The start of my first multichapter fanfic. Let's hope it doesn't turn out to bad! ^_^'


Roger Ruvie- the manager of Wammy's House –picked up the pyjama-clothed child and paced around the kitchen floor. He was the newest addition to the orphanage. He had curly white hair and rarely spoke. The young child still wasn't named. Instead, he was given the temporary alias XX02 until receiving the permanent replacement.

"Well, XX02, it looks like you're going to be staying with us for a while," Roger said quietly, gently rocking the boy to sleep.

"Roger," said a scrambled, automated voice. His computer blinking on. "I have important news. The KOPAD serial killer has been spotted in the Winchester, England area. Keep all the children and staff inside for the next few weeks."

"Understood," Roger replied, watching the monitor turn off. He sighed and carried the now sleeping child to bed. What a disaster.

The KOPAD Killer was an unidentified man behind several murders in several different cities. He left nothing more than a doll and a beautiful black rose at the scene. As though a gift to the dead, and whoever found them. And while some were struck with awe at his crimes, L knew he had to solve this case.


"And good morning to you, gnat," said a blonde older boy.

Despite the unfamiliar location, XX02 had actually had a good nights sleep. He looked up at the boy. 'What was his name again? Mella? Malla? Oh, now I remember, Mello,' the white haired boy thought. Actually, despite the name-calling, XX02 would have been perfectly fine with being friends with Mello. Mello whole-heartedly disagreed, but tried not to be overly mean to him.

XX02 was actually pretty impressed with the giant- yet weird –spread of food. There was pancakes, pasta, steak, a large amount of popcorn, lots of junk food, some kind of table containing a selection of different toppings, and that's only what he could see so far! The young child didn't really see any thing that particularly interested him, so he settled for a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk.

It was actually pretty impressive itself that XX02 was able to find the cafeteria. He was only given a quick description and left on his own to find every thing except for his room. He had been told he was smart, but Wammy's House is very big and every hallway looks the same. Very easy to get lost.

Roger had suggested XX02 take today to get settled in, starting classes tomorrow. That left the white haired child to explore his new home, although he'd much rather just stay in his room and play with some of the toys a slightly older orphan had managed to find for him.

This boy was a bit nicer than the blonde boy. He had red hair and green eyes. 'Matt, if I recall correctly,' XX02 thought to himself.

The pyjama-clothed child looked over as Roger called for their attention.

"Unfortunately, I have to ask that everyone remain inside for the next few weeks," he announced. There was a flock of whispers, rumouring about the KOPAD Killer.

"I'm sure you have many questions, but please just remain calm and don't leave the orphanage."

XX02 was confused. He'd never heard of the 'KOPAD Killer'. But the rumble of excited panic told him that it was most likely best to follow the older man's instructions. This killer seemed quite infamous around here; it certainly made the young boy wonder…


XX02 shuttered. The England temperatures were surprisingly colder than what we was used to. The night had fallen and the white haired boy sat on the floor of his room. He was one of the few to have a room all to himself, but it was starting to get annoying, repeatedly having people check on him.

The boy finally got up and went to close the window. He peered out into the night sky. While he wasn't sure of the orphanage, or L, or himself, there was one thing he knew for sure;

'This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.'

Something suddenly caught his eye. He wasn't sure what exactly it was, but XX02 knew it was something. Now, most people would just let it go and forget about it, but XX02 was a curious child. He'd want to know. But what he wanted to know? In all honesty, he didn't know.

But he was tired, and night was nigh, so like any logical person would, he decided to check tomorrow.


"YEAWHHHHrn."

XX02 heard a yawn. It was not his.

He looked over to see where it was coming from.

"Mornin' bra- kid," said that Mello boy as he walked in. "Roger told me to tell you that classes are cancelled today. We're not sure when they're starting again. Feel free to do whatever you want."

XX02 nodded. "Thank you for telling me," he said as Mello left. 'This is certainly convenient,' the white haired boy thought. 'But I have never done something like this before, I'll need to contrive a plan.'

So our little pyjama-wearing thought.

And he thought.

And he thought.

And he thought a lot more.

And after an intense amount of thinking, he came to a conclusion: he'd just walk out the back door.

So the little genius walked down the stairs only to discover a group of older children playing Knucklebones by the doorway. 'On second thought, perhaps I shall leave after dark, it's not as if I'll be long, anyways.'


Once again, the sun had just gone down. XX02 had quickly finished his dinner and watched as children of all ages scattered up to their rooms to do whatever they pleased. He hadn't bothered with taking anything with him, he would just go far enough that he could see what it was, then leave. Or at least that's what he keeps telling himself.

Once the coast was cleared, and most children in bed, he quietly walked back to the doorway and outside. The boy had forgotten how nice it felt, the gentle breeze, the crickets chirping, the hushed solitude. As if the universe belonged to only him.

For a moment, he almost began to smile.

He walked and walked until XX02 found the spot he'd spotted before. There was nothing obvious, but still, the boy wandered. An attempt to find the unseen, one might say. His mind so caught up with his search to subconsciously walk out of the yard, onto an old path.

His mind cleared and noted his location, but he continued walking. He was sure whatever he was looking for would have already been passed, but still felt as though he was on the right path. Or, from a technical standpoint, he was on the left path. His mind fluttering with questions, he had barely noticed half an hour go by.

He suddenly came to a stop. Directly in front of him was an old building. It was the size of a small mansion with darkly coloured bricks and shingles. The house was quite rundown and had a Gothic Victorian feel to it. XX02 stared in amazement.

The young boy walked up to the front door. Without thinking, he went to press on the doorbell. But before he had a chance, the door swung open. Standing there was a young man- similar to a teenager- with messy black hair, bags so dark it almost appeared to be makeup, and shockingly red eyes. XX02 could only stare.

The stranger looked and the boy, barely managing to croak out

"Tea?"


And for those of you who don't know, Knucklebones is just another name for Jacks.