Warnings: This story contains, violence, gore, sex mentioned so complaining little bleeps don't go running (p.s. to them booooo), language aaaand no that's all I can think of. A little OOC to fit the S.H. needs.
Disclaimer: I don't own the fandom Death Note nor I own the fandom Silent Hill. I make no profit from this story what so ever I'm just enjoying sharing my crazy thoughts with other people.
A.N.: This is not a cross over simply aaaaa use of situation for something new. You don't have to know Silent Hill to understand this story, you don't have to know Death Note to enjoy the game sense. Thank you for reading, and thank you for reviewing. I'm not sure when the next update will be but hopefully not too far off. Enjoy. Fantasy.
...
Light, I miss you. I want to see you again. Please meet with me in Silent Hill. Mikami.
The letter was so short it was practically a postcard. But the impact it had on Light Yagami you'd swear it was the greatest novel ever written- granted you like novels filled with nothing but angst. Light let's out a sigh as he reads the letter over then over again. 'I want to see you again. He wants to see me... Mikami; after all this time, after those brief months together. ...What's changed? Has he missed me as he says he does or is he...' His thoughts trail off. Again he reads the letter. Walking to his couch he drops his weight down heavily into the soft cushion, back landing against the back of the seat with an audible thump. Releasing another heavy sigh, Light tilts his head back, left arm lifting to rest his forearm over his eyes as if it were a curtain being lower to start a film, and with the flash back that comes over him everytime he remembers the man it may very well be a movie. A movie that plays only for Light to see, a movie with a broken ending that seems it will never have a finish or ounce of closure between the two main characters: Light Yagami and Teru Mikami. Their three months, in reality, were three years ago but it always seems like it happened just yesterday for Light. Yesterday, a few hours ago; to say that Mikami meant something to Light was an understatement. He loves the man and was sure that he was loved the same in return, yet, out of the blue Mikami just left him. No words, no letter, no call just... gone. Since then Light has become a bit shrewd, bitter- jaded if you will- towards love and anything like it.
But you wouldn't be able to tell it if you were to watch him live his day to day life. The people that work with him find him a delight to be around, true he's a bit stiff since he's such a hard worker- it makes them look bad, who wouldn't turn their nose up with envy from time to time, but Light is a good guy. Light's ability to treat people kindly, despite his true feelings, never wanes but when he's alone... all alone in it, you couldn't say that you know the man at all.
'I was twenty six, Mikami was twenty eight and we just happened to each other- no warning, no knowledge of what that first day would bring... so innocent and in love.'
3 years earlier.
"Sorry." Says a woman before scooting out of the way of a man on a bike, whose wheel bumped the back of her bare leg.
"No, its my fault." Says the man before getting off the bike to walk it across the street once the sign on the otherside gives the crowd permission to cross.
It was a dreary day outside that May; warm and muggy, the kind of day that makes you sluggish and impatient, at least, that's what it felt like to Light Yagami. He's on his day off and decided to do some errands since there was nothing to do around the house but read and he's been through his entire library of books twice over. So that morning he made out a nice simple list of things that needed to be done but have been put off constantly due to his dedication to his job as a photo journalist for the Kanto regions top selling newspaper. It was because of that that he was out on the day when Mikami came into his life. Light had just dropped off some items into the backseat of his car, a few things from the electronics store: a toaster, it needed replacing months ago but he'd never cared enough for the need of toast to do anything about it right away. He also got another two electronic notepads since the last one crashed from being over-used in his work time. From there he went to the library to pick up the latest detective novel from his favorite author which he'll start reading while waiting for dinner to finish cooking. Tonight was something easy, just a throw away dinner so he could clean his house up a bit and relax, as days off should be spent.
Checking his watch he looks across the street. 'I'm making good time. I can take a side trip for a cup of coffee.' Thinks the male, crossing the street.
The coffee house was a place he stopped by often enough but that was usually during lunch breaks. Light had never been to the place so late in the day, 6:15 p.m. which is how he'd ended up seeing the man for the first time. The door pushed on his end just as it was being pushed on the other end. Through the frosted glass he can see a pale face with dark hair around it, in all honesty he looked like a ghost. Not wanting to prolong this situation Light waves his hand as an apology before backing away to let the man out.
"Thank you. I wouldn't want to be held hostage in a coffee shop because the door can't be simulataniously opened from opposite sides." Jokes the man.
Light smiles at the comment. "They really should consider changing it to double or make it easy on everyone and get a revolving door."
The man laughed. "Exactly. Have a nice day." He says before walking away.
"You too." And he meant that.
After bumping into the man Light's day did seem to brighten a little bit, it was almost like the man's words were law and the unknown force that crept into his bedraggled senses vanished allowing him to feel the warmth of the day as nothing but a refreshing change in the past three rainy days. Ask anyone whose dated Light- and they are few- but the man is anything but pleasent relationship wise, at least in their opinions. He comes off as stuffy and impatient, almost high-handed with his personality towards them so they would soon grow irritated and leave him, which was fine with Light because after so long people grew unappealing to him and he would often look at them wondering what he was thinking to even consider the initial "yes" that allowed the person into his life for the short amount of time. By no means is Light a snob he simply has high standards and serious goals in life that might get hindered or slowed down by his relationship in some way; some of the women in the office joke that the reason Light is gay is that that there is no chance of children, but of course to say that he's gay would mean that the prestine and polished male would take time to delight in something as frivolous and dirty as the joys of sex.
Checking over his list once he's gotten his coffee he stops into a Staples to grab: white out, shoe laces, high lighters, pens, and scotch tape. Placing the items into his car with the others he climbs in; cup holder holding his drink he then heads to the market, the last stop on his list. Light walks down the long freezer until he spots the item that he's shopping for. Reaching into the freezer his hand brushes another that was reaching for the same food.
"Oh excuse me." Say two voices. Retracting their hand the two look up to see who could be trying to filtch the last lasagna.
Smiling, Light says kindly. "Its you."
"I could say the same. Nice to see you again."
"You too," He then adds. "you know, I didn't realize it the first time I bumped into you but I've seen you before a few times. You go to the coffee shop a lot don't you?"
"Everyday, same time. Its my favorite place but, if you've seen me enough times to recognize me, how is it that I've never seen you?"
"I drive by there everyday on my way home from work, you're always just coming out." He shrugs casually.
Greenish brown colored eyes soften behind the glasses, and a hand comes out. "Teru Mikami."
Taking the hand, he throws in a curtious little bow. "Yagami Light. Nice to finally have a name for the face."
The two men then look down into the freezer at the lasagna then back at each other wondering who would make the first move.
"I have this once every month, it would be a crime to take it away from me when technically I have dibs."
"Oh really?" Light smirks when the man nods. "Well, it just so happens that I've never had the pleasure so I think that the man with less experience will get more out of it than the man who does it once every month." He reaches into the freezer; his warm fingers sticking to the cold plastic surrounding the frozen dinner.
"I don't think so," He grabs onto an end. "what if you don't like it? It'll go to waste rather than be enjoyed by someone who knows what to expect." His grip strengthens, showing off a rather impressive muscle beneath his light blue t-shirt. The man is clearly no stranger to the gym.
A silent stare down goes on between them but Light is the first to give, only because something like this is too ridiculous to have last longer than a moment.
"Look, maybe we should just share it." Offers Light. "Its big enough for a family and we're just two guys. What do you say?"
Mikami thought the offer over. After what seemed like a half hour he released the lasagna and nods. Light was delighted for the company, even if it seemed like Mikami would rather eat alone; he'd just have to deal with it. Besides, who wouldn't be a little hostile going home with a complete stranger. Paying for the dinner the two exit the store going to Light's car.
"You're riding with me?" He asks when opening the backdoor.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all, I just thought that maybe you'd be taking your car and following me."
"I took the bus- I always take the bus when its just short trips around." Taking a seat in the passanger side he buckles himself in.
Sticking the key into the ignition Light shakes his head in amusement. "You're very brave Mikami, getting into a car with a stranger like this." Checking the mirrors he backs the car out of the parking space, the vehicles front wheels turn before it speeds off to straighten them out. "I could be a serial killer working an angle on you."
Mikami cocks a brow. "What makes you think that I couldn't just as easily be a serial killer?" His gaze glances into the back seat. "Besides, I can't be threatened by a man buying a toaster and black shoe laces."
That earned him a laugh from the driver. Mikami felt sick breaking from his usual routine, and so heavily at that. Anytime the man begins a habit he's good with it for years at a time. When he was six every morning he would have the same cereal for breakfast and lunch, dinner wasn't his call so he stuck with the habit of Alphabits cereal and a ham and tomato sandwich. At the park he would swing first, use the slide second, and hang from the monkey bars before going home. When at school he'd had pens, a different color for a different class and he would never use one for the other on any day. As a man he got to choose everything he did down to the last punctuation and he's stuck with it since. So to have Light Yagami come along and ask him to his place for dinner was a punch in the face by a long shot. He could see having to use the public restroom breaking his routine but going to someone elses house? Next month he'll have some correcting to do to fix this tarnished day.
...
"So you're a journalist?" Asks the man after sipping a bit of wine from the offered glass that he gladly took. It will definitely take the edge off of his rattled nerves.
"Yup, right out of college. Its a passion of mine to spread the word of the world to people through words and pictures. I think the proper way to teach people isn't just by word of mouth but visually too. Think of it this way; if you write a story about farmer's hard work in the fields people will think about it, but most of them need a good example so the picture will help provide that, though, its just an example. I don't write about such tiny things." He says in his defense.
"I don't think it's tiny, even the smallest changes help. It could give the people some shred of light towards buying fresher foods when they see the hard work man has put into it rather than a machine."
A snicker comes from the brunet. "Forgive my saying so, but you act sort of like a machine." When the man raised a brow to the comment Light goes on to explain. "Well, you said it yourself, you have lasagna once a month, on the same day, regardless the day of the week; plus, when I'm coming home from work I see you leaving the coffee house every day. If that's not a machine..." He trails off with a shrug.
"I guess that's true. But, I'm here now." He looks into the host's rich brown eyes.
Mockingly Light says. "You sound so romantic."
"Do I?" He responded taking it seriously, and taking another drink he added then after. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Light waves the comment off. "It isn't that, its just that when it comes to love and relationships people have told me I'm hard to get along with."
"Really? You seem like a great guy to me. How many people have you been out with? Probably dozens, right? You're very good looking."
"It doesn't matter about that... and its only been two people; but since we're getting so personal, how 'bout you? You're good looking enough, you must have plenty of people after a date."
Mikami shrugs. "In my defense, I think I'm in the same boat as you." He swirls the drink around in the glass; the rich burgandy color leaving a faded stain before dissipating. "People find my unyielding schedule annoying and they back off after a while."
"I see. ...It smells like dinner is done."
"No. It'll take at least another forty minutes; the scent just means the chill is out of it. Now it has to cook." He takes a drink.
"Wow, you really are obsessive compulsive. You even know cooking times. Its very impressive."
"Impressive? Now you're just being kind to me because of what I said."
"I'm honestly not trying to flatter you. I just think it'd be nice being with someone like you... most people come and go but you..." He trails off. "It sounds so pretentious to say but, you'd probably really be there for someone until they're the one that lets you go. I'd like that sort of stability in my life."
Mikami says nothing to this, and goes on sipping his wine watching the man swirl his own drink.
"I've lived a very exhausting childhood because of the person I am, I thought once I got away from my home life I would change all that- show my true colors, and just take what comes my way."
"But?"
"But it didn't happen like that. A six year old to a man, I guess you could say I'm obsessive compulsive with my own identity crisis." He chuckles but the sound of it is low and sad. "It doesn't matter now; exhausting as it is, we make our own demons half the time, right?"
"You're right about that." He raises his glass clanking it to Light's. "To maybe having more dinners like this, a good break from our demented habits."
The two men laugh.
...
They had only been waiting for the lasagna to cool when Mikami finished his second glass of wine. He was looser that was for sure. He'd taken off his glasses tugged the tie from his long black hair and just lounged on Light's couch as if he had been there all his life, and was very comfortable with the man. Light took a seat at the man's hip, one arm stretched out with his hand holding the back of the couch. He had told Mikami that the food was going to get cold if he'd planned on napping, but to his surprise his habitual friend placed his hand to Light's cheek giving it a gentle caress before pulling the brunet down to meet his lips. The kiss tasted of red wine and peppermint from the darker haired man's banaca. When Light backed away Mikami had apologized only to have his lips seized by the homeowners; the kiss was hungry but full of want, so-much-so that the two barely managed to make it into Light's bedroom where they dropped onto the bed. Mikami on the bottom, Light's body falling between his obsessive aquaintance's legs.
A soft rustling sound plays through the air as their clothes caress in the mash of their up and down movements. Out of control kissing turns into frantic huffs and puffs as their lower regions begin to stiffen up. Their hips work harder into the other's seeking real contact beyond the clothes but neither man made the first move yet being too enthralled in the deep kiss. Absently Mikami's hand began caressing Light's butt with a firm hand then squeezed none too gently on the firm cheek. The motion dropped the journalist's weight a notch, further erecting their members. Their heart rates raise as Light leans up to sit properly between the man's legs as he removes his clothes; Mikami doing the same, though, he lifts himself up on his elbows and while raising his shirt up he receiving help from Light, who is now completely naked before Mikami could even remove one piece of clothing. The lawyer; Light had found out during their earlier conversations, fell back onto the bed once the shirt was tugged from his body. Light leaned over kissing him once again while helping Mikami undo his pants. The second the clothes hit the floor their bodies press together, hips swivveling and grinding, mouths panting and kissing.
'Mikami and I were a couple after that moment.' Thinks Light bringing himself into the present, feeling as if he'd be lost in the memory of that life splitting orgasm if he allowed the thought to go on any longer. 'I became a part of his habitual lifestyle, a very good part as he often told me. We'd have a lasagna dinner once a month, ignore it while it cooled to the point of having to microwave it once we ate, and we'd make love over and over, talking for hours afterwards.' Dropping his arm to his side, he looks out the window behind him. Its gotten dark. 'We were together for three months and then he just disappeared on me. But now this letter, after three years of not a word or sign of the man. ...How am I supposed to take that? Do I go to him? Do I ignore it?'
Light of course knew the answer to that before he could even really get the thought out. Three years. Three years is a long time to hold a torch for someone who left you so empty and alone but he must have had a good reason, and is now ready to explain it to him and make it up to him, then they'll be together again. Light is packing his bag, taking only four things, he can't imagine needing any more since he plans to bring the man back to Kanto with him so they can live together. 'I'll leave as soon as I can get a flight out there. But wait...' He checks the address on the envelope. "America. Mikami was living in the states. No wonder I couldn't ever find him." Dropping the letter into his bag he zips it up setting it under the bed.
Calling the airport he checks for flights getting a ticket for the earliest one possible. By four o'clock tomorrow he'll be in Silent Hill.
The airport is crowded moreso than usual. Light arrived a half hour before take off; he hates waiting for so long. It wasn't hard getting the week off, his boss Demigawa practically shoved him out the door, joking about how he would normally have to pay Light just to get him out of the building for holidays so of course he could have time off. He told his parents that he was going on a short vacation since he would be missing the Sunday dinner at home. His little sister Sayu begged him to take a ton of pictures because she's never been out of the country and wanted to see what other places look like, she also wanted a souvenir of any kind. Light adores his sister and promised to bring her everything he could get his hands on.
The announcement for his flight departure sounded, alerting Light's attention. Hoisting the strap to his travel bag over his shoulder, he walked onto the plane taking a seat by the window; the journalist looked around him at the other faces- what little faces there were, that is.
'Guess its not a very popular place.' Thinks the male.
Lack of people allowed him to set his bag on the seat beside him and for the doration of the trip he chose to read from a new book he'd bought hours before coming to the airport. The entire flight took a day and a half. It was strange, though, that no meal was offered but he supposed they considered it a short flight so it didn't require meal times, or maybe it was due to the lack of people. At least they were offered drinks. He only had a small bag of chips from a vending machine at the airport to snack on. The other passangers didn't seem to care about food or drink, giving off an air of restlessness and boredom. No one spoke or looked around, they just sat and waited. Once Light left the airport, he took a cab to a car rental place. He isn't directly in the town of Silent Hill but on the outside. When asking for directions, two out of the seven other people on the flight said that he had to drive in. Its a resort sort of place and to keep the volume down its away from nearly everywhere; you'd think it were its own island or something.
The journalist rented a black Prius, and he was sure to fill out all the insurance papers incase of an accident. The drive out was a sight to see, the area was beautiful and covered in a thick forest of luscious green oak trees or maybe black walnut. In the distance he can see houses and shops approaching and a large lake surrounding a small area. Half listening to a song that's playing on the radio his attention is taken away from the scenery and brought to the radio, the song wasn't even near the end before it got cut off and static took its place. Sure that its the station having technical issues Light presses the shift button only to receive more static from the other stations.
'This place must have bad reception.' Turning the radio off, he's startled when it pops back on, only its louder and still nothing but the sound of static is coming over the end. Remembering that its a rental car, he thinks dejectedly. 'This thing must be broken.' So instead of turning it off, he decides to turn it all the way down. If the thing insist at staying on, he at least doesn't have to hear it.
A sign told him that he was in Central Silent Hill; his honey colored gaze takes in the area around him as he passed by. Its buzzing with activity: people shopping, hanging out, pitching fits over something, but he continued on through into the next town; this place seems more like a city and Mikami's address is definitely a home. The car parked at the first convenience store that Light saw. He needed to buy a map to help him get around easier, and tiny stores like this always have things like that on-hand. This place is a bit different, though, Light notices. There's no activity going on, no voices, no sounds at all really.
'Guess they call it Silent Hill for a reason.' He thinks recalling what the other people coming in spoke about. Heading into the store he looked around and was very surprised to see the state its in. 'Looks like someone ransacked the place.' Stepping over a knocked down rack that once held sunglasses, he walked carefully through the store. "Hello?" Looking around for any signs of life, a frown crossed his mouth. The owners could think that he's a vandal and be hiding. "Hello?" He calls again.
During his walk through, Light spots the item he'd come in for. Minding a spilled box of instant oatmeal he grabbed a map from the shelf. "I'll leave the money behind for this, so you can get it whenever you want." He says to no one. 'I should tell them what I took.' Heading out to his car he grabs a small notepad and a red sharpie from the glove compartment. Writing: one map, on the piece of paper he places it on the counter with the money on top to be sure that it stays there. "Now let's see." Opening the map he looks it over. "Old Silent Hill."
Light wasn't sure where he was. Heading back outside he walks up the street a bit to find a street sign. Locating one, he checks the map and sure enough he's in the right place. "There's Levin Street." His pulse begins to pound. He can hardly believe that Mikami is a short drive away. Climbing back into his car, he's about to pull away from the curb but got stopped up by a garbage truck that goes lumbering by without a care in the world. 'Nice to see some signs of life.' He comments to himself before starting down the street.
...
'I was on Finney, which makes Levin this way.'
The car turns off at the sign. Light's really becoming more nervous about this meeting as he approaches the house. What will he do when he sees Mikami? Should he ask him why he took off with no word or letter? Should he ask him what his letter meant for them? Ask him if he wants him back, and forgives him for whatever he's done that ran him off in the first place. No, Light was sure he'd done nothing wrong to cause the man to flee. Mikami must have been in some sort of trouble and had to go, or maybe he was in a bad relationship that he hadn't managed to get out of yet. Whatever the reason, he had to ask the man and he has to know.
'House 350. There it is.' He turns off the car engine.
The neighborhood is just as quiet as the local areas he'd passed on the way: a book store, pharmacy, a fish and fries and nameless buildings lining the other side of the street. All of them were as empty and lifeless as this neighborhood.
'Maybe there's some sort of holiday today, so all the stores are closed. But then where are the people in the neighborhood? Even on quiet days there's a kid outside or a dog barking.'
Speaking of a dog, he did see one on his way down the street. It was digging in the bag of a turned over trash can; Light felt for the poor guy he saw earlier knowing he, being the garbage man, would have to pick that up.
'Enough stalling...' He barked at himself. Climbing out of the car he walks up the paved path to the door pausing for a moment when, what appears to be, a snowflake falls from the sky. 'Snow? In May?' Holding out his hand, his vision catches sight of someone moving beyond the window of the home. "Mikami!" He rushes to the door.
There was no sense in holding his dignity if the man knew he was there. Knocking on the door it opens almost instantly but to his surprise it is not his runaway lover that he sees but a young boy, who couldn't be any older than 12 maybe 13. "My name is-..."
Cutting him off the child says in a very bland tone; maybe even more dull and lifeless than his appearance: white hair, bored dark gray eyes, and very pale skin as if the child hasn't seen the light of day in his entire short life. "Light Yagami."
Blinking in confusion of how the child knows his name and yet he, Light, does not know him he nods. "Yes." He answered thinking all the while. 'Is this, the reason Mikami left me, he has a child with someone?' Light mentally shakes the thought away. 'He doesn't look anything like Mikami, but then who is he? A nephew; was it a sick relative that took him away?'
Finger in his white hair, curling a clump of it around and around, the boy smiles at him. Its a funny sort of smile, one that holds many secrets but would rather play with you emotionally before allowing any of them to slip out.
"I was asked here by a man named Teru Mikami, your uncle? Maybe older brother?" Light fishes for the kids relation with the man.
"This man you speak of, I am neither his nephew nor his brother and I'm definitely not his son." His dull expression never wans, his eyes stare hard into Light's confused honey colored gaze. "Teru Mikami, you said?"
"Yeah, he wrote me this letter saying to meet him. Here," He hands it over to show the boy the address.
Looking it over he hands it back. "...Yes, I remember now. I found that letter a month after I moved in here with my caretaker. I thought it was important so I mailed it off. Sorry to say it, but your Mikami is gone."
'Gone?' Light feels his heart sink. "Gone? ...He didn't leave a forwarding address or anything?" Remembering that he'd sent a reply on a post card he asks. "I sent a reply, did you get it?"
"A post card, sent express, it came yesterday. I thought it was weird receiving mail that said nothing more than: I'm on my way; So I sent it to the post office in Central, they may tell you where your friend is currently living."
"Thank you." Just as he's about to leave he stops himself. "Central? That isn't anywhere on this map."
"You'll need a Central map then. Do you have the current one with you?"
Reaching into his back pocket he pulls it out. "Hold on a second." Going back to his car he gets his red marker. The snow is really coming down now, he'd have to hurry if he's going to be driving around in this sort of weather. He wouldn't want any accidents. Returning to the home he hands over the map and marker. "Here."
"Thank you." Walking into his home for a brief moment the child returns handing over the items. "The post office is on Crichton, you can't miss it. Blotch is how you get to the bridge. Good bye." He closes the door as though Light were nothing more than a low ranking door-to-door salesman.
"Thank... you.." Walking back to his car, he climbs inside. Securing his seatbelt he starts the car then follows the map to Blotch taking the quickest route he could find.
He finds it unusual that the snow isn't sticking but it is out of season so maybe its cold enough to snow, but warm enough to keep it from sticking. That doesn't make any sense but he doesn't have time to care about weather conditions right now. Turning up the volume on the radio he sees that there are still no stations playing anything so the sound is turned down once again.
'So Mikami didn't mail me the letter. Does that mean he doesn't really want me back, that he doesn't wanna see me? He wouldn't have written me the letter if he didn't mean what was in it. Maybe Mikami just lost his nerve, that's why he couldn't mail it off himself. He thought that I'd be upset with him and blow him off or write back with something cruel.'
Light is back at the convenience store, leaving yet again another note telling the owner that he took two other maps, and to pin the notes down he again places the money on top of them. Light figured where there's need for one map there's need for two more. The Central map and one for the outskirts of town; this place really is like its own little island and the mainland was a three maybe four hour drive just to get in here. The car turns down Bachman Road. Light can't help but think back to the only two relationships he's had before Mikami where he behaved a bit jaded or anal but with Mikami he was open and honest and Mikami was the same way with him. It was the best part of being with the man. He did though, notice a few distant looks in his lovers eyes during their three months together maybe it had something to do with that.
'Hn. Look at me, pining over some lost lover and chasing after them rather than letting them be, accepting what they want. This is against everything I stand for and yet, here I am still on the hunt for him. I just have to ask him-... dammit!'
His foot slams down on the breaks, the car skids violently to a jerking stop hard enough to push it forward just a bit more then it rocks back enough to return it to where it had first stilled. Startled to fright, he catches his breath for a moment, before peering out the windshield over the hood of the car. There's no way he's seeing this, but as he climbs out of the car, he sees that its true. There's an enormous crater in the street. It must be the full length of a house and miles deep. Kneeling, he looks down into the darkness and a piece of the street crumpled under his foot clattering all the way down into the hole.
'Why were there no warning signs that the road was under construction?' He wonders standing back up. 'Hn. Sayu wanted interesting pictures...' He digs in his bag locating his camera and with one snap he takes a picture of the hole in the road. Placing the camera strap over his head he lets it rest on his chest as he returns to the car. 'That's really dangerous. I'd better mark it down so I don't end up trying to use this road again.' With his marker he places a large X on the street.
He found his way back to Levin street; a glance at the home he saw no life this time, no peeking child or any of the other people that inhabit his lover's old home, he didn't even see the dog from before, but thankfully the snow had ceased. "I don't believe this! Another crater?" He marks it down on the map. "How am I supposed to get to Central when all the streets there are out?"
That's when he spots the garbage truck from before. Surely he knows the way out. Jumping from the car he darts up the street after the driver.
"Hey! Hey wait!"
The truck rides along for a second then comes to a stop. The door opens allowing a blue leg to peek out before a slender body slides down from within the large vehicle.
"Hello? Excuse me," Light approaches the male. "could you give me a hand, I'm sort of stuck and can't find my way. A lot of the roads are out." The driver gives the journalist a bored stare but it doesn't disuede Light in the least. He's been around all kinds of people and handles himself professionally regardless. "I'm trying to get out of town, to Central but like I said the roads are out."
"You're not from around here," The garbage man says dumping two large bags into the back of the truck. It looks just about empty, so what's he been doing all this time?
"No, I'm not which is why I'm asking you for help." Light steps to the side to avoid being brushed by the male. Up close he can see that he has lengthy blond hair and hard turquoise eyes, like he's seen many things and hated them all.
"You didn't let me finish," He removes another bag by hand from the next trash can. "you're not from around here which means you shouldn't be here. So do yourself a favor by leaving."
"I can't do that, I'm looking for someone." He's growing steadily frustrated.
That made the trashman laugh. "That's unfortunate; your friend is either the greatest fuck alive or a real prick playing a sick joke to ask you out here."
"He's my ex-boyfriend," Light remains calm to the shrewdness. "maybe you knew him-.."
"Why would I?" Angered he cuts him off.
"Because you're the garbage man, he lives in one of the houses on your route so his name would be in the pay role. 350 Levin?"
"Nope. I'm only here to collect, I get paid in central and don't ask questions." He removes his cap to run the back of his forearm across his forehead.
Surprised, Light blinks in shock. "You're a lot younger than I would have guessed." He comments to himself.
"Gee thanks, bad enough I have to smell trash all day but now I'm getting the oldman card slipped my way."
"That's not what I'd meant."
"It doesn't matter; so you said you wanted to get to Central? Better get a move on before night fall. Find your friend and don't look back when you go."
"Done. Just show me the way out."
The blond eyes him like a hawk. "Follow my truck; I was leaving for the day anyway."
"Thank you."
"Least I can do for someone in the same boat as me." He gets into his truck.
Processing the man's muttered words he wonders. "What does that mean?" Hurrying to his car when he sees the truck pulling away he follows after the man.
The truck moves noisely down the street turning on Midwich. While steering, Light marks an arrow on his map so if he has to come back he'll remember the safe passages. Ahead a school approaches; Light can't help but feel an eerie presence eminating from the place as they near it but thankfully they make another turn without passing. Marking Bloch Street on the map as safe, Light then keeps his attention focused on the path ahead. The drive took an hour, but for Light it seemed longer as every second is slowed down by thousands as more questions for Mikami swarm in his mind making him feel almost paranoid with scenerios.
'Stay focused, Light, losing your cool isn't like you at all. Everything is gonna work out just fine.' He's not sure why but he thought maybe the young boy was lying to him; kids have tendancies to lie- though he'll admit the albino haired child seemed rather mature and level headed, not at all intimadated from being questioned by an adult.
The truck pulls to a stop. Looking around it, leaning a bit from the window, Light can see the driver exiting the truck. The blond walks around the back of the vehicle between it and his car to press a large orange glowing button. A tone sounds; it must alert someone in the tower beside them and sure enough a voice comes from a little box next to the buzzer.
"Hey Mello, done already?" The hidden man must have noticed Light's car from a security camera or something because he then says. "I see you've brought someone with you, a friend?"
"I don't know him, just helping him get to Central." He replies.
"You're a good man."
"You wish." He returns to the truck after sharing a laugh with the man.
Try as he might Light could not see up into the tower. His attention is caught as Mello, he now knows is the male's name, enters the truck again. The bridge is lowered and the two wait it out.
'That's weird. No boats are around so why keep the bridge up?' Focusing on driving when Mello honks the horn to catch his attention, he watched in the rearview mirror as the bridge is raised once again after they've safely passed over it. The journalist can already feel himself relaxing once they hit Central; people are everywhere, cars are actually moving rather than just parked around the area, there's a cat being chased by a dog. Civilization its a beautiful thing. Checking the map he looks around for a street tag. "That boy said its right off the bridge on Crichton and I'm on... Sagan." He drives forward turning on the first turn to swing back.
A blue sleeve covered arm is stuck out of the window of the garbage truck as Mello says his goodbye's.
Walking into the post office, Light smiles at the man behind the desk. "Excuse me?"
The man's narrow eyes make contact with Light briefly before he turns on a lighter expression, putting on his customer service voice. "What can I do for you?" He asks.
"I have this letter from a friend of mine and came out to visit him as sort of a surprise." He lies believeably. Passing the note to the man he adds. "I kind of sat on the decision to come for a bit too long and in that time he moved to a different location without telling me- poor guy must have thought that I blew him off."
The man only seemed to be listening while not actually paying attention; so Light wraps up the story.
"Anyway, do you think that you can give me his forwarding address?"
"I'll check the computer." Taking the envelope beneath the counter top he says. "Teru Mikami... Here we are." Having the address written out on a sheet of notepad paper he hands it over to Light. "By the way, if you're planning on staying you might wanna check the bulletine board," He points over the male's shoulder. "for the curfew."
"I will thank you." Much like the man to his false story, Light listened without really paying much attention as he's too busy reading over the address.
"There are also panthlets at the police station if you'd like to stop by there."
"Sure. But, if I find my friend I should be fine." He walks away glancing at the board.
It reads: 8:30 pm during daylight savings, 8:15 pm in the fall.
'Why so early?' His photographic memory memorizes the board easily and he's out the door then into his car. Looking over the address again he checks all three of the maps seeing that Mikami is on the third. 'Wouldn't be romantic if he didn't live in the outskirts of the town.'