Chapter twenty eight:

Near is taken past all of the fighting and into a building only to be let go of in a room at the far back of it.

The room is dimly lit with dark wood and the same kind of flooring as outside of the buildings of the underground city.

"Stay here. It's for your own good." One of the two that brought him here says then they lock the door after leaving.

Near looks around but there are no windows or other doors so the only way out would be to teleport. He could do that but he isn't too confident in his teleporting as he only recently has grasped control plus he has no idea where he should teleport to. He knows that it takes up quite a bit of magic so he will need to figure out something else. He doesn't want to be unable to fight back enough if he goes back out into the fight. He would be of no help whatsoever then. He blinks as he gains an idea of what to do. "I just hope that it will prove to be truly useful." He closes his eyes concentrating on a certain location then he teleports heading to that location.

….

"Near!" Mello calls then he turns slightly in which he grabs a government agent's arms as he tries to grab a hold of him. He lights his hands on fire keeping it up until he has badly burned the agent in which he shoves the other who screams in pain away from him.

The government agent slams into another pair fighting but Mello turns away and jogs looking around in hope that he will be able to locate Near.

"Where are you?" Mello questions to himself worried about the slightly younger male.

"Mello!"

He turns as he hears his name being called and sees Matt running towards him. "Matt!" He greets his friend who stops once slightly close to him. "Have you seen Near?"

Matt shakes his head causing Mello's shoulders to slump. "But we can look together." He offers in which Mello nods in agreement and appreciation.

So the two set out together to try to find the other while fighting off anyone who attacks them.

….

Near opens his eye as he appears in the entrance way of a familiar place and slightly glances around but doesn't see anyone right away.

"Who goes there?" A voice calls from elsewhere in this home.

"The raven that flies at midnight." Near responds remembering the line.

"Wait. That voice." Alfred followed by James come over to Near.

"It is!" James gasps in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"The government is attacking back at the underground city." Near informs them. "I decided to go look for possible help to try to ensure that they don't win and capture or kill so many of us."

"Attacking!?" Alfred questions in surprise then he shares a glance with James.

The two turn back to Near both with determined looks on their faces.

"Okay. We will go." Alfred informs Near who smiles appreciatively.

"Thank you. What about anyone else that might be able to help us?" Near questions in curiosity to the two.

"There are other members hiding out here in this city." James informs him slightly thinking. "If we really are to help then we'll need to find as many as possible to join us. There should be someone who will help us get to where we are needed."

"Do you know the exact location?" Near questions and receives a nod from both of the others in response.

"Yeah. We went there one time on time we had off and we were shown the general location. Should be easy to find from there." Alfred confirms on that. "But what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to teleport around and try to get as many to help as possible." Near explains. "Oh and I need a clock for a moment. Just to get a little extra power. I should be okay if I use it."

"Are you sure?" James questions with a worried look. "I mean won't you exhaust yourself badly if you do that? What if something happens?"

Alfred also gains a worried look on his face as this point is brought up. "You know that is a good point."

"I'm afraid it's a risk that I'm going to have to take." Near informs them giving a look of determination at the two. "Many lives are at stake here."

"I guess that is a point." James admits. "But surely you should still look after yourself. I mean you are important too you know."

"I have to do this. It should be okay in the end. Please understand." Near tells them trying to keep it short in fear about how much time they might have.

Alfred and James share one last look with each other then they close their eyes with a sigh each and they turn their attention back to Near.

"Alright. Just please be careful won't you?" James requests and Near nods at least giving them some ease of mind. "There is a clock in the bedroom. I think Near knows where it is that he is going."

"Thank you." Near gives them his appreciation then he heads the way gestured to him and he finds the bedroom easily. He notices a clock placed across from the bed and approaches it. He looks up at it slightly judging whether or not he can reach. He places his right hand on the wall and reaches his left hand up as high as he can. He can't reach it so he tries standing on his tippy toes in which he just barely can't reach it. He continues trying giving the clock a determined gaze. "Come on." He strains himself until he finally gets his fingertips to touch the silver plastic edge of the clock. He shivers feeling that boost of power shoot through his body and he lowers himself back down lowering his hand only to look at it for a few moments. "Where does this power come from? Hm. Must be the energy of time and what better places is it concentrated than in clocks." He lowers his hand and looks to the doorway. "But no time to be thinking about that. I need to continue my search." He closes his eyes trying to quickly figure out where he should go to next for help.