A.N.

Thank you for all the reviews! It's been a while since this has been updated, but since I'm on half term I'm attempting to update every single story this week (Don't hold me to this though, I will try.)

So, to the story, onwards!

Disclaimer: We do not own Death Note

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-Ambyr

Matt

My fingers traced the blistered flesh of my thigh in disgust. The skin had bubbled and was secreting pus down my leg as Mello didn't allow me to go to the bathroom to clean it. It was agonising and hot to the touch, as if the metal was still firmly pressed into my skin. I could hear the sizzle of my flesh as it melted under the scorching heat and boiled into the shape of the brand. My finger brushed the skin where a crack had formed. It reminded me of the crack in Master's wooden bookcase. A heavy thing made entirely of oak which had splintered when he shoved it on top of one of his new recruits. The man shattered his ribs under the weight and his screams of agony didn't make Master's eyelids so much as flicker. Instead he hit him on the head with the metal ball on the top of his cane and told him to silence his damn tongue.

He did it to at least one person when a new batch of people came in, to instill fear and make sure no one tried to back stab him. Even though I had seen him do this at least ten times I still flinched when the bookcase fell down and flattened the person underneath it. I was pretty sure Blonde could do the same thing as Master. He didn't even flinched when I screamed.

My lungs had been aching since then, still grateful for the abundant oxygen which made them throb in nauseating pleasure. In fact my whole body ached, from the holes in my lips to the small grazes on my feet where I stepped on pointy rocks when Blonde had dragged me to the base. My lower lip trembled slightly as I clenched my fists, leaving marks on the filthy whorls of my palms. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes as I struggled to keep my breathing even. I wouldn't cry. Not because of him, I could deal with this, I'd had worse before, this was nothing and yet tears leaked silently down my face.

I scrubbed at my eyes in secret as Blonde monitored his computer. I longed to touch it, the sleek plastic that encapsulated the wires and computer chips reminded me of a few years ago. I had been exceptionally good and Master had given me an old game system with one game, Lunar Silver Star Story. I had been completely engrossed in it before someone put a bullet through the system in a midst of anger. I missed that game terribly and I often caught myself humming the songs that went with it. It was a comfort that wrapped me in a protective blanket, what I pictured the loving embrace of a mothers warm arms around her child as they rested their head upon her chest, the sweet melody of their mother's heartbeat lulling them into a peaceful sleep.

I wondered for a brief moment if Blonde had ever clung to his mother in the middle of the night begging her to comfort him as lightening cracked outside the usually warm and cosy house. I wondered if she ever wound her arms around him, ran her fingers through his hair and murmured comforting words. "There there, you're safe now. Mama's here." I wondered how she would feel if she could see who her son was now, if he disappointed her with his cruel ways and stoic disposition.

Not like he would even care.

He swiveled around in his car, eyes boring into me as I quickly averted my gaze.

"So. Matt." He said, his voice venomously sweet, poison practically dripping down his chin. My fingers tightened on my thigh, my palm shielding the brand from his sight. "I think you understand what happens when you don't cooperate."

I nodded slowly.

"Now I need a description of your Master."

I pressed my lips together firmly, shaking my head. I couldn't rat Master out. He had been so kind to me.

"Do you really think he enjoys your presences you filthy whore? He left you behind. He only kept you for your hair colour, you know that don't you? He wants nothing to do with you, that's why he sewed your lips shut. You have nothing worth saying." He grabbed my hair and twist it tight, the strands screaming to be released and ease the pressure on my scalp, but I did nothing. I couldn't. His cold blue eyes met mine and a small smile curved his thin lips upwards, showing a row of gleaming pearly teeth. "If you behave I can treat you with all the kindness of your Master before you. If not, well-" He gestured to my burn before leaning close and hissing in my ear. "-I'm only just warming up."