In the previous chapter, Mello not only realized who that man had been, but received a message from the villain himself. Through this message, Vince informed Mello to keep his eyes open and be ready for their future encounter. Because Vince is ahead of the game, he could easily keep tabs on Mello. Now that L and the boys have no choice but to move and regroup, will it change up Vince's plans? No, not necessarily... He did make himself known on purpose, after all. It is "The Beginning of the End", in Vince's mind. Though, you have to wonder, what is Vince's idea of the 'end'?

Before I move on with the story, I want to, again, thank those who have chosen to click on this story and even review it positively. Thank you all, so much!

Without further delay, here is the ninth chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Death Note" or any of its characters.

Chapter 9

Fear

Arrangements were made, that very night, for L and his sons to completely leave the premises of their temporary apartment, in Wilshire Boulevard. L partially explained why they had to move to a select few agents in L.A. Those agents, under L's orders, escorted them to a new, slightly larger apartment complex (it contained four floors, rather than two), ironically located in Santa Monica and agreed to keep a watchful eye out for anyone who resembled Mello's description of Vince: a man who was, most possibly, in his mid to late thirties, around five feet and nine to ten inches tall, was slim, had white skin, and semi-long black hair, with a line of grey running through the front.

It was a very specific list of physical characteristics, but Mello, as well as the rest of his family, was incredibly certain that Vince would not be so stupid as to show himself around their new, temporary abode. That is 'if' he knew where they were. If he did know, which L strongly considered, than he may slip up and reveal himself. Vince was a multifarious man of many schemes and had been able to keep himself invisible within the crimes committed (As in, no evidence could still be found; not even the note Vince sent had fingerprints on it). L knew how hard all of the different investigation teams of L.A. were working on these multiple cases, but there was really nothing more that could be done. They could keep searching, if they wanted to, but L was already certain that the results of every investigation would turn out with the same results: nothing. He didn't like the approach he would have to use here, but all he could really do was monitor anything he could through video surveillance, around their new apartment. He had microscopic cameras placed around every opening he could possibly think of; he didn't want there to be a single blind spot.

The great detective was not about to lose, even though the situation was not in his favor. He would keep thinking of more ways he could out-think this guy and keep the secret agents that he, himself, had selected ready on any kind of alert. Even though this whole situation made him uneasy, L was mentally prepared for anything this Vince may try to dish out. He was not going to lose something as precious as his sons' lives to this maniacal man.

Secluded within an abandoned warehouse, Vince sat in front of a computerized screen and wildly grinned at what he saw. On the screen was a complete GPS tracker system, and what Vince viewed was two, moving, red and blue arrows that simultaneously traveled from Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica.

Before Vince had thrown the rock through Mihael's window (he knew which window to throw it in, for he had spied on the residence a few days beforehand), he had skillfully and quietly slipped into the apartment's small garage. Though guarded surprisingly well—with security systems and arrangements that Vince did not expect of a few, teenage boys—getting inside was mere child's play, for him. His hacking abilities were practically perfect, after all. Once inside, he attached two, miniature trackers on the motorcycle and car he had seen a few days previous. He was sure to quickly, and securely, hide them well. From doing that, he could now figure out where Mihael and his brothers would be living and have the ability to follow them whenever he could. However, at the moment, Vince, nor Adem, would be making any advances towards any of their targets, just yet. First, Vince had to discover how he would and could get to them. He was certain that their guards would be completely up, this time around.

He smirked, thinking about how much enjoyment his plans for the future were going to give him. He even wondered if Mihael, himself, was sweating from the fear of waiting or not. Regardless of whatever Mihael was thinking, now, Vince knew the turnout would be fun and satisfying…

"No… Don't… D-Don't shoot… Stop!"

Mello bolted upright, in his bed. Hyperventilating, he looked to the left and then right of his room. It was dark, empty, and quiet… He fell back onto his pillow, breathing out a sigh of relief.

The nightmare felt so real. Vince had broken into their apartment… and mercilessly killed L, right in front of him. With the sound of one gunshot, L had fallen to the floor. The bullet Vince fired had successfully driven itself into the ebony haired detective's chest. A spray of blood splashed onto Mello's shirt, some of it marking his face and hair, and he had dropped to his knees. Mello dared to look at his father, seeing that a pool of crimson had already begun to form underneath the fallen, unmoving man…

Mello quivered lightly and tightly squeezed his eyes shut, trying to forget that horrible image. He knew that scene had obviously represented his parents' murders, but did it have to be so crystal clear?

What happened next in the nightmare was equally as frightening. Matt and Near then appeared and saw the cruel scene of their father's murder lying before them. Near slumped to the floor, beside Mello's distraught, kneeling form. His expression had been filled with the utmost shock. Matt, who was shaking from the sudden daze and rage of it all, unconsciously took a step towards Vince. Mello began to tell his brother to get back, but it was too late. Vince, with no hesitation, shot Matt down with a single bullet to his heart.

Mello had watched in mute horror as the brunette collapsed to the carpeted floor, flat on his back, and did not move again. Near let out a stunned gasp of terror; his eyes were wide and fearful. Mello gritted his teeth together, clenching his eyes shut from the obscene sight in front of him and his last, surviving brother. He began to hear footsteps approach them. Mello looked up and hatefully glared into Vince's murky, cold eyes.

Mello cursed Vince and swore that he would make him regret ever coming here and killing his family again. Vince only smirked and let out a baleful chuckle. He then said, to Mello's realized horror, "One remains."

Mello knew Vince was talking about Near. Mello, who was trying to regain feeling into his numb body, threw himself in front of his shivering, younger brother. Vince laughed nastily at Mello's action. He fully kicked the blond out of the way. Mello tumbled a few, short feet to the side. He scrambled to his feet and attempted to punch Vince's face. Vince thwarted the action by smacking Mello's jaw with his pistol. Mello's head snapped to the side, and he found himself falling to the floor. He hit the floor with a thud, and his vision temporarily weakened. He was in a daze, but soon snapped out of it when he heard the light huff of Near's scared gasp.

Mello turned his head all of the way around. Vince was halfway knelt to the floor. One of his arms was encircled around Near's throat, and he held the boy very closely to his body. His free hand was holding the gun up against the right side of Near's head.

Mello's eyes widened into a flustered expression, at seeing Near's petrified face. "No… Don't," he pleaded, as he slowly began to move towards them.

Vince evilly grinned and pressed the gun even harder against Near's head. Near outwardly flinched at this. Mello saw what was gearing towards happening and stopped moving. He didn't know what to do; his emotions were completely overwhelmed! He couldn't just sit there and allow Vince to kill the remaining person of his family! He couldn't bear to go through it all again. He hoped Vince would make a deal with him, and let Near live… Vince began to put pressure on the pistol's trigger.

Mello, hearing the unsettling click of the trigger, lunged forward. "D-Don't shoot!"

Vince then removed his fortified arm away from Near's head and swiftly knocked Mello in his ribs. Mello toppled over, once again, and fell on his right side. He held his midsection and stared up into the eyes of his doe-eyed brother. The gun was pressed against Near's temple again, and the trigger was about to be pulled. Mello turned his gaze towards Vince. The man's eyes were malicious and full of the intent to kill. The trigger was clicking closer and closer towards another death.

"Stop!" Mello futilely yelled, reaching up towards Vince's arm… Blood splatter was the final thing Mello saw within the twisted delusion, before waking up.

Mello was trying to settle down, but his body was trapped inside of a current state of fear. He couldn't stop shaking at those realistic images, which had been portrayed so ruthlessly before him. He didn't want to admit it, not even to himself, but he was afraid. He was truly afraid of Vince's capability to kill so easily.

It had only been two days since he and his family had moved into this new, temporary apartment, and tonight was the first time he had allowed himself to truly fall asleep in days. Mello knew he was paranoid, always feeling that Vince was lurking nearby… He did not necessarily fear for his own life to be taken, by Vince, however. He was more afraid of the idea of losing anyone in his family. If Vince really had taken any of their lives… he didn't know what he would do.

After quietly lying in his room's dark atmosphere, all the while trying to settle his overly beating heart, Mello looked at his alarm clock's red, glowing time depiction. 2:47 A.M… It's early, but I know I'm not going back to sleep.

He took a deep breath, sat up in his bed, and rubbed his right hand across his eyes. He looked at his room's window, remembering what had happened two days previous. He was on a higher floor than he had been in the old apartment, so it didn't seem very likely that another rock would hurl its way into his room. Unless Vince has a good throwing arm… but, then he wondered… Does Vince know where I am? Vince knew where they lived, before. Everyone knew that Vince had seen Mello, and most possibly Near and Matt, and followed him home somehow. If he knew or not, at this moment, it didn't really matter; Mello knew Vince would carry out the words that he had written onto that note—that he would see him very soon… and to be 'prepared'. Again, the thought of that message gave Mello a feeling of nervousness.

No, I won't give into my nerves anymore, he told himself. I shouldn't worry, if I already know he'll cross paths with me… That doesn't make any of this better.

Mello shook his head, threw back his bed's covers, and got out of the bed. He stood up, glancing at the window once more, and walked towards the room's door. He silently opened the room's door and stepped out into the hallway. It was certainly wider than the one in their previous apartment. His room was at the very end of the corridor, and, to the left, there was a small staircase that would bring him a floor down, to the third floor, and then the kitchen area.

He began to walk down the hallway, regrettably feeling like a small child who was afraid of monsters in the dark. Mello sped up his pace a tiny bit, gliding past Matt's and Near's closed-door rooms, and to the staircase. He quickly walked down them, careful not to make any noise. L was, more than likely, still awake and he didn't want to disturb him either.

Soon enough, Mello's bare feet touched the bottom of the stairs. To his right, there was a small den and on his left was the kitchen's entrance. He walked into the kitchen's dim atmosphere and headed over towards the refrigerator. He opened its lower door, allowing for the comforting, refrigerator light to brighten a small portion of the room.

This is so stupid, thought Mello, as he reached into the chilled, storage compartment and grabbed one of his chocolate bars. I'm never this uptight, and I shouldn't be! Am I really going to let a silly thing like paranoia beat me? He ripped off the upper half of his chocolate bar's wrapper and took a frustrated bite out of the candy. Pathetic…

He closed the refrigerator, darkening the area once again. Mello turned around, to go back to his room, but walked right into someone else. He choked on his chocolate, gasping, as he slammed himself back into the refrigerator's door. Before he could shout about there being an intruder, the other person quickly spoke up.

"Whoa, Mels, it's me!"

"M-Matt?" Mello coughed, his heart beat's loud thump sounding in his ears. "What... W-What are you doing up?"

"I came down to get some water," he answered. "You seem… tense."

"Tense?" Mello questioned, taking a step away from the refrigerator. He hoped his tone didn't sound uneasy. "Why would you say that? You just startled me, that's all."

"… Mels, you're a terrible liar," Matt said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You've been snuck up on before, like this, and never reacted like that. Are you okay?" He had wanted to ask if Mello was afraid, but he really didn't want to harm his brother's pride. Mello had not been acting like himself, and with good reason, ever since Shawn's death and Vince's freaky message. He wouldn't be surprised that even someone like Mello could have pent up fear.

"Yeah, Matt," Mello mordantly answered, "I'm fine, okay?" He began to leave again, desperately wanting to get out of there. He was embarrassed that Matt had to witness him acting so abnormally.

"Mello, come on, you can talk about it," Matt said, following the blond.

"Matt," Mello sounded irritable, "please, there's nothing to talk about."

"Again, you're lying."

Mello, who had reached the staircase, scoffed in response. He continued to go up the steps and did not turn around.

"Mels, come on," Matt tried again. "You never talk about what you're afraid of!" He instantly knew, afterwards, that that had been the wrong thing to say.

Mello ceased his moving and rotated his head around to give Matt a cutting gaze. It wasn't like Matt could clearly see his expression in the dark, but he could undoubtedly feel the cold glare radiating off of his brother.

"Matt," Mello lowly, and sharply, began, "that's enough. I am not scared, end of story. Go back to bed. This conversation is over." Without allowing Matt to say another word, Mello hastily walked up the remainder of stairs and disappeared.

Matt looked up towards the dark corridor, unmoving, and sighed. "Mello… I'm worried about you."

After walking back to the third floor, Matt stopped in front of Near's room door. Maybe the both of them could get Mello to admit his problems, like the troubled soul he was. In true basics, Matt didn't want for Mello to do something crazy. He was absolutely positive that Mello wanted nothing more than to wring Vince's neck, but, no matter how much he denied it, it was obvious that Mello was afraid. Afraid for the future, afraid of Vince and what he might do to him… Whatever Mello was specifically afraid of, Matt wasn't entirely sure of, but he wanted to try to get Mello to calm down about it. Mello's an extremely proud, emotive person; I doubt he'll talk about this so easily.

Matt quietly opened the door to Near's room. It was dark, and Near seemed to be asleep in his bed. His back was facing him. Matt walked all of the way in, avoiding the dice tower on the floor, and directed himself towards Near's bed. Before the brunette laid his hand on the younger boy's upturned shoulder, Near alertly said, "Matt."

Matt jumped slightly, startled by Near's sudden acknowledgement. "H-How did you know it was me?"

"Mello and L both have very different walking patterns, apart from yours," he aphetically replied, pushing himself up into a sitting position.

"Oh… okay," Matt responded, impressed with that answer. He never really thought to do that. "Did you just happen to wake up, or something?"

"No," Near answered, "I've been awake all night."

"Really? Why?"

"… I was thinking about Mello."

"Huh… That makes two of us," Matt told him.

Near finally made eye contact with his older brother. "Do you know?"

Matt tilted his head slightly. "Know? Know what?"

"That he's afraid."

Matt's eyebrows rose a little. "Oh… Yeah, and I shouldn't be surprised that you noticed. Mello's been so… different. I mean, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why that is, according to the past week's events, but I've never seen him so jumpy before."

"Jumpy?" Near questioningly repeated.

"Yeah," Matt said, "I ran into him, in the kitchen just now, and he really freaked out. I can understand anyone getting startled by literally running into someone else in the dark, but his reaction was so weird."

"What was strange about it?" Near asked, intrigued to know.

"Well, whenever something like that happened before," Matt began to explain, "Mello always reacted the same—very little shock, and an occasional punch to the shoulder," he shrugged at saying those words and rolled his eyes very briefly. "Anyway, tonight, when it happened, he jumped back, rammed into the refrigerator, and choked… I know it sounds stupid, but it just wasn't like him at all."

Near silently pondered on that, internally agreeing with Matt. To him, Mello's reactions were absolutely created from fearful nerves.

"I tried to ask him about it," Matt continued, "but he wouldn't have it. He got mad at me and went back to his room."

"And you're thinking that, if we go there together, we might be able to console him," Near presumed.

"Well… yeah," Matt said, immediately feeling a little dim-witted for thinking about this idea. "I know it probably sounds stupid, but… I just don't want him to worry himself to death, or do something crazy."

"… It isn't as stupid as you think," Near told him. "I have been thinking of this myself, and if we leave things the way they are, now..." his voice softened a little, "I don't think Mello will make it."

"Won't… make it?" Matt repeated aloud. Does he think Mello's going to… Oh, no.

"What I mean is," Near began again, "if Mello doesn't settle down, his nerves are going to get the better of him. I fear that he will either succumb to them, or act out impulsively—possibly the latter. Either way, if he keeps up with whatever he's feeling now, whether it is of guilt or fear… his life could be snuffed out, far too soon."

Matt exhaled, silently and slowly, and nodded. "You're right… I feel the same," he crossed his arms, feeling a tiny wave of chills sweeping through him. "That's… a little scary."

"It is," Near evenly responded, as he got out of his bed, and placed his socked feet on the floor. "We should try to prevent as much damage as we can. I'm already sure, as well as I'm sure Mello knows too, that Vince will find a way to sneak into our safety zone. Still, whatever happens, we will need to be as steadfast as possible… and, sadly, as Vince had written, Mello will need to be prepared for it, no matter what."

Matt swallowed lightly and nodded once. "That's right, but… do you think Mello will listen to what we have to say?"

"Who knows?" Near stated with a small shrug. "All we can do is play a part within his subconscious and try to get him to calm down. He'll deny his fear, no doubt, but if we can manage to plant one seed-"

"It'll take root, and he'll be more likely to think rationally," Matt finished the younger boy's sentence.

"Precisely," Near answered. "If we can do that, than there will be less to worry about. Now, let's go to Mello."

In this chapter, it demonstrates how the awareness of Vince is taking a clear toll on Mello's nerves. He has a strong fear of Vince and does not want to believe that he could be so emotionally vulnerable. That is why he snapped at Matt, because he had been embarrassed to reveal any weakness at all. Poor Mello... and what Near said, about Mello's life possibly ending too soon, is the fear he and Matt both share, for Mello's sake. They are truly concerned for Mello, more than anything else. This entire chapter demonstrates all of their fears, with Mello's being the most stressed.

I hope this chapter was enjoyed and was written well. I truly wanted for that brief nightmare sequence to make an impact on the chapter and more, especially.

I will try to get the next chapter up more quickly than this.

Thank you, for reading.