No, I'm not dead. I've been super busy with works (yes in plural). Welcome back to North America E!! Enjoy the new chapter.
Chapter 7
A week later I was discharged from the hospital on strict bed rest and a sworn promise to take it easy. Of course, I told them that I would, so long as there were no more old ladies that needed saving. The nurses laughed as they pushed my wheelchair out the main doors.
The man named Ryuzaki provided a car, so I didn't have to take the subway home. He didn't have to be so kind; I mean I didn't know him. Plus, now it felt like I owed him. I hated owing people. He kept staring at me the entire time. Did I have something stuck to my face? I squelched the urge to verify.
My family greeted me with open arms. I was thankful to be home. Don't get me wrong, the hospital staff was great, they treated me well—after all, I was a hero. I saved someone with no consequence of my own welfare. That in itself called for star treatment.
Without so much as a goodbye or a thank you to the strange man that brought me home, my family ushered me up to my room for some "rest." I had just had my fill of rest, but if it would remove me from the man's intense eyes burning holes into my skull, I was forever grateful.
My room was quiet and uneventful. There were no machines bussing, no scurried feet (of what sounded like rats) on a tiled floor, no thin sheets leaving nothing to the imagination, no lights that shone directly into my face at all hours of the day and night. My room was definitely uneventful.
Oh yes, it was good to be home.
I undressed into something more comfortable and laid myself gently on the soft mattress. I groaned in delight as my body sunk down into the perfect bed. This was now the number one reason to be home: a large soft bed that could fit three of me easily. It didn't take me long to find the sweet spot. This was probably what heaven felt like.
Rolling over, I reached into the jacket pocket and flipped open the cellular phone and turned it on. Being in the hospital for a week meant my phone was inaccessible. I could have gone somewhere to turn it on and check for messages, but I didn't know who would call. Instead of getting my hopes up and being let down, I kept it off.
Now there was not a reason to keep it off. The screen slowly came to life. Briefly, I saw my background picture before an envelope popped up indicating I had unheard messages. One hundred and sixty four to be precise. I wasn't even sure if my phone could hold that many, but I guess I was proven wrong.
The first four messages were nothing but breathing on the other end of the line. The next was a message from Ryuzaki followed by a few more breathing on the other end. By message number 53 it was either Ryuzaki or just breathing on the other end. I knew I should just erase them all, but what if I erased them all and there was something, a clue, to my past memories.
So, deciding not to chance fate, I listened to each and every one of the messages. Three hours later, I was finally done listening to them. I wished now I had just deleted them and saved myself the trouble. That was the thing with hindsight; it was always right on the money.
I sighed and closed the face, tossing the phone to my side. Not even three seconds later, a loud noise came from the phone. I looked at the screen and noticed it was Ryuzaki's number—again.
"Hello?" I answered not sure as to how I usually answered it.
"You should have returned my phone call the moment you turned on your phone."
I sighed and sunk further into the mattress. "I just finished listening to all the messages, and I would have called you back but you called first." I answered. I had no clue what the man could want.
I felt bad for him, I guess. I would feel bad too if someone lost all memory of me. I wasn't too sure if he was a friend or an acquaintance. Granted acquaintances don't call over a hundred times. So what was this man to me?
The guy still continued to say nothing over the phone. "Ryuzaki-san, I should let you go if you have nothing to say. I'm actually kind of tired and I dislike wasting air time." I knew I didn't like to hear nothing but heavy silence over the phone. At least that part was familiar. You say what you have to say then get off the phone. It was a simple concept.
"Please Raito-kun," His voice seemed almost pathetic…child-like. "Talk to me for a little while longer. Tell me that everything that's happened has been nothing but a bad dream. Tell me that you really do remember me."
The voice on the other end seemed distant and heart broken. Part of me felt pleased, while the other part felt almost sorry for him. "I'm sorry Ryuzaki-san. I don't remember you." Maybe that was a little too blunt, but I didn't want to beat around the bush.
A dejected sigh was released on the other end. "Alright then, have a good night." A soft click was heard followed by a dial tone. I gently closed the face of the cell phone and placed it back beside me. I moved wrong and felt a sharp stabbing pain run down my side. Sad to say, this pain was all too real. I too wished that everything were nothing but a nightmare.
I closed my eyes and felt my body slowly relax as sleep took hold. I awoke three hours later to find myself covered in a thick sheen of sweat. My chest heaved as I gasped for air. My heart thundered and pounded against my ribcage.
'What the hell was that?' I demanded to myself. The dream I has was so vivid and alive, I could literally taste it, and it wasn't because of the copper taste in my mouth. Somehow I had bit the inside of my cheek and now it was slightly bleeding.
At first, all I could see were glowing red eyes. If I was an artist, I could have covered the entire canvas with these soul-stealing eyes. They were foreign and yet so familiar. It was almost as if I had seen them before. How could that be? No human—or even animal had eyes like that. What could it mean?
Those eyes pierced my very soul as if it could see all of me; read my most inner thoughts, and I was shaken by this. I didn't like this feeling one bit. I was on edge because of this. I almost jumped at the shadows on the wall. I sighed in frustration. This was ludicrous, I wasn't afraid of anything—I think.
There was no chance now of me going back to sleep. I could turn on the television, but it was the middle of the night and there would be nothing to watch but infomercials. That didn't appeal to me one bit. No one needed a new toaster or a fake diamond ring at three in the morning.
Instead, I opted for a cool glass of water. Quietly, and ever so slowly, I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I opened the cupboard and took out a glass. Suddenly, I realized something. A year ago mother had moved the glasses because of a slight tremor that broke several of them. She was upset because the ones that broke were her favorites.
Why could I remember something so useless as this, but I couldn't remember this Ryuzaki person? What was my mind trying to hide from me? I wondered if it had anything to do with that Kira case they were talking about.
At first they thought it was a joke because I had needed my rest and just wanted to get out of it. But when I didn't jump up and shout 'just kidding' they knew I was serious.
Ryuzaki kept staring at me—trying to figure something out. I didn't know what he could have been thinking, so I just left him be. The two men made light talk over facts and ideas before the subject was forgotten. I tried asking a few general questions about the investigation but I was turned down and told to rest.
During my week's stay at the hospital, I was only able to discover that Ryuzaki was the lead detective on the Kira case. He was supposedly some famous detective named L. By the way he was dressed I wouldn't have believed it had it not come from my father.
He also informed me that I helped out with the case. I tried to learn more, but I was shot down every time. Everything was always 'later'. 'We'll talk about this later.' or 'Later, when you start to remember.'
It was infuriating but somehow I managed.
All this got me thinking, did I know something about the Kira case that they didn't? I scoffed at the thought. Of course I wouldn't. I would never withhold information. I supposedly helped the investigation; I would not hinder it.
I groaned in frustration. I knew to take it easy on myself. The doctors said that my memory would come back with time. It had only been a week. I knew better than to get frustrated at myself, but I couldn't help it.
I was missing a whole chunk of my recent life, and it was getting to me. I set the empty glass in the sink and went back into my room. I flipped on the light switch and went over to my bookcase and pulled out a rack from the bottom.
Pulling out the magazine, I noticed the date. This one was dated two months ago. It was a nude magazine. Funny, I couldn't remember my past but I could remember the article on toxic treatment. I even knew it was on page 37. My brain had some serious issues. I let out a quiet laugh at the insanity of it all.
I continued to flip through the magazines. They were all less than two years old. I flipped the cover and stared at the partially naked females before me. I had half expected my body to react at the sight, but it did nothing for me. Semi-naked females and not an ounce of a hard on…?
Did this mean I was impotent? No…I couldn't be, could I? I decided to find out for myself. I hurried over and locked my bedroom door. I returned to my seated position and leaned against my bed. My back was braced by the box spring and mattress as I pumped my limp member a few times and watched as it started to harden.
Scratch that theory. I wasn't impotent. I cast that theory aside as I rearranged my pants. It was a slight relief to know I had working parts. Was I gay? No, I couldn't be. Could I? Then it hit me. Is that why Ryuzaki kept calling me? Were we lovers? Did we have sex? My mind whirled and I started to gag. The thought of the two of us together … that way… My throat started to close; I started to dry heave. 'Breath Raito, just breath.' I tried to calm myself and failing.
It wasn't possible. I couldn't even imagine the two of us together, there was no way we could ever be intimate. Slowly, I was able to regain my breath. I put away all the magazines. So I was officially back at step one. No, make that minus step one. I was now faced with the small-to-none chance that we were intimate. I was officially sickened by the thought.
I was no closer to where I wanted to be. The only things that theory got me were scarring mental images and the feeling I would not want to eat for a week. I decided I would rather have the dreams than the mental pictures. At least I knew for sure that dreams like those red eyes weren't real.
Unlocking my door and turning off the light, I crawled back into bed. I had more than enough excitement for one night. The dreams started as soon as my eyes drifted close.
Red, murderous eyes cackling in delight over my plight. "Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" I shouted at the monster before me. White jagged teeth smiled, showing me a horrid sight. A thin, crooked finger pointed off to my left. I turned and looked towards the direction he was showing.
Everything was bright, too bright for me to see. I covered my eyes to shield them, or I would have been blinded by brightness. Suddenly everything was dark again. I screamed, startled by the figure before me. I wanted to jump back, be away from him but my feet were rooted to the floor. I struggled but I still couldn't move. He was cloaked all in black. His face was hidden behind his hood. His hand snaked out to open the cape to reveal a pair of ratty jeans and a soiled white t-shirt.
I knew that ensemble from somewhere. It took a second before it clicked. It was Ryuzaki-san's. I called out his name. His left hand tossed back his hood to reveal himself. As the cape fell, a sickle started to grow and curve. His eyes darkened and a slight smile—no, smirk was plastered on his face.
"What does this mean? Why are you the Grim Reaper? What do you want with me? I'm sorry I don't remember you, okay?"
He raised his right hand and the sickle stretched backwards. As the sickle came back around, I screamed as I caught my own image in the sharp blade.
My eyes flashed open, darting around looking for the Grim Reaper. My silent scream was lodged in my throat. My hands flew to my neck. I was alive. I checked my hands to see if there was blood. It was clean. I was alive. I looked over and checked the time. It was already mid-day. This was a good thing, because there was no possible way that I was going back to sleep.
One nightmare was enough, but two…
What did it mean? Was my dream supposed to be a warning? If so, a warning about what? I needed to get out of my room. I needed to think. I got a change of clothing and made my way to the bathroom.
After my shower, I made my way downstairs. Mom was in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast dishes.
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" She asked the moment I sat in my seat.
"Thank you. I would." I replied as I picked up the paper and turned it to the financial page. The cup of coffee was placed in front of me.
"Oh, have you already read the front page about Kira?"
Partially confused, I looked up from behind the paper. I closed it and looked at the front page. KIRA AVENGES AGAIN. "Why would I be interested in this Kira person?" If no one would tell me, I could always play ignorant and say I didn't know.
Well, I technically wasn't lying to my mother; I didn't know who or what this Kira person was or is…
Since no one was supplying me with the answers I needed I felt I should set up the information session. I wasn't too sure how helpful my mother would be on an on-going police investigation, since my father never liked discussing work at home…but I was about to find out how much she really knew.
My mother's eyes seemed to widen. "You really don't remember anything about Kira?"
"You're the third person to ask me that. Is this Kira thing a big deal?" I placed the paper off to the side and picked up my cup of coffee and sipped its hot liquid. I watched her eyes as they widened for a split second before she coughed and used that time to school herself.
"I don't know much. I do know that you've shown an interest in Kira and you are aiding the investigation by keeping your eyes and ears open while you are going to University. Although, that's what your father has told me. I suspect you are more involved with the case than just that." She caught my questioning look and responded, "I am married to your father after all. I wouldn't be much of a policeman's wife and mother if I too didn't read between the lines."
Sometimes my mother amazed me. "What else do you suspect?" I was curious now.
"Well, I don't know. I can only give information on what I'm somewhat certain of. Oh, and Raito, please don't tell your father that I know. I think it'll only cause him more worry than necessary."
I watched in amazement as she turned around and went back to her cleaning.
So I was somehow involved with this Kira case. Then if I was aiding them, then that could be why I was shown all that information at the hospital. This was all starting to seem like an amusing puzzle left for me to put together.
I finished my coffee and grabbed an apple from the basket. I wasn't hungry for an apple…so why did I take it? I looked at the piece of fruit like it would tell me the secrets to my locked mind. It was preposterous but I figured having the apple near me would give me some sort of indication.
Since an apple couldn't talk, I knew one person who could. I went back into my room and picked up the mobile phone. He picked up on the first ring. "Do you remember anything?"
Not even a hello to begin the conversation. "I don't know. I had an interesting dream that I would like to share with you. Maybe you can shed some light on its meaning."
"Come down to the head quarters and we can discuss it here."
"Sure. That won't be a problem."
"Be here as soon as you can."
It felt like I was being ushered off the phone. "Wait." I called out hoping he hadn't hung up yet.
"What is it Yagami-kun?"
"Umm, where exactly is headquarters?" The other end seemed to go dead.
"Watari will be there in an hour to pick you up. Don't keep him waiting." This time the line went dead.
I had an hour to get ready which wasn't the problem. The problem I had was who the hell was Watari? How could I not keep him waiting if I didn't know what he looked like?
I felt this was going to be a long day.
A long day was right. I assumed right in picking out "Watari." I was early and he was the only one standing next to a car in front of my house. The trip was silent and uneventful.
However, once I reached to hotel, which I discovered was headquarters, I was bombarded by questions. Some faces I recognized from past cases and some faces were new to me. They mostly wanted to whom I remembered and what I remembered. For some reason I got the impression I was a main part of this investigation.
I watched Ryuzaki out of the corner of my eye. For some reason he seemed almost pained that I could remember some names and not his. I mentally shrugged. I couldn't help it if his name was one I couldn't remember.
The one Ryuzaki called Watari offered me a cup of coffee which I gratefully accepted. Soon after the chaos died down and I was able to speak.
"I had an interesting dream." The team gathered around me to listen. "You, Ryuzaki-san, were the Grim Reaper trying to kill me. You stood with your sickle raised for the kill and tried to slice off my head without so much as letting me speak my defense."
"Then what happened Raito-kun?" Ryuzaki licked the icing off his fork before cutting off another piece and placing it into his mouth.
"Should anything else happen? You were trying to kill me. Why would you want to kill me?"
"I don't think I was trying to kill you. I was probably trying to kill the other you."
"Other me?" He had just confused the hell out of me.
"Yes, Raito-kun. The you that is Kira."
"Ryuzk—" My father interjected.
"Kira? What the hell does that mean?" I cut my father off. I could feel my blood pressure rising.
"Your dream means that you are Kira and I am here to see that justice is done to you." Ryuzaki calmly took a sip of this sugared tea.
My eyes slanted in rage. "If I was this Kira person I would already turned myself in. I know for a fact that I am not a murderer."
"Then tell me Raito-kun, what does your dream mean?" I wanted to wipe the slight smirk off his face.
I took a deep breath. I could feel my insides scream from the pressure I was putting on them. I schooled my features. I was furious with this man but I felt this inane urge to remain calm. "I believe my dream meant that you are Kira. You were the grip reaper." I held out my left hand, "Kira is a killer." I held out my right hand to balance the two ideas. "It wouldn't be that far of a stretch."
"Then why would I be head of the investigation team trying to take him down?" Ryuzaki gave me a look.
I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee before putting it back onto the coffee table. I watched as he generously plunked several sugar cubes into my now wasted cup of coffee. "I've heard of serial killers being in charge of their own case. This wouldn't be any different."
"But I am not Kira, you are. I just need the evidence to prove it." He brushed me off and devoured a chocolate truffle.
I could feel the vein in my temple throb. This man was infuriating and I wasn't going to take anymore of it. I wanted to know what I was missing from my memory loss, but if it had anything to do with him then I was satisfied not knowing.
I knew deep down there was a reason why my mind wanted me to forget. Now I figured out why. This man—no, this beast was a jackass. "Very well then Ryuzaki." I stood from my seat. "You can find all the non-existent evidence you want on me. However, I will not be here to help you find any of it."
I walked toward the hotel door and opened it. "Hurry up and come back. There are matters I need to discuss with you."
I gave the detective a heated smirk. "Oh, I don't think you understand Ryuzaki. I don't plan on coming back." The room was silent as the heavy oak door closed on its own behind me.
