Set in Stone: Chapter Two
Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note, Beyond Birthday, Quillish Wammy, Roger Ruvie or Wammy House.
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Beyond Birthday had been deemed un-adoptable shortly after he arrived at Saint Anthony's.
The six year-olds sad eyes and tragic tale had charmed a middle-aged couple. They had taken him out for a day in town, stopping at a candy store before taking him to a small park. Beyond sat on the swing, not pumping, and ignored the couples (he couldn't remember their names, he didn't really care) attempts to get him to talk to them.
So when, instead of telling them his favourite colour, Beyond had smiled for the first time that day and, with his lips stained brilliant red from the lollypop they had bought him, informed them that the wife would die in less then a year, they had been understandably upset.
Back at the orphanage, the therapist had simply said that Beyond simply had an over-active imagination (albeit a morbid one).
So Beyond adjusted to the idea that we would not be leaving the orphanage until he came of age. And yet, here he was, walking down the damp gravel path towards the shiny black Rolls Royce that would be taking him away from his home for the past four years. It felt slightly surreal.
He clutched the ragged strap of his backpack and looked back over his shoulder. He really wasn't sure whether to feel happy or not. The years spent at St. Anthony's hadn't been happy under any definition, so he did feel relieved.
Whatever they were, Beyond's emotions didn't show, and his features were solemn as ever as he slid into the backseat of the car. He settled himself with his forehead pressed against the window, breath fogging up the glass, as Mr. Wammy started the car.
Over the course of the long drive, Beyond stared silently out at the countryside whizzing by. Mr. Wammy didn't try to get him to talk, which he was grateful for, but he did explain a few things. For one, Mr. Wammy didn't generally involve himself with the actual running of the school, as his job took him around the world, and mainly just provided the funding. The only reason he was picking up Beyond was because he happened to be in the country.
Several hours later, the car pulled off the highway and onto a smaller road that wound its way through a thin forest. They stopped briefly at a black iron gate, where Mr. Wammy leaned out of the car to type a very long password into the pad. From there it was a short drive to the institution itself.
Wammy House was an old Victorian style mansion with a few newer looking additions and outbuildings. The walls were painted a stormy grey, a nicely groomed lawn rolled off into hills speckled with trees.
Mr. Wammy lead Beyond up the front porch and let himself into the building with an old fashion looking key that matched the style of the house. It was warm and dimly lit inside and Beyond smelled some sort of pastry baking.
Mr. Wammy hung Beyond's faded denim jacket in a spacious jacket and led the way up a wide set of stairs. At the end of a hallway they stopped and Mr. Wammy rapped sharply on a closed door.
"Come in" called a muffled voice from behind the thick panel of mahogany wood. Mr. Wammy pushed it open and motioned Beyond forwards.
The room behind the door was a small, cozy office. The whole back wall appeared to be a window covered behind heavy wine-coloured curtains. In front of a window sat a squat desk that was so piled with towers of books and documents that it was a moment before Beyond noticed the small elderly man who sat behind it.
"Beyond, this is Roger Ruvie, the school's manager." Mr. Wammy intoned. "Roger this is our newest charge, Beyond Birthday."
The man, Roger, pushed his spectacles further up his rather bulbous nose, and his beady eyes studied Beyond's face closely. "Interesting name" he said finally. "And quite convenient" he added mysteriously.
"You see Beyond, all of the students admitted to Wammy House are assigned and alias for their protection. Coincidently, you are assigned the alias B. it officially stands for "alias Beta" since you are the second student to be accepted since we've started this new program, but the name works rather nicely with your own."
Beyond's brow creased slightly. "Safety?" he murmured, puzzled.
It was Mr. Wammy who answered. "You see Beyond, this is not just a school for genius orphans. Have you ever heard of the person called 'L'?"
Beyond had in fact. Whispers had been circulating the media lately, about some sort of super-sleuth who went by that name. He had appeared about two years ago and taken the criminal underworld by storm, and catching the attention of federal agencies around the world.
"The detective" Beyond offered, and Wammy smiled "correct, glad to hear you keep up with current events. Yes the detective. You see Beyond, the detective L was raised here, at Wammy House. Since L went on to become such a success, we have decided that the purpose of Wammy house from now on will be to educate children to become Ls heirs."
This was unexpected news. "So I am to be one of these heirs?" he asked quietly. Roger nodded "as I said, you are the second chosen for this new program. There is one other candidate before you. He is called 'Alias Alpha' or 'A'."
After that Roger showed Beyond to his room, giving a brief tour as they went. The first floor held the classrooms, kitchen, dining hall, and library. The student's rooms were upstairs, as well as Roger's office.
Beyonds room was small and plain with generic, cream-coloured walls and a hardwood floor cover with a wool rug. The twin bed had a navy-blue comforter and white sheets folded neatly at the foot. A modest metal desk standing in the corner held a pleasant surprise, a laptop. There was also a dresser, an empty closet and a nightstand with a cheap digital clock. The night could be seen through a small window framed by blue-flecked curtains. It was sparse, but it was Beyonds. There were no nosy nuns to force him to pick up his mess, and no stupid roommate to give him strange looks.
Beyond stood staring as Roger patted his shoulder and left him to settle down for the night. A warm feeling welled up in his chest.
'I could be happy here.'
A/N:
A little more exciting (I hope). And Beyond's at Wammy's!
Anyways…let me know what you think.