• chapter 2: the darkness within.



    Maric stared down at Mika, who had a suspicious look in his eyes, even his usual quick smiles was off. Maric sat down in the dirt covered floor and dusted his hands off.
    "Something bothering you Maric?" Mika asked.trying hard to sound like an adult.
    "No, but something is for you," Maric replied. he patted the floor next to him. "Sit."
    Mika did as he was told. He sat down pulling his knees to his dirty round face. Maric noticed the boy's condition. He had no shoes, thus making his small feet dirty and probably blistered from all the walking he does. He looked like he hadn't had a bath in a few months. His hair was black and messy. But the child looked well fed. His face was plump and would have a healthy gleam in it once he was bathed. Mika began to cry into his knees, pulling them closer to his body.
    "Mika whats wrong? you can tell me," Maric said shocked by the boy's sudden tear-flow. He pulled Mika into his arms and tried to calm him.
    "It's all my fault!" He cried.
    "No its not Mika, tell me what happened!"
    Mika looked at Maric then at his hands. "I told her that sis told us not to go deep into the temple, but she wanted to go in anyways, i followed her." He stopped suddenly covering his face with his hands.
    "What happened Mika, what happened back there?" Maric demanded standing up.
    Mika looked up at him again then pointed to a shadow dancing on the walls, lit by torch light.
    "A shadow? she was scared into unconsciousness?"
    "No, she was reading forbidden text then she fell to the ground. I picked her up and carried her all the way here so that sis wouldn't know, don't tell her!" Mika begged.
    "If I don't, Kara might lose her ba to that 'shadow'," Maric replied knowing instantly what Mika meant.
    Mika ran to his sister, shaking her again. Maric stopped him. He picked Kara up, and looked down at Mika.
    "Come on lets go find Kaiba," he said.
    The two ran outside to see a young lady with long black hair, and blue eyes. She wore all white, with a few gold items.
    "Ishizu! What are you doing here?" Maric asked.
    "I wanted to help Kisa, why are you here?"
    "Never mind that, help me get Kara to Kaiba!" Maric barked.
    Ishizu took a quick glance at the child in her brother's arms, and nodded her head. She had with her own horse, and behind her was Mika. Maric was on his and he held Kara close to his chest with his right arm and took hold of the reigns in his left.
    "Lets hurry, knowing Kisa she is probably ready to rob someone, meaning Kaiba!" Maric said kicking his horse into a gallop.
    Ishizu followed him.what happened here? whats wrong with Kara? she asked herself