Horrible nightmares flooded my vision.

 

                The next time I awoke, Bakura sat in a chair at my desk. He watched me intently with his dark eyes, I blinked and stretched, Trying to pretend he wasn’t in my presence.

“So… You’re finally awake.” He voiced out, Arms crossed. He knew I was awake. He knew my game wouldn’t be won.

“Yeah.” I mumbled and sat up. Light flooded into my room as I looked over at him and down at the floor.

“Good. You have a lot to do today.” I mumbled in response. “Now, Ryou.” He stood. I got out of bed quickly and made it. I wasn’t about to start the day like that. I looked in my dresser and pulled on a pair of jeans and a long sleeved black and grey shirt that was a smidge too big for me. I had just put on a fresh pair of socks and boxers the night before.

 

                “Out you go.” He pointed to the door like I was a dog. I sighed under my breath and heeded his command. “You have dishes to do and you need to clean up. Tomorrow IS Christmas after all.”

“Okay. I will.” I nodded a bit and then went off to the restroom. After brushing my teeth and the such, I headed out to the kitchen to do as I was told. Bakura basically stalked over me the entire time. Had he seen my dream? Did he know I ran away? He was making me really nervous, Especially when I was near the sink. I didn’t want to think about what happened last time. I shivered as memories flooded back into my mind. I shook them out when I looked at the back of Bakuras head and turned back to sweeping the floors. Why he had to hover over me like a military guard was beyond me.

 

                After the day of chores were over, I read my book until I was finished with it. Bakura laid aimlessly on the couch, Watching the tv from time to time. The snow dribbled down like it was nothing. It looked like it was going to blizzard. I blinked and looked at the clock. Five thirty seven. No wonder why it was so dark out. I sighed and looked on the bookshelf for another selection to read. I skimmed them over as Bakura stretched and groaned.

“Damnit. We need to go to the store before this storm gets any worse.” He stated and sat straight up. He cracked his back.

“Hm?” I asked, Looking over.

“For tomorrow.” He replied and looked at me. “Come on.” He stood and walked to the closet and got his coat and mittens on. He slid on his boots as I got my coat and mittens on. I bit my lip and followed him out the door.

 

                The car ride was silent for the most part, Besides for the windshield wipers, Cars zooming by and the slush we drove through. We pulled into the Giant Eagle parking lot and walked to the front. It seemed to be getting worse. He quickened his pace and walked inside. I followed close behind as he grabbed a cart and walked throughout the store. He grabbed potatoes and corn, Loafs of bread and gravy stuff. All for Christmas. I was going to be busy when I awoke in the morning. It was bustling­ with people. They were everywhere in the store. I let out a breath and looked around, Following on Bakuras heels. He kept giving me dirty glares. I backed off and looked some more. I started to detect people staring at me. When I looked at them, They would turn their heads and mutter to each other. I started getting red and hung my head. I knew what it was. My eyes teared up.

“Stop that.” Bakura harshed under his breath at me. I just looked up at him as he grasped my coat and pulled me to the side of the basket. “What did I just say?” he hissed in my ear. I nodded and walked next to him, Hiding the fear.

 

                I could feel the eyes grow upon me like ants to a crumb. I tried my hardest not to pay attention to them. Bakura growled under his breath. I blushed when he did that, Hiding my face for a brief second. He gripped my arm again, Harder this time. I winced and stood straight, Looking ahead for the things that we needed. He glowered next to me, Trying to keep a straight face as well. Harder for him than for me. Secrets were being whispered all around me. I felt like I was being consumed. I started feeling claustrophobic and cautious of my surroundings. My breath felt heavy, Like I was drowning and my vision blurred. I didn’t want to be there any longer. Bakura looked around and grabbed some bread and tossed it in the cart. He was getting angrier the longer we stayed there. Why couldn’t people just keep their mouths shut?

 

­                                After he was done shopping for everything we needed, We rushed out. He wasn’t taking anymore of what they had to offer.­­ He cursed to himself, Under his breath. I could barely hear what he was saying. He started throwing bags into the trunk. When I persisted to help he just pushed me into the car.

“Get in the f*****g car, Alright?” his eyes were turning red. I backed up after I gained my composure and turned around. I wasn’t about to wait for another move. Somebody saw and gasped. I slid in my seat, Embarrassed by my yami. But the sad thing; I couldn’t control him. He got in the seat and had a fight with the seatbelt as he tried to buckle up. My face turned crimson again, But this time, Nobody but he could see. I was thankful for that. He squealed out of the parking lot, Cursing aloud to no one but himself. I shook my head as he slammed on the breaks. I knew something was creeping up in his mind. And it had to deal with me. I didn’t want to know.

 

                “Go to your room!” he shouted as he pulled into our driveway and unlocked the doors. “I’ll deal with you in a few minutes.” I quickly hobbled out of the car, Tangled in the seat belt. I could feel my heart beat faster as I raced for the door. “Ooohhh. Not fast enough.” I jiggled the doorknob until I felt the back of my jacket being tugged backwards. I fell down the steps and into the snow face first. Luckliy it was light and fluffy. I heard the door click and swing open. “Get in.” he looked down at me, The light illuminating his features so desperately. It scared me. What he had planned I didn’t want to think about. I stood up and walked past him and into the house, About to book it up the stairs. “Go.” He whispered in my ear.

 

                I tried to run, Yet I knew I was no match for him. I heard the door slam as I traveled up the stairs into my room. He lunged at me, My eyes grew wide as I fell on my face. I felt trapped. My shirt was taken off as I clawed into the ground. He chuckled; A DEEP chuckle. I whimpered. He bit into my back, But it was gentle. I gasped for breath. My eyes almost rolled into the back of my head. It felt too good to be true. And from someone I once loved. I gridded my teeth and tried not to moan, Letting a breath escape my lips.

“You like that, Ro?” he tore away from my back and found a new spot to naw upon. I nodded my head slightly, Hair falling in my face. I closed my eyes as he held me down. I couldn’t help but start to give in. It felt so amazing, Like I was being taken to a different world. My head swirled with thoughts of lust and confusion.

 

                A slight moan was let go. I heard something in the distance. I started feeling paranoid, But my lust quickly overcame any fears I held. I bit my lip almost enough to tear it off. Then, I felt pain. I gasped for breath as he tore into the thin skin of my back. Tears left vainly down my face. How could I be so blind? Something with so much pleasure corrupted into something vile. I winced, Trying not to cry. Trying to keep the screams held within myself. He treaded down again, Curving it as he went. I bit my lip harder. He laughed and tore off my trousers. I hung my head as he propped me up on my knees, Keeping my face in the floor. Tears left and silently fell to the floor. I heard a zip and then I felt him grasp onto my hips. I closed my eyes and tried to stare into the carpet. I heard his cynical laughter again. So haunting. Could he really do this again? Why couldn’t I just disappear? I knew the worst was yet to come. How much more could I take?