CHAPTER TWO

His breathing was ragged, white puffs of air forming in front of him, coming out rapider as his pace increased. Golden strands of hair obscured his vision when he whipped his head to the side, wide amethyst eyes searching frantically for signs of his pursuers. A choked gasp spilled past rosy lips the moment he caught sight of them a few paces behind, their hunt seemingly relentless and tireless.

The youth urged his legs to work faster, ignoring the aching and soreness of his body that resulted from running through the streets of Domino for twenty minutes straight.

It had been three weeks since that fateful announcement in the news. It was with great grief that the reporter announced the horrific end that a young woman found in the outskirts of the town. The victim's family was devastated and rightly inconsolable, considering the fact that they had barely been able to identify the corpse of their twenty-three year old daughter.

The body had been violated beyond recognition.

The police force had to search the near vicinity to recollect all of the poor girl's missing limbs. Her entire face and upper body had been littered with deep gashes – all of them fatal – and most of them in the shape of claw marks. It was deducted later on that the victim had already died from blood loss before her assailant proceeded with disembodying her.

The entire city shared the parents' sorrow at the horrors their only daughter had been through.

Throughout the three weeks that followed, more similar cases had been reported in the news, all involving horrendous deaths. No one was spared, be it man, woman, elder or child. The police had informed the citizens that a serial killer was at large; a crazed, mentally inflicted individual that sought down his victims like a predator would hunt his prey. His volatile mind seemed to be encouraging the killer to carve claw markings all over the victims' bodies, making it appear as if it was the work of some savage animal that had been set loose.

The police had alerted each and every one of the inhabitants of the city of Domino to the danger of the situation and asked them all to be extra vigilant until the serial killer was captured.

But even after all this time, they had been unable to capture their elusive target, while meanwhile, the entire city was plunged into despair.

It was like the murderer's action had been the trigger to a chain of events that took place.

Taking advantage of the police's major distraction, the crime had risen considerably in the streets. Thieves, burglars and rapists took it upon themselves to spread more chaos throughout the city, making the already disturbed police unable to focus on the primal threat.

The citizens of Domino were justly terrified to step foot out of their houses.

Which was exactly why Yugi had only himself to blame for the predicament he had landed himself in.

It had been earlier that evening that he had gone at his best friend's place. Serenity, his friend's little sister, had been released from the hospital at last, where she had undergone a very crucial ocular operation that would determine whether or not she could keep her eyesight. Serenity and Joey were his childhood friends, and Yugi had shared his friend's anxiety like it were his own. Thankfully though, the operation was deemed successful.

While it was still day when he had gone visiting, the sun had set long before the time he left. Joey had of course insisted on accompanying him back to his house, unwilling to let him wander the streets on his own given the times they were living in.

It was no secret though, that Joey's father had never really been the reliable type, and was always prone to alcohol. His violent tendencies when he drunk himself to a stupor had urged his wife to divorce him and take Serenity with her to the States, where the vulnerable, weak sighted girl would be safe. But due to her operation taking place in Japan, they were staying for the night at their old home before being on their way in the morning. Thus, it was imperative for Serenity not to be left alone with her drunk of a father until then, and their mother alone wouldn't have been able to be of much assistance if the situation were to get out of hand.

And so, with a reassuring smile, Yugi had refused Joey's offer. Both of them knew that Joey's first obligation was to his sister, a fact that didn't stop him from scowling in disapproval and worry as he watched the form of his friend blend with the shadows of the alley.

True to his promise to Joey, Yugi had been particular careful, always making sure to check all directions before turning a corner or crossing to another street. It was another ten minutes walk to his house, when trouble finally caught up with him. Or rather, he stumbled into it.

…Quite literally.

He had just been passing outside a deserted alleyway, when he caught sight of two figures shrouded in the darkness. Steps coming to a halt of their own accord, he squinted for a better look, only now spotting the third figure that was sprawled on the ground, thrashing wildly around. Faintly, he thought he could hear muffled sobs.

Then, one of the other two, lifted one arm up high above his head. Something glittered for a moment in the darkness, before the figure brought down their hand in one fluid, swift motion and a strangled scream reached Yugi's ears, eliciting a sharp gasp from the teen that reverberated in the deadly silence of the streets.

As one, both figures whirled around at the sound, and Yugi could only stare in a petrified stupor.

Only when they took a step forward, did the teen get his bearings together again, deep violet eyes growing impossibly wide before his brain considered it wise to provide the order to break into a run.

Fearing to go even near his house's location, he had been running aimlessly since then, hoping against hope that his pursuers would eventually tire, or simply give up the chase in order to take care of the mess they had left behind.

Apparently, however, that wasn't the case.

But Yugi didn't know for how long he could keep this up. Twenty whole minutes had already come and gone, and he was starting to feel their toll. His build was nowhere near athletic. His muscles were now protesting vehemently by each step he took. Head thrashing frantically around, he desperately searched for any place available to hide. Twisting sharply on his heels, he dived into the narrow street between two buildings and came to an abrupt halt.

Horror filled amethyst eyes, could only stare blankly at the brick wall that stretched upwards only a few feet ahead.

"…No," he wheezed, taking unsteady steps forward.

He glanced at the space around him, feeling icy-cold terror crawl up his spine when the only other object in the alley-way was a metallic trash can.

Beside the sound of his own harsh pants, footsteps suddenly resonated through the alley, causing Yugi to spin around and dash away from this dead end while he still could.

But he never got far.

A blurry shape, that was all his frenzied mind had time to register, before he found himself sprawled on the concrete below, a choked exhale torn from his lips at the harsh contact of his back with the ground. Steel like fingers suddenly encased his throat, tightening the instant they made contact with his skin.

Eyes snapping violently open, dazed amethyst clashed with vicious crimson.

Body aching all over, Yugi was unable to so much as lift a single finger from the fatigue. His limbs could have been nonexistent as he lay there, motionless under the weight of his attacker. Those red eyes studied meticulously his every feature, retracting to his eyes again where they remained, the figure's searing gaze rendering his brain useless. He didn't dare blink, fearful that this docile curiosity would morph right back into that savage rage he been met with the second he opened his eyes.

The footsteps from before were gradually getting louder, and the person above him twisted his head sharply, blazing red gaze swiveling to the entrance, waiting.

The moment the men stepped foot into the alley, he was already pouncing on them.

Yugi remained still, staring at the starry sky that was peeking down from between the surrounding buildings and trying to stifle the painful throbbing of his neck. He was certain that were he to raise his fingers, he would feel bruises forming already.

Screams – piercing, and blood-curdling – flooded the air, making Yugi's body grow rigid.

Blinking, he willed his arms to move. He bent his elbows and slowly hoisted himself into a sitting position, seeking out the source of all that noise.

His eyebrows knitted close together, not comprehending at first the scene that met him.

One of the men, a bulky guy with dark tattoos on both forearms, was lying on his back, a thick red substance pooling around him at a steady, measured pace.

Yugi's eyes grew to the size of plates once they landed on the gaping hole that stood in the place of the man's stomach, finally recognizing the substance for what it truly was. His hand flew to his mouth, pressing down in an attempt to suppress the bile that had risen. Bodily fluids, merged with a copious amount of blood and intestines were oozing out of the wound, churning Yugi's stomach and making him nauseous.

Another scream, just as agonized as the previous, tore the teen's gaze away from the grotesque sight.

The figure from before had the last man pinned to the wall by his neck, feet nowhere near touching the ground. But what Yugi couldn't ignore, was the twitching tail behind the figure. It was pitch black, and when it swayed once from side to side, it turned out that it was slick too, catching the moonlight on its fur and making it seem glossy.

Hastily shutting his jaw, Yugi had just convinced himself he was hallucinating when the dark appendage swayed again moodily.

Bringing a shaky hand to rub at his head, he took in the whole picture, starting from the toes; which were bare to his dismay. And so were the legs. In fact, save for a pair of black, leather shorts, there was no other piece of clothing on the figure's body. He had concluded from the sharpness of the facial features that the other person was male, but looking at his chest now it was confirmed. Golden armbands rested snugly on his upper arms, but to Yugi's ascending horror, they had crusted blood all over them. And a quick survey made it obvious that the same could be said for the rest of his body.

The skin that Yugi had thought to be tanned at first glance was actually covered in dried blood.

A low, vibrating rumble spread through the narrow passage and with a motion too quick for Yugi to catch, the boy had snatched his arm back. There, entrapped between glistening, talon like claws was a peculiar looking lump of pinkish-red color, with the tips of something white sticking out at either side.

Yugi threw his body to the side, emptying all of the contents in his belly.

He coughed, closing his eyes to repress any further puking urge and then suddenly vomited again, unable to stomach the images flashing behind his eyelids even if he wanted to.

Once there were no more fluids to heave, the boy wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his jacket, a dry sob escaping his clenched teeth.

The man's lower jaw had been missing! Teeth, bones and all!

The strangled sounds in the background brought forth another pitiful sob from Yugi.

Sniffling, he turned away from his own vomit and buried his face in his clothed arms, all too aware that the guy in the back was choking on his own blood.

What the hell was going on?!

"Oh, god! Oh, god!" he mumbled, clasping his hands over his ears when the thug's raspy, painful breaths and gurgling sounds took too long to fade out.

A yelp of pure shock burst from his throat when he was flipped onto his back. Just like that, the creature reassumed his position from before, straddling Yugi's hips. Blood stained claws took hold of his jaw as bright, equally blood-red eyes bore down on him, leaving him open and vulnerable and he thought that this was it; he was going to be killed in the very same, brutal way as those alley thugs.

But just as quick as it had appeared, the weight of the other left him.

Yugi followed him warily with his eyes, noting the odd way the creature backed away from him, using both hands and legs to do so. He stopped several spaces away, sitting precariously on the toes of his bare feet with his rear in the air and clawed hands positioned before him, bent at the elbows. Two pointy, feline ears stood in the place of human ones, twitching insistently. All in all, Yugi had only ever associated that stance with wild animals ready to pounce on their soon to be food.

However, save from the occasional flick of an ear, the other didn't move from his hunched position.

Yugi sat up, slowly rising to his feet.

The creature still didn't move.

Encouraged, the boy took a tentative step forward, halting when that slick tail flicked once. Frowning, Yugi took another step and the tail repeated its motion. Red eyes flickered from the boy's feet to his face and then back again.

Feeling more agitated as the seconds trickled past, Yugi balled his hands by his sides and sprinted all the way to the mouth of the alley, making it a point to bypass the bloody carcasses without sparing them a glance. On the road though, he paused. The other's tail was now moving widely from side to side, anxious crimson orbs nailed on him.

It was with a sinking feeling that Yugi realized what that half-cat-half-human thing was anticipating so restlessly.

He wanted a chase.

Like the predator that he was.

Spine tingling with icy shivers, Yugi raked his eyes up and down the street, looking for any signs of familiarity. With all those detours he had taken, he had lost track of the way to his own house. Brow furrowing upon finding that no bells of recognition were ringing, Yugi nearly jumped when a drawn out hissing sound assaulted his senses, the low quality of its tone portraying every bit of the danger that its owner was oozing in generous waves.

Self-preservation instincts screaming at him to get the hell out of there, Yugi twisted around and ran down the street he had taken, hoping that by going back the way he had come would stir up some routes.

The tricky part was happening upon the alleyway he had first encountered the two thugs, and the unmistakable sound of something sharp scratching on the asphalt bellow was straining on Yugi's nerves worse than those guys had. It was the worst torture.

Yugi ran like he had never before, ran like the devil himself was hot on his heels.

He didn't know what hell was like, but this was cutting pretty close.

He literally felt like whooping with joy when he finally found it. Body doubling over, Yugi's lungs felt like they kept shrinking in themselves and then expanding again with each frantic inhale of air he took. With his hands on his knees for support, he searched into the deep and solid darkness of the alley, looking for the lifeless form of the woman for confirmation. He could make out the outline of something long on the ground, but just barely.

It was more than enough, though. It meant he was on the right track.

Not waiting for the tell-tale sound of the creature's strides to get louder, Yugi made a sharp turn to the left, aware now of the course he needed to follow.

Behind him, the scratchy sound of claws came to a screeching halt as the creature followed Yugi's lead and twisted sharply the other way, his hot pursuit reassuming unhindered.

The teen cussed mentally, his panic overshadowed only by the blazing streams of undiluted adrenaline surging through his system.

He had to get away from that thing; no way in hell was he going to end up as some violated corpse, torn beyond the point of recognition. There was no doubt those incidents that had been occurring recently in Domino were the results of that creature being set loose.

…So many people, little children too…all of them plucked away like they were insignificant.

He really had trouble imagining a living being capable of such atrocities.

The amounts of death only kept piling up.

Something swiped at his heels all of a sudden and Yugi, caught off guard, lost his footing and toppled over, crying out in a mixture of shock and pain when the palms he used to lessen his fall scraped roughly against the road.

Withholding a wince, he made to push himself up when hands appeared in his line of sight, mere inches in front of his faces.

Then, a chin came to rest between the folded fists, and Yugi only faintly took note of the dried smudges of blood on the creature's jaw and around its mouth. He hadn't noticed before, but if someone were to ignore the vertical black slits that existed in place of pupils, those eyes could pass as human.

So beautiful, yet so cruel…

As if in a trance, Yugi didn't even realize he had reached out with his fingers until the being's lips stretched back in a snarl.

It withdrew with a hiss and Yugi started into action at the sound, jumping to his feet and speeding down the road. How ironic would it be if he was killed only a block away from his house? Lips pursing at his own idiotic actions, Yugi sped his pace, grateful at least for one thing; the short respite had provided his body with extra energy to work on.

The moment his home came into view, he felt like weeping with joy. Searching frantically in his pockets for the key, Yugi fumbled with the lock, missing it every time with the way his hands were shaking.

"Come on, come on…!"

The door swung inwards at last, and Yugi risked a swift peek above his shoulder only to let out a shrill cry once he saw the creature launching at him.

He bolted inside and shut the door behind him with a loud thud, hurrying to turn the lock just in time for the resounding impact of something big against the frame to echo throughout the entire floor. Cringing, Yugi backed away from the entrance and ran all the way to the back of the shop where the staircase that'd lead upstairs to the living quarters was located.

Coming up in the living room, he then raced around, bolting all windows in the space and the kitchen as well, before throwing himself across the couch, chest heaving and breathing irregular.

His whole body was trembling.

Turning on his side, he wrapped both arms around his middle in an attempt to repress the violent shivers. It didn't take him long to pass out, both the physical and mental strain of the day finally catching up to him.

As drained as he was, not once did he stir when hours later, the window in the living room came smashing down, a torrent of glassy shards spraying the floor near it.

Shrouded in the thick darkness of the night, a figure stood crouched on the windowsill.

Luminous crimson orbs scanned the insides of the room, stilling once they settled on the teen's prone form. Cat-like slits narrowed to a thin line and slowly, the figure descended, placing its splayed out hands on the floor beneath before letting its lower body accompany the rest. It moved inaudibly, black talons never getting within breaking distance of the window remains as it sauntered close, sleek tail swishing lazily in the air.

It hovered above the slumbering boy, red eyes unblinking in their perusal, before the figure hopped onto the couch's back in one swift motion.

There, it circled around itself for a brief moment and then laid down, finally making itself comfortable as it stared down at the boy sprawled on the cushions. It purred softly, laying its head down on the back of its wrists and simply observed.

TBC…

A/N: Hope you like the second chapter! More explanations will be given in the next chapter, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Please review!