Julia Gabrielson

5th Hour Creative Writing

February 29th 2008

Short Story

Violet Eyes

“Anuki?! Where’d you go?” A small boy, about the age of ten, cried out into the darkness. His spiky mess of near-glowing white hair was in stark contrast to the black around him. Sharp violet eyes peered into the depths of the tomb, scouring the area for a glint of gold, but hoping more for the flicker of a flame. They had gone in too far, much too far. There weren’t even rats this deep into the royal tomb. As long as the two had been down in the very dark and dry crypt, however, they hadn’t come across any treasure at all. All the rooms looked to have been already gutted for their glittering jewels by previous thieves. But Anuki wanted to go deeper, maybe the burial chamber itself held something.

The boy suddenly caught a flicker of yellow flame in the corner of his eye. Drawing his short dagger, he whipped around, ready to attack, only to face his twin sister. “Anuki! Don’t do that!” growling, he placed his dagger back into his coat, and stalked over to the girl, who was grinning like nothing was wrong. “Did you find anything?”

“Nooooo. The tunnels go too deep. It looks too scary, Bakura.” Anuki tilted her head sideways and looked at her brother with her trademark puppy eyes. “Come with me?” The white-haired boy sighed, snatched the flaming torch from his twin, and began marching down even deeper into the depths of the royal tomb. The little red-headed girl squealed in fear at being left behind, and sprinted to catch up to her brother, latching her fingers onto his bright red coat. “Wait, Bakura!! Don’t leave me...” she cried.

“I ain't leaving you anywhere, Anu. Now let’s get goin’ before any of them Ra-damned guards show up and gut us alive.” He grinned maniacally. Bakura knew full well what could very well happen to both himself and his dear younger sister. The two kept on, Bakura looking back on occasion to make sure Anuki was still trailing behind him, her large amethyst eyes admiring the detailed paintings of the Gods and former Pharaoh that lined the walls. She was by far more interested in the stories and adventures found in the tomb, rather than the actual treasure hunting.

Anuki had always felt guilty for it, breaking into these sacred halls and thieving away the gold that lay in wait for the Pharaoh’s use in the afterlife. But this was all the twins had in order to get by. Both of their parents had been killed, leaving the two of them to fend for themselves since they were very young. No one would take them in, rumors had spread around since their birth that they were cursed. Bakura’s shocking snow white hair was just plain odd, unlucky according to some. But fear of the girl had root in the people’s very religion. The God of Chaos, Set, was said to have red hair, and every child marked with this trait was deemed cursed; one to bring about disaster. Their parents weren’t of much help either, with their mother being a prostitute of sorts, and their father himself being a master thief.

It seemed like hours since they had descended into the black abyss from the warm desert sands above them, squeezing through the opening of the tomb. Shuffling along, Bakura kicked a rock contemptuously, sending it hurtling down the corridor. Behind him, Anuki let out a long, tired sigh. “You’d think that by now we’d a found somethin’, now wouldn’t ya?” she moaned, dragging her feet in the settled dust that lay on the floor.

“Anuki…” Bakura sighed. “We’ll get somewhere, sometime soon…” He hung his head tiredly. “I hope.” Suddenly, Bakura stopped. He looked up at the wall before them, and he dragged his eyes over it suspiciously. “Hey, Anu. C’mere a sec.” The white-haired twin beckoned to his sister for her to come swiftly. Anuki shuffled up beside him, and stared at the wall.

“Hey…” she continued to study the wall critically. “We’ve been here before, Bakura.” She looked back to her brother, who was giving her the ‘no-way-you’ve-got-to-be-joking’ look. Anuki nodded gravely, and Bakura let out an angry yell.

“No wonder we haven’t found anything yet! It’s one of them tombs that make you wander around and around for days, and you just keep going until you die of hunger, or thirst, or you just lay down to take a nap and die!!” He fell to his knees, having exhausted his breath with his rant. “Ra-dammit…I’m hungry…and tired.” He let his head fall back against the wall, and closed his tired violet eyes. Anuki stood in front of him, frowning.

“Let’s go back then. There isn’t anything here, ‘Kura.” She held out her hand to her brother, who opened his eyes wearily to look up her. “C’mon. We can get home and eat something, and then you can sleep all you want.” She helped her brother up from the dusty stone floor, and picked up the dying torch. She gazed up at the walls, and studied the pictures, putting the story in place in her mind. They must be about half-way into the tomb, because the picture to her right showed the former Pharaoh hunting in the desert. It was from the time when he was still a young Prince and had gone hunting without saying a word to anyone, creating a big fuss in the palace, as you can imagine. But he came back triumphantly with a huge lion strewn across his chariot, the one that had terrorized a small village for years. Everyone then hailed him as a hero, and the next year, he inherited his father’s throne.

The red-headed girl slowly walked along the pathway, dragging her sleepy brother along with her. “Anuki…hold on a second. I hear somethin’…” Bakura mumbled from behind. Anuki stopped, and turned around, the dimming glow of the torch trying desperately to illuminate the darkness. “Sounded like someone was followin’ us. Been hearin’ it for a while…” The two stood still for a long moment, listening closer to the sounds of the empty crypt. At first they heard nothing, nothing but their own ragged breaths, the dull wavering sound of the dying flame, and the light wind that made the halls hum softly. They still listened; the scratching of a scorpion across the sand, the soft thud of rock fragments falling, the squeak of a tiny mouse. But no humanoid sound was heard. Anuki raised the flame in challenge to the darkness once more, and stood watching for anything; a shadow, a movement, a figure. Nothing appeared. She brought the torch back to her side, assured that nothing was tailing them.

“Bakura, there’s nothing there. You’re just sleepy, and are hearing things that are only in your head. Let’s get out of here quick, though.” She glanced at the stick in her hand; the flame had died down to nothing more than a demure, flickering spark. “We’re losing light.” Anuki took hold of her brother’s hand and turned to lead the way out. She couldn’t see more than three feet in front of her, and she narrowed her eyes to see through the shroud of blackness better.

“Anu…!?” Bakura wailed, and as Anuki was about to stop and turn to him, she ran into something. Something tall, sturdy, and warm. She toppled back onto her twin, pinning him to the floor. “Ah…Anuki…get off me!!” Bakura moaned from beneath the girl, and he kicked and squirmed trying to knock her off. She rolled off of him, and retreated to stand behind him as he pulled out his dagger and stood defensively in front of the shadowed subject. The torch had flown out of Anuki’s hand and gone out, smothered by the sand and dark. Bakura pointed his dagger straight towards the place the figure should have been, but as he tried in vain to sense his adversary, the short knife was yanked out of his hand, and he was pushed backwards, causing him to fall onto his back, with Anuki pinned beneath this time.

“Little boys your age shouldn’t be playing with sharp knives, kiddo.” A gruff voice boomed at them in the dark. “Nor should little girls be playing with fire.” Bakura had gotten up onto his knees, Anuki clutching his coat and cowering behind him. A burst of light illuminated the surrounding area, and the twin’s foe was revealed. A tall, rugged man towered above them, smiling down upon the two. “Never thought I’d ever see two kids get through here.” He laughed. “Guess I’ve seen everythin’ now, if you two are kiddie tomb robbers.” Bakura growled defensively as the man took a step closer to them, and the man laughed again, his warm brown eyes sparkling in the firelight. “I don’t aim to harm either of you two. It’s okay.” Anuki’s grip on her brother’s coat loosened, and she came to stand along side the white-haired boy.

“‘Kura…?” she whispered shyly to her brother. “What do we do…?” Her delicate, thin fingers curled around her twin’s, and she pulled closer to him. Bakura shook his head, not knowing what to do. He still hadn’t decided whether this man was an enemy or an ally. He didn’t look like a royal guard, or any sort of law enforcement. He certainly wasn’t a priest, he spoke too casually. Maybe he was just a passer-by? No, that’s not right, how many people just randomly wander into royal tombs? What if he was a tomb robber too? He could be part of one of those traveling caravans, and saw this an ample opportunity for getting a little extra money. Bakura didn’t trust him, that was for sure, even if he was an ally. The man saw Bakura’s sharp eyes scanning him, trying to figure him out, and smiled. “You think I’m here to arrest you or get ya in trouble, don’t ya?” Bakura’s eyes went wide, and he suddenly felt vulnerable, a feeling he loathed.

The man beckoned for the twins to follow him, walking in the direction the twins were traveling before their run-in. “I’m a thief too. If you get caught, I get caught. I don’t really want to be gutted alive in front of the entire population of the royal city.” He glanced back at the children, who reluctantly followed. “I’m fairly sure you don’t either. That’d be awful, having two little kids like you being killed publicly. Pharaoh’d hopefully not agree to that one anyhow.” He paused. “Why’re you two in here anyway? This one got gutted about a week ago, there ain’t anything left.” The man again turned to the pair, who kept their silence. “Oh. Name’s Khail. What’re your names? I see you’re Tozokuoh kids, you’ve got the eyes.” The twins stopped, their eyes dilating in fear. “I guess I’m right again, huh?” He smiled.

“What do you want with us anyways, huh?” Bakura growled. He had gained back some of his strength from the adrenaline that was now coursing through his veins. “Where are you leading us, exactly? And why?!” He gripped Anuki’s quivering hand, and gently nudged her to stand behind him.

Khail laughed, a big booming laugh. “Aha-ha! Kid, I’m gettin’ ya outta here, is what I’m doing. I just don’t want to see the two of you getting caught. You’re too young to die now; you’ve got lives ahead of ya. I just don’t wanna see them ruined anymore than they have been.” He squatted down in front of Bakura, ruffling the boy’s white hair with his large hand. “You want out, don’t you?”

Bakura nodded, swatting the man’s hand off of his head. “Yes…” Bakura’s harsh glare softened, and he loosened the tight grip of his fingers around his sister’s hand. “…please.” He added quietly.

“Sure thing. But you haven’t answered my question. I told you my name, might as well tell me yours, eh?” Khail grinned as he stood back up, dusting the sand off of his plain brown coat.

“I’m Bakura.” The boy stated proudly. He turned to his shy sister, pulling her forward. “And this is Anuki, my twin sister.” Anuki nodded politely, but still stood close to her brother. “Why are you in here, anyways, Khail?” The trio had begun walking again, Khail lighting the dark tunnel with the twin’s previously extinguished torch stick.

“Lookin’ for something to do. I got bored, saw the door of this tomb, and decided to see if all the stories goin’ round about this tomb were true.” Bakura looked up at him, confused. “It’s empty alright.” He laughed again. “Why’re you two down here? You don’t have any family to take care of you?” Khail looked down at Bakura, who shook his head.

“All our family is gone. It’s just me and Anu now.” Bakura said softly. “This is all we can do to get by. No one trusts us, because we’re Tozokuoh kids. And everyone thinks Anuki is cursed, even though she’s really sweet-hearted and wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Khail nodded, understanding the twin’s dilemma. The kid’s family was one not trusted in any part of the country, regardless of the rumors spread around about the children’s appearances. They really did have nothing but each other, and the gold left for them to thieve in the tombs.

“Ah! I think we’re almost there!” Khail noticed a glow on the wall, a bright glow from a source of light. But it was moving - slowly, heading in their direction. Khail froze, his heart-rate quickened, and he turned to the children. Bakura had seen it too, and had snatched Anuki’s hand, pulling her into one of the rooms to the side. The older thief jumped in with them. “Sorry, sorry…I thought it was the tomb opening…” Khail whispered. But Bakura raised a hand, shushing him.

“Better not be any of the royal guards, Ra dammit…” The white haired boy hissed. The yellow glow grew nearer, and the shadow of the carrier began to show on the wall. The three stood flat against the wall, hoping that whoever it was wouldn’t hear their panicked breathing. They waited, and the light came closer. Khail and Bakura closed their eyes, fearful of oncoming doom, but Anuki’s lavender eyes stayed open. As the shadow came into focus, she nagged on Bakura’s coat. Bakura opened his eyes, and saw the shadow. He elbowed Khail in the side, asking for his dagger. Khail reluctantly gave it to him, and Bakura rounded the corner of the wall.

“AHHH!! Get off!! Get off!!” A small voice cried. Anuki ran out into the hall, and saw her brother sitting atop a boy no older than themselves. The other boy’s hands were covering his face, trying to shield it from Bakura’s knife. “Please!! Don’t hurt me…” He wailed, and Bakura got up off of the boy when Anuki pushed on his shoulder. Anuki helped the other child off of the floor, bringing him to stand. He was a little taller than Bakura, who was glaring at their newfound friend. Picking up his light-box, the boy dusted off his clothes. His bright blue eyes glared back at Bakura’s, and the white-haired boy suddenly grew extremely agitated.

“YOU!? What in Ra’s name are you doing here, Set?!” He roughly shoved the blue-eyed boy against the wall, pinning him there, pushing on his shoulders. The other boy clenched his teeth, and brought up his free hand to hit Bakura, when Khail stepped in.

“Whoa! Whoa, boys! Settle down now, I’m sure we can handle this without the fighting. He pulled Bakura off of Set by the collar of his coat, suspending him in the air, and taking the other’s ear in the other hand. Bakura growled and kicked, fighting to get back down. “Bakura, if you don’t want to strangle yourself, I suggest you stop kicking.” After Bakura settled down, he placed him on the ground, and turned to the other boy, who was clawing at Khail’s fingers that held his ear. “Now who are you? And why doesn’t Bakura seem like you very much?”

“Ow! Ow!! Let go of my ear and I’ll tell you!!” He screamed. Khail released the blue-eyed boy, who held his free hand on his stinging ear, trying to soothe it. “My name’s Set, and Bakura hates me because I live at the palace and play with Anuki.” Set glared at Khail, who started laughing at the boy before him. “What’s so funny?!” Set’s bright blue eyes ignited with fury.

“Nothing, nothing.” Khail smiled. “But why is a little palace brat like you doin’ way out here?” Bakura had calmed down now, and stalked over to Set, grinning.

“Lost?” the white-haired boy sneered.

“None of your business.” Set spat. His gaze shifted to Anuki, who stood grinning against the wall. “Anuki!” The girl dashed over to him, and hugged her friend. “I haven’t seen you for a while.” Set smiled at the red-headed girl, who smiled right back.

“Ugh…” Bakura crossed his arms and pouted. “Set, can you at least be useful? Get us out of here.”

“Please? Use some manners, thief.” Set took Anuki’s hand and led the three thieves into the yellow desert, the sun now hanging high in the afternoon sky. A pair of older men came running towards the four people, yelling.

“Set! There you are!” Set quickly turned to hide behind Khail.

“Oh Ra…” Set whined. He had run off the previous day, sending the entire palace into a rampage.

“Thank the Gods, you’re okay, Set!” One of the men bowed to the three thieves, and dragged Set, who fought the entire way, back towards the royal city.

“…That went relatively well, don’t ya think guys?” Khail smiled. “It looks like we’re sorta like heroes! We didn’t get caught!” Bakura shook his head and sighed, turning towards his and Anuki’s home, leaving Khail behind them.

“Yeah. Heroes. Pshht. So we saved the palace brat from uncertain doom, and we’re ‘heroes’. All I care is that we ain’t getting gutted alive.” He growled. Anuki giggled, and skipped alongside her twin.