Chapter three:
The next day there is a major thunder storm making all kids have to rush inside from their early morning outdoors activities.
However one of the females don't come back in.
A few teachers and Rodger go out looking but there is no sign of Linda except for her art stuff she took outside to do some early morning landscaping.
Her art canvas stand is knocked over with her canvas damaged as if to show signs of struggle.
"They took Linda!" One of the teachers gasp as the realization sinks in.
Rodger turns to them. "Make sure none of the kids are alone right now!" He orders then the teachers rush back into the building. He watches them go then turns back to the stuff left behind from Linda's kidnapping. "What a headache relief." He mummers. "So annoying sometimes." He picks up Linda's stuff taking it inside.
The news of Linda's kidnapping quickly spreads like wildfire and it was sure that many more would be going missing but something was not expected.
A little later that day another child went missing, this time male…. Matt.
The boys left the common room as stated by Mello who saw him last then he suddenly went missing.
"They are picking up on the pace of the kidnappings." L says as soon as he gets the news. "This is not good. We need to move everyone in Whammy's house to a safer location until further notice." He informs Rodger.
"Yes sir." Rodger says then hangs up.
Light comes over to L. "Everything alright?" He asks, after all L had left the investigation room when he got the call.
L turns to the brunette. "It's just an update on another case I am working on." He says simply. "I didn't want to worry any of you with it especially since I can tell the Kira case is being very stressful right now."
"What is this case?" Light raises an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Just some kidnappings at an orphanage." L says. "Five kids have been taken and I just informed the orphanage to take the kids to a safer location until further notice. They should be safe while the hunt for the missing kids and the kidnappers is over. Now let's go back to work." He leads the way back into the room with Light following.
The orphanage is busy as everyone packs up some stuff to bring to the safer location and a few hours later everyone is almost ready to go when something terrifying happens.
Alison's body is found on the front step of the orphanage with a note.
Rodger rushes to the scene and looks to the note reading it out loud to himself and the teachers at the scene while the kids are ushered to another section of the orphanage. "You dare to move and I will kill every single orphan that is taken then hunt every single other orphan at your orphanage down till they all are dead." He reads then looks around but no signs of anything else out of place so he turns to the teachers. "Make sure no one sees this and we must contact L as soon as possible." He informs them.
They nod and rush off.
Rodger turns back to the scene and he takes a moment to think as he reaches into his pocket where a folded piece of paper is.
L gets a call from Rodger and he again leaves the room to answer it. "Is it done?" He asks as soon as he answers.
"There's a complication." Rodger says then he explains what happened.
L brings his thumb to rest on his bottom lip biting at the almost nonexistent nail as he hears this. He lets go of it to speak. "I see. Then we cannot risk the others being killed. I want you to make sure the security is top notch as best as you can get. I suspect there may be a leak from the inside. A seventy two percent chance."
"But everyone here had their background and personalities combed through to every last drop of it. Are you sure it's a leak?" Rodger asks.
"More than certain." L responds. "Make sure to record anything suspicious then report it to me as fast as possible. I also will be making sure someone will be able to examine the body to help us determine what exactly killed her as well as what the kidnappers are doing to them. Also we should put out missing posters and announcements. It may help us locate them if someone saw something." He says.
"I will make sure it is all done." Rodger says then the two hang up.
"Rodger!" A female teacher comes running over to him and he turns to her as he puts his cell into his pocket.
"What is it?" He asks her.
"The kidnappings are escalating!" She says in a clear voice even though she is slightly panting. "They took about six others while we were distracted with Alison's body."
"They are planning to get everyone in the orphanage." He says. "I want you to make sure the kids are where teachers are at all times. Make sure the teachers know who is coming in and out of the rooms they go to." He orders. "Also make sure there is a list of all taken so far on my desk."
She nods then dashes off to inform the others of the new orders.
Rodger turns to the sky. "What a beautiful sky. Not a cloud out there and this place is getting busier but quieter. Strange isn't it?" He looks to Alison's body. "Aren't I right?" He stares at the body for a moment longer then turns away and makes the front lobby off bounds until further notice.
Near goes into the library and manages to slip into the corner he goes to when hiding something. He sits down and opens his laptop going into the chat room.
'The kidnappings have escalated and there's rumors that one of the ones kidnapped were killed which made the front lobby off bounds. There's no way to confirm the rumors right now but it is highly likely.' N sends.
'That's it we are going to come to get you. This is way too dangerous.' S replies.
'Yes I agree.' R sends.
'I agree and maybe we can also help in the investigation. I will await your arrival.' N replies.
'We will be there by tomorrow afternoon.' R replies. 'Do be careful.'
'I will and you both be careful too.' N sends.
'We will. See you as soon as we get there.' S sends.
Near closes his laptop and takes it back to his room making sure to keep it hidden.
Rodger greets the man that came to investigate the body. "Right here." He leads the man to the crime scene.
The man examines the body for a moment. "It looks like this poor girl was tortured before she was killed." He says. "There are burn marks that look to be from electrocution. There are marks on her wrists showing she was tied up. I'll need to take her body in to get a better idea of how she died."
Rodger nods. "Right. Just make sure the scene is good and checked before moving the body. Then when you know anything inform me please." He informs the man then leaves heading back into the orphanage.
The rest of the day was uneventful and the missing posters were put up around town hopeful that someone saw something or knows something that may help.
The next day one other was taken during the night and those left in the orphanage are becoming a little scared, though Mello and Near want to help with the case even if Near isn't going to be staying at Whammy's for much longer anyways.
Near was walking down the hall at the time that is a little close to ten thirty.
He looks around at the place as he walks then stops when he hears something. He turns to Rodger's office and presses his ear against the door to Rodgers office. He listens making sure to keep an eye out for anyone who might spot him though it helps the orphanage is a little emptier than when all the kids that were taken were in the orphanage.
"Our next target is Mello." Rodgers voice, though slightly muffled by the door, says. "We are getting close to our goal of having all the orphans here then we can work to our next goal. Testing them until they die just like Alison did."
Near couldn't mistake the words and he silently gasps.
Rodger, the man who was the most concerned and worried about the disappearances, is actually working with the kidnappers. He was the one who was the most concerned about every child but Near's instincts were right when he felt that something was off about Rodger.
Near moves away from the door and he knows he needs to warn Mello. He turns and walks down the hall quickly turning around when a door opens. He makes sure he looks normal and walks back towards Rodgers office as the man steps out.
Rodger turns to Near as he passes. "Ah hello there Near." He greets. "Where are you headed?"
Near pauses and turns to the man. "Back to my room." He answers simply. "How is the investigation going?"
"We are doing our best." Rodger says simply.
"As expected. So I am guessing you have no leads." Near replies.
Rodger raises an eyebrow. "You are more interested in the case then I thought you would." He says.
"Is that a problem?" Near asks.
"Not at all." Rodger shakes his head. "Well don't worry. It's all under control. We are investigating at the top speeds possible."
Near shrugs and walks away but can feel Rodger watching him go as he heads towards the room. He is out of Rodgers sight and he moves down the hall he spots Mello coming out of the blonde's own room. "Mello." He goes over to the blonde who turns to him.
"What is it twit?" Mello growls.
"You need to be careful. I overheard a conversation saying that you are next on the list." Near informs Mello.
"Oh really?" Mello raises an eyebrow.
Near nods.
"And who was this person who has the list?" The blonde demands.
Suddenly Rodger comes into view and heads to the most recently kidnapped persons room.
"Can we talk somewhere more private?" Near asks quietly.
"And how am I sure I can trust you?" Mello questions.
"You can Mello. I am telling the truth." Near informs the other.
Rodger exits the room then comes over to them. "Is everything alright?" He questions.
"Just fine Rodger. Was just sharing some thoughts on the case with Mello." Near answers as if it is nothing.
Mello's eyes careful watch the two for a moment to confirm his suspicions. "Right. But whatever. I can figure this out on my own and I don't need some twit helping me." He leaves with that.
Rodger blinks. "Alright then. Have a nice rest of the day Near and please be careful because we don't know who is next."
"I will." Near says then heads into his room.
Rodger leaves and pulls out his cell. "That brat is up to something." He says under his breath and he quickly slips into another room to make a call.
A little later Mello heads back towards the rooms, he wants to confirm something with Near as the pale boy seems to have heard something that can be useful in helping with the case.
He notices Near's door is open and he peers inside since the door is never left open more than a fraction in both cases if Near is in or out of his room.
Near's desk chair is knocked over and a dice tower that is on the floor is knocked over with some of it still standing.
Also there is a few spots of blood like Near was hurt.
The realization hits Mello like a ton of bricks.
Near was taken!