Well, considering the fact that people are reading this, I believe that I -might- make this my main project for the moment. I know I said I would work on both SiB and this evenly, but I've had a surge of inspiration for this, much different than SiB. I will finish it though, just not right now, unless people ask for it.
Spirals of Insanity
Chapter II: Broadcasts
It was the dead creak of the night in a sleepy town called Winchester, England that it had occurred. The town was also home to the world's greatest detective, whom was busy working in times that many people would have required sleep. But, he wasn't like other humans. He was different, and many would call him a "freak" rather then have respect for who he was. But the acclaim was directed at only a letter, an alias.
In his small apartment, it was dark and rather silent. There was only two vigils of light in the living room- that of a blue hue of a television tuned in onto the late night local news, and a more white-ish tint coming from a white laptop on the coffeetable in front of a used khaki colored couch. The detective was busy at work; typing away at his laptop, only occasionally stopping for a sip of tea.
Then it happened.
His television blinked out for a momentary second before blurring into static. This subsequently caused noise, and L looked up to see what was happening. The news report that was on previously was now replaced with a black calligraphy L. He squinted, but then he realized it wasn't an L. It was a B, in the same font he used.
There was a crackling noise in the background, as if someone was calibrating a microphone. Then the static stopped, and he heard laughing. It was clear as day, even for an altered, synthesized voice. L blinked once, twice. Could it be that Beyond Birthday had escaped and hacked through the television waves to send a broadcast to L? To warn him that his doppelganger was definitely back? His questions were soon answered.
"Ah yes, finally. ." The voice snickered to itself.
"It's appealing to meet you all. I am B, better known as Beyond Birthday." It introduced, still lightly giggling amongst itself.
"I was put away in an asylum for the murder of three people in the infamous Wara Ningyo murders. Remember me yet, L?" L couldn't believe it. He immediately closed the case file he was working on and checked to see if Beyond was still in his asylum.
"You can check if you wish, L, but that's beside the point. I have a little game I want you and I to play. A test of wits." The voice seemed to know his actions. L could only stare at the screen, waiting for the voice to speak again. He was sure BB would want revenge for letting L win their previous game only six months before.
"I may not know where you are. . L . . but I know you're watching this. You can either send a reply tape to this message within three days and air it on the same channel as I am. If you don't comply. ." There was more laughing at the other end.
"I'll let you figure out what happens. Oh and, before I go, I should at least give you a little summary of our game. It would only be fair. We will compete of who can catch the other first. If I win. . Well. . That's a secret. If you win, L, I'll be back in the happy asylum with a bow and tie on my neck. Good luck." And with a final laugh, the broadcast ended. It went back to scheduled programming.
L looked down at his work. BB was correct. As L looked through the pages of the asylum's patients, he noticed the lack of one with two identical initials. It had to be true. B spoke of a battle of wits. . A game. I have no choice but to accept. He didn't include what would happen if I didn't – but I know what will. L tried his best to make sense of the situation.
But as much as he attempted to think into it, he wasn't surprised by the fact Beyond had wanted this. L knew that attempting to draw his attention again through murder alone wasn't enough. He would just send another pawn to do get his hands dirty for him. So he had used the element of surprise and ultimatum to fish L out without much effort.
L knew this very well. It chilled him at the thought of losing their game, but he promised himself he would win. He always had, and that was proven for the time. Never once did the detective ever think differently at the time.
So, three days later, L released his own reply tape, trying his best to sound appealing to the public. He wouldn't lose this.
"It has come to my knowledge that a mass serial killer known as Beyond Birthday wishes to challenge me to a game, or a battle of wits as he may call it after his due escape of a Los Angeles asylum." L had started the broadcast on the same channel, as Beyond requested.
"I do not wish to comply with his demands, but I, as L, will make sure that he will be placed back in prison, so, I am subsequently forced into it." L had explained to any innocent viewers watching. He had to place his words correctly.
"As such, I do not want any bloodshed by this, BB. But formals aside, I do accept your challenge." He finished short and sweet, knowing Beyond would get the picture. He cleared his throat as he turned his microphone off and the reply ended.
He sat in his peculiar form of sitting at his laptop. He had already contacted Watari before the broadcast started, and agreed that he would do this alone. After all, he was sure Beyond would do the same. L shifted sightly as he was was hit with a flashback.
"Could you consider me your friend, to speak of?" Beyond had asked him in that library. Their last meeting in the House before L had graduated.
"As a successor and partner, yes, I could." He would respond, unfazed by B's sudden question for friendship.
"But do you mean it?" Beyond would ask, looking straight into his eyes.
"How so?" He would reply, lightly confused by his doppelganger.
"As a friend you would trust?" Beyond would elaborate, his voice sounding less and less like his normal voice.
". . . Yes."
L blinked as he was transported back into reality. He stood up. "I will catch you, B." He said absently to himself. He leaned over in his slouch and picked up a file next to his laptop and skimmed through it. It was a file on the case he had been previously working on. He placed it back down. He would solve the case of his friend's insanity first.