Okay, okay, I know I took forever to bring you just the second chapter. I'm not even that too happy with this one, but I'm gonna keep on pushing! To those who enjoyed the first chapter and commented, thank you! You guys honestly are the reason why I even kept trying to write this. Big, big heart emojis to you guys! Enjoy!
Normally, she is the type to head on into danger without looking back, yet here she was cowering at L's door refusing to knock. She has raised her fist several times, tell herself that this would be the time she could do it, but everytime she just lowered it again and cursed at herself. The fact that after years of hearing about him, only hearing his voice once, and not knowing what he looks like at all made her fearful of him. He was an enigma, one that her psychiatric training won't be able to crack within the first meeting. I bet he can hear me trying to psych myself up out here and is waiting out of amusement, she thinks once again raising her fist. This will be the time!
And it is. Three short knocks on the white door is met with a muffled 'come in' and shuffling from the inside. Fear shoots down her spine as her hand trembles towards the doorknob. This is the moment of truth. The moment she sees who L really is! With that, she grasps and turns the doorknob, slowly creaking the door open.
Darkness welcomes her, the only light coming from a computer screen sitting in the corner on a desk. It faces her so all she could see is a hunched silhouette of the man who bears the title of the world's greatest detective. The light shows disarrayed hair, probably black since it blends into the darkness so well, a white wrinkled t-shirt and flashes of pale skin. Seems like the dark has sapped all color out of him, keeping only enough to not mistake him for a ghost. He stays turned around, not moving as she fully steps inside. There's tapping on the computer, but she can't see what is going on the screen aside that some writer must be open. She gulps, trying to calm her nerves.
"It took you roughly fifteen minutes to knock on that door, which is shorter than I thought you were going to take." His voice is smooth and even, yet no emotion is there. She expected him to be like this, most recluse characters were rather antisocial and allow themselves to show few emotions. She scowls, her eyes still not adjusted to the darkness of the room. She can make out nothing aside from him and the entrance due to the light coming from the hallway. Those lights were as dim as possible already, so it didn't help much. "Though I would take a century if I got to meet the world's greatest detective as well." Who does this guy think he is? Just because he has some great title doesn't mean he can be an asshole, she scoffs not bothering to entertain him.
"Trust me, I wouldn't meet you if I was given the choice. Especially if this is how you're going to create your first impression." She wants to sit on the floor since a sofa is not present. She was already tired from the day itself, she did not need to exhaust herself more by having to deal with anger. He turns his head a little bit, side-eyeing her. His features are still unrecognizable, but she did notice something dark underneath his eyes. Perhaps they were just shadows from his unruly hair. Quick as he looked, his attention went back to the computer screen.
"Showing hostility is also a bad first impression, perhaps you should watch yourself before worrying about me. In fact, listening to yourself even seems hard for you to do, no wonder you were not able to listen to me when I said that you are not welcome back here." A little anger poked out through his voice, but his body language stayed the same. His hand raises off his keyboard and goes to his face, stopping where his lip area would be. Why won't he turn around and face her?
"Watari told me it was fine to come back for a month, so if anything go talk to him if you want to bitch about me returning." She huffs, now sitting on the floor, legs criss-crossed. He heard her movement and once again side-eyed her before returning his attention to his screen. A sigh escapes him, she watches as his shoulders rise slightly for a moment before he releases the breath. It's loud and agitating to the blonde on the floor. Finally, he closes his computer, drowning them both in the dark. A moment passes and she hears rustling, fear once again taking complete hold of her as she imagined him nearing her without her knowing. Just as she was about to call out a light turns on. A tall lamp on the side of the desk shone, the area surrounding it now visible to her, not only that but the man she loathes as well.
She had to stop herself from gasping by bringing a had to her mouth. He looked sickly and broken. His dark hair was shaggy and covered his eyes mostly, but she could tell that they were also dark. Underneath his eyes were the darkest circles she has ever seen, they stuck out on his white face. He mouth was frowning in displeasure at being able to see her as well, or perhaps because his shoulders were causing him a lot of pain. He was hunched over a bit, his hands now in his pocket and one of his feet scratching the other leg.
"But still, you came back after knowing the agreement." He's mumbling now, but she's able to hear. He seems deep in thought as his beady eyes stare at her like he can see into her soul. She crosses her arms in hopes that that might be able to block his stare, but it does nothing. "What is your reason for returning anyway? Watari told me it was because you wanted to check up on the children, but why now? The death of A happened months ago, they all are fine." The monotone voice is the thing that truly bothered her about him, not the disinterested look or the off-putting stance. She felt anger swell in her chest as he claims the kids being fine. Maybe on the outside, but death, especially if they are not used to it, is something that every kid has trouble dealing with. She glares, her blue eyes screaming at him.
"Because," she starts, her voice cold, "I am the one who studies kids and knows that a few months does not mean that they are fine. I want to check up on them and diagnose whatever I can before it's too late." Again, she add silently. Perhaps the reason for her return is for her to deal with A's death, not the children. She blamed herself for not noticing any of the signs and hates the thought that perhaps kids here were feeling the same thing but had not outlet. She will be the outlet they need! "So, I will be staying. It's only for a month, I'm sure you will be gone by the week's end anyway."
He stays silent, his eyes never moving from her. She wants to believe that he is some owl hybrid and not a human being. Moments pass as he stares, before bringing his thumb to her mouth and playing with his lip slightly, his other hand still deep in his pocket.
"Okay, I will let you stay." He draws out finally, looking away from her for the first time and turning his stare to his shut laptop. "But you must put in work while here. Even after analyzing the psyche of the children, you must help around the manor and behave as a worker and not a guest." What an odd request, she muses but nods her head.
"Alright fine. After the month is up I will be gone and out of your hair for the rest of our lives hopefully." With this, she stands up once again. He doesn't say anything, instead turning his back to her and returning to his abandoned chair. He opens his laptop and puts in some password. She assumes that the conversation is done when she hears him typing and turns towards the door, not wanting to spend another moment in his presence.
He goes from argumentative to plain silence within seconds. Maybe I am dealing with some bipolar disorder with him, but that's just being stereotypical with these assumptions. Though he is an asshole overall. Just as she enters the hall again, she hears his voice.
"Drew?" He calls, turning around slightly in his chair. She peaks her head in, a frown on her face.
"Yes?" She asks, her voice tense. That is this she notices the way he is sitting. His bare feet are on the seat, his knees pointing outwards and his hands were on his knees. He seems to be crouching, looking uncomfortable and a hazard to himself if he was to fall out of the chair. Her face twists in confusion, but he seems to ignore it.
"Close the door when you exit." With that, he turns around once again and starts to type at the computer. She glares, but does indeed close the door like he so politely ordered. She breathes out a breathe as she walks down the hall and away from the door.
What a fucking weirdo.
Days pass and she has been working non-stop. She rubs her eyes as she sits at a small desk, her laptop screen glaring at her. She had just finished a session with Arlene. The girl was constant sass and left no room for Drew to actually make an analysis. She leans back in her chair and sighs.
There were a lot of kids that stay at Wammy's House. Not all of them were gifted like L, but they were all pretty well-educated. Of course, some of them were insanely gifted. These were the children that grew up to be famous scientist, zoologist, or even explosive technicians. She was not one of those children.
Drew grew up in the Wammy House, but didn't start taking interest in psychology until she was 16. She tries her best, but is nowhere qualified for the best psychologist trophy. Though, with enough work and dedication, maybe she could reach the top five best. Now that would make her entire life.
Knocking grabs her attention and Watari is standing at the threshold with a plate in his hand. She beckons him inside with her hand, sitting up right and place a pair of glasses on the bridge of her nose.
"I thought you would like some lunch since Arlene made you go overtime." He places the plate on her desk. A turkey club sandwich and fries rested on it, making her stomach cry out. She pats it sheepishly.
"I guess I did forget to eat. Thank you, Watari." She smiles, picking up the sandwich and taking a bite. The flavor was delicious, but then again all the dishes here were the best she had ever tasted.
"I know it's not my place to tell you what to do, but I would like to suggest that you take a break." He gives her a worried look, one that has been directed at her too many times.
"I would love that, trust me." She swallows. "But, I only have a month to have everything in order or else the Warden will get his panties in a twist, again." Watari frowns at her new nickname for L, but nods.
"I see, well hopefully everything sorts out for you. Would you like me to send the next person to you?" Like water on his back. Watari always held a grandfatherly aura around him, one that made her comforted with just his presence. She nods at his question, picking up a paper with several names written neatly on it.
"If you could send in Near or Mello please that would be great!" He bows and exits the room. She takes the small time she has to scarf down the rest of her sandwich and fries. It tastes heavenly and is gone all too she wipes her hands on her jeans due to not having any napkins, a small knock comes from her door. She glances to see a tiny white-haired child standing there.
"Ah, you must be Near! Come on in, come on in. You can sit in that chair." She smiles and points at a maroon leather chair a few feet away from the desk. Near does not say anything but complies. His eyes are owlish, somewhat reminding her of L's. She ignores that thought, pulling out her notebook from a drawer.
"Due to some problems, I am not able to have your full file. Would you tell me your age?" She asks, making a section on her notepad for bio questions. The kid just stares, quiet and unmoving for a time. It unnerves her a bit, but this wouldn't be the first silent kid she had to deal with.
"We'll get back to that!" She laughs, though it is forced. "How about you tell me something else about yourself? It can be anything!" Again she is met with silence. She writes something on her notepad before letting out a small sigh. She once read that if a child is having a hard time giving information or connecting with the psychologist, a bonding activity can help with that. Most activities were simple and involved playing with toys meant for toddlers. Perhaps she could try it out, it wouldn't hurt.
"We can just skip the talking entirely. Would you rather play with some blocks?" A nod, small and took her a moment to recognize it as one. She smiles, relieved that he had answered her on something. She gets up and moves to a suitcase in the corner of the room. This is where she kept books and several toys for children. She digs out a bag of blocks and moves to the middle of the carpet, beckoning Near as she dumps the blocks onto the floor. The small boy takes a moment but moves to crouch on the floor in front her, picking up a block.
Hopefully I'll be able to get through to this kid, or any others that are having trouble with communication. Get to them before they turn out like L.