1

The minute I stepped into that long, dark hall, I knew I was in danger. How? I wasn't quite so sure myself until I saw him. A tall, pale-skinned man with jet black hair suddenly appeared at the end of the hallway. In horror, I noticed how he targeted his footsteps towards me, and a blood red glow dimming the walls.

"Juno…"

"H-how do you know my name?" I trembled, feeling my heart race as I scooted back. I crashed into the wall, and panted in desperation and terror. The man didn't answer, and although I could see the jeans and white shirt he was wearing, his face was darkened. The hall felt like a black hole. I couldn't get out, and I felt utterly lost.

"What do you want? W-who are you!" I shouted. The man had reached me with out speaking, and placed his hands on my shoulders. I shivered at his ice cold touch. In an instant, he threw me down to the floor.

"Stupid girl! Why did you leave me, June!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

He jerked me back up, pressing me against the wall. I could feel the smooth of wood. His head was hanging down, but I saw the tear drops he began to cry falling.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," he suddenly pulled me in for an embrace. This action completely bewildered me, and I froze silently.

"I-I'm sorry, Juno," he whimpered. "I'm so sorry… I never meant-"

… Everything disappeared right before my eyes.

"June, wake up."

It was my brother, Tobias.

Having just moved to Winchester, England, we were heading to our new house. I wasn't too excited.

I lifted my head off the truck window, and smiled. "Good morning."

"It's actually like 10 PM," my father said.

"Great… I just woke up from a freaky dream."

"About?" Tobias questioned.

"I can't tell you. You'll get scared," I teased him as I rubbed my eyes.

"Why?… Oh look, we're here."

My eyes shifted to the windows. A bone-colored house stood tall in beside the driveway, but my mind was still thinking about that odd dream.

'I wonder what could have sparked that… nightmare,' I thought, thinking about

"Very nice," my dad parked the truck in the driveway. "Let's bring our stuff in." When I lazily stepped out the truck and leaned against the door, I was delighted to the smell of gardenia flowers and the brush of crisp wind.

"Oh well," I sighed, scraping the cement with my shoe.

Five days later, Toby wanted to go to a public pool. The hot day made us sweat excessively; the sun shone so brightly it could blind us. With nothing else to do, we went together while our parents worked.

Tobias was the first to jump in the pool, leaving me behind on the chairs.

"Toby, come out. You're gonna get burned if you don't put on sunscreen," I bit my fingernails. It was a bad habit I couldn't cure. Tobias ignored me, and stared out the gate to a large school of some sort across the street. A cross was at the top, with beige walls and windows running down the sides. The shouts and laughter of children could be heard. It felt strangely familiar.

"Tobias!" I called. "Listen!"

He quietly climbed out- something alien for him. His eyes were glued to the school. As soon as he saw the red lights on for the street, he darted across.

"Tobias! Dammit," I chased him like Tom chases Jerry.

I should've known he'd pull something like this.

I could hear mischievous laughing. I rounded a soccer game of children, trying to not tangle my toes in the grass. In the distance was a man wearing a black vest and black jeans. He had long blonde hair that looked tousled as if Tobias had touched it. I wondered why a man like that would be in this school. He reminded me of the mafia.

"Tobias!" I exclaimed, grabbing his wrist. "Don't you ever do that again!" He looked away as if to say 'I don't wanna hear it.' When I looked up at the man, my face instantly flushed. He had a large pink scar running down his face; most likely from a fire. His blue eyes were on me, as with the children around. It reminded me I was wearing only a bathing suit.

"I-I'm sorry," I awkwardly got up, trying to avoid their stares.

"It's fine," he replied.

I nodded, staring at his scar.

"Yeah. I got burned. Get over it. I bet you don't like it when people stare at your eyes."

I nervously gripped my brother's hand, hurt by his comment. My eyes were weird after all. Brown with a green spot to the side- just imagine it.

"Y-yeah. I'm sorry," I hurried away in humiliation. "I'm so mad at you, Tobias."

"I just wanted to play with other kids my age," he grumbled as I pulled him along.

"It doesn't ma-" I noticed a sign hanging from the door.

Wammy's House.

At seeing no one around this area, I stepped back and took a moment to view the large orphanage.

"The orphanage to raise L's successors… Interesting." My eyes scaled the outer halls of the building, letting me catch a glimpse of a bulletin board.

"Looking for Volunteer workers," was titled upon one.

"Can we go now?" Toby asked.

"Wait," I examined it up close.

I like kids. Why not?

"I'll look into it later. When I'm more appropriately dressed."

"Look into what?"

"Volunteer work here, Tobias. I'll be coming back, soon. Hopefully I don't see that jerk again, though."