Thank you, so much, for the amazing comments you all have left for me. I was pleased to see that a majority of them mentioned that it was great to see Light as a new person. I don't know if any of you realize how much that means to me, because, in the actual series, I feel angry with Light's character, but I also pity him. He corrupted himself and allowed power to consume him, thus destroying himself through and through... I desperately wanted to create him in a renewed, more humble sense, and it seems, from what you readers have written, I've done it realistically enough. Thank you all for saying such kind things to me, in your reviews.

I have recently read a few verses, from the Bible, that remind me of Light. For example, 2 Peter 2:19 says, "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."

The previous chapter, "Aware", mainly represents Light's 'awareness' of all that he had done wrong. This title also, secondly, refers to Matt's greater recognition of Near's condition and everyone's awareness of the approaching helicopter. Is it for them? Did someone know about their whereabouts?

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

Chapter 21

Thoughts

Mello had been right. The helicopter was now in plain sight and was already positioning itself for landing. The trees' limbs, within the area, shook and swayed violently as it inched closer towards the earth.

It's a hospital helicopter! L thought, watching the aircraft fully land near the cliff's side. Its long blades began to slow its swift, almost invisible spinning. That proves it. Someone had to have known about us.

"L, you guys should go ask where they're from and how they knew to look for someone in trouble," Matt told the detective.

Light nodded and quickly hurried over towards the helicopter, as the unknown men in uniform emerged from their doors.

L stood up into his usual, hunched posture. "Well, I suppose I'll go follow Light now and figure it out," he said, beginning to shuffle away. As he passed Mello, L glanced in his direction and whispered, "What did I tell you, about miracles?"

The blond boy stared after the older man. Yeah, I know, L... We've been taken care of.

"Mello?"

He rotated his head around. "Yeah, Matt?"

"That helicopter can't possibly hold all five of us, plus the pilots. Some or none of us, except for Near of course, will be going along."

"Hey, that's right," Mello replied, looking back at the helicopter. It was an obviously big machine, but there was no way they could all fit in there. Especially since Near would have to be on a stretcher; that would limit the space even more.

"… I refuse to go alone," Near quietly spoke up.

Mello turned his attention to the younger boy. "Why?"

Near's gaze slowly fell from the blond's face to the blanket covering him. "I don't want to… to…"

"You don't want to go by yourself," Matt finished.

Near hesitantly responded with a slight nod of his head.

"Hey," Mello began, sitting beside his two friends, "either way, you're getting on that thing. I understand where you're coming from, but you need medical help, Near. For all we know, you might need surgery."

The white haired preteen shivered from the chilly, early morning air hitting his face. "… I know, but I would rather be around familiar people."

Matt pulled the blanket around Near more securely, and warmly rubbed the younger boy's bare shoulders. "I can understand that… I don't think you should go alone either, but if there isn't enough room-"

"Boys!"

All three of the boys focused on L and Light, who were hurriedly walking in their direction.

"Prepare yourselves," L began, "You are all getting in the helicopter and will be heading to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. It's the closest one-"

"Whoa, whoa, hold on a sec, L," Mello cut in, "How did they know there were people that needed help?"

The detective quickly went into detail about what the paramedics had told him and Light.

At some point, the day before, a small group of hikers were trolling through the woods when they suddenly spotted a vehicle, parked in a grassy area. Curious as to whom it belonged to, the group began to search for any campers or, possibly, other hikers.

After searching for awhile, the group stumbled upon a small campsite. They feared that something was wrong, because the area was ransacked and deserted. It seemed to them that whoever had set camp there was in trouble.

The group quickly headed into an area, which had phone reception, and called the nearest hospital. They were not sure of what kind of condition the missing persons might be in.

"That's how we were found?" Mello questioned. "That's kinda…"

"Miraculous?" L finished. "We are very fortunate that this has happened."

"Y-Yeah…" Matt said breathlessly. This is great! Not only are we getting rescued, but Near won't have to ride alone.

Near suddenly felt troubled. He was glad that he wouldn't be going alone, but how would L and Light get to the hospital? Is another helicopter coming for them, or are they going to walk all of the way back to camp? That isn't right…

Mello then asked what Near thought, "L, what about you and Light?"

"Don't worry about that," the detective replied. "The pilots are contacting another helicopter for us. We will pack up everything here and then meet you at the hospital."

"What about everything else?" Matt asked. "You know, at the lake?"

Light answered this time. "The group of hikers, that found our site, volunteered to pack up for us and drive the car to the hospital."

"… Well, that's nice of them," Matt responded.

"Indeed," L agreed. "All right, Near, I informed them of your condition and they are bringing a stretcher for you, now."

Near sleepily nodded once. I don't want to admit it, but I'm a bit anxious about getting on that helicopter.

The two paramedics suddenly approached, from behind L and Light, with a steel stretcher. The two stepped aside for the uniformed men to pass.

The man, carrying the stretcher in front, appeared to be in his early thirties, completely muscled, looked as if he were almost seven feet tall, and had blond, cropped hair. The man in the back seemed to be in his early twenties, was much shorter than the first guy, smaller in build, and had shaggy, red hair.

They both placed the stretcher upon the ground and focused their attention on the young boys.

"Hello, lad," the tall man said in a deep, British accent, as he looked down at Near. "My name is Adrian Baldwin. You must be Noah, correct?"

Second alias. The younger boy, feeling drowsier by the second, locked eyes with the stranger. "Yes, that's correct."

The second man walked to his partner's side and spoke in an airy, British accent, "My name is Kent Rhodes. Your guardian told us about the broken ribs and hypothermia you experienced. How badly does it hurt for you to breathe?"

"Almost every breath I take is painful," Near bluntly answered. "If I take too deep of a breath, the pain is excruciating. As for the hypothermia, it's been taken care of."

Adrian laughed in a jolly tone and bent down to ruffle the boy's alabaster hair. His giant hand practically covered Near's entire scalp. "You're a smart, tough, little guy aren't you?"

Near frowned and stared at the man in half irritation. Aside from the fact that this man is physically huge, how old does he think I am, and why are people constantly touching my hair, all of a sudden? I don't get it.

"Well, Noah, if you're ready to go," Kent began, "we'll strap you in and take off."

Near glanced at the medium-sized stretcher and then back at Kent. The men seemed trustworthy enough. "… Fine, let's go."

Adrian squatted in front of Matt and Near. "All right, I'm going to lift you up as easily as I can, Noah. Let me know if you're in too much pain."

The pale boy responded with a single nod.

Matt leaned back so that Adrian could wrap a strong arm around Near's bare, bruised back. The touch, in itself, made Near wince, but he wasn't about to complain about feeling anything. He clinched his teeth as Adrian looped his other arm underneath his knees, preparing for the sharp pain he presumed he would feel when the paramedic stood up…

Surprisingly, Near didn't feel as much pain as he thought he would. It still hurt, but Adrian was definitely handling him with gentle ease. He had even made sure that the blanket still covered Near's body. Adrian looks like the type of guy who can snap someone in half, but he's being very careful…

Before he knew it, the young boy was being lowered into the shallow stretcher and was securely strapped in.

"Are you comfortable?" Kent asked.

"Yes," Near answered, "I'm fine."

"Good," Adrian said, lowering himself over Near's head. "All right, Kent, lift your side at the count of three. One, two, three."

Both men carefully raised the stretcher and began a swift, but steady, walk towards the helicopter.

Well, it's good to know they do their jobs properly, Near contemplated. Perhaps this won't be as bad, as I thought. The next thing he realized, was that Mello and Matt had begun walking on either sides of him. It's also good to know that I won't be going alone.

The pale boy glanced out on the side Mello was walking and witnessed the carcass of the mountain lion that had tried so desperately to destroy him, once more. An uncomfortable, inner chill ran throughout his body as he remembered every encounter with the beast. I do not pity your death, mountain lion, but, if it weren't for you, Mello and I may not have gotten to know each other. Because of you, he and I are friends… I thank you for that, and only that.

Kent effortlessly stepped back into the helicopter's cabin, still gripping his end of the stretcher. He backed up a bit farther before he and Adrian simultaneously eased it down. Adrian, who was still standing outside, turned around to inform L and Light of when they would expect the next helicopter and then walked around to his side of the aircraft.

Mello and Matt, then, boarded the helicopter and knelt next to Near.

"Are you all right, so far?" Mello asked.

"Yes," the albino boy tiredly answered, "but, I must admit, my chest feels heavy and it's aching even more so now, then before."

"I'll take care of that, right now," said Kent, as he reached into a nearby medical bag.

"You're… going to give me pain medication," Near assumed.

"Yes," the young paramedic replied, pulling out a thin needle. "With the help of the medicine, you should be out the entire trip. Hopefully, when you wake up, you'll be feeling better. You already look exhausted."

"Michael, Matt," L suddenly spoke, "keep a good watch over him, as you both have been doing."

Mello resisted the urge to smirk. Second alias, of course. I almost forgot about mine, but L didn't.

"Sure thing," Matt told him. "We're not gonna let anything happen to him."

L smiled and then looked at Near. "Rest well, Noah."

"Yeah, and have a safe ride," Light added.

Near quirked the side of his mouth into a small, weak smile. He would have replied verbally, but was too tired to even speak anymore. It was then that he felt two, different hands take each of his from underneath his blanket—Matt was holding his left hand and Mello was holding his right hand.

"Even though you'll be asleep," Matt began, "we'll be right here and won't let go. We've got your back, or," he grinned, "hands in this case."

Mello rolled his eyes at the brunette's corny joke. "Yeah, we'll be with you all the way through this."

Near looked up at the two and flashed a half-hearted smile, lightly tightening his grip on the older boys' hands. He truly felt safe and at ease now and, after everything that had happened, knew that he didn't have to be alone anymore. They will always be with me… his own thoughts sounded as if they were echoing off of walls now, Matt… Mello… my friends… they are both here.

Kent slipped the blanket, covering Near, a few inches down the boy's right shoulder and then rubbed a small area of his upper arm with an alcohol swab. "Are you ready for the needle, Noah? It'll only pinch for a second."

"I'm fine," Near replied, stealing a last glance of Mello and Matt's faces before his heavy eyelids forced themselves shut. "I'm... just fine..." He was quickly drifting into a slumber again. I'm so tired... I can't stay awake anymore...

Near felt the sharp, but brief, prick of the needle before succumbing to a deep sleep.

L and Light stood side by side and watched the helicopter take off into the navy blue and tangerine orange tinted skies. From the way it appeared, dawn would soon approach.

L stared at the hovercraft until it completely disappeared from his sight. God, please watch over and protect the boys from harm… You have been watching over them during this entire ordeal.

"Hey, Ryuzaki," Light began, turning his face to the detective, "Adrian said we could expect another helicopter in at least two hours, right? We should start packing up."

"Of course," the ebony haired man responded. He turned around and headed towards the two, nearly emptied backpacks around the abandoned sleeping bag. "Oh, and don't forget about Mello and Matt's backpacks. I believe Mello's is around the cliff and Matt's is close to the forest."

"Yeah, okay… Ryuzaki?"

L halted for a moment and turned his body completely around. "Yes, Light?"

The chestnut haired man faintly smiled and chuckled to himself. "I have to admit, I'm going to miss those guys when it's time for us to head back to Japan."

L nodded. "Yes… me too."

"Just a thought, but," Light started again, walking a bit closer towards the older man, "how often do you visit the orphanage?"

"… Not nearly as often as I should," L answered. "I am, usually, too busy to visit, but I must admit that I have always found favor in those three boys… I phone Roger to see how they are doing, every so often," he smiled, deep within his thoughts. "He always complains about Mello's 'unacceptable behavior'."

"Yeah, it's not hard to see why that was," Light said. "As you could tell, he was a thorn in my side in the beginning, but…"

"You like him now," L stated.

"Yeah, yeah," Light mumbled, mindlessly glancing up at the waterfall to the right of him, "I suppose… I'm going to miss them, though." The younger man then walked past L and towards the wooded area, to retrieve Matt's backpack.

L watched him for a moment and then proceeded towards the sleeping bag. Light seems so... different from before... I don't want to leave the boys, but I can't just… Hm… I wonder…

Well, now, what could L being thinking about? I suppose I'll reveal that later...

I enjoyed creating Kent Rhodes and Adrian Baldwin for this chapter. I am not one to create, or like, OCs (in an already constructed series), but I really needed them here. I wanted Kent Rhodes to be the classic, caring young man and, well, as for Adrian Baldwin... He is based on Louis Armstrong, from "Fullmetal Alchemist". Can any of you picture the resemblance within your imaginations, minus his giant mustache?

The group has finally been found and Near will get the proper medical treatment, he has needed. The poor boy deserves it, after all he's been through.

I hope this was to everyone's liking, and I hope to hear good things about this chapter.

Thank you, for reading.