Chapter 6 - Yamapi view
Chapter 6
Yamapi was following various corridors and didn't know where to go. It actually had been a bad idea to search the exit on his own. He really had no idea where he was right now. He felt like he ran deeper and deeper into the palace and he pleaded that he wouldn't be found. Running deeper and deeper into the stone building he had no idea where he was or where he went. All he knew was that he still was inside, not outside where he should be.
Suddenly there was a strange dull noise. Sounded like pigs. As Pi cautiously went on and looked around a corner, he saw two guards sleeping on their wooden chairs. That's what the noise came from. And those two really somehow looked like pigs. At least they were as fat as such.
Pi wanted to turn around and go back, but suddenly there came voices from behind. So no going back. And those two fat ones were sleeping. So the only option left was going through that door beside the guards. Pi sneaked through the door as silently as he could. The corridor in front of him was lighted by some torches on the walls. He went on, afraid that the source of the voices came after him. This was the jail. He knew it by the voices coming from the cells. He could see faces. Horrifying faces which were pale and skinny and looked frightened to death. And Yamapi was frightened himself. This view really was scary. But since this was the jail, those people were to be here. Pi went on.
A hand – a hand coming out of one of the cells, reaching out for him. Startled, Yamapi jumped back, desperately trying not to scream. The arm that was still reaching out for him belonged to a middle-aged study man with a unreadable look on his face. But Yamapi knew this face. The face he had been searching for for so long.
“Father? Is this you?”
He didn't really believe it. Didn't want to believe it. After all those months he had found the person most important to him. One day four years ago his father was gone, leaving Yamapi and his sick mother behind. Shortly after that Yamapi's mother had died and so nothing would hold Pi back from trying to find out about his father's whereabouts.
“... Tomohisa?”, the man answered.
“Father! It's you! Why... are you here? … I have to get you out of here...” Yamapi got up quickly and closed the distance between them. He had so many questions he wanted to ask him, so much he wanted to know. But first of all he had to get his father out of here.
“Son... my son... I'm innocent. You believe me, don't you? Help me! Please!” His father sounded desperate. And The young one was desperate as well. Desperate to get his father out of that cell, putting him into freedom again.
“What happened?”, he wanted to know.
“They say I killed someone, but I didn't! You believe me, don't you? I would never kill someone!”
“Yes... yes, I do believe you. I... I'll think of a plan to get you out. Just wait a bit longer, okay?”, Yamapi said. “I'll come back. Wait for me.”
Yamapi went back to the door he had come through. Those fat ones were still asleep and no other voices so far. Maybe he could steal the key and free his father right now?
Cautiously he opened the door, trying not to make any strange sounds. He approached the key but did an unconsidered step and kicked over a steely cup and the cup skipped cheerfully over the stone floor. “Sh*t...”, Yamapi whispered. Of course the guards woke up, but luckily it took them some time to realize that there was someone who was trying to steal their precious key. They got on their feet and shouted for him.
Yamapi hurried down the corridor and ran until he couldn't hear the heavy steps anymore. But he recognized the gangway. He was somewhere near the great hall where the ball was taking place right now. Out of breath he sat down in a dark corner and thought about what to do next. He had to get his father out of here. But going back was impossible now that the guards were on alert. He had to think of a plan, a good plan.
His gaze fell on his hands. His finger felt awkward without his precious ring that he had gotten from his mother years ago right before she died. He had given it to the prince and he didn't regret it. The prince...
The... prince... He could use the prince to reach his goal.
No, he couldn't. He just couldn't do it. Imposing on the prince's kindness was impossible. But how else could he help his father? “Hello, my name is Yamashita Tomohisa and I want you to let my father go.” Of course, it would help to just go to the guards and explain the situation, they would surely be nice enough to open the door... and imprison Yamapi as well.
So, the only solution was the prince, huh?
Although Yamapi hated to do this, but he had to help his father. And the prince? He had known him only for some hours right now. He would make him help and free his father and then take the ring back and then Yamapi would vanish and everything would turn back to normal again. It should be easy right?
With trembling knees Yamapi got on his feet. He had to find the prince. On the floor some meters away was a green mask. It absolutely didn't fit his costume but whatever. He took it on and stepped into the great hall. It wasn't very hard to make out the prince. He was the one everyone was staring at, despite the fact that he wore a mask. He was talking to a young lady but she seemed somewhat disturbed and hurriedly left the hall. This was Pi's chance. He approached the prince and hesitantly put his hand on his shoulder.
Toma looked confused and upset as he turned around, paused and then asked: “Wha-what are you doing here? I – I thought you ran...”
Pi didn't bother to answer. “Come with me... please.”, he said before he turned and slowly left the hall. He went back to the same dark corner he had been thinking in before and waited for the prince to come after him. And he came.
“Answer my question... why are you still here? I don't understand this...” Now Toma looked really confused.
Yamapi took a deep breath. “I... I couldn't leave. I want to... see you again.”
'You are such a great actor,', Yamapi thought, disgusted by what he was doing.
Toma tried to answer, but somehow no words left his mouth as he moved it.
“Meet me tomorrow at my tent. I will wait for you.”
Pi laid his hands on the prince's shoulders, pressed him against the wall and kissed him passionately.
He was amazed by those feelings, wanted to continue until eternity but still he broke their contact.
“Good-bye, my prince.”
Yamapi hurried and left, leaving a numb Toma behind.
He felt as if his heart was torn apart. But he knew he deserved it.
