This first chapter takes place after Death Note: Another Note but before L's death while working on the Kira case.
I stood in the abandoned park my long, straight red hair flowing in the harsh Autumn wind. My clothes where little protection from the gales. I wore a thin long-sleeve white shirt, badly ripped and faded blue jeans, and a pair of beaten tennis shoes. My emerald eyes swept the horizon focusing on the setting sun.
I don't care much for the life I'm living but with views like this in my backyard., I don't give a damn.
I heard footsteps on the ground behind me and to my right before the new person stood to my right. I looked them over.
About my height, looks like blonde hair, damn have they ever even worn those shoes?
"What're you staring at?"
"The sunset, your lucky I didn't decide to take your approach offensively," I said. Sounds like a guy.
"Why is that? A little girl like you can't possibly hurt me," he sneered.
"May I ask your name?" I totally changed the subject. Or did I?
"Who is asking?" he countered.
"I asked first Blondie," I replied.
"My name's Mello," he stated flatly not enjoying my little nickname for him.
"Mello huh? My name's Grace," I returned the favor.
I'm not sure about this guy. Maybe I should knock him out then run for it-
"Let me ask you something," Mello said interrupting my thoughts.
"Okay," I mused, "try me."
"There are four murders. At the first murder there are four Wara Ningyo nailed to the walls the room is locked with a thumb turn lock. The second murder scene there are three Wara Ningyo nailed to the walls. This room is also locked by a thumb turn lock. The third murder scene there are two Wara Ningyo, again locked with a thumb turn lock. Who is the fourth victim?
"Based on the information I've been given and guessing that the nails used to fasten the Wara Ningyo to the walls were used as a sort of pulley system to for a thread of sorts to lock the room from the outside. My best take on this answers that the final murder wasn't a murder but a suicide. The final victim was the murderer himself. To keep up the locked room scenario they would have had to be inside the room to lock it since the previous method was useless with only one nail," I stated easily.
"That's," Mello had a look of shock on his face, "exactly right."
"Well I am at the top of my class. Have been since I knew how to read and write," I shrugged, "Answering suck a simple question is no large feat."
Mello looked dumbfounded.
Is it really that amazing?
"Your coming with me!" Mello grabbed my wrist and began to drag me away from the park.
I swung my right leg around and slammed it into the back of Mello's knees. His feet consequently flew out from under him and he landed on his back. I spun to my right and landed with one knee on his stomach, pinning him to the ground. That was easy. Why was he acting as if this could never happen to him?
"H-how did you do that?" Mello once again looked extremely shock by my actions.
"Easy. Your not a very though opponent," I shrugged again showing indifference.
"Your definitely coming with me," Mello stated again.
"Exactly where are we going?" I inquired as I pushed my knee down harder on his stomach.
"Wammy's House. I think you can get in easily," Mello rasped, out of breath because of the pressure on his stomach.
Maybe I should follow him. I am curious.
"Fine, I'll come with you," I mused, rising up off Mello's stomach then helping him up.
"Come on then I'll take you there now," Mello said beginning to walk off.
"I've gotta go home and get some stuff first," I stated, no moving from my current spot.
"Oh, you have a family? Then you can't come to Wammy's house," Mello replied.
"No. I live in an orphanage a few blocks over. I need to grab some clothes and other stuff I'll need," I told him.
"Right. I'll be waiting here for you," Mello said as he sat down in one of the swings.
I left for the old orphanage where I lived. The old couple that runs the place is nice but they're not family by a long shot. I just need some clothes and my sketch books and other art supplies.
I arrived at "home" and went straight upstairs to "my" room and gathered my few clothes that included a couple nice dresses, my bathroom supplies such as shampoo and soap, and last but not least my three or four sketch books, pencils, and eraser. I headed back down the stairs and was just about to exit the lobby.
"Grace where are you going?" the old lady that ran the place asked me.
"I'm leaving I've been given an opportunity that I can't turn down," I fled through the doors before the woman could stop me with more questions.
I got back to the little park where Mello waited.
"Let's go," He stood and began walking.
Well he doesn't waste time does he? That's good. I hate unnecessary things.
A little while later we arrived at Wammy's House. Mello lead me inside and into an empty room that was kind of like a fancy dormitory room, but with a bathroom in the actual room.
"Leave your stuff in here, you won't be allowed to unpack unless you pass the test," Mello instructed.
"Okay," I put my large black duffle bag on the bed.
"Wait here I'll come back to get you for your test in a minute," Mello said over his shoulder as he left the room.
This may not be too bad. I'm sure this test won't be too hard. I'll just pass and get in if I don't then I guess I'll just go back to where I was before.