Disclaimer: I do not own Deathnote. I do own the OC, Violet, and the plot surrounding her.

Warnings: This story starts rather slowly. If you like solving mysteries, pay close attention.

And don't forget to review when you're done reading!


October 12, 1994

Dear L,

My name is Violet, and I'm 11 years old, and I hate writing. I have never written a letter before, just thank you notes. You've never given me anything so I don't have to thank you for anything. I don't know you and I don't know why my grandfather wants me to write to you. But my mom is making me write this to you anyway, because my grandpa told me to, in his will. He died one month ago. I really miss him. He had a big smile, and he always brought me candy. That is the only reason I'm doing this, because I hate writing. It is not fun at all. I'd much rather watch "The Magic Schoolbus". It's on TV in five minutes.

Well, I will write to you again in one month, because my grandpa said to. It will be another short one, but you can write to me in between if you want.

I've never gotten a letter in the mail before. I would like to get one.

Sincerely,

Violet

PS. What is your real name, L? Please tell me. It's not fair that you know my name and I don't know yours.


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

November 12, 1994

Dear L,

Thank you for the box of candy! Gummy bears are my favorite; how did you know? That's the kind of candy my grandpa always brought when he came to visit. He loved gummy bears.

The chocolates were all good, too. It was a kind I hadn't had before: Cadbury's. My mom ate some of my chocolate, because she said she hadn't had that kind since she was a little girl, and it's her favorite. I didn't think you'd mind her having some, right?

I noticed that you didn't write back to me, though, L! And you did not tell me your name.

For a couple days I was mad at you; I wasn't going to write to you again. Then I found the little square card, which had that fancy "L" on it, at the bottom of the box of candy. I thought that, maybe, L is your name; and I like it. I thought you might still write me a letter, so I waited till today so it would be one whole month, but you didn't. My mom says it's probably that you're just too busy, so I forgive you—but only if you're really too busy. So, L, if you're a grown up, than I forgive you, because adults have no time to play or have fun—that's what my dad says, when he's home and I ask him to play chess with me. I guess it's true. I know I don't want to grow up, so if you are a grown up, I feel sorry for you and I'll let you get off easy. But if you're just a kid, L, then… then please write me a letter this month!

Well, it's the end of the page, so I'm done.

Thank you again for the candy!

~ Violet


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

December 12, 1994

Dear L,

Thank you for the Christmas cookies! Wow, are they fancy. There are just so many kinds. I've never seen so many! The box got here yesterday. At first I didn't know who it was from; but then I saw the square card, with your "L" on it, and I knew it was from you! I opened it when I got home from school. When I showed it to my parents when they got home from work, they were so surprised! We opened the box of almond cookies tonight. There are just enough boxes to open one every night till Christmas! Did you plan that? Thank you!

Well, I'm happy because I can't wait for Christmas break! I'm sick of school. Oh, and the pond froze, so this weekend I'm going to go ice skating with my best friend, Megan, who lives three houses down from my house. Usually the pond doesn't freeze till the end of December, but it's been so cold this year that it froze early.

Do you like winter? Winter is my favorite season! But… I guess, if you're like most grown ups (which you must be, since you're too busy to write to me!) you don't like winter because the snow makes a mess of the roads and is hard to shovel. That's what my dad always says about it.

Thanks again for the cookies! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year's!

~ Violet

PS. I hope you like your Christmas present! The lady at the store said most grown ups like tea, so I got you peppermint tea. And gummy bears.


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

January 17, 1995

Dear L,

Sorry I didn't write to you on the 12th like I always do. I got sick after Christmas, and then I had new… pneumonia (hard to spell!), and I had to go to the hospital. I was there on the 12th so I couldn't write to you. It was not fun! I hope I never have to go to the hospital ever again. Have you ever had to go to the hospital? My mom was in the hospital when she had me, and my dad broke his jaw and two ribs when he was in high school and he got to ride in an ambulance. I didn't get to ride in an ambulance. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? My dad says riding in an ambulance is not fun. Well, anyway, I'm a lot better now, and I'm out of the hospital and back in school. I was surprised, because when I was sick, I missed going to school, and I missed writing to you on the 12th. I thought I didn't like writing at all….

I think… maybe I don't hate writing anymore. Do you think… does this mean I'm growing up? It had better not. I don't want to grow up, ever. Being a kid is the best. Sorry… I know you're grown up already. But maybe you know what I mean. Anyone who likes gummy bears must know that being a kid is best.

I hope you had a good Christmas. I did. I got a new pair of ice skates! I can't wait till I'm allowed to go skating on the pond again. My mom won't let me, because I'm not completely better yet.

By the way… I wasn't going to say this, but now I am.

When I was in the hospital, and didn't write to you for a couple days, you didn't write to me. I kind of thought you might. I hoped you would.

What if I had died? Would you have found out?

What if I never wrote to you again? Would you notice? Do you even read my letters?

Why don't you ever write back?

Why don't you tell me your name? Or anything?

Why did my grandfather's will say to write to you? How did he know you? What am I missing about all this?

Please don't be mad for my asking. I am so thankful for the gifts you've sent me—you have been very kind and generous, and do not deserve all these questions. But neither do I. I have so many questions and no answers.

Is this what the real world is like?

Talk to you in a month!

~Violet

Ps. I almost forgot, but my mom just reminded me: Thank you for the fresh strawberries you sent on New Year's Eve! They were so big and sweet and juicy; it tasted like summer! I don't know how you got them or sent them, but they were really good. Thank you.


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

February 12, 1995

Dear L,

I'm sorry for my last letter. It was not fair of me to bother you with all of my questions. My grandpa never got mad at me, in all the times he visited my mom and dad and I, except for once, when I asked him too many questions. I can't remember what it was about, but he stopped smiling and told me not to talk any more, for a while. I must have forgotten that when I was writing to you. I'm afraid I'm forgetting some things my grandfather told me. What should I….? I wonder what I should do.

I hope I didn't upset you with all my questions. Please don't be mad at me. I missed getting a package from you this month. I hope you're ok, and that you're not in the hospital or anything. I hope you've just been too busy this month. What do you do? I wonder… but I'm not asking you. I'm just wondering. It's ok to wonder if I don't ask, isn't it?

Well, nothing interesting has happened to me lately. Just weather, homework, school, and re-runs of my favorite TV shows. We've had a lot of snow.

Well, I'll write again in a month.

~Violet


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

March 12, 1995

Dear L,

I don't have a lot of time to write today, but I just had to thank you for the candy you sent! Also, thank you for the cassette player and the Learn Japanese tapes. I've gotten to Lesson 10! It's been fun learning a new language. I'm also teaching what I learn to my friend, Megan, who is teaching me piano in return. (She has piano lessons and a piano.) I've always wanted to learn piano.

Thank you!

~Violet


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

March 27, 1995

Dear L,

Something weird happened a few minutes ago. My dad was using the computer, in his office in our house. I heard him talking, and another voice. A while later, he left his desk for a few minutes, and when I walked by, I saw an L, just like your L, on his computer screen. I walked over to it, but when I touched the mouse the screen went black. I left before my dad got back. I hope he isn't mad at me for messing up his computer. But… L, why?

I just talked to my dad. I asked him about what happened. He wouldn't tell me who he was talking to. When I told him about my letter that I was writing to you, he said it was ok to mention it.

I had to ask his permission about it because sometimes my dad works on secret things which I sometimes learn and he doesn't know I know; and I never tell anyone. I usually forget… but I can't forget about this. He was talking to you, L. You were talking to him. I couldn't hear what you said, but… you must be real, because I heard your voice.

It's nice to know you're really real!

But, L, who are you?

Just wondering.

~Violet


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~

Via Email, to Violet's father

4:07am, April 1, 1995

T,

Soon I will be in your area.

The business concerns S's death. The end is near.

I will stay in the opposite suite S used to rent, in ____. You know the one. Do not send any mail to me there; it would be intercepted. Instead, please send your information with V, and ask U to accompany her for safety. Do it on the 12th, as usual. You should drive them and escort them as far as the lobby. My assistant will meet you there and take you to another location where you may wait and visit like old friends, a teacher and his student.

Do not advise V where she is going or who she will meet. Let me orchestrate it.

L

PS. 9 19. 9 14. 4 1 14 7 5 18.


~ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ~


April 12, 1995

Dear L,

Guess what? I'm going into the city today to go shopping with my mom. That's why I'm writing this now—at 6am; this way I can mail it on the way.

Well, I still wonder about that computer thingy; why it disappeared when I touched it. Did you know it was me?

I've figured out something from it: you, L, are a detective. My grandpa was a detective, and so is my dad, so you must be a mutual contact they both had.

You are a really good detective, because you even knew I like gummy bears and you knew my mom likes Cadbury's chocolate.

There's one thing about you I can't figure out.

Why don't you send me a letter once in a while? I'm a person too. Not everything has to be business, you know-- even if you are a grown up, and you are busy, and you are a detective, and you are solving a case, and you are communicating with my dad, and you are using my letters and your gifts to do so. I don't mind; I just want you to know that you're missing out on something. Writing letters is fun, actually.

Oh, it's time for me to go!

I'll write to you again in a month. Please think about writing back! And, as always, thank you for the candy. I love to come home and see a box from you on the door step. It makes the world seem like such a better place.

~Violet


Hastily licking the envelope shut around her letter, addressing it, and putting on a stamp, Violet ran downstairs to grab her breakfast. She ran into her father at the bottom of the stairs.

"Where are you going, Dad? You don't have work today, do you?" she asked, seeing he was wearing his coat and carrying his briefcase.

"No, actually I'm driving you and your mother into the city. One of my teachers from high school, who I haven't seen in years, is visiting the country, so I'm going to meet up with him."

"Oh, ok. Then, could you mail my letter? It's to L; because today's the 12th," Violet said, handing her father the sealed envelope.

To her surprise, he frowned slightly, and didn't take it.

"No, no, honey, I'm too busy today, I'll let you mail it yourself. Ulna! Are you ready to leave yet? I'll be waiting in the car." Her dad rushed out the door and was in the car before Violet could recover from her surprise.

Her dad had always mailed her letters to L when he was on his way to work. It was strange that, today, he refused to…

Violet grabbed her coat and a muffin before getting in the car. Her mother followed a minute later, and they drove off.

After a few minutes of driving, Violet was struck by a feeling of forboding. She fingered the letter in her hand, then glanced towards her parents in the front seat, who were each staring silently at the road ahead.

Something about this trip seemed very different from a casual shopping trip with her mother. Her parents were too serious; it was almost as if they were worried-- even afriad. The atmosphere reminded her of something... another time when she'd been in a car driven by a worried adult. She glanced out the window, trying to shrug off the feeling of, but she couldn't. Watching the scenery speed past only made the painful memory stronger.

Falling leaves.

Where has your smile gone, Grandpa? Why are you worried about my parents? They're just eating out tonight. No, they didn't say anything else.

What's wrong? Hey, why are we turning around? I thought you were taking me to the movies! Why are you taking me back to my house? Grandpa! Don't leave! This isn't fair! Wait; I don't have a key to the house! Come back!

A hot tear rolled down Violet's cheek and fell onto the envalope of her letter to L.

Grandpa had driven away, leaving her alone in the front yard. She had seen him again four days later, at his funeral. She'd been told he'd died of a heart attack. She never knew why he left her the way he had. She'd asked her parents, but they'd only come up with possible excuses or changed the subject.

She glanced down at the letter to L once more. Nothing was what it seemed. Not her letters to L, delivered by her dad; not L's gifts; not even her grandfather. She had tried to ignore it for all these months; tried to disbelieve it. But she was left with nothing but that dim shred of knowledge and many questions.

L, is this the real world? How can it be?

To be continued....


A Note From the Author:

I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'm sorry it starts out so slow; but thanks for hanging in there till the end of the chapter! You'll see why it's important later on in the story.

Thank you for reading; and please review!

~ Yen Serenity