A/N: One-shot? What one-shot? I don't remember calling this a one-shot. And you can't prove I did! Like you would want to. Enjoy the new installment!
On my knees. On the ground. Near the water. Near the shore. Here I am. Here I've been. Here so long...
In Domino City. No people here. It is night. Stars are bright. One star, especially. So very bright. Shines on me.
No, not star. Moon, isn't it?
I don't know. Here so long. Can't look up.
Can't even think.
No, can think. Just not much. Never could, much. No, not right. Could think once. Could think much.
Just... not now.
When was that? When I thought?
Do I know?
Can I remember?
...Will someone help?
I cannot recall. I don't know. When I thought. I thought much. Thought a lot. Believed a lot. Believed too much? Maybe I did. What I earned?
Lost my friends.
Lost my family.
Lost my hair.
Lost my dignity.
Lost my will.
Lost my sanity.
Lost my life.
Gained so little. So very little.
–
I am... remembering... now.
I can think more.
The sun is rising. Or is the moon? I cannot say which. It's been so long. I can't look up. Can't lift my head.
What was I doing? Why am I here?
But I already know. I know what happened. I remember what happened.
Afterward, I saw everything. He made me see. He made me watch. Over and over again. Yes, I failed him. It was my fault. It is my fault. It always has been. Never was it his. He was always blameless.
But is that true? And if so... how? Why was it always– What did I do–
I can't think right! I can't put together– I can't construct a– Four words, that's all! I can only combine– I'm only able to– I can only string–
Wait, just a moment. Did I say "string"? Wasn't that my name? No, wait, it wasn't. It was what he– It was what I– I was called "Strings".
But... who am I?
Oh, yes, I remember. I am nobody. I am another.
No, no, no, no! That can't be right anymore! I've been here too– Kneeling here on the– Kneeling on the ground! Always staring straight down! If he wanted me– If he remembered me– ...I would have been summoned. Yes, surely, by now. Summons would have come.
He has forgotten me.
I have been forgotten.
I have been discarded. Like a rotten vegetable.
–
Night has fallen once again. I am still kneeling here. My stomach cries for nourishment. My eyes plead to blink. My nose burns for moisture. My bowels groan for release. My bones are becoming brittle.
And my scalp is itching.
My thought process slowly returns. I have been pushing myself. I want to remember myself. I want my life back. That's assuming I had one.
What else can be expected? Everything was taken from me. Taken by that little maniac. Even now, I can't think. Not like I used to. I'm sure I had thoughts. Thoughts more engaging than these.
My body flares in anger. My whole being wants revenge. I want to destroy him. I want him to suffer. I want him to despair.
But that is completely impossible. I don't remember his face. I barely know his servants. I barely even knew myself.
I have nothing left me. Except, perhaps, the cards here. Duel Monsters cards all around. They litter the cold ground. They've been here too long.
As long as myself, apparently. Covered with layers of dew. But I can't do it. I can't make myself move. This does not surprise me. I can't remember moving myself. It's hard simply to think.
My clothes have become damp. I'm taxed to my limits. My body begs for change. If I don't move, I'll– If I stay, I'll die.
I force myself to move. Just the smallest bit, but– I can make myself move. I know I can move. I just have to try. That was my problem before. I wasn't trying to move. I never needed to try. He always made me move.
–
But not anymore.
He's no longer with me. I couldn't do it without him. But now... now I must. And so I move. I push myself. A single finger, at first. That's all I need, a finger. A sign of encouragement. A way to say, "Yes! I can move freely!"
Perhaps I'm deluding myself. I wouldn't be surprised. It's not the first time. But if I am, then... I... hope... I... don't... wake... up...
Did... did I just think eleven words?
That must have been a... delusion... too.
...Six! Seven! I'm not deluding myself! I can do it if... I... try!
Now it's my entire hand. It flexes its fingers... flexes as though they always had. I can move my hand!
Slowly, the movement spreads. Now it's up to my arm. To my elbow. Upper arm, shoulder. I'm wiggling my entire arm. Like it's made of rubber. Oh, if only to see my reflection! The water's right over there!
No, no, I must wait. I must move elsewhere. To a lavatory, perhaps? Yes, yes, my bowels cry. And there will be mirrors. And lights, and people.
People? No, I cannot trust them.
But if I don't... how can I say I'm different?
I despair so easily. I cannot hope to reintegrate. Not into their society. Not so quickly. Not as easily as that. I am damaged. I am worthless. I am nothing!
I must stop this. My despair leads me nowhere. My despair makes me nobody.
I am not nothing.
I am not nobody.
I am somebody.
I am me.
I am me.