Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note. If I did, Matt and Mello would be alive and together.

A/N: This is my first fic! I hope you all enjoy it! For Matt, I depict him with red hair, despite what his official hair color is. Again, thank you for reading.

Numbered Days

Chapter One

The first thing that Matt noticed when he opened his eyes was that the room he was in was bright. The hell? He was supposed to be dead, not in some random bright room. Looking around, Matt took in his new surroundings. He was no longer out on some street in Japan, bleeding to death. Instead, he was in a white room, void of anything except for some medical equipment like a heart monitor and IV, two chairs, and a small table. On said table were his precious goggles, his cell phone, and a note in Near's unmistakable neat handwriting.

Matt, if you are reading this, consider yourself lucky. If you are able, use the phone to call the only number in the contacts. -Near

Matt scoffed at the small note. Of course the albino wouldn't give Matt any clues as to where he was. Sitting up slowly, Matt winced at the pain he felt in his gut. Stupid ass cops actually fucking shot him. Slipping the orange goggles over his eyes, Matt picked up his phone and dialed the only number in his contacts. It rang three times before Near picked up.

"Matt."

Irritation clawed at Matt's insides. 'Really, you have me call you and you pick up like I'm the one to start the conversation?' Sighing out his frustration, Matt tried to speak evenly. "Yeah, kinda conscious now. Mind filling me in?"
Near, being well...Near, spoke plainly. "I'll explain in a moment." Then the little brat hung up. Little turd once again couldn't be any more helpful?

The door to Matt's room opened slowly, almost cautiously. Halle Lidner entered the room, with Near not far behind him. Halle smiled at Matt, looking grateful. "Matt. How are you feeling?" Matt sighed. "Fucking peachy. Now tell me where the fuck am I?" What would it take to get some answers? Halle and Near sat down in the two vacant seats beside Matt's bed. Halle was the first to speak. "You're at SPK headquarters. We saw what had happened to you, and Near sent out a team to get you as soon as possible. You were unconscious from blood loss, but we managed to stabilize you in time." Matt let the information sink in; he was shot but was alive. Wait... "What about Mello?" Halle didn't seem surprised by Matt's question and looked hesitantly at Near.

Seeing that Halle wasn't going to answer Matt, Near twirled his hair whilst speaking. "Mello kidnapped Takada, as you know. Shortly after you were gunned down, the church went up in flames." Matt's eyes bugged out of his head. Not acknowledging Matt's expression, Near continued. "He escaped and is fine. I'm sure he'll tell you the details himself." Getting up, Near walked over to the door to leave, with Halle close behind him.

"Wait, that's it? Is Mello here? How long have I been asleep?" Halle turned back to Matt, Near already opening the door. "Mello's here too. He'll stop by soon, probably. It's been four days since the kidnapping."

"FOUR DAYS? Wait, that means you met with the guy you suspected as Kira. Near, stop trying to walk away. Get your ass back in here and explain!"

If Near was more human, he probably would have sighed or something. Instead, he returned to the empty seat and explained what had happened in the warehouse. Matt nodded in understanding slowly, as the information sunk in. When it was clear that Near had finished, Matt broke out into a smile. "So that's it? We got him!" Matt threw his arms in the air, as if he were a small child. Halle couldn't help but smile a little at the childish action. Then her smile turned into something akin to sadness.

This action did not go unnoticed by the redhead. 'So this isn't all good news after all...' was Matt's bitter thought. "Alright, spit it out."
Halle seemed to stumble on her words, so Near spoke up. "Misa Amane, the woman thought as the Second Kira committed suicide the day Light Yagami died. However she did...something before she died." He took a pause, as if to give a moment for Matt's mind a moment to catch up, like he was some retarded child. Matt motioned for the albino to continue. "To be blunt, Matt, you're dying."