My bare feet pounded the cold, wet pavement. Icy cold rain hit my naked skin, stinging it like a thousand electric needles. Tonight, after many failed escapes, I was finally free.

I could hear a motorcycle engine revving and felt my heart quicken-- he knew. Desperately I looked around for a place to hide. I began running up to houses, trying to open doors. Finally I found one that was unlocked, and I took the chance. Bolting inside, I shut the door and locked it, leaning against it as the motorcycle got closer.... and then drove right past where I was hidden.

Letting out the breath I'd been holding, I shivered and folded my arms across my bare chest as I looked around at the place I had taken refuge in. The décor was..... different, to say the least. It screamed heavy Egyptian...... I found it rather comforting.

A light flicked on upstairs. My heart sank. Someone was home. I decided not to make things worse for myself and remained in view of whomever was coming down the large staircase in the hallway. Another light flicked on, this time illuminating the doorway-- and me.

"What are you doing here, silver hikari?" A rather cold voice asked. How did he know I was a hikari....?

"I-I, um....." I stuttered, trying to find the words to explain my predicament. But before I could, I was pinned to the wall with a hand enclosed around my throat.

"I asked you a question." The person hissed.

"I-I'm sorry!" I gasped as the air was cut away from me. "I-I had to escape from my yami!" Darkness began to gather at the corners of my eyes from the lack of oxygen..... and then suddenly I was on the floor, gasping for air and rubbing my now bruised neck.

"You escaped from your yami." The person said. "Tell me." He knelt down beside me and grabbed a handful of my long, silver hair, yanking on it hard. "What kind of predicament would cause you to feel the need to escape?"

I didn't want to tell him.... I was ashamed of it. But when I didn't answer, he yanked on my hair again.

"ANSWER ME."

"I-I was being beaten!" I whimpered. I saw his expression change-- but only slightly. "E-every day." I added. My body agreed with my story; it was covered in new and old bruises, fresh and healing cuts. "A-And I was his slave..... h-his dog."

The person released my hair and stood up. "Let me get this straight." He said, his face unreadable as he looked down at my cowering form. "Your yami treated you like an animal and you ran away."

"Th-that's it...." I said rather weakly.

"Pathetic." The word, said with such malice, made me flinch. ".......But...... if you are willing to follow my word, without complaint, without question, as if it were the laws laid down by God himself...... I will allow you to stay here. I will shelter you. But ONLY..... ONLY if you obey me without fail."

"Y-Yes." I said. "I'll do anything, anything!"

The person smirked. "Very well then." The next thing I knew, a coat was thrown onto me. "Wear that. Until you have proven yourself, that is your only possession. And I reserve the right to take it."

"Y-Yes sir...."

"Marik."

"Wh-what?"

"None of this 'sir' business. It's Marik-sama, Master Marik, or simply Master. Understand?"

"Y-Yes, Master....."

"Good. Now go find a corner to sleep in."

"Yes, Master......"