"It's a battle to the death!" Cinder screamed from the top of her lungs.

"Shut up!" I yelled back, struggling to keep her pace.

"No one will survive!" She turned around and glared at the zombies chasing after us. "You won't catch us you bastards!"

"Shut the heck up and RUN!" As I struggled to catch up to my best friend, I heard her sad words from ahead of me.

"Sorry it has to come to this, Winter, but one of us has to die." She picked up a pipe as we ran. "And it won't be me." Then, she chucked it at me, hitting me in the head.

I groaned obnoxiously and flipped to the ground. Then, zombies circled me and started devouring my flesh. Well, my character's flesh. My life bar quickly decreased until I died. GAME OVER.

Angry, I almost chucked the Xbox 360 controller across the room. L tsked from behind us as Cinder danced cheerfully. "No need to be a sore loser," he told me.

"Shut up all of you! I'm not being a sore loser!" Ticked, I turned the game off and grabbed my boots.

"No need to be so defensive either."

"Will you stop doing that?" I snapped, shoving my boots on my foot. "Let's just go or we're going to be late." We got ready, then headed down to campus. It's funny how we made it into the college but never actually attended. I guess it doesn't matter now that Light knows who were are.

L perched on a bench and took out a book to read while he waited. Cinder, already bored to death, groaned. "Can't we do something fun while we wait?"

I put on my glasses and took out my crossword. "This is fun," I answered in a blank voice. Six letter word for complainer. Hmm. R.

Cinder sat cross legged on the ground in front of us. "Let's play 'Would You Rather' okay? Unless of course you are too wimpy and scared."

I yanked off my glasses. "I'm not a wimp."

L put down his book. "I am not scared easily."

Cinder smirked with triumph. "Alright then. Hmm, let me think…" She turned to me and asked, "Would you rather have a dragon, or be a dragon?"

"Have one," I answered simply. "Then I could make it kill anyone I wanted with it's fire breath."

"L." Cinder thought for a moment. "Would you rather never be able to speak again, or always have to say everything that's on your mind?"

L bit his thumbnail. "It would be a shame if I could not speak. I am the world's top three greatest detectives… Always have to say everything that's on my mind."

Cinder nodded satisfyingly, then turned to me for round two. "Would you rather wear a snow suit in the desert or be naked in Antarctica?"

I laughed and shook my head, biting my lip. I definitely wouldn't want to be naked in the barren tundra. But wearing a snow suit in the middle of the freakin desert? "I guess wear the snow suit," I finally answered.

Cinder scrunched her nose. "Why?"

"One, I wouldn't be naked. Two, I don't fancy being frozen to death while exposed. I'd rather die of heat stroke."

Shrugging, she moved to L. "Would you rather change the past or be able to see the future?"

A small smile crept on L's face. "That is quite an easy one. I'd rather change the past." We shared a knowing look. I knew what L would do if he could change the past. He'd help A. We all would. He'd make sure A wasn't so pressured so he wouldn't try commit suicide, then go crazy later on in life.

Cinder hit her hands on her legs as a drum roll. "Final round. Cinder." I took a deep breath and prepared for the last question. "Would you rather know how you're going to die, or when you're going to die?"

"Pff, totally when. Like, I'd want to know when I'm going to die so I can get all my priorities straight and live life to the fullest. Besides, if I knew how I would die, I'd probably freak out and have an aneurysm."

Cinder laughed and rolled her eyes. "L." Eying me playfully, she smirked inwardly. "Would you rather be married to the love of your life, or be the world's greatest detective."

L hummed. "Both?"

"Nope," Cinder told him, wagging a finger in his face. "You can only pick one mister." L rubbed his thumb across his bottom lip.

I sighed. "Of course he'd be the world's greatest detective." They both shot their heads at me with confused looks on their face. "I mean, he loves his job and he's amazing at it. He's helped so many people. Why would he want to give it up just for some girl?"

Cinder snorted softly, said nothing, and turned to L, awaiting his answer. L stared at me with a blank face, eyes unreadable. I pursed my lips and kept quiet until he finally answered.

"Winter is incorrect." I laughed bitterly and crossed my arms.

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Mhm."

"I'm serious."

"Uh huh, sure you are."

L leaned forward and stopped inches from my face. I could smell his sweet breath as he spoke. "I would rather marry the love of my life, if I have one, than be the world's greatest detective."

Cinder cleared her throat awkwardly. "Well, wasn't that fun?! Now, I think I'm gonna go get some coffee from the cafeteria." Cinder then darted off down the stone path.

L returned to his usual position without a word and picked up his book between his fingers. I scribbled on the margin of my crossword for a while. "Truth or dare?" I blinked and looked over at L. He was staring forward, but his eyes were no longer on the book.

"Oh, so now we're playing that game?" I slid my crossword and pencil away from me.

"Truth or dare," he repeated calmly.

I sighed. "Truth."

"Do you sometimes wish that your parents never died and you never went to Wammy's?"

I did not expect that question. Keeping my posture normal and my face blank, I didn't say anything. An odd silence drifted between us as the wind carried it away. "Yes," I answered truthfully. "A lot."

I don't know what he was expecting, but apparently my answer was satisfying to him. "I assumed so."

"L," I said, scooting closer to him. I laid a hand on his shoulder. "Not one day goes by when I don't miss my parents. I loved them so much. But I also wouldn't trade you guys for anything. I'm grateful that my grandfather took me in. I'm grateful that I met you and Cinder and Hollow and Beyond."

A smile flashed across his pale face as he turned to face me. "I know." Before he could say anything else, I spotted Light up ahead. He was walking with a different girl, not Misa his alleged girlfriend.

In a quick move, I slid down the bench and onto the grass, grabbing my crossword and pencil. Tossing them behind a bush, I crouched behind the bench and peeked around it to watch what was happening in secret.

Light approached L at the bench. I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't see me. I didn't want to interrupt this meeting because it was important L got the information he needed.

"I hope she's not upset." L put down his book and rested his hands on his knees. "Though I'm surprised you are not with Misa Amane."

"Never mind that. Is it okay to be here? Didn't you say you were afraid to appear in public?"

"Yeah I did," L answered casually. "But then I realized that as long as you're not Kira I should be safe. The fact is, you're the only one on the outside who knows me as L. In the unlikely event that I die in the next few days, I've instructed your father and everyone at Headquarters to assume that you are Kira."

Oh snap! Light just got served by senpai! I wonder where- never mind. Found her. Cinder hopped through the bushes other side of the wide path, two cups of coffee in her hands. She acted like she was on a secret spy mission. I guess that's what she thought when she saw my position.

Light narrowed his eyes a bit at L. I bet he was cursing the detective out in his mind.

"Besides," L went on, "you told me yourself that you missed having me around at school so I figured why not come back for a little old change of pace? As long as it doesn't kill me, college is a lot of fun."

Apparently L and I went to the same college. Oh, that's right. I took the online classes. The relaxing ones where I could binge eat on my bed while being in class at the same time. Ah, the memories.

"I've got to admit, without you around, intelligent conversation is hard to come by."

"Heh, I see. Luckily Kiyomi and Misa are there to fill the void."

"I don't know about Misa… but something like that."

Suddenly, Cinder stormed out of the bushes yelling, "Sneak attack!" She opened a lid to one of the cups and tried to throw it on Light. Instead, she missed terribly and it just made a puddle on the ground beside him.

I facepalmed. Light tilted his head. "Uh, what was that for?"

Cinder shrugged. "It helps the boredom."

I took it as my que to pop out from behind the bench and say, "Surprise!" Light jumped in surprise, then rolled his eyes. "I've been here the whole time!" Like a stalker. Now he's gonna think I'm a stalker.

"Stalker," muttered Cinder. I slapped her playfully.

"Hey, do you wanna get some cake with us in the cafeteria?" asked L, slipping on his shoes.

"Sure," Light agreed. "I have a break now anyway."

"Mm, that's perfect. I'm kinda craving short cake right now." Cinder, L, Light, and I began down towards the cafeteria.

"Well, let's hope they have it."

"Light!" called a familiar high voice from behind us. "There you are! I had a photoshoot nearby so I thought I'd come by to see you!" We looked over our shoulders to see her, blonde hair and black clothes, staring happily at Light.

L looked a bit too happy to see her, but Light quite the opposite. You'd think a boyfriend would be happy to see his girlfriend. Hmm…

"Oh these must be friends of-" She stopped when she saw me. I thought she'd kind of freak out in a jealous rage, but instead smiled brightly and gave me a quick hug. "Winter! I didn't think I'd see you here!" Funny how it's like I'm her best friend and this is only our second meeting.

I introduced her to Cinder who tried acting polite and not obnoxious. Light then introduced her to L. She struggled on his name, and suspiciously the area above his head. He used his college alias Hideki Ryuga.

"Light…" L said, staring at Misa with interest. "You're a lucky guy." Both Misa and Light gave a little gasp of shock. Cinder almost burst out laughing while I just observed. "I have been a huge fan of yours ever since the August issue of Eighteen."

Misa glowed with pride. "What? Really?! That's so sweet of you." Being a famous model, she was easily noticed by many students who passed by. They began crowding around her. Suddenly she exclaimed, "No way, somebody just touched my butt!" We turned to see L's hand up and his eyes wide. A part of me inside was jealous, but… ah, it was too cute not to laugh.

"This is an outrage!" L exclaimed in his best acting voice. He sweared to find whoever was responsible for it. Surprisingly Misa wasn't creeped out. Instead she found him to be funny.

Her agent swooped in and dragged the famous model away. She waved goodbye to us and the crowd disbanded until it was only Cinder, Light, L and I again.

We were about to go to the cafeteria together until Light said he had to use the restroom. Cinder and I shrugged and dragged L away from Light.

I glanced behind me to see Light take out his phone. Frowning, I stopped in my tracks. Cinder and L did the same. Suddenly, a phone near us rang. I was surprised when L opened the lid of a phone. Misa's phone.

That sorry son of a-

Cinder snatched the phone and answered it in her most annoying voice. "Customer service, how may I direct your call?" Behind us, Light's eyes were narrowed as he grunted.

"What the heck are you doing?" he asked in a low, stone hard voice.

"Oh, is that you Light? Hmm, what a coincidence. I just found this phone on the ground. Must've been dropped during the commotion earlier with Misa."

Light stood firm and unmoving as he stared at us. A chill went up my spine when his cold eyes passed over me.

"Uh hello? Light, are you-" I swiped the phone and shut the lid and walked over to him. Light did the same. We met halfway.

"That's Misa's cellphone you have," Light stated, motioning to the red phone in my hand. "I can give it back to her." Shrugging, I handed it over to him and began walking back to the cafeteria with L and Cinder at my side.

A phone in L's pocket rang, so he stopped and answered it. "Yes?... Yes I see… So it's done then?... I understand…" After the conversation ended, L briefly flashed a winning smirk before turning to Light. "I'm not exactly sure how you'll take this, but regarding Misa Amane, there's something you should know. We've taken her into custody under suspicion of being the second Kira."

I could see it already. Light's mind must've been going crazy. His world must've stopped.

"We've gathered physical evidence from the envelopes that were sent by the second Kira," L went on. "In particular, we recovered hairs and fibers from the masking tape used to seal them. They matched what we found in Misa's room."

They were searching Misa's room? Isn't that a little… invading?

"There would be a public outroar if it gets out that she's been apprehending as the second Kira, so officially we've charged her manager with drug possession and she's a voluntary witness. But I doubt any of this will get out…"

When we arrived back at the hotel, the boys were still gone so Cinder and I decided to wait outside for them. She laid pathetically on the bench while I counted all the blue cars that passed by us on the road.

Finally, after twenty minutes of waiting, I saw them running up the sidewalk towards us. Beyond wore dark jeans and a black shirt. Hollow wore a maroon shirt and regular jeans. Both Matt and Mello in their usual attire.

Cinder shot up from the bench to greet them happily, but instead of a hug, Beyond turned her around and pushed her forward. "We need to go," he announced to us.

Matt took my shoulders from behind and urged me into the hotel room, but I brushed him away. "What's going on? Why are you in a hurry?"

"Look, we don't have time for questions!" Mello exclaimed sternly. "We need to-"

A roar of shouts flooded up the street as a couple black cars came zooming towards us. I squinted to see men sticking out the window with large guns in their hands.

"What the f-"

"We're gonna die!" yelled Hollow, sweat rolling down his face. "We can't go inside or they'll just chase us in there!" Mello nodded at Beyond, then the two shoved everyone forward and into my car parked on the curb.

We poured inside. Beyond the driver. I the passenger. The other four in the backseat. Turning the car on, Beyond slammed on the gas and we took off.

"What the HECK happened?!" asked Cinder as she glanced behind us to the guys with the guns. "Who are they and why do they look like they wanna kill us?"

Mello clenched his fists and Matt bit his lip. "We haven't had the best day."