Hideki Ryuga, Rue Ryuzaki, Eraldo Coil, The World's Greatest Detective;
The man behind these names, L Lawliet, has been announced officially dead.
Cause of Death: Heart Attack.
Killer: Kira.
The morning of November sixth, only two days after the death of L, Roger called in Mello and Near into his office. No one was aware that L had died, his place had been immediately taken by Light Yagami- his last minute successor so no one needed to worry about his death being published. It took a moment for the news to sink in. Mello was devastated. But he knew well enough once someone was dead you couldn't bring them back, so there was no use in whining over it. But one of the reasons he was so devastated was because L did not accomplish his promise on finding and executing Kira.
On the other hand, was because he most likely did not choose his successor.
Near, unlike Mello, was quite calm. He had been in Roger's office for quite some time now and was doing yet another blank puzzle. He wasn't too worried about L's death- what's gone is gone. He also didn't mind if Mello was the new successor, which was unlikely but still possible. He would find a way to beat him once again.
Mello went up to Roger's desk, his eyes were wide as sweat beaded across his forehead."Wait dead?" He exclaimed in shock. "How did he die Roger?" He paused eyeing him and exclaimed silently; "Was it kira? DId Kira kill him?" Roger didn't so much as 'hmph' for his response. Utter silence.
"L promised me that he would find and execute Kira, and now you're telling me he's dead?" Mello's hands wrapped around the man's shoulders shaking him slightly. Roger's eyes widened slightly but he remained calm. The chaos was interrupted by a clattering sound. The sound of Near turning over his puzzle, the pieces falling into a small pile.
"If you can't win the game, you're nothing but a loser." He murmured at ease.
Mello scowled at him and swiveled his head towards Roger quickly. "Well, who did he pick? Me or Near?" It was a moment before Roger could reply.
"L did not reach a final decision." He simply said, his hands joining together and set on the desk. Mello opened his mouth to protest, but Roger beat him to it.
"But, L did say that if something were to happen to him before he reaches his decision, that the two of you could form an alliance. Work together." His eyebrows furrowed, almost a worried glance went over his features.
Mello gave a disgusted glare over at Near, who said in a low voice: "Fine by me." The blonde still had the face of horrid disgust over his face and gave a horrible excuse for a sigh, really a groan, and glared now at Roger.
"There is no way in hell I'm going to work with that bastard." He muttered loud enough for the albino could hear.
"No one is making you do anything Mello-San." Near replied, continuing with the puzzle. Mello ignored him, his eyes were cold and sharp like knives.
"It won't work Roger. You know that I don't get along with Near." He shook his head almost in disbelief that the old man didn't fully recognize that. Even as children they competed. Now Mello was 14 going on 15, Near 13- The tension only growing worse between them. "Near and I have always competed against each other. Always."
The room grew in silence, the only sound being the whisping sound of the air conditioner and the scratching of trees against the window of the office. Mello looked down at his fists. He was growing quite skinny, very lean. He would have to work on that later on. His already-matured voice broke the fragile silence.
"You know what? It's fine. Near should be the one to succeed L." He said this rather calmly, but his voice hid a tremor and it grew darker as he spoke.
"He isn't like me, who makes decisions with his head rather than emotions, like it's a game or a puzzle."
"As for me, I'm leaving this damned institution." He turned and began to leave the room. Roger got up from his seat with an alarmed look and yelled out; "Wait, Mello!"
"Don't waste your breath!" He spat "I'm almost fifteen years old and it's time to start living my own life." The door shut with a loud slam. Near sat still for a moment and stood up taking his leave. Roger sat back down and sighed. "Well Near, I suppose this means you've won on this case." Near gave the faintest hint of a smile. "Many more to solve Roger. As of now I'll be helping the new L on his quest to find Kira." He picked up the pieces quickly and left.
"Where're you going Mell?" Matt spoke sleepily. It had been a few days since he'd gotten any sleep and tonight he was interrupted with a ratteling that was meant to be silent at three thirty in the morning. Mello packed the remaining black clothes he had, after pulling back his hair into a failure of a bun. He continued only uttering out the word "Leaving. Go back to sleep Matt." He murmured, almost in a very parental way. Matt looked up putting on his glasses, not following orders, his blue-green eyes were wide and his dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What? Is this because of the successor thing Mell? I mean, dude it's just a stupid position-"
"No. It's not that. I'm leaving because I need to. I have to." Matt didn't comprehend this. He sat up pushing the covers off of his person and fixed his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "I don't understand, M." Mello sighed. This was difficult, at least on this aspect. Matt was his best friend, a brother. It killed him to leave him, but he had no idea what he was going to do with himself. He would have to find a way to make quick money, and he would do whatever the cost to get himself to the top. He couldn't bring Matt into this. Matt was only thirteen. He wouldn't risk his friend being harmed because of him.
So he did something he knew he'd regret.
"Look Matt, I'm leaving because I'm sick of this stupid place. I'm sick of everyone here. I need to move on."
"Move on? Well man, what're you going to do? Are you leaving now?" Matt spoke quickly his voice rising in anxiety. 'Shit.' Mello thought. 'His fucking anxiety's going to break out.' He exhaled sharply. "I don't know yet!" He whispered urgently in frustration holding the bridge of his nose. Matt recoiled back sharply. He should be used to Mello's outbursts by now but something was different. He felt a sharp pain in the corners of his eyes. Mello didn't look at him. "Sorry. But I really have to go. And yes, I'm leaving now." He shut the suitcase and put on his socks and shoes before getting up and opening the door
"Aren't you going to take me?" Matt said in a tight voice.
Mello froze in his tracks. He felt his stomach drop to the first floor, and his heart have a miniscule heart attack at the sound of the others voice. A moment of the past shot up in his memory.
'I can't wait to get out of this stupid place.' a ten year old Mello would say. Matt in his nine years nodded. 'Tell me about it. I don't like the people here. Everyone's a jerk.' he chortled and Mello punched his shoulder with a big smirk. Matt exclaimed a loud 'Ouch' and rubbed his shoulder while Mello laughed. 'Hey,' Mello spoke. 'You know what I'm going to do when I'm out of here? I'm going to take my best friend and live far far away from this damn place.'
Matt tilted his head fixing his glasses. 'Who's your best friend?'
'You, dumbass!' Another punch to the shoulder.
'You promise? I'm younger than you so I won't get out the same time as you.'
'Psh, I'll take you with me.'
'PROMISE?' 'Yeah yeah. I promise.'
The memory trailed off with laughter and Mello sighed heavily. "Matt...I-"
"You promised!" He wailed fiercely. He didn't look so sad as he did angry. His cheeks were red and a tear dared to trail down his cheek. Mello dropped his suitcase and turned towards him, the bun in his hair undoing itself quickly his blonde hair going down in a messy fashion. "I know I did!" he said his voice rising, almost cutting the other off. He pressed his hands to his temples and faced him.
"I know." He said silently. "Matt. I don't know what I'm going to do-"
"You never know what you're going to do." He muttered putting as much venom as he could. Mello stared at the kid. He'd grown alot since then. his hair was getting shaggier, he was actually quite muscular for a kid who didn't do much but play video games and computer hacking. But he never really seen him get so angry, and Mello was beginning to lose his calm.
"Matt. Listen to me. I don't want you to get involved in whatever it is I'm doing and-"
"You're my best friend Miheal!" Mello flinched at the sound of his name. He gave that up years ago and Matt knew how much he hated it. "You're like my big brother Mell. I don't care. A promise is a promise!" he said with a shaky voice, more tears spilling over his puffed up cheeks.
"Look Matt! I'm leaving. Final decision."
Matt was silent. He turned away, a feeling of betrayal crawling in the pit of his stomach. Little by little he felt his heart breaking, shredding into miniscule pieces.
"Go." He muttered, not facing him.
"Matt I'm sorry. I'll find a way to make it up to you, you have to understand-!" Mello felt himself breaking. As if he were standing on glass and it was cracking in between him and his friend.
"Don't bother even remembering me." He shot at him and sat in his bed staring out the window.
Mello's eyes widened and shut slowly. He wasn't one to pick a fight with Matt, if this is what he wanted, he would well receive it. He picked up his suitcase and the door shut with a small 'click'.
The child felt his lip quiver, so he bit it until he tasted blood to prevent himself from crying. As if that sharp pain would allow him to forget his troubled heart. But the glass was shattered. Small pieces that dug into his bare skin.
No use in picking up broken glass.
Fifteen minutes into sobbing into a now-drenched pillow, Matt lay down in his bed and didn't bother sleeping the night. Instead he stared at the sky. Darkness, utter darkness. Not a star in the sky, not even the moon was visible.
Maybe the sky reflected people's hearts.