October 31st, 7:42 am
Winchester, England
Wammy's House
The early morning sunlight showed through the window as a raven-haired child sleepily rose from his sleep and yawned. He looked over at the other boy on the bed next to him, who was still sound asleep. They could have been brothers, seeing how they shared similar features.
The boy looked at the calender next to his bed and sighed. It was that day again, the day of his birth. Now that he was twelve years old, he didn't feel any difference. He felt the same as he did eight or nine hours ago, when he was still eleven. Since it was Halloween, he could easily guess what was going to happen; Watari would insist on throwing him a party, he would refuse, then the other kids at the orphanage would find out that it was his birthday and throw him a "suprise" birthday/ Halloween party. At least, it seemed it would end up like that.
He heard a tired groan from the other side of the room to see that his friend had waken up. " L...?" his friend said, half awake. " What time is it?" The young L turned to look at the clock. " It's about 7:45," he answered. The boy got lazily off the bed and walked over to L. He wiped his glasses before putting them on and looked at the calender. " Oh, it's Halloween today," he examined. " Times flys, doesn't it? Wait..." L closed his eyes, waiting for him to say it. " Isn't today you're birthday?"
L sighed. " Yes, it is, in fact, my birthday. Now, B, please. Just act like it's a perfectly normal day. No, better yet, just pretend that the only special occasion today is Halloween and nothing more." L instructed. The twelve year old Beyond Birthday smirked. " Really? Is that so? Why not throw a party?" he asked. L shrugged. " I don't want a party." he answered simply. Beyond rolled his eyes. " L, you're such a party pooper," he said. " You know, Watari's probably gonna want to, and then some other kids will too. It'll be like a suprise birthday party, y'know?" L grinned. It was amazing how that not only did they look similar, but they thought similar thoughts as well.
" So," Beyond started. " What you wanna do today? I mean, we could maybe watch a movie, play with the other guys. Ooh, maybe we should start that case that Watari wouldn't let you because it was too dangerous for someone as young as you. Now that you're a year older, you have a better excuse!" While Beyond rammbled on about the plans for the day as they exited their room, L kept his eyes to the floor, staring at his barefeet. Beyond stopped walking when he noticed that L was showing less enthusiasm than expected. " What's wrong?" he asked. L shook his head. " I don't know... I just have this really bad feeling..."
Beyond arched an eyebrow. " Bad feeling? As in..." his voiced trailed off when they bumped into their friend Alex, otherwise known as A in the cafeteria. Alex grinned. " Oh, hey guys!" he said. " Hey, L," he whispered. Being one of the few people at the orphanage who actually knew he was L, he, of course, had to keep it a secret. " I heard it's your birthday today." L looked up in suprise. " Who told you?" he asked. Alex grinned, " Well, I'm not saying any names but..." he slowly looked where Beyond was standing. L glared at him. " B, you do relize that when I say 'don't tell anybody' I actually mean anybody?" he asked, annoyed. Beyond shrugged. " Did you say that? I don't know, I forget..."
L groaned and walked to get some breakfast, Beyond and Alex following. When they sat down Beyond sighed. " Ryuga," he said, automatically switching to his alias, seeing as they were around a large group of orphans. " Tell me, why don't you like you're birthday?" L took a bite out of his pancake, which was drenched in maple syrup and shrugged. " I just don't see what the big deal is about it, that's all. I mean, yay, I was born on this day. So what?" he answered with his mouth full. Beyond sighed before taking a knife and dipping it into his strawberry jam and spreading it on his toast. " L, I don't mean to offend you in any way, but when it comes to things like this you're a real piss off."
L swallowed. " Listen, " he said in a somewhat hushed tone. " Since it's my birthday, I shouldn't get something I don't want, right? Well, I don't want a party. Is that so unreasonable?" Beyond nodded, then gave Alex a questioning look. Alex nodded as well and Beyond grinned. L became suspicioius. " What are you guys doing?" he asked. The boys ignored the question as Alex handed Beyond something under the table. " What are you doing?" L repeated. Beyond chuckled at L's curiousity, then stood up on the table, with a megaphone.
" Listen up, everyone," Beyond said through it. All attention atutomatically turned to him. " You all know what day it is today, right?" L understood now. Beyond was going to announce to the whole orphanage, then, without a doubt, they would throw him a party. " Ryuzaki!" L exclaimed, using Beyond's chosen alias. " What do you think you're doing?" Beyond's grin widened. " As you may know," Beyond announced, " today is Halloween." There were some cheers from the orphans. " But," Beyond said suddenly, stopping the cheers, " it's also a very special day besides that. Today is-"
L quickly got a spoon and threw it expertly at the megaphone. It almost hit Beyond's hand, causing him to drop it, startled. " What the hell?" he exclaimed angrily. L got up from his seat. " You promised you would keep it a secret!" he yelled. " Did you ever hear the words, ' I promise' come out of my mouth? 'Sides, did you ever make me promise?" Beyond retorted. " It was implied!" L yelled. Alex quickly got in between the two. " Hey guys, c'mon. Don't ruin this day with a fight. I mean, we're all friends here, right?" he pursuaded.
The twin-like friends payed no attention to Alex's advice. " Who cares anyways? This day's been ruined the moment he woke up!" Beyond shouted. L ran up to Beyond and kicked him. There were some cheers in the cafeteria, encouraging the fight. Beyond didn't need them anyways; he jumped to his feet immediately and kicked L on the back of his head. The impact of the hit caused his head to pound. After more kicks and punches, along with more cheers, the fight was cut short when a man came in between them.
" Roger!" Beyond said. Roger narrowed his eyes at both of them. " And what do you think you two are doing?" he asked. None of them answered. Roger side. " I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to come to my office." he said, and led the two away. " Oh, and Alexander?" he said. Alex tensed when his name ( alias, whatever) was called. " I think it would be best if you came along with us. You took part in this as well, correct?" Alex stared at his feet guiltily as they all walked back to his office.
" I'm very dissapointed in you two. What on earth were you thinking?"
Beyond and L sat in the two chairs in front of Roger's desk avoiding eye contact while Alex leaned on the wall. " Tell me, how did all this start?" Roger asked. Beyond grunted. " Easy; L was being a jerk for not wanting a party, so I tried to get some people to throw him one, but he got pissed off." he said. " Yeah right!" L said. " I told him I didn't want one in the first place, but this guy just keeps on ignoring me like I'm not even here!" Roger sighed. " Listen, I understand that this situation might be a bit, er, excrusciating, but that doesn't mean that you could just break out in a fight in the cafeteria. I'm afraid I'm going to have to punish you..."
" Oh, I don't think that's nessecarry."
They all looked throught the doorway to see another man enter. " Watari," L said. Watari smiled. " Good morning, L. Happy Birthday," he greeted. L blushed, embaressed that Watari had to see him here. " Watari, these boys have been causing trouble this morning," Roger started. " Is that so?" Watari asked. " Well, I'm sure that it will never happen again, correct?"
Beyond, L, and Alex nodded. " Well then, you are dismissed," Watari announced. The boys left the office awkwardly, leaving Roger upset at Watari's lack of disipline. " Watari, " L started. " I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see me like that..." Watari shook his head. " It's alright. I know how you get when it comes to this, although you could have chosen somewhere more private to fight." he joked. L laughed. Watari, his only father-like figure, always knew what to say, when to say it. Alex was still silent. Then suddenly said, " L, what could I do to make it up?"
L blinked. " What?" he said. Alex groaned. " C'mon, L. If it wasn't for me, Ryuzaki would have never gotten that megaphone and almost ruined your secret. Let's go somewhere. You know, like trick-or-treating. Yeah I know it's kinda kiddy, but we're twelve, and this is our last chance to go before we're teens. Besides, you could get alot of candy!" he babbled. L considered this; he did love candy. Alex gave him a hopefully look. L sighed.
" If you really feel like that, then why not." he said. " Yes! Thanks, you won't regret it! We'll dress up, get sweets, hey! We could ding dong ditch that one guy that no one likes..." Alex walked away, talking on and on to himself as Beyond and L stood back. " Poor guy," Beyond said. " He always wants to impress you. How long you think it'll take before he admits he's gay?"
" He's not gay," L assured. And like that, the two acted like nothing had ever happened.
Later that day, the trio decided not to where costumes. L didn't have much of the Halloween spirit, so Alex didn't push him to do anything. " Hey Ryuga," Beyond said while watching TV. " When are we going?" L shrugged. " We still have to wait for Alex." he replied dully. Beyond groaned. " What's he doing anyways?" he asked. L shrugged again.
Alex entered shortly after. " What took you so long?" Beyond asked. Alex scratched the top of his head, grinning stupidly. " Hehe, well you see, I was looking for a costume, trying most of them on, but then I felt kinda guilty that I was wearing a costume and Ryuga wasn't, so I just decided to wear my regular clothes." he explained. Beyond gave him a humorless smile. " So, you're saying that we waited here for almost two hours, just so you come out the way you came in?" he said. Alex nodded. " I hate you," Beyond shrugged. " Alright, let's just go," he said.
The night was better than L expected. He had never thought of trick-or-treating to be fun. Just a little childish. But with Beyond and Alex, he had the time of his life. They had filled their candy bags to the top, mostly thanks to Beyond for being a hustler. They did end up ding dong ditching the jerk that no one liked eventually. Now they sat on the sidewalk, watching the other kids make their way to other houses searching for candy.
" So Ryuga," Beyond started, " Just out of curiousity..." L smiled and shook his head. " No, I still don't want a party. And even if I did, I don't think I would have enough energy to," he replied as he unwrapped one of the candies. Alex sighed. " So, I guess we're heading back?" he asked. Beyond nodded. " Unfortuantely, yes. Are you sure-" L stopped Beyond with a theatening glare. Beyond laughed. " Alright then."
As the three walked home, L noticed a change in the atmosphere. He heard the churchbell ring then, and checked his watch. It should have rung yet; it was only 10: 46. L shook his head. " The bells are early today," he said. Alex gave him a look. " What bells?" he asked. Beyond chuckled. " Yeah, like you can't hear them," he laughed. " No, really, what are you guys talking about?" Alex asked. L arched an eyebrow. " What do you... can't you hear them?" he asked. Alex shook his head. " Hm," L said. " How strange."
Suddenly, all the street lights turned off, leaving them in the omnious darkness. They heard the screams of other children and saw the lights from flashlights from behind them. " What the hell is going on?" Beyond asked. The lights turned back on, but something felt different. " Guys..." L started to say, but then saw a dark shadow flash across from them. " What the... did you guys see that?" he said. The other two nodded nervously. " What do you think...?"
Something stopped L from finishing his sentence. He felt like someone was choking him, and he fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. Beyond and Alex's voice became more and more distant until, finally, he couldn't hear anymore and blacked out.
L woke up in what seemed like a dark alleyway. He tried to get up, but found that he arms and hands were tied. He struggled to free himself, but it was no good. He heard an evil laugh come from one of the darkest part of the alley and looked up to see glowing red eyes staring into his. " Why, hello there," the man said, who was at least seventeen. " You shouldn't be out so late by yourself; there are people out there who might try to hurt you." He laughed again.
" W-Who are you?" L stuttered. The man's grin widened. " Oh, I am known by many names," he said, " You might have heard of me; you've heard of the three murders I've committed recently, haven't you?" L's eyes widened. Yes, he's heard of the murders. The murders of Beatrice Battington, Quella Quorra, and Brandon Berton. It's the case that Watari had strictly prohibited him from solving. " You're the one behind it? Why?" L asked angrily.
" How else was I supposed to get the world's greatest detective's attention?" the man asked. L grew silent for a moment, then asked, " How do you know who I am?" The man chuckled. " Oh, I know alot about you, L." he replied maliciously. The tone of the man's voice made L struggle more. " I'm sorry, but it's no use trying to free yourself." The man said. " Why are you doing this?" L demanded. " What have I ever done to you?"
The man's grinned dropped. " What have you ever done to me?" he repeated. " You've ruined my life, that's what. Ever since I was a child." His answer only made L more confused. " How could I ruin your life since you were a kid?" he asked. " I probably wasn't even born yet!" The man made hushing noises, " Shh. No need to yell, I'm right here. I could hear you," he said tenderly. L stopped struggling. " You still didn't answer my question," he said bitterly. The man's smile returned. " I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you. At least, not one to share."
" Where are my friends then?" he asked. The man looked amused. " Friends? They're not your friends. Just people who suck up to you. They don't care about you." he said. " That's a lie!" L retorted. " They are my friends. Even though I haven't had many, I know what a true friend is."
" Kyahaha! You really are the nieve child, aren't you?" the man cackled. He lifted L up by his shirt collar. " It's a shame that this had to happen. Especially on your golden birthday." L's body tensed at the strength of the man. " It's not going to be my golden birthday until I'm thirty-one." L responded. The man smirked. " There's a loophole for that, you know. L is the twelveth letter in the alphabet, making you L years old. Convienent. isn't it?" he asked as his other hand slowly went up to L's neck and gripped with all his strength. L coughed and tried to breathe, but he was paralyzed in the man's grip. Just when he felt the last bit of life left in him fade, he fell to the floor and heard, " Happy birthday, Lawli."
" What happened to him?"
" You were there, you know as much as me."
" I feel like this is all my fault."
" Don't blame everything on yourself. Besides, he's not going to die yet anyways."
" How are you so sure?"
"..."
Those voices, L thought. Is it...? He tried to get up, but relized that he didn't have much energy to do so. Alex looked up quickly. " Hey, Ryuzaki," he said, " he's waking up!" Beyond turned to face L in the hospital bed. " Ryuga..." his voice trailed. L looked up to see his friend. " Ryuzaki..." he said. "W-What happened? Where am I?" Beyond closed his eyes with relief. " Oh God, Ryuga. So you are alive. You're in the hospital. Do you remember? We were heading home, and then I don't know what happened after that. It's like someone wiped out memory of it. Next thing we know, we find you uncoincess with scars on your neck."
L didn't understand. How could they not remember? " The man..." he said. " What man?" Alex asked. L closed his eyes, trying desperately to remember. " H-He tried to kill me... he said... he said I ruined his life..." he struggled to make the words come out. " What?" Beyond said alarmed. " Did he tell you who he is? What did he look like? Ryuga, look at me and tell me."
L slowly opened his eyes and saw it. He thought his heart had skipped a beat. When he looked at Beyond's face, he saw the man that had tried to kill him. The same face, same hair, same skin. Though he knew that Beyond looked like him, he could tell that Beyond and the man had the same eyes. What did that mean? Was the man some sort of future version of Beyond? Was he going to become a murderer?
The nurse came in. " I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Alex sighed. " Aw. Alright, c'mon Ryuzaki," he said. Beyond went up to the nurse. " I'm sorry, but it's his birthday today, we're his only friends, and he needs company. I don't think you have the right to make us leave." he said calmly. The nurse shook her head, not liking to be back-talked by kids. " You have to leave," she said strictly. " No, we don't," Beyond said," If someone has to leave, it's you, because my friend here's not that fond of you're prensence. So, if you want to help heal your patient, I will have to kindly ask you to leave."
The nurse scowelled at Beyond but, none the less, left. L smiled to himself. No, that would never happen. Beyond would never let something like turning into a monster to him. Beyond was his friend, and nothing was gonna change that.