So I decided that I wanted to keep writing this. Thanks to those who reviewed!

I know I have a bit more to write of this story at this point; two chapters at least. If you have any ideas or anything you'd wanna see happen, let me know! Also, let me know what you think after each chapter! I really appreciate reviews, as they encourage me to keep writing. I also really appreciate well-thought-out critiques! I often take them into consideration. Flamers are laughed at. :)

The preparations are nearing completion, just as I planned. No, almost as I planned. Mello's death had indeed completed an integral part of it, despite the grief that came along with it.

In about twelve hours, Kira will be brought to justice, and this is all going to be over. This nightmare will finally be finished and done with.

No, far from it.

Because even if Kira is captured, Mello is gone.

I turn my attention back to Gevani and Rester who are vigorously scribbling names away in the fake notebook. It's scary how fast they're working. I know they're uncomfortable with my watching them, but it's not as if there's anything else for me to do at two in the morning when I can't sleep.

Not can't sleep; won't sleep.

How could I? All that will greet me there is tormenting dreams and little rest. No, better to supervise the creation of the tool of Kira's downfall.

Fingers entwined in my hair, the other hand gripping the knee that's perched on the chair, I know that I look normal; calm, cool, collected Near. That's me. Except for one thing. One, barely noticeable thing.

"Near," Gevani pauses from his work for a brief moment. "Do you need something?"

I realize now that I have been spacing out, staring at Gevani for the last ten minutes. I avert my eyes in response.

Gevani sighs and continues copying pages of the notebook. "Do you want me to get you some food, Near?"

Oh, so he's noticed. Of course he's noticed. Gevani notices the little, unimportant details, which is why I wanted him to follow Teru Mikami.

"No, thank you, Gevani." I drone. "Just keep working on that."

I haven't touched food since I heard of Mello's passing. A small detail that's gone unnoticed by Lidner and Rester, seeing as I barely eat anything anyways. But Gevani was sure to notice that my normally baggy clothes have been starting to fall off my shoulders, due to some weight loss. Not to mention the dark bags under my eyes. No food, no sleep, barely any water, some would say that I was trying to kill myself. Well, there may be some truth to that.

I've never been able to deal with loss very well. Loss and change are two enemies to creatures of habit, in which classification I am often thought to be in. I can't remember when my parents died, for I was only just two at the time, but I imagine I would have felt something like I felt when I heard of L's death. Crushed, defeated, humiliated.

And Mello just HAD to leave at that point in time.

Right when I needed someone, he had left me alone.

"Near." Gevani's voice once again snaps me out of my stupor. I snap my eyes to his face. "Are you sure you don't need anything?"

This is beginning to try my shortened nerves. "What I need," I begin, in a voice icy and frustrated, "Is to catch that bastard, Kira. That's all that matters."

Gevani frowns at the last statement. I can tell he disapproves. Not that I care. I spin my chair around with my free foot, my eye catching a rather large box in the far corner of the room. It's where I keep my toys, cards, dice, and other objects of choice. I ponder for a moment, and decide against it.

And then the door opens.

Halle Lidner walks inside and walks over to me, her eyes steely, cold, dead.

She kneels down to my level and takes my hand with her shaking one.

And then she places a burnt rosary in it, and my hand also begins to shake.

R&R.