Death Nest

Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note

The wasps are not any particular species and were inspired by Vespa madarina japonica, Polistes dominula, and the Flesh Colored Horror Manga #3 by Junji Ito.

Warning: Character death.

Author's Note: Written for Reminiscent-Afterthought for the RLt Spring Gift exchange!

Thanks to MissScorp for looking this over before posting. :)

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Misa Amane was not stupid. She knew, as Light leaned over and whispered instructions in her ear and claimed that he'd love her forever if she succeeded, that he was lying. Some small part of her knew that he was only using her; he didn't love her, and probably never would. But reality had never been kind to her, and she had decided after the tragic death of her parents, that she really didn't much care for reality anymore. So she built her fantasy around her instead, surrounded by gothic lolita dresses, black bats and lace, lipstick and too much make-up, and morbid dolls. And after Light had avenged her parents, Misa had found someone to cling to in place of reality. She would do as Light asked, because maybe one day it would make him happy. And maybe, for an instant, her fantasy would come true, and he would hold her close, and they would live happily after ever for a few seconds. Even if it didn't, she would do all she could for him: she already had her fantasy; she would do her best to make his dream of a perfect world come true.

Only, there was a problem as she walked through the park and carefully approached the tree where she should dig. It was the right tree, she was sure of it, but an enormous papery wasp's nest hung low from one of the branches, so low it nearly touched the ground as the tree branch bent under its weight. Misa stepped back as a few guard wasps emerged from the nest and flicked their wings in agitation as they stared at her with red bulbous eyes. They were large, easily the size of her hand, with a long nasty looking stinger at the tip of each burgundy colored abdomen. Wasps were generally territorial and very protective of their nest, and it looked like theses were no exception. Misa took a few more cautious steps back, and lifted her phone to dial Light.

She only wanted to hear his voice. Maybe, if she did, she'd get enough courage to walk up to the nest and start digging underneath. She had to be careful what she said on the phone, they both did, but maybe somehow he could help. Light had saved her before.

He answered on the fifth ring. "What?" Light asked irritably.

"Light, I," Misa began.

"Misa, I'm busy with the case. You know that. Remember what I told you. I'll see you next week. Please don't bother me again."

"But Light," she blurted out, "there's wasps."

"Why are you calling me about wasps? Just get an exterminator or something." Then he hung up.

She couldn't call an exterminator. What if they started digging around after getting rid of the wasps? What if they wanted to study them instead, and she was never allowed near the site again? Wasps of such a large size would surely attract unwanted attention. Misa looked at the nest. She knew what she had to do.

Misa leaned forward, and slowly moved her hand down toward where she needed to dig. Maybe if she was slow enough, the wasps wouldn't feel threatened, and she could get what Light wanted, and they would be happy together. Misa moved closer, and the wasps angrily snapped their wings.

A wasp landed on her hand and stung, and it burned, a white-hot pain that traveled up her arm and hurt so horribly that it took her breath away. More wasps flew closer, zeroing in on the intruder who had been pheromone marked by a sting. They looked at Misa with cruel red eyes, and curved their abdomens in preparation, exposing their needle-like stingers even more.

Misa screamed.

And that was the last thing she knew.